Multicriteria Assessment of Conservation Agriculture Adoption: Balancing Soil Organic Carbon, Yield, Inputs, And Social Dimensions

Abstract: Conservation Agriculture (CA) is increasingly promoted as a sustainable farming approach with the potential to enhance productivity while improving environmental and social outcomes. However, adoption outcomes are often assessed through narrow lenses, overlooking the complex trade-offs among ecological, economic, and social dimensions. This review critically synthesizes existing studies using a multicriteria framework that balances soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics, crop yield performance, input efficiency, and social equity considerations. The evidence is explored from diverse agroecological settings, highlighting variations in SOC sequestration, yield stability, and labour and resource distribution under CA practices. The study reveals that while CA can improve soil health and reduce input dependency, the benefits are highly context-dependent, and adoption may exacerbate existing inequities, particularly among women and resource-poor farmers. Methodologically tools used for multicriteria analysis in agriculture, such as Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and weighted scoring systems, and a conceptual model for integrated and equity-sensitive evaluations are discussed. The conclusion with recommendations for participatory research and policy design to ensure CA initiatives support not just environmental sustainability, but also equitable rural development is made in this study.