Agricultural value-added, fertilizer and pesticide use, and environmental load capacity: evidence from BRICS-T countries

The agricultural sector plays a vital role in ensuring food security and supporting sustainable economic growth. However, climate change and global warming pose significant challenges to the long-term viability of agricultural production, underscoring the need for sustainable agricultural practices. Adopting clean technologies and environmentally responsible policies is essential for balancing economic and agricultural sustainability while minimizing ecological harm. Supportive and protective agricultural inputs are widely used to enhance productivity, yet excessive, unregulated use can lead to environmental degradation. This deterioration negatively impacts ecosystems, reducing biodiversity and straining natural resources. The Load Capacity Factor (LCF) serves as a critical metric for assessing the environmental footprint of agricultural activities. This paper investigates the effects of agricultural value-added, pesticide use, and fertilizer application on LCF in BRICS-T countries. The findings indicate that these variables exhibit long-term cointegration, with varying short- and long-term impacts. To ensure the sustainability of agricultural production while safeguarding ecosystems, it is essential to integrate clean technologies, precision farming, and regenerative agricultural practices into policy frameworks. Sustainable agricultural systems and environmentally conscious policies are fundamental to securing resilient food production and long-term economic stability.