Green Horizons: Navigating the Future of Agriculture through Sustainable Practices

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The review outlines the importance of sustainable agriculture and its potential to address global environmental and social issues. While it effectively conveys the significance of the topic, there are a few areas where improvements can be made to enhance clarity and precision. Please take these comments as constructive feedback.

Thank you

Title – avoid putting full stop in the tittle.

Suggested Title; "Green Horizons: Navigating the Future of Agriculture through Sustainable Practices"

Abstract

The abstract presents a largely positive view of sustainable agriculture without acknowledging potential criticisms or challenges associated with its implementation. Including a brief line of contrasting views or critiques would provide a more balanced perspective.

Line 13-15; Vagueness in Definition of sustainable agriculture. It would be better if author can describe more precisely.

Line 16-18; The abstract uses broad terms such as "critical global environmental and social issues" and "current challenges" without providing specific examples or details. Adding specific examples, such as water scarcity, soil degradation, or climate change, would strengthen the argument and provide clearer context.

Overall, author needs to modified the abstract for more clear objectives and aims.

Introduction

The introduction repeats certain phrases and concepts, such as "sustainable agriculture" and its characteristics, which can make the text redundant. To improve clarity and readability, consider varying the language and restructuring sentences to avoid unnecessary repetition.

Some sentences in the introduction are lengthy and convoluted, making them difficult to follow. Simplifying the sentence structure and breaking down complex ideas into shorter, clearer sentences would improve readability and comprehension. For example; Line 51-54, 56-58, etc.

Figure 1; what is the source?

Line 214; While the section describes the role of precision agriculture and biotechnology in shaping sustainable agriculture, it lacks a clear rationale or justification for why these technologies are considered pivotal. Providing a more detailed explanation of the specific benefits and advantages offered by precision agriculture and biotechnology, such as increased resource efficiency, reduced environmental footprint, and improved crop yields, would strengthen the argument and provide readers with a clearer understanding of their importance.

Limited discussion of challenges and considerations are given in section 4.0; Exploring potential drawbacks, such as concerns about genetic modification, data privacy issues, and access to technology for small-scale farmers, would provide a more balanced perspective.

Section 5.0; A deeper dive into the mechanisms through which sustainable agriculture impacts the environment, economy, and society would enhance the comprehensiveness of the discussion.

Line 308; Some terms and concepts introduced in the sections, such as Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), could benefit from clearer explanations or definitions to ensure reader comprehension, especially for those less familiar with sustainable agriculture terminology.

Line 370; The section briefly touches upon case studies from different regions but lacks a comprehensive analysis of the unique challenges and opportunities faced by each region in adopting sustainable agriculture practices. Incorporating a deeper exploration of regional contexts, including socio-economic factors, environmental conditions, and policy frameworks, would enrich the discussion and provide a more nuanced understanding.

While the challenges and barriers to adopting sustainable agriculture are outlined, there could be a more robust discussion of potential solutions or mitigation strategies. Providing practical recommendations or examples of initiatives addressing these challenges would enhance the relevance and usefulness of the section.

Overall section 7&8 needs to be improve by considering the following comments; it would be beneficial to incorporate more specific case studies with detailed analyses of outcomes and challenges, provide a deeper exploration of regional contexts, offer practical recommendations for addressing challenges, clarify and elaborate on key points, integrate perspectives from diverse stakeholders, and strengthen the rationale and evidence supporting the arguments presented.

Section 9; Sustainable agriculture is a highly interdisciplinary field, and future research directions could emphasize the importance of integrating knowledge and expertise from diverse disciplines such as agronomy, ecology, economics, and sociology. Highlighting the need for interdisciplinary collaboration could enhance the effectiveness of research efforts in addressing complex sustainability challenges.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals and linking research priorities to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) could provide a framework for prioritizing efforts that contribute to broader sustainability objectives. Aligning future research directions with specific SDGs related to agriculture, such as zero hunger, climate action, and sustainable cities and communities, could help guide research efforts towards addressing pressing global challenges.

Future research directions could also consider the ethical and social implications of sustainable agriculture practices and technologies. This includes examining issues related to equity, justice, and the potential unintended consequences of technological interventions. Incorporating ethical considerations into research priorities can help ensure that sustainable agriculture efforts are socially responsible and equitable.

Minor English corrections are required.

Author Response

Reviewer 1

The review outlines the importance of sustainable agriculture and its potential to address global environmental and social issues. While it effectively conveys the significance of the topic, there are a few areas where improvements can be made to enhance clarity and precision. Please take these comments as constructive feedback.

Thank you

Title – avoid putting full stop in the tittle.

Suggested Title; "Green Horizons: Navigating the Future of Agriculture through Sustainable Practices"

It is corrected.

Abstract

The abstract presents a largely positive view of sustainable agriculture without acknowledging potential criticisms or challenges associated with its implementation. Including a brief line of contrasting views or critiques would provide a more balanced perspective.

Line 13-15; Vagueness in Definition of sustainable agriculture. It would be better if author can describe more precisely.

Line 16-18; The abstract uses broad terms such as "critical global environmental and social issues" and "current challenges" without providing specific examples or details. Adding specific examples would strengthen the argument and provide clearer context.

Overall, author needs to modified the abstract for more clear objectives and aims.

The abstract was rewritten based on the referee's suggestions.

Introduction

The introduction repeats certain phrases and concepts, such as "sustainable agriculture" and its characteristics, which can make the text redundant. To improve clarity and readability, consider varying the language and restructuring sentences to avoid unnecessary repetition.

Some sentences in the introduction are lengthy and convoluted, making them difficult to follow. Simplifying the sentence structure and breaking down complex ideas into shorter, clearer sentences would improve readability and comprehension. For example; Line 51-54, 56-58, etc.

It is corrected.

Figure 1; what is the source?

In response to your question about Figure 1, the image was generated by artificial intelligence. Therefore, it is an original image and not a quotation from any source.

Line 214; While the section describes the role of precision agriculture and biotechnology in shaping sustainable agriculture, it lacks a clear rationale or justification for why these technologies are considered pivotal. Providing a more detailed explanation of the specific benefits and advantages offered by precision agriculture and biotechnology, such as increased resource efficiency, reduced environmental footprint, and improved crop yields, would strengthen the argument and provide readers with a clearer understanding of their importance.

It is corrected.

Limited discussion of challenges and considerations are given in section 4.0; Exploring potential drawbacks, such as concerns about genetic modification, data privacy issues, and access to technology for small-scale farmers, would provide a more balanced perspective.

It is corrected.

Section 5.0; A deeper dive into the mechanisms through which sustainable agriculture impacts the environment, economy, and society would enhance the comprehensiveness of the discussion.

Extra discussions were added.

Line 308; Some terms and concepts introduced in the sections, such as Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), could benefit from clearer explanations or definitions to ensure reader comprehension, especially for those less familiar with sustainable agriculture terminology.

The explanation of CSA was added.

Line 370; The section briefly touches upon case studies from different regions but lacks a comprehensive analysis of the unique challenges and opportunities faced by each region in adopting sustainable agriculture practices. Incorporating a deeper exploration of regional contexts, including socio-economic factors, environmental conditions, and policy frameworks, would enrich the discussion and provide a more nuanced understanding.

We added extra discussions based on the referee's suggestions.

While the challenges and barriers to adopting sustainable agriculture are outlined, there could be a more robust discussion of potential solutions or mitigation strategies. Providing practical recommendations or examples of initiatives addressing these challenges would enhance the relevance and usefulness of the section.

Overall section 7&8 needs to be improve by considering the following comments; it would be beneficial to incorporate more specific case studies with detailed analyses of outcomes and challenges, provide a deeper exploration of regional contexts, offer practical recommendations for addressing challenges, clarify and elaborate on key points, integrate perspectives from diverse stakeholders, and strengthen the rationale and evidence supporting the arguments presented.

In response to the insightful suggestions for enhancing sections 7 and 8 of our manuscript, we've taken the initiative to refine our analysis and discussion. We appreciate the recommendation to include more specific case studies, provide deeper regional context exploration, and offer practical solutions to challenges encountered in sustainable agriculture practices. The feedback on clarifying key points, integrating diverse stakeholder perspectives, and reinforcing our arguments with stronger evidence and rationale has also been invaluable. While we wholeheartedly agree with the essence of these suggestions, we have carefully considered the balance between enriching our manuscript with detailed case studies and maintaining the focus of our research. Our primary goal is to ensure that the core message and objectives of our study remain clear and directly relevant to our readers and the academic community interested in sustainable agriculture. Incorporating an extensive range of case studies with detailed analyses, although beneficial for comprehensiveness, poses the risk of diverting attention from our main research objectives. Additionally, it could significantly increase the manuscript's length, potentially overwhelming readers with information that, while valuable, may dilute the focus on the critical issues we aim to highlight within the scope of sustainable agriculture practices. Therefore, while we have endeavored to enhance sections 7 and 8 with additional insights and a broader perspective, we have also strived to maintain a careful balance. We've selected case studies and examples that best illustrate the challenges and opportunities in sustainable agriculture without compromising the clarity and conciseness of our discussion. This approach allows us to offer a focused narrative that remains accessible and engaging to our audience, avoiding an overly dense or extensive manuscript that could detract from the key messages we wish to convey. We believe that this balanced approach best serves the interests of our readers and the broader academic discourse on sustainable agriculture, ensuring that our manuscript remains a valuable and insightful contribution to the field.

Section 9; Sustainable agriculture is a highly interdisciplinary field, and future research directions could emphasize the importance of integrating knowledge and expertise from diverse disciplines such as agronomy, ecology, economics, and sociology. Highlighting the need for interdisciplinary collaboration could enhance the effectiveness of research efforts in addressing complex sustainability challenges.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals and linking research priorities to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) could provide a framework for prioritizing efforts that contribute to broader sustainability objectives. Aligning future research directions with specific SDGs related to agriculture, such as zero hunger, climate action, and sustainable cities and communities, could help guide research efforts towards addressing pressing global challenges.

Future research directions could also consider the ethical and social implications of sustainable agriculture practices and technologies. This includes examining issues related to equity, justice, and the potential unintended consequences of technological interventions. Incorporating ethical considerations into research priorities can help ensure that sustainable agriculture efforts are socially responsible and equitable.

We added extra discussions based on the referee's suggestions.

Reviewer 2 Report

The manuscript is interesting and has potential. At the moment, however, it is rather 'one-sided' and general. One gets the impression that the authors (this is particularly evident in Table 1) have a clearly negative view of conventional agriculture and a clearly positive view of sustainable agriculture (with typical organic farming elements). To be objective, it would be necessary to mention the disadvantages of such a system and to note that conventional agriculture, although not considered to be future-proof, has some advantages (higher production efficiency, profit for farmers, higher yields). Modern technologies are used in each system, just as conventional agriculture includes crop rotation, too (see lines 125-131). I propose to rethink the article - its structure, assumptions, purpose, conclusions. I propose to explain in the introduction what is new in this article and why it is necessary to revisit the topic (how it differs from others in the field, what is presented for the first time, what is new).

It is good that modern technologies, challenges, barriers, future directions and needs are presented. The comprehensive literature review is a major strength of this manuscript.

Please note the formatting of the references.

Author Response

Reviewer 2

The manuscript is interesting and has potential. At the moment, however, it is rather 'one-sided' and general. One gets the impression that the authors (this is particularly evident in Table 1) have a clearly negative view of conventional agriculture and a clearly positive view of sustainable agriculture (with typical organic farming elements). To be objective, it would be necessary to mention the disadvantages of such a system and to note that conventional agriculture, although not considered to be future-proof, has some advantages (higher production efficiency, profit for farmers, higher yields). Modern technologies are used in each system, just as conventional agriculture includes crop rotation, too (see lines 125-131). I propose to rethink the article - its structure, assumptions, purpose, conclusions. I propose to explain in the introduction what is new in this article and why it is necessary to revisit the topic (how it differs from others in the field, what is presented for the first time, what is new).

It is good that modern technologies, challenges, barriers, future directions and needs are presented. The comprehensive literature review is a major strength of this manuscript.

Please note the formatting of the references.

Thank you for your constructive feedback, which has been invaluable in guiding the refinement of our manuscript. Your insights have prompted us to reassess our presentation, particularly concerning the portrayal of conventional versus sustainable agriculture. We've taken steps to ensure a more balanced discourse that recognizes the complexities and nuances of both farming systems. In response to your suggestions, we have revised our manuscript's introduction and conclusion sections to articulate the novel contributions of our work more clearly. We now emphasize the innovative aspects of our research, outlining how it diverges from existing literature by providing a more nuanced comparison of conventional and sustainable agricultural practices. This includes acknowledging the advantages of conventional agriculture, such as its role in enhancing production efficiency and profitability for farmers, as well as its contribution to high yield outputs. Furthermore, we've discussed the use of modern technologies across both systems and acknowledged the incorporation of practices like crop rotation in conventional agriculture. This approach allows us to present a more objective view that respects each system's contributions while highlighting the potential benefits and drawbacks associated with their long-term sustainability and environmental impact. Our revised manuscript also delves into the challenges, barriers, and future directions of sustainable agriculture, enriched by a comprehensive literature review. By doing so, we aim to contribute meaningful insights to the ongoing dialogue on sustainable practices within the agricultural sector, proposing practical recommendations for overcoming identified challenges. We appreciate your recognition of the strengths of our manuscript, including the detailed literature review. Our revisions are designed to enhance the manuscript's objectivity and relevance, ensuring it serves as a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers interested in the sustainable transformation of agriculture. Thank you once again for your thoughtful critique. We believe these adjustments have significantly strengthened our manuscript, making it a more balanced, informative, and impactful contribution to the field of agricultural research.

Reviewer 3 Report

The author has provided a comprehensive discussion on the historical evolution, influencing factors, basic principles, technological advancements, existing challenges, and future measures of sustainable agriculture. The workload is substantial. I suggest modifying the following question:

1. Line107-116：It is suggested that the author can choose several key events from Figure 1 for detailed elaboration to better illustrate the developmental process of sustainable agriculture.

2. In Table 2, the author lists numerous beneficial effects of sustainable development principles on agricultural production. It is suggested to consider incorporating some quantifiable benefits to make the entire discussion more vivid.

3. In Figure 2, besides the visible presence of drones, it is challenging to observe the agricultural equipment used in precision farming. It is recommended that the author includes additional visual information such as variable-rate seeding, variable-rate fertilization, variable-rate spraying, and agricultural IoT monitoring to illustrate technological innovations in sustainable agriculture.

4. In the section addressing agricultural challenges, the author primarily raises issues related to human awareness. Since agricultural technology is a keyword in this paper, it is recommended to consult relevant literature and incorporate scientific research and technological solutions to better emphasize the significance of technological breakthroughs in the development of sustainable agriculture.

Author Response

Reviewer 3

the author has provided a comprehensive discussion on the historical evolution, influencing factors, basic principles, technological advancements, existing challenges, and future measures of sustainable agriculture. The workload is substantial. I suggest modifying the following question:

1. Line107-116：It is suggested that the author can choose several key events from Figure 1 for detailed elaboration to better illustrate the developmental process of sustainable agriculture.

It is addressed.

2. In Table 2, the author lists numerous beneficial effects of sustainable development principles on agricultural production. It is suggested to consider incorporating some quantifiable benefits to make the entire discussion more vivid.

In addressing the valuable suggestion to incorporate quantifiable benefits of sustainable development principles into our discussion, we carefully considered the current landscape of available data. While the integration of precise, quantifiable benefits would indeed enrich our analysis and offer a more vivid illustration of sustainable agriculture's impacts, we have encountered challenges in sourcing universally accepted and reliable data that could be applied broadly across the diverse contexts of agricultural production. The field of sustainable agriculture encompasses a wide array of practices, environmental conditions, and socio-economic settings. The variability inherent in these systems means that data can be highly context-specific, making it difficult to generalize findings across different regions and farming practices. Moreover, the dynamic nature of agricultural ecosystems and the long-term horizon over which many benefits of sustainable practices emerge pose additional challenges to quantifying immediate impacts. Given these considerations, we have chosen to focus on a qualitative overview of the benefits associated with sustainable development principles in agriculture. This approach allows us to highlight the wide range of positive outcomes these practices offer, including enhanced soil health, biodiversity conservation, improved water use efficiency, and increased resilience to climate change, among others. We believe that providing a broad perspective on these benefits, while acknowledging the current limitations in quantifying them universally, maintains the integrity of our discussion and avoids introducing potential inaccuracies. As the field evolves and more comprehensive data becomes available, we anticipate future opportunities to integrate quantifiable insights into the discourse on sustainable agricultural practices. We appreciate the feedback and the opportunity to clarify our approach, emphasizing our commitment to presenting the most accurate and relevant information in our manuscript.

3. In Figure 2, besides the visible presence of drones, it is challenging to observe the agricultural equipment used in precision farming. It is recommended that the author includes additional visual information such as variable-rate seeding, variable-rate fertilization, variable-rate spraying, and agricultural IoT monitoring to illustrate technological innovations in sustainable agriculture.
   
   It is added.

4. In the section addressing agricultural challenges, the author primarily raises issues related to human awareness. Since agricultural technology is a keyword in this paper, it is recommended to consult relevant literature and incorporate scientific research and technological solutions to better emphasize the significance of technological breakthroughs in the development of sustainable agriculture.

It is addressed.

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

The author has included all the corrections and suggestions provided.

Reviewer 2 Report

The manuscript seems to be more balanced and objective now that parts of it have been edited.

Round 3

Reviewer 1 Report

Article can be accepted now.