The global food system faces significant vulnerabilities due to pandemics, which not only disrupt economies and governmental functions but also threaten food security and public health. Organic farming, particularly within cooperatives, plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable agriculture and enhancing rural development while contributing to ecosystem protection. This study investigates the production efficiency of 306 agricultural cooperatives in Hung Yen Province, Vietnam, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The efficiency assessment utilizes the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) model to examine the influence of factors such as the potential of cooperatives, labor resources, production processes, supply chains, and governmental support on the technical efficiency of these cooperatives. The findings indicate that organic cooperatives in Hung Yen maintained production efficiency throughout the pandemic, largely due to the adoption of advanced technologies and active participation in supply chains, which facilitated swift adaptation to new challenges. Among the influencing factors, the internal potential of cooperatives, labor resources, product development processes, and supply chain dynamics were identified as the most significant, whereas governmental support was found to have the least impact (0.07 for the first group, 0.06 for the second, and 0.06 for the third) during the pandemic. Additionally, three key factors—years of operational experience, product diversity, and business procedure support—were determined to have the greatest effect on production efficiency across different cooperative groups in the COVID-19 context. The study underscores the importance of enhancing the intrinsic potential of organic cooperatives to better adapt to rapid changes, thereby supporting rural development and agricultural productivity in the face of economic shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

The mismanagement of sewage sludge generated by wastewater treatment plants poses significant environmental and health risks, necessitating the exploration of sustainable alternatives for its reuse in forestry production. This study aims to assess the impact of sewage sludge stabilization and composting, utilizing effective microorganisms (EM), on the growth performance of Tecoma stans. A completely randomized experimental design was implemented in two phases. In the first phase, four treatments were tested with 12 kg of mixture in each: Treatment 1 (T1) (100% sludge with EM), Treatment 2 (T2) (75% sludge and 25% organic waste with EM), Treatment 3 (T3) (50% sludge and 50% organic waste with EM), and Treatment 4 (T4) (25% sludge and 75% organic waste with EM). The second phase involved testing five composite substrates, mixing agricultural soil with compost derived from each treatment and a control substrate, for the cultivation of Tecoma stans seedlings. Each substrate was tested with 20 experimental units, containing 15 seedlings per unit, totaling 300 seedlings. T3 demonstrated superior results in the first phase, containing 34.78% organic matter, 1.39% nitrogen, a carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio of 14.7, and a pH of 7.4, adhering to Chilean, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and Mexican standards. In the second phase, T3 exhibited enhanced seedling growth, with an optimal nitrogen concentration and a Dickson quality index (DQI) of 0.768. The findings suggest that composting sewage sludge with organic residues in equal proportions and inoculating with EM produces mature, high-quality compost that meets international standards for forestry applications. This approach offers a sustainable solution for wastewater sludge management, promoting environmental restoration and supporting local forestry development.

This study investigates the sustainability practices employed by cattle farmers in Indonesia, applying the Sustainability Assessment of Food and Agriculture Systems (SAFA) framework. As global concerns surrounding environmental degradation and resource depletion intensify, understanding sustainable agricultural practices, particularly in livestock farming, has become imperative. A qualitative approach was employed, gathering data through interviews and field observations with seven cattle farmers from Boyolali and Salatiga, two districts recognized for their significant cattle farming activities. The analysis focused on four key dimensions of sustainability: environmental integrity, social well-being, economic resilience, and good governance. It was found that while farmers implement various sustainable practices, such as crop rotation and the use of organic fertilizers, significant challenges remain. These include limited access to environmentally friendly technologies, inadequate financial resources, and insufficient government policy support. The selection of participants was based on their ability to provide in-depth insights into sustainability practices in cattle farming, complementing the qualitative data collected. The findings highlight the necessity of improving technological adoption and enhancing community engagement to drive more sustainable outcomes in the sector. Additionally, the study underscores the role of policymakers in fostering more supportive environments for sustainable agriculture. This research fills a critical gap in the literature on the sustainability of cattle farming in Indonesia, offering practical recommendations to stakeholders, including policymakers, to promote more resilient and environmentally sustainable farming practices. By detailing the current practices and challenges encountered by farmers, the study contributes to the development of informed agricultural policies aimed at ensuring long-term sustainability within the cattle farming sector in Indonesia.