Model for assessing environmental sustainability performance in the agricultural sector: A case study on plantain cultivation

This study develops and validates a structural model to assess the relationship between agricultural activity (AA) and Environmental Sustainability Performance (ESP). The model was empirically tested in plantain crops in Valle del Cauca, Colombia, using structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine causal relationships among key sustainability factors. Data were collected through a structured 28-item instrument applied to 600 administrators, managers, and owners of Agricultural Production Units (APUs). The analysis, conducted using partial least squares SEM (PLS-SEM) in SmartPLS 4.0, reveals that Business Associativity (BA), Agricultural Management (AM), Citizen Participation (CP), and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have a direct and positive effect on ESP. Moreover, significant indirect effects are observed between ICTs and AM, ICTs and CP, and AM and BA, highlighting their interconnected influence on ESP. These findings emphasize the strategic role of associativity, management practices, digital transformation, and civic engagement in enhancing sustainability outcomes. The study provides actionable insights for policymakers and stakeholders, advocating for targeted interventions and data-driven policies to foster sustainable agricultural practices.