A crosscultural investigation of sustainable agriculture and sustainable food
systems - The economic, social and environmental considerations

Yiquan “Seven” Zhang

doi:10.46609/IJSSER.2026.v11i09.019

Title: A crosscultural investigation of sustainable agriculture and sustainable food systems - The economic, social and environmental considerations
Authors: Yiquan “Seven” Zhang
Journal: International Journal of Social Science and Economic Research (IJSSER) ISSN: 2455-8834 Volume: 11 Issue: 9 Publication Date: September 2026 DOI: 10.46609/IJSSER.2026.v11i09.019
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Yiquan “Seven” Zhang Stamford American International School, Singapore
MLA 8 Zhang, Yiquan “Seven”. "A crosscultural investigation of sustainable agriculture and sustainable food systems - The economic, social and environmental considerations." Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research, vol. 11, no. 9, Sept. 2026, pp. 4759-4779, doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2026.v11i09.019. Accessed Sept. 2026. APA 6 Zhang, Y. (2026, September). A crosscultural investigation of sustainable agriculture and sustainable food systems - The economic, social and environmental considerations. Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research, 11(9), 4759-4779. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2026.v11i09.019 Chicago Zhang, Yiquan “Seven”. "A crosscultural investigation of sustainable agriculture and sustainable food systems - The economic, social and environmental considerations." Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research 11, no. 9 (September 2026), 4759-4779. Accessed September, 2026. https://doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2026.v11i09.019.
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ABSTRACT: Sustainable agriculture has garnered greater attention as a key factor for ensuring future global food security and mitigating environmental degradation and climate change/sustainable development. With the continued growth of the world population, agricultural systems are facing mounting challenges to meet the increasing demand for food while reducing environmental negative impacts. This paper analyzes the importance of agricultural sustainability for sustainable development and it therefore analyzes the extent to which it is pivotal to the accomplishment of major sustainable development goals (2 Zero Hunger, 12 Responsible consumption and production, 13 Climate Action, 15 Life on land). Particular attention is given to China and the United States, India and the EU as the world's largest agricultural producers, to examine how different agricultural systems contribute to sustainable development under contrasting economic, environmental, and policy contexts. Importance of study: This study is unique in the fact that it studies agriculture as a system of providing food but also generating economic, social and environmental sustainability. Policies, researchers, businesses, and farm communities focused on the pursuit of productivity levels that are environmentally responsible and socially beneficial need to understand how sustainable agricultural practices can facilitate long-term development. This article employs a qualitative literature review to examine academic journal articles, United Nations reports, and policy documents as well as case studies from various geographic areas. The relevant literature was systematically reviewed with a critical lens to determine common themes, key findings, challenges, and opportunities related to sustainable agriculture. The analysis primarily draws on evidence from China and the United States, while incorporating selected international literature to provide broader context and comparison. Results showed that sustainable farming has a great impact on increasing food accessibility, decreasing environmental damage, improving resource utilization, and contributing to climate change abating. Successful factors are related to innovation technology, agricultural extension service, sustainable land management, circular economy practice, and good governance. Yet obstacles such as climate change, financial limitations, policy incoherence, and disparate access to resources are impeding advancement. The study introduces a comprehensive framework that integrates environmental sustainability, economic sustainability, social sustainability and institutional sustainability as the 4 pillars of sustainable agriculture. It finds that sustainable agriculture is crucial for realizing many of the SDGs and for attaining the long-term sustainability of the globe. Future investigations should be drawn toward empirical, cross-national analyses and assessments of alternative and emerging agricultural technologies that hold promise for agricultural sustainability development.The comparison shows that China has made notable progress through strong government-led policies and technological adoption, whereas the United States demonstrates the importance of innovation, precision agriculture, and market-driven approaches, although both countries continue to face environmental and institutional challenges.

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