A multi-staged triple bottom line framework and scenarios to improve sustainability of rice supply chains

Purpose The study aims to propose an approach to improving the sustainability of the rice supply chain (RSC). It is motivated by the challenges related to increased populations and the need to produce more to attain global Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 of zero hunger while still balancing the need for global SDG 15.1 of net zero land degradation and SDG 6.4 of increased water use efficiency. Design/methodology/approach The work proposes a three-phased approach to improve the sustainability of the RSC, integrating the social, economic and environmental dimensions of the triple bottom line (TBL). Parameters concerning the sustainability of RSC were ranked using the analytical hierarchy process. A hierarchical model was developed using interpretive structural modeling (ISM). Subsequently, a stock and flow model of the sustainable RSC was modeled using the system dynamics approach to study the changes in farmland area and land usage for various interventions. Findings AHP and ISM revealed that farmland area and production rate were the most important parameters. Offering subsidies to farmers, modernizing irrigation and imposing strict regulations produced favorable results in optimizing the RSC and improving sustainability. Research limitations/implications Given this study’s focus on India, the study parameters could change based on the crop type and geographical location but can be duplicated for other regions/crops. The research has implications for regulators and policymakers in devising suitable real-time strategies and interventions for RSC sustainability, focusing on the nature of operations and interaction among the entities. Originality/value This work is the first to focus on the TBL model integrated for sustainability within the RSC and proposes four interventions targeted towards meeting SDGs.