Call for Papers: JARDS — Issue No. 3/2026

Climate Resilience and Sustainable Rural Livelihoods

The Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Studies (JARDS) invites original research articles, reviews and conceptual contributions examining climate resilience and sustainable rural livelihoods. This issue focuses on agricultural practices, technologies and socioeconomic conditions that shape the capacity of farmers and rural communities to respond to climate risks. We welcome contributions connecting sustainable production and natural resource management with food security, financial inclusion and equitable rural development. Submissions may address the following themes:

Climate Adaptation and Sustainable Agricultural Production:

• Adaptation strategies for crop and livestock production under changing climatic conditions.

• Soil fertility management, agroforestry, water conservation and sustainable use of agricultural inputs.

• Agricultural biodiversity and locally adapted crops and livestock as resources for resilience.

• Technological innovations that improve productivity and resource efficiency.

Rural Livelihoods, Food Security and Natural Resources:

• The effects of climate variability and environmental degradation on agricultural income and food security.

• Livelihood diversification, migration and the changing economic opportunities of rural households.

• Interactions between agriculture, forests and other natural resources.

• Community knowledge and locally developed responses to environmental pressures.

Inclusive Institutions, Finance and Agricultural Innovation:

• Access to credit, markets and financial services for smallholder farmers.

• Women’s participation, decision-making power and access to productive resources.

• Institutional collaboration, farmer organisations and participatory approaches to rural development.

• Digital technologies, agricultural training and professional skills that support adaptation and sustainable livelihoods.

We encourage submissions offering clear empirical evidence, practical applications or well-developed theoretical perspectives. Contributions from diverse geographical contexts are welcome, particularly those identifying feasible ways to strengthen resilience and improve rural livelihoods. Other manuscripts within the scope of JARDS will also be considered.

Call for Papers: JARDS — Issue No. 4/2026

Agricultural Innovation and Inclusive Rural Development

The Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Studies (JARDS) invites original research articles, reviews and conceptual contributions exploring agricultural innovation and inclusive rural development. This issue examines how advances in production, knowledge and technology can improve farm performance and create opportunities for rural communities. Particular attention is given to the financial, institutional and social conditions that enable farmers to adopt innovations and benefit from them. We welcome contributions addressing the following themes:

Innovative Technologies and Sustainable Agricultural Practices:

• New technologies in crop production, livestock management and food processing.

• Biotechnology, biological inputs and resource-efficient production systems.

• Precision agriculture, digital tools and accessible technologies for smallholder farms.

• Evaluation of the economic viability and environmental benefits of agricultural innovations.

Agricultural Finance, Entrepreneurship and Market Access:

• Access to credit, insurance and investment for farmers and rural enterprises.

• Cooperatives, producer organisations and collaboration across agricultural value chains.

• Value-added processing, marketing strategies and rural business development.

• Financial and institutional barriers to innovation adoption and farm competitiveness.

Skills, Participation and Inclusive Rural Institutions:

• Agricultural education, vocational training and extension services.

• Women’s and young people’s participation in agricultural innovation and entrepreneurship.

• Participatory research, knowledge exchange and collaboration between farmers and institutions.

• Policies and governance arrangements that improve access to resources and distribute the benefits of innovation more equitably.

We encourage submissions presenting empirical findings, practical applications or theoretical advances with clear implications for agriculture and rural development. Comparative studies and contributions from diverse geographical contexts are welcome. Other manuscripts within the scope of JARDS will also be considered.

Call for Papers: JARDS — Issue No. 1/2027

Food Security and Agrifood Supply Resilience under Conflict, Political Crises and Natural Disasters

The Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Studies (JARDS) invites original research articles, reviews and conceptual contributions examining how armed conflicts, political crises and natural disasters affect food security and agrifood supply systems. This issue explores disruptions to agricultural production, processing, trade and distribution, and their consequences for food availability, affordability and access to nutritious diets. Particular attention is given to vulnerable populations and the capacity of rural communities, institutions and businesses to maintain food supplies during emergencies. We welcome contributions addressing the following themes:

Conflict, Political Instability and Agrifood Supply Disruptions:

• The effects of war, displacement and political crises on farming, agricultural labour and productive assets.

• Disruptions to transport routes, storage facilities, processing infrastructure and food distribution networks.

• Trade restrictions, border closures and interruptions to supplies of agricultural inputs.

• Food price volatility, market uncertainty and unequal access to essential food products.

Natural Disasters and Food System Vulnerability:

• The impacts of droughts, floods, extreme temperatures and other natural hazards on crops, livestock and food supplies.

• Damage to agricultural infrastructure and its consequences for food losses and market access.

• Compound and cascading shocks affecting production, energy, water and transport systems.

• Risk assessment, early warning and preparedness across agrifood supply chains.

Food Access, Emergency Responses and Supply System Recovery:

• Household food insecurity, dietary changes and coping strategies during crises.

• Emergency food assistance, social protection and measures to protect vulnerable populations.

• Strategic food reserves, alternative supply routes and diversification of sourcing.

• Recovery of agricultural production and markets, including support for displaced farmers and affected rural enterprises.

• Institutional coordination and policies that strengthen food supply resilience while maintaining affordability and nutritional quality.

We encourage submissions providing empirical evidence, comparative analysis or practical approaches to protecting food security before, during and after major shocks. Contributions connecting agricultural and rural impacts with the continuity of food supplies to both urban and rural populations are particularly welcome. Other manuscripts within the scope of JARDS will also be considered.

Call for Papers: JARDS — Issue No. 2/2027

Rural Development, Agrifood Production and Population Change

The Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Studies (JARDS) invites original research articles, reviews and conceptual contributions examining the relationships between rural development, agrifood production, migration and rural depopulation. This issue explores how demographic change affects agricultural labour, farm continuity, local food systems and the economic viability of rural communities. It also considers how agricultural opportunities, public services and living conditions influence decisions to remain in, leave or return to rural areas. We welcome contributions addressing the following themes:

Rural Depopulation and Agricultural Production:

• The effects of population decline and ageing on agricultural labour, productivity and farm management.

• Generational renewal, farm succession and young people’s entry into agriculture.

• Land abandonment, changes in land use and their implications for food production and rural landscapes.

• Labour shortages and the role of mechanisation, digital technologies and seasonal workers.

• Migration and Rural Livelihoods:

• Rural–urban and international migration and their effects on farming households and local economies.

• Remittances, agricultural investment and changes in household income strategies.

• Return migration, new rural residents and opportunities for entrepreneurship and knowledge transfer.

• Gender relations, care responsibilities and agricultural decision-making in households affected by migration.

Agrifood Systems and Rural Economic Development:

• The contribution of farming, food processing and agricultural value chains to rural employment and income.

• Local markets, short food supply chains and connections between rural producers and urban consumers.

• Cooperatives, rural enterprises and livelihood diversification as responses to demographic decline.

• Relationships between agricultural performance, infrastructure, public services and rural quality of life.

Policies for Rural Revitalisation and Demographic Resilience:

• Measures supporting young farmers, access to land and viable rural businesses.

• Investment in housing, education, healthcare, transport and digital connectivity.

• Place-based development strategies and coordination between agricultural and regional policies.

• Evaluation of initiatives intended to retain residents, attract newcomers and sustain rural communities.

We encourage submissions presenting empirical evidence, comparative studies or theoretical advances that clarify the two-way relationships between demographic change and agrifood production. Contributions assessing practical policies for rural revitalisation and the continuity of agricultural activity are particularly welcome. Other manuscripts within the scope of JARDS will also be considered.