Evaluating sustainability dynamics of leafy vegetable farming in Iran

Achieving sustainability in vegetable cultivation involves understanding various dynamic factors essential for shaping effective agricultural policies and practices. This study assessed the sustainability of leafy vegetable production in Fars Province, Iran through a survey of 140 vegetable farmers using a rigorously validated questionnaire with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.59–0.83. Key factors such as family labor and intergenerational engagement in agriculture, production economics, soil health, input management, market access, weed and crop management techniques, sustainable practices, community interaction, pricing dynamics, and education collectively explained 68.6 % of the variance in sustainability. Integrating the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) framework revealed that individual beliefs play a crucial role in agricultural outcomes, with 51.6 % of farmers categorized as neutral or transitional in sustainability performance, indicating a gap between awareness and effective practices. Importantly, no farmers in the Undesirable performance category endorsed high NEP values, highlighting the complexities of adopting sustainable practices. Insights and strategies from this research offer valuable guidance for policymakers, agricultural extension services, and farmers, contributing to the development of more sustainable agricultural systems.