Author Guidelines
Authors are invited to make a submission to this journal. All submissions will be assessed by our journal manager to determine whether your manuscript meets the aims and scope of this journal. Those considered to be a good fit will be sent for peer review before determining whether they will be accepted or rejected. Follow the guideline below to get your manuscript submitted with a good chance of being accepted.
Author Guidelines
Scope of the Journal
JAS welcomes contributions from academia, industry, government, and standard-setting organisations that address the following areas:
- Sustainable Agricultural Practices: Innovations in crop and livestock production that enhance productivity while conserving natural resources.
- Agroecology and Biodiversity: Research on ecological approaches to farming, soil health, pollinator conservation, and ecosystem services.
- Climate Change and Agriculture: Studies on adaptation, mitigation, and the impact of climate variability on agricultural systems.
- Food Security and Nutrition: Strategies to improve access to nutritious food through sustainable production and distribution.
- Rural Development and Livelihoods: Insights into the socio-economic dimensions of agriculture, including gender equity, smallholder empowerment, and rural resilience.
- Agricultural Policy and Governance: Analysis of policies, regulations, and institutional frameworks that support sustainable agriculture.
- Technology and Innovation: Applications of digital tools, precision agriculture, biotechnology, and renewable energy in farming systems.
- Biopesticides and biofertilisers as environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional inputs.
Types of Articles Accepted
The Journal of Agriculture and Sustainability (JAS) accepts a variety of article types that contribute to the advancement of sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, and resilient food systems. All submissions must demonstrate scientific rigour, relevance to the journal’s scope, and potential impact on research, policy, or practice.
1. Original Research Articles
Full-length studies presenting novel findings, methodologies, or applications in areas such as sustainable farming, agroecology, climate-smart agriculture, biopesticides, and biofertilisers.
2. Review Articles
Comprehensive and critical reviews of current knowledge, emerging trends, and research gaps in agricultural sustainability and related fields.
3. Case Studies
Detailed reports on practical implementations, innovations, or interventions in sustainable agriculture, highlighting lessons learned and broader implications.
4. Technical Notes
Brief descriptions of new techniques, tools, or practices with practical relevance, including field trials and innovations in biopesticide or biofertiliser use.
5. Policy and Perspective Papers
Analyses of agricultural policies, governance structures, and sustainability strategies, as well as expert commentaries on emerging issues and future directions.
6. Short Communications
Concise reports of preliminary findings, novel observations, or urgent issues that merit rapid dissemination.
7. Data Papers
Structured descriptions of datasets generated through sustainable agricultural research, including metadata, collection protocols, and potential for reuse.
8. Letters to the Editor
Short communications responding to previously published articles or addressing current issues in agricultural sustainability. Letters should be constructive, concise, and contribute to scholarly dialogue.
9. Editorials
Invited articles written by members of the editorial board or guest editors that provide insight into topical issues, thematic collections, or the journal’s strategic direction. Editorials may also introduce special issues or highlight emerging challenges and opportunities in the field.
Language
Language Policy
The Journal of Agriculture and Sustainability publishes articles in English to ensure broad accessibility and international reach. Authors are expected to submit manuscripts that are clear, grammatically correct, and professionally written.
Language Requirements
Manuscripts must be written in Standard Academic English.
Non-native English speakers are strongly encouraged to use professional language editing services prior to submission.
Submissions with poor grammar or unclear language may be returned for revision before peer review.
Writing Style
Use concise, objective, and scientifically accurate language.
Avoid jargon unless clearly defined.
Ensure consistency in terminology, units, and abbreviations throughout the manuscript.
Translation Support
While the journal does not provide translation services, authors may include translated abstracts or summaries in other languages as supplementary material, subject to editorial approval.
Editorial Assistance
Authors may request language and style feedback during the editorial process. Minor language editing may be provided at the discretion of the editorial team.
Authorship Criteria
Journal of Agriculture and Sustainability adheres to internationally recognized standards for authorship to ensure transparency, accountability, and ethical publishing practices.
Who Qualifies as an Author?
To be listed as an author, individuals must meet all of the following criteria:
Substantial Contribution
Made significant contributions to the conception, design, execution, or analysis of the study.
Manuscript Preparation
Participated in drafting or critically revising the manuscript for important intellectual content.
Approval of Final Version
Reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript before submission.
Accountability
Agrees to be accountable for all aspects of the work, ensuring integrity and accuracy.
Author Roles and Responsibilities
First Author: Typically, the individual who contributed most to the research and writing.
Corresponding Author: Responsible for communication with the journal during submission, peer review, and publication. Must ensure all co-authors approve the final manuscript.
Co-authors: Must meet the authorship criteria and contribute meaningfully to the work.
Contributors Who Do Not Qualify as Authors
Individuals who provided general supervision, funding, technical assistance, or administrative support should be acknowledged in the Acknowledgments section, not listed as authors.
Changes to Authorship
Any changes to authorship (addition, removal, or reordering) after submission must be approved by all authors and justified in writing to the editorial office.
Manuscript Preparation
Authors submitting to Journal of Agriculture and Sustainability must ensure their manuscripts are professionally written, well-organized, and formatted according to the journal’s standards. The following guidelines apply to all article types.
General Formatting
File Format: Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx)
Font: Times New Roman, 10-point
Spacing: Single-spaced throughout
Margins: 1 inch (2.54 cm) on all sides
Page Numbers: Bottom right corner
Line Numbers: Continuous line numbering is required
Manuscript Structure
Each manuscript should include the following sections in order:
Title Page
Title of the manuscript
Full names of all authors
Institutional affiliations
Corresponding author’s contact information (email, phone, ORCID)
Abstract
Maximum 250 words
Structured format: Background, Methods, Results, Conclusion
Keywords
4–6 relevant keywords for indexing and searchability
Main Text
Introduction: Background and objectives
Materials and Methods: Detailed methodology for reproducibility
Results: Clear presentation of findings with tables/figures
Discussion: Interpretation of results, limitations, and implications
Conclusion: Summary of key findings and future directions
Acknowledgments
Recognition of contributors who do not meet authorship criteria
Conflict of Interest Statement
Disclosure of any financial or personal relationships
References
Use APA style (confirm journal preference)
Include DOIs where available
Figures and Tables
Figures: Submit as separate high-resolution files (JPEG, PNG, TIFF; 300 dpi minimum)
Tables: Include within the manuscript or as separate editable files
Legends: Provide detailed captions for all figures and tables
Supplementary Materials
Authors may submit additional files such as datasets, videos, protocols, or extended methods. These should be clearly labeled and referenced in the main text.
Ethical Compliance
Include statements of ethical approval for studies involving humans or animals
Confirm informed consent where applicable
Submission Format
All manuscripts must be submitted via the journal’s online submission system. Authors should ensure that all required files are uploaded and metadata fields are accurately completed
