Journals in Agricultural economics and policy

Agricultural Systems

ISSN: 0308-521X
5 Year impact factor: 6.4
Impact factor: 6.1

Agricultural Systems is an international journal that deals with interactions - among the components of agricultural systems, among hierarchical levels of agricultural systems, between agricultural and other land use systems, and between agricultural systems and their natural, social and economic environments. Manuscripts submitted to Agricultural Systems generally should include both of the following:substantive natural science content (especially farm- or landscape-level biology or ecology, sometimes combined with social sciences), and substantive analysis and discussion of the interactions within or among agricultural systems components and other systems.Preference is given to manuscripts that address whole-farm and landscape level issues, via integration of conceptual, empirical and dynamic modelling approaches.The scope includes the development and application of systems analysis methodologies (diagnosis, simulation and mathematical modelling, participatory modelling, multi-criteria assessment, trade-off analysis, participatory design, etc.) in the following areas:agroecology and the sustainable intensification of agriculture as well as transition pathways for sustainable intensification; decision-making and resource allocation in agricultural systems; the interactions between agricultural and non-agricultural landscapes; the multiple services provided by agricultural systems from food security to environmental services; adaptation and transformation of agricultural systems in the era of global change; development and application of tools and methods for agricultural systems design, assessment and management; innovation systems and multi-stakeholder arrangements that support or promote change and/or informs policy decisions; and big data and the digitalisation of agriculture and their effects on agriculture.The following subjects are discouraged:econometric, descriptive or other statistical analyses that exclude systems considerations, landscapes, land use change studies, or other economic analyses without substantive natural science content; development of typologies unless the typology developed forms the basis for further systems analysis; results from crop or livestock trials unless from systems trials or the results address systems issues; studies focusing on social or political outcomes that lack a clear systems framework and direct application to agricultural systems (i.e. the farm production system or landscape, their activities or components, their interactions or synergies); conceptual frameworks without empirical implementation (unless submitted as a short communication); studies focusing on specific chemical constituents of plant or animal species or their products; studies of the operation or efficiency of agricultural or food processing machinery, or of agricultural supply chains without a substantive biological component; life cycle analysis (LCA) studies that are primarily descriptive unless LCA is combined with other types of methods that address interactions within agricultural systems or between those systems and their environment.Such subjects are not considered for publication unless they clearly provide substantive and highly generalizable new insights regarding processes operating at farm or landscape levels or describe novel analytical methods applicable to a wide variety of agricultural systems.

Computers and Electronics in Agriculture

ISSN: 0168-1699
5 Year impact factor: 8.4
Impact factor: 7.7

Computers and Electronics in Agriculture provides international coverage of advances in the development and application of computer hardware, software, electronic instrumentation, and control systems for solving problems in agriculture, including agronomy, horticulture (in both its food and amenity aspects), forestry, aquaculture, and animal/livestock farming. Its new companion journal, Smart Agricultural Technology provides continuity for smart application being applied in production agriculture.The journal publishes original papers, reviews, and applications notes on topics pertaining to advances in the use of computers or electronics in plant or animal agricultural production, including agricultural soils, water, pests, controlled environments, structures, and wastes, as well as the plants and animals themselves. On-farm, post-harvest operations considered part of agriculture (such as drying, storage, logistics, production assessment, trimming and separation of plant and animal material) are also covered. Relevant areas of technology include artificial intelligence, sensors, machine vision, robotics, networking, and simulation modelling.When determining the suitability of submitted manuscripts for publication, particular emphasis is placed on novelty and innovation, and the degree to which a manuscript advances the state of the art for computers/electronics in agriculture. Applying existing technology to a particular crop for the first time does not qualify as an innovation in computers/electronics for this journal. Research applying off-the-shelf hardware or software, without augmenting such technology with investigator-developed tools, innovations, or unique approaches, should be submitted to its companion journal, Smart Agricultural Technology, whose scope includes applied technology. Manuscripts that apply computers/electronics in an ancillary fashion or focus objectives and conclusions primarily on the application sciences (e.g., entomology, agronomy, engineering, economics, horticulture) should be submitted to one of those respective science journals.The journal recognizes that the use of previously published data sets (either alpha-numeric, quantitative, or imagery) can be extremely beneficial as researchers develop and prototype new machine learning or machine vision algorithms with potential application to agriculture. However, the journal views this prototyping work as preliminary in nature, and prospective authors should, prior to submitting such work to this journal, generate a more scientifically rigorous data set, collected by the authors under controlled and reported experimental conditions.

Ecological Economics

ISSN: 0921-8009
5 Year impact factor: 6.9
Impact factor: 6.6

The Transdisciplinary Journal of the International Society for Ecological Economics (ISEE)The journal is concerned with extending and integrating the understanding of the interfaces and interplay between "nature's household" (ecosystems) and "humanity's household" (the economy). Ecological economics is an interdisciplinary field defined by a set of concrete problems or challenges related to governing economic activity in a way that promotes human well-being, sustainability, and justice. The journal thus emphasizes critical work that draws on and integrates elements of ecological science, economics, and the analysis of values, behaviors, cultural practices, institutional structures, and societal dynamics. The journal is transdisciplinary in spirit and methodologically open, drawing on the insights offered by a variety of intellectual traditions, and appealing to a diverse readership.Specific research areas covered include: valuation of natural resources, sustainable agriculture and development, ecologically integrated technology, integrated ecologic-economic modelling at scales from local to regional to global, implications of thermodynamics for economics and ecology, renewable resource management and conservation, critical assessments of the basic assumptions underlying current economic and ecological paradigms and the implications of alternative assumptions, economic and ecological consequences of genetically engineered organisms, and gene pool inventory and management, alternative principles for valuing natural wealth, integrating natural resources and environmental services into national income and wealth accounts, methods of implementing efficient environmental policies, case studies of economic-ecologic conflict or harmony, etc. New issues in this area are rapidly emerging and will find a ready forum in Ecological Economics.Ecological Economics Sections All submissions to Ecological Economics are reviewed using the general criteria of quality, creativity, originality, accuracy, and contribution to the field. There are several categories of articles to allow for a full range of constructive dialogue.News and Views Topical and timely short pieces reviewed by the editor and/or one outside reviewer at the editor's discretion. May include editorials, letters to the editor, news items, and policy discussions. Maximum 1500 words (600 words for letters).Commentary Essays discussing critical issues. Reviewed by two outside reviewers with the criteria weighted toward quality of the exposition and importance of the issue. Maximum 5000 words.Surveys Examination and review of important general subject areas. Reviewed by two outside reviewers with the criteria weighted toward importance of the subject and clarity of exposition. Maximum 8000 words.Methodological and Ideological Options Research articles devoted to developing new methodologies or investigating the implications of various ideological assumptions. Reviewed by two outside reviewers with criteria weighted toward originality and potential usefulness of the methodology or ideological option. Maximum 8000 words.Analysis Research articles devoted to analysis of important questions in the field. Reviewed by two outside reviewers with the criteria weighted toward originality, quality, and accuracy of the analysis, andimportance of the question. Maximum 8000 words.Book Reviews Reviews of recent books in the field. Reviewed by one outside reviewer with criteria weighted toward clarity and accuracy of the review, and importance of the book to the field. Maximum 1200 words.

Energy Nexus

ISSN: 2772-4271
5 Year impact factor: 8
Impact factor: 8

Water, Food, and PowerThis is an inter-disciplinary journal which covers the deep, broad, meaningful convergence between Energy, Water, and Agriculture. The journal topics will include grid systems dynamics, power-plant cooling, hydrology, increased production planning, aquaculture, biomass fuels, hydropower, renewable energy, energy system dynamics modeling and informatics as well as other topics.The need for the journal is the growing competition, collaboration, and demand for finite natural resources for use in energy production, water, and agriculture. This journal considers policy in its broad reaching scope, hoping to serve as a forum for discussion.Journal Topics:Energy:Water use in bioenergy, power plants, Hydropower, shale gas extractionNET ZERO or negative emissions energy systemsEnergy and Thermodynamic analysisCarbon and Water FootprintHydrogen energyWater use in carbon capture and storageMaterials utilization and recycling in the Energy industryEnergy efficiency and the circular economyEnergy cost in water use and/or agricultural systemsWaste to energyWater:Wastewater (Collection / Treatment / Disposal)Water footprintHydrology and water cycleDesalinationWater quality and the ecosystemIrrigation and water use in the agri-food industryRecovery of energy and materials from wastewatersBlue economyAgriculture:Agriculture (Irrigated and Rain-Fed, Livestock, Aquaculture)Food industryNutrients and soilEcological Footprint, land use and land use changeBiodiversityPlant physiology (Photosynthesis, Evapotraspiration)Utilization of byproducts and residuesBioeconomyVertical farming and urban farmingMacroalgae and microalgae cultivationModeling:System Dynamics ModelingBig Data Informatics and AIOptimization models and Governance ToolsLCA (Social LCA, LCC, eLCA)Input-Output LCA analysis and econometricsSustainable development Policies and SDGsResources and materials flow analysis through GIS and Remote sensingThis journal welcomes contributions that support and advance the UN's sustainable development goals, in particular SDG 7 (Affordable and clean energy) and SDG 11 (Sustainable cities and communities)

Farming System

ISSN: 2949-9119

Farming System provides a platform to discuss farming system design, integrated crop and livestock production, farming management, and economic and sustainable development. The journal publishes original scientific papers, reviews, short communications, perspectives, and comments.The scope of Farming System includes:Farming System Design and Innovation: development and application of tools and methods for farming system design and management; decision-making and resource allocation in farming system; sustainability assessment and design of farming system and decision support tools; crop distribution and resources sustainability; crop modeling at either farm-, landscape-, regional-, national- and global-scale; the application of remote sensing in monitoring production at farm to global scale; farming system optimization;Farming System Development and Assessment: regional agricultural green development assessment; food security assessment from the perspective of farming system; the synergism assessment of crop production, economic benefits, ecosystem services, environmental sustainability of farming system; farming systems life cycle assessment (LCA); water footprint, carbon footprint, nitrogen footprint and other environmental footprints of farming system; crop resilience and adaption to climatic change;Sustainable Farming Management: sustainable intensification of resources, lower environmental consequence, carbon sequestration and emission reduction. For instance, diversified cropping, the combination of farming and animal husbandry, organic farming, low-carbon farming, eco-farming, green farming, circular agriculture, conservation agriculture, regenerative agriculture, environment-friendly agriculture, and climate-smart agriculture;Crop, Soil, and Environment Interactions: the mechanism of crop, soil, and environment interactions; crop growth process under different environments; the soil processes and microbial mechanisms supporting high crop yield, high efficiency, and low environmental impact;Research Frontier and Interdisciplinary in Farming System: new ideas, hypotheses, theories, and technologies that are adopted or fulfilled to solve the problems in farming system research and practice, such as new materials (nano-, chemical-, etc.), smart agriculture.

Food Policy

ISSN: 0306-9192
5 Year impact factor: 6.6
Impact factor: 6.8

Food Policy is a multidisciplinary journal publishing original research and novel evidence on issues in the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of policies for the food sector in developing, transition, and advanced economies.Our main focus is on the economic and social aspect of food policy, and we prioritize empirical studies informing international food policy debates. Provided that articles make a clear and explicit contribution to food policy debates of international interest, we consider papers from any of the social sciences. Papers from other disciplines (e.g., law) will be considered only if they provide a key policy contribution, and are written in a style which is accessible to a social science readership.Policy issues that are relevant to the journal include: • Food production, trade, marketing, and consumption • Nutrition and health aspects of food systems • Food needs, entitlements, security, and aid • Food safety and quality assurance • Technological and institutional innovation affecting food systems and access • Food systems and environmental sustainabilityConceptual and methodological articles should be written so that they are accessible to the journal's diverse international readership. We normally do not publish review papers, although we might make rare exceptions for rigorous and critical reviews on topical issues.See also Elsevier's Economics Journals

Global Food Security

ISSN: 2211-9124
5 Year impact factor: 10.3
Impact factor: 9.8

Motivation for Global Food Security arose from concern about the difficulty for scientists and policy makers to keep up with the expanding volume of information published about the challenge of ensuring food systems are meeting human food safety and nutritional requirements whilst protecting the environment, securing livelihoods, mitigating against climate change, and reducing inequalities. The journal takes the food system to incorporate all levels of food production from the supply of agricultural inputs and agricultural production through to final consumption, and the wider technological, environmental, economic, political and social context within which this occurs.Global Food Security aims to publish papers that contribute to better understanding of economic, social, biophysical, technological, political, and institutional drivers of current and future food security at the local to global levels. It aims to stimulate debate that is rooted in robust scientific analysis, has strong interdisciplinary connections, and recognizes the trade-offs that often occur because of reconciling competing objectives and outcomes in promoting the needed transformation of food systems.While integration across academic disciplines is encouraged, papers on specific elements of Global Food Security will also be considered if they address important constraints and have broad geographical relevance. The goal is to publish concise and timely reviews and synthesis articles related to research on the following elements of food security and food systems:Food availability - ensuring there is enough high quality and socially appropriate foods at the local to global levels.Food access - ensuring economic and physical access to safe, nutritious, and socially appropriate food through reduced poverty, well-functioning markets and conducive food environments.Food quality – ensuring food is safe to eat and of a high nutritional quality; ability to utilize foods in a manner that is safe and nutritious and aligned with the socio-cultural roles of food.Stability, environmental sustainability, and climate change – ensuring agri-food systems are resilient and sustainable.Wider socio-economic context and impacts of food systems – agency within the food system and impacts of efforts to promote the transformation of food systems towards sustainable food security on poverty inequalities, socio-cultural contributions of food systems, etc.The types of articles the Journal publishes include:Strategic reviews of research from a wide range of disciplinary perspectives related to sustainable food security based on the best available science, in a clear and readable form that is accessible to a wide disciplinary and professional audience, thus bridging the gap between the biological, social, and environmental sciences.Original research that has relevance to sustainable food security at the local to global level and where the wider implications beyond the specific context of the study are made clear. Also, where advanced technical research and data analysis techniques are communicated clearly and understandably to a diverse disciplinary and professional audience.Reviews, opinion pieces and debates that synthesize, extend and critique research approaches, methodologies, and findings from the evolving body of original research on global food security and agri-food system transformation.Distinguishing features of Global Food Security include:Incudes multiple papers that address specific and timely issues of importance to sustainable food security and the related transformation of food systems.publishes authors who are recognized authorities in their field.a focus on sustainable food security and related processes of food system transformation from the local to global level.a focus on examining the implications of localised and context-specific research for sustainable food security more generally from the local to global level.sustained effort to make technically complex analysis understandable and relevant to a multidisciplinary audience.a focus on challenging current paradigms and seeking to provide out-of-the box thinking on the technical, economic, social, political issues around sustainable food security.Given this focus, Global Food Security is considered an invaluable source of information for researchers, teachers, students, professionals, policy makers and the international media.

NJAS Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences

ISSN: 1573-5214

The NJAS - Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences, published since 1952, is the quarterly journal of the Royal Netherlands Society for Agricultural Sciences. NJAS aspires to be the main scientific platform for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research on complex and persistent problems in agricultural production, food and nutrition security and natural resource management. The societal and technical challenges in these domains require research integrating scientific disciplines and finding novel combinations of methodologies and conceptual frameworks. Moreover, the composite nature of these problems and challenges fits transdisciplinary research approaches embedded in constructive interactions with policy and practice and crossing the boundaries between science and society. Engaging with societal debate and creating decision space is an important task of research about the diverse impacts of novel agri-food technologies or policies. The international nature of food and nutrition security (e.g. global value chains, standardisation, trade), environmental problems (e.g. climate change or competing claims on natural resources), and risks related to agriculture (e.g. the spread of plant and animal diseases) challenges researchers to focus not only on lower levels of aggregation, but certainly to use interdisciplinary research to unravel linkages between scales or to analyse dynamics at higher levels of aggregation.NJAS recognises that the widely acknowledged need for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research, also increasingly expressed by policy makers and practitioners, needs a platform for creative researchers and out-of-the-box thinking in the domains of agriculture, food and environment. The journal aims to offer space for grounded, critical, and open discussions that advance the development and application of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research methodologies in the agricultural and life sciences. Moreover, NJAS aims to open discussions on the role of research and knowledge in the prototyping, designing, testing and analysing of different intervention and management strategies needed to make agriculture, food and nutrition security sustainable in an agronomic, environmental, political, social and economic sense.NJAS especially encourages teams of (young) scientists to develop problem-oriented special issues, which demonstrate the value of crossing disciplinary boundaries and linking scientific inquiry to groups in the wider society.The journal creates space for publishing papers in the following categories:•Original research papers on: Presentations of empirical evidence obtained in interdisciplinary studies generating grounded understanding of complex and persistent problems and complex systems, with an emphasis on the research integrating natural and social sciences;Reports of insights and experiences generated in transdisciplinary studies informing reflections on how knowledge is applied and integrated in strategies and practices of different stakeholders acting in transformation processes in complex systems with multiple interests;Demonstrations of experimental study designs moving beyond conventional research approaches and reflecting critically on state-of-the-art methods, concepts, and theories, and the role of science;Assessments of innovative methodological approaches integrating scientific disciplines that are tailored to making complex and persistent problems and complex socio-technical realities researchable;• Theoretical and conceptual review papers on: Novel combinations of theories or (new) concepts enriching or refining existing theories;Innovative concepts emerging in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research fields;• Short opinion pieces about timely societal or scientific issues in the intertwined domains of agriculture, food and environment.Benefits to authors We also provide many author benefits, such as free PDFs, a liberal copyright policy, special discounts on Elsevier publications and much more. Please click here for more information on our https://www.elsevier.com/authors/author-servicesauthor services.Please see our https://www.elsevier.com/journals/njas-wageningen-journal-of-life-sciences/1573-5214/guide-for-authorsGuide for Authors for information on article submission. If you require any further information or help, please visit our https://service.elsevier.com/app/home/supporthub/publishing/Support Center

Life Sciences

Physical Sciences & Engineering

Social Sciences & Humanities

Health