Assessing sugarcane production sustainability in Mozambique: integrating the SustenAgro Index approach with the Entropy Weight Method

Abstract

Paper aims: Assess the sustainability of sugarcane production in Sofala Province, Mozambique, using the SustenAgro Index approach and the Entropy Weight Method. Originality: This paper provides several original contributions. First it enhances our understanding about the sustainability of sugarcane production in Mozambique, a topic that has been few studied. Second, it proposes a robust and comprehensive sustainability assessment framework based on the SustenAgro Index tailored to Mozambique. Finally, an innovative solution using an entropy approach is employed to determine the weights of criteria. Research method: An intentional sample of 30 sugarcane producers from the districts of Nhamatanda and Búzi was selected. The sustainability indicators and dimensions were weighted using the entropy method, and the sustainability index was determined using the SustenAgro Index approach. Main findings: Sugarcane production systems present positive sustainability scores. The social dimension has highest contribution to the sustainability index, followed by the economic and environmental dimension. Inefficient water management and the considerable distance between production fields and the sugar factory, significantly impacts the sustainability of sugarcane production. Implications for theory and practice: This article presents a reliable framework for assessing sustainability in sugarcane production, leading policymakers and stakeholders to prioritize critical factors in designing policies and interventions