Application of DEMATEL based on Bipolar Neutrosophic Sets for Sustainable Agriculture Practices

The development of natural capital is a fundamental objective within sustainable agricultural systems, where the optimization of both crop and livestock production is vital to addressing global food demands. Despite this imperative, major agricultural sectors such as paddy and rubber production, often fall short of satisfying consumption needs. This study aims to identify and prioritize the most influential criteria for sustainable agriculture using the Bipolar Neutrosophic Set-based Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (BNS-DEMATEL) method. Expert evaluations were elicited from five agricultural specialists using linguistic assessments to analyze the performance and interdependencies among sustainability criteria. Computational analyses were conducted using MATLAB and spreadsheet-based tools. The results of BNS-DEMATEL revealed that nitrogen cycling and fixation (C4) and biological pest management (C6) are net causers, exerting significant influence on sustainable agricultural practices. The prioritization of criteria is obtained as C1≻C3≻C2≻C5≻C6≻C7≻C8≻C9≻C10≻C4 where source of food (C1) emerged as the most critical factor, classified as a net receiver, highlighting its pivotal role in sustainable food production. These insights offer valuable implications for policymakers and stakeholders in formulating more effective strategies to advance sustainable agricultural development, with the dual objectives of enhancing food security and promoting environmental sustainability.