Journal of Agriculture
and Environmental Sciences

Agricultural Innovation (AI) and Circular Economy (CE): Implications on the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus in achieving food security and economic wellbeing in a Boreal Ecosystem
Abdul-Latif Alhassan, Dr. Galagedara Lakshman, Dr. Perez Mery

Abstract
Agriculture is a major culprit for and victim of some of the world’s biggest challenges, including climate change, unsustainability, and social, economic, and environmental crises. This underscores the need for innovations in agriculture to produce sufficient food to support the increasing global population, water, energy, and food demands. The Circular Economy (CE) concept is seen as a promising concept that can contribute to Agricultural Innovation because of its potential to promote system innovations capable of achieving a better balance between economy, environment, and society. The two concepts have and are evolving, but little attention has been paid to how they are related, their implications on the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus, and how they might be implemented to achieve food security and economic well-being in boreal ecosystem contexts. This paper critically discusses the concepts, how they are related, how they might be implemented, and the implications of these concepts on the WEF nexus in achieving food security, socioeconomic well-being, and sustainability in Boreal Ecosystems. It also discusses some of the major trends, debates, and critiques related to these concepts. This work suggests that there is ample potential to implement the two concepts, and therefore proposes a circular innovative systems transdisciplinary framework for the implementation of Agricultural Innovation and Circular Economy in the context of Boreal Ecosystems.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/jaes.v12n2a1