In the sprawling landscape of global agriculture, the call for sustainability has never been louder. Yet, measuring the performance of our food and agricultural systems in a way that truly captures their complexity remains a formidable challenge. A recent study, led by Mary Crossland of World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF) in Nairobi, Kenya, published in ‘Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems’ (which translates to ‘Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems’), has shed light on the current state of holistic assessment approaches in agrifood systems. The study, a systematic review of 206 approaches, reveals a pressing need for more comprehensive methods to evaluate the multifaceted performance of these systems.
The research underscores the importance of a holistic systems perspective, which considers not just the farm level, but the entire agrifood system. Crossland and her team identified four key characteristics of holistic systems assessment: measuring multiple dimensions of performance, integrating multiple stakeholder perspectives, evaluating emergent system properties, and revealing interactions, synergies, and trade-offs. “There is a recognition of the need for holistic assessment,” Crossland notes, “but many assessments fall short of truly capturing the complexity of agrifood systems.”
The study found that while there is a growing number of assessments published each year, a significant gap remains. Only 14% of assessments considered synergies and trade-offs between metrics, and just 26% addressed emergent system properties. This suggests that while the industry is moving in the right direction, there is still much work to be done.
The implications for the energy sector are significant. As agriculture and energy become increasingly intertwined—with innovations like agroforestry and bioenergy gaining traction—the need for holistic assessment becomes even more critical. Understanding the full spectrum of impacts, from carbon sequestration to biodiversity, is essential for making informed decisions that benefit both the environment and the economy.
Crossland emphasizes that the solution lies not in improving existing assessments, but in developing new methods for designing effective holistic systems assessments. “There will never be one assessment approach that will work for everyone,” she says. “The diversity of agrifood systems and assessment objectives means we need a meta-framework to guide the development of holistic systems assessments.”
This research could shape future developments by providing clear guidance on how to navigate the abundance of existing approaches and develop assessments that meet specific needs. As the world continues to grapple with sustainability challenges, the insights from this study offer a roadmap for creating more resilient and efficient agrifood systems. The energy sector, in particular, stands to benefit from a more holistic understanding of agricultural performance, paving the way for innovative solutions that drive both economic growth and environmental stewardship.