Dear Colleagues,
Global food systems are entering a period of unprecedented stress, characterized by systemic risks arising from climate change, extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, zoonotic disease outbreaks, and trade disruptions. These interlocking shocks not only undermine food security and nutrition, but also erode the stability of agricultural supply chains that sustain global and regional economies. The resilience deficit is most evident in structurally fragile regions and among low-income populations, where declining incomes, volatile food prices, and reduced dietary diversity magnify vulnerability to food insecurity. Confronting these systemic risks requires advancing conceptual and empirical research to identify pathways for agricultural production systems that are resilient, sustainable, and inclusive.
Resilient agricultural production systems emphasize adaptability, diversity, and sustainability. They are capable of absorbing shocks, reorganizing under stress, and recovering rapidly while continuing to provide food, livelihoods, and ecosystem services. Building such systems requires innovations in crop and livestock management, integrated soil and water practices, diversified farming, risk-sharing mechanisms, and enabling policy and institutional environments. In this context, it is imperative to synthesize evidence and foster cross-disciplinary dialogue to advance understanding of how resilience can be embedded in agricultural production.
We are therefore organizing a Special Issue of Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (FASE) entitled “Building Resilient Agricultural Production Systems”. This issue will provide a platform for research that advances both conceptual and empirical understanding of resilience in agriculture, and that identifies pathways to design, evaluate, and scale resilient systems across regions.
We welcome original research articles, reviews, and perspectives on resilience in agricultural production, including but not limited to:
1. Frameworks and metrics for assessing resilience in farming systems
2. Climate-smart and agroecological practices that enhance adaptive capacity
3. Soil fertility, water management, and biodiversity in resilient production
4. Role of diversification, rotation, and mixed farming in reducing risks
5. Innovations in mechanization, digital technologies, and risk monitoring
6. Financial, insurance, and institutional mechanisms for buffering shocks
7. Policy, governance, and investment strategies for resilient agriculture
8. AI-powered predictive analytics and decision-support systems for enhancing agricultural resilience
Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering collects innovative papers that advance the understanding of scientific, technological/engineering, socio-economic, institutional/policy, and management factors that drive current and future agricultural productivity and sustainability globally. It is a Diamond Open-Access journal published bimonthly with no page charges. The Editor-in-Chief of FASE is Academician Prof. Qixin Sun, the president of China Agricultural University. The associate Editors-in-Chief comprise Hans Lambers from the University of Western Australia, Shenggen Fan and Yaofeng Zhao from China Agricultural University, Oene Oenema from Wageningen University, William J. Davies from Lancaster University and Peter Vitousek from Stanford University. All submitted manuscripts will undergo rigorous peer review by globally recognized experts. This process ensures high-impact, fair, and open science for all.
In view of your international standing as a research scientist, we cordially invite you to contribute to this special issue. To facilitate the review process, please submit a long abstract or a full draft to the FASE email address (fase@cau.edu.cn) by November 30, 2025. The editorial team will review your submission within 1 week and confirm whether it fits the scope of the special issue. Authors whose abstracts or drafts are accepted will be invited to submit their final full manuscripts through the FASE submission system by January 31, 2026. The FASE online submission system address is: http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/fase. Please indicate “Special Issue: Building Resilient Agricultural Production Systems” in your cover letter and manuscript.
Guest Editors
Shenggen Fan
Dean, Academy of Global Food Economics and Policy
Chair Professor, China Agricultural University
Thomas Cherico WANGER GUERRERO
Group Leader, Agroscope, Switzerland
Adjunct Full Professor, Academy of Global Food Economics and Policy, Beijing, China
Yuquan Chen
Associate Professor, China Agricultural University
Contact Email
chenyuquan_cem@cau.edu.cn