Sustainability index approach of the Brazilian Pampa biome

ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to develop an index to measure sustainability in production systems. This sustainability index (iSus) was developed to be adhered to the Brazilian Pampa biome based on experts’ perceptions, in five regions of the Brazilian Pampa biome: Western border, Northwestern border, Campanha, Central, and South. The Sustainability Assessment of Food and Agriculture Systems guidelines, developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization, were used as reference for the indicators that formed the iSus. After selecting the indicators, a predefined list of experts was consulted to rank their priorities according to the analytic hierarchy process methodology. An electronic form was developed and sent to experts from each region assess the priorities of the dimensions, themes, and indicators. The selected dimensions did not differ, demonstrating that in the experts’ perception, no dimension has priority. Among the themes, investment (economic dimension), human health and safety (social dimension), and land and water (environmental dimension), were prioritized within the dimensions. In the analysis of indicators, there were no differences between the experts' perceptions and the regions analyzed. Indicators could be classified into groups of high, medium, and low priority. Water management, safety and health training, and net revenue were ranked as the highest priorities by the experts. The prioritization, together with the incorporation of an iSus, can contribute to broad actions to enhance sustainability in agricultural production systems. The use of the index will allow the measurement and identification of the basic premises of sustainability could be measured and identified.