An agroecosystems and food systems perspective is essential to understanding sustainability. Agroecosystems are envisioned in the broadest sense, from individual fields to farms to ecozones. Food systems, which include agroecosystems plus distribution and food consumption components, similarly span from farmer to local community to global population. An emphasis on a systems perspective allows for a comprehensive view of our agricultural production and distribution enterprises, and how they affect human communities and the natural environment. Conversely, a systems approach also gives us the tools to assess the impact of human society and its institutions on farming and its environmental sustainability.

Dear Rindra

Many analysts would add a fourth pillar, governance, which is not neatly captured by the social dimension and is certainly not captured by the economic dimension. The quality of public institutions is critical to the capacity of a polity to move its society and economy toward sustainability. Acemoglu has written a recent and authoritative explanation of why this is the case.

But that doesn't quite answer your question. I would not have thought that spatial analysis is a conceptual pillar, I would have viewed it as a tool. Any of the variables within economic, social, environmental or governance fields can be expressed in strategic, conceptual terms or can be mapped in spatial terms.

In most countries, agriculture is conducted by private landholders, whether individuals or commercial firms, rather than by the state. The landholder is the primary decision-maker over what happens on that land. I have sometimes called this "the sovereignty of the landholder over their property". The landholder exercises line command over operations, although the landholder's discretion is constrained (fettered) by a whole range of statutes (laws), government policies, taxation, advisory services and community norms. Some of these restrictions make no sense unless they are mapped or translated into spatial terms so that landholders can understand what is required of them on their particular property.

Looking at spatial analysis from the point of view of the authorities brings up a different point. Many governments apply their statutes on a case-by-case basis, as applications (such as requests by agriculturalists for permits) arise. This has a significant defect because some issues such as environmental trends make sense only when viewed at the scale of the whole water catchment or the region or the local government administrative boundary. The effects of development easily cross the borders of individual properties (soil erosion or over-extraction of water from rivers for example). For this reason, it is highly desirable that governments conduct spatial analysis (such as mapping soil characteristics, groundwater salinity, biodiversity remnants et cetera) in advance of considering specific applications. Spatial analysis in advance can identify limitations and opportunities of the area. However, governments commonly neglect this important function because it costs money.

Spatial analysis is best conducted by central government because of economies of scale (more efficient than expecting landholders or local authorities to do it piecemeal). Well-conducted, transparent and freely available spatial information is a service to landholders, local governments, business firms and anyone else who uses land.

An agroecosystems and food systems perspective is essential to understanding sustainability. Agroecosystems are envisioned in the broadest sense, from individual fields to farms to ecozones. Food systems, which include agroecosystems plus distribution and food consumption components, similarly span from farmer to local community to global population. An emphasis on a systems perspective allows for a comprehensive view of our agricultural production and distribution enterprises, and how they affect human communities and the natural environment. Conversely, a systems approach also gives us the tools to assess the impact of human society and its institutions on farming and its environmental sustainability.

Dear Rindra

Spatial factor "crossed" all other pilarls. My opinion is that spatial pilar can not be a new pilar.

Regards,

Redimio

spatial factor..sorry

Thanks Redimio Manuel Pedraza Olivera . Your opinion will be of concern in our research, that spatial factors are "crossed" in all pillars. And we will focus on the 4 pillars like the opinion of Geoff Edwards and we will discuss the spatial factors in all of these pillars.

Best regards,

Rindra Yusianto