Editorial: Regenerative agriculture and support in changing policy environments: farmers' rights, contract farming, and navigating towards sustainable practices

The global agri-food system stands at a critical juncture, confronted by the intersecting pressures of climate change, biodiversity loss, resource scarcity, and persistent socio-economic inequities. The imperative to transition from conventional production models to systems that are not only economically viable but also environmentally sustainable and socially just has never been more urgent. This transformation demands a holistic approach, integrating top-down policy frameworks with bottom-up, on-the-ground innovations that empower the farmers at the heart of the system. This Research Topic brings together a collection of studies from diverse global contexts-spanning Asia, Africa, and Europe-to explore the multifaceted pathways toward building more resilient, equitable, and sustainable agri-food systems. The contributing articles illuminate the complex interplay between governance, farmer behavior, collaborative ecosystems, and consumer perspectives that will define the future of food and agriculture (Figure 1).Effective governance is the bedrock upon which sustainable agricultural practices are built. The articles in this collection demonstrate that while policy is a powerful driver of change, its success hinges on design, motivation, and implementation. planting scale and risk attitudes. Together, these studies underscore that effective policy must be multi-layered, well-coordinated, and precisely targeted to influence farmer decisionmaking.Beyond policy, the success of agricultural transformation depends on the adoption of innovative farming models and the cultivation of farmer entrepreneurship. In Northwestern Ethiopia, Gidelew et al. assess the impact of cluster farming on smallholder commercialization. Their findings show a clear positive association, with participants earning significantly higher incomes and selling a greater proportion of their crops. This model of collective farming on adjacent lands enhances productivity, market linkages, and bargaining power, offering a scalable strategy for transforming subsistence agriculture.A different approach is explored by Xi et al. in Laifeng County, China, who examine the link between ecological specialty industries and farmers' livelihoods. Their case study of the local vine tea industry reveals that capitalizing on unique regional resources can dramatically increase farmer incomes, particularly for higher-income participants who possess greater livelihood capital. This highlights the potential of niche, high-value industries to drive rural revitalization. At the individual level, the entrepreneurial spirit of farmers is a key enabler of growth. Thakur et al. delve into the entrepreneurial behavior of polyhouse vegetable growers in India, identifying leadership ability, planning, and innovativeness as core traits. Factors such as farm income, experience, and access to extension services were found to be significantly correlated with these behaviors, pointing to the need for support systems that nurture these essential skills.Innovation in agriculture does not happen in a vacuum; it requires a robust ecosystem of collaboration. Proposing a novel framework, Chen and Li introduce a "Four-Helix + Intermediary" model for green agriculture, comprising government, academia, industry, and farmers, with intermediaries playing a crucial coordinating role. Their case study of the soapberry industry in China demonstrates that this synergistic model is effective for driving rural development, though its collaborative harmony can be further optimized.The vital function of intermediaries is further detailed by Cai et al. in their study on land conservation in China. They find that land intermediary organizations, such as cooperatives and legal institutions, positively influence farmers' willingness to conserve cultivated land by enhancing the stability of their land tenure. Interestingly, they also note that farmers with higher human and social capital are less dependent on these intermediaries, suggesting that interventions must be tailored to farmers' existing capacities. These studies collectively argue for a systems-level approach where interconnected actors work in concert to facilitate knowledge transfer, resource sharing, and risk mitigation.Ultimately, a sustainable food system must be one that is perceived as fair by all its participants, including the end consumer. Mouchtaropoulou et al. investigate consumer perceptions of fairness and sustainability in the agri-food chains of five Mediterranean countries. Their research uncovers a stark disconnect: an overwhelming 87% of consumers believe the current revenue distribution-where farmers receive an estimated 15% of the final price-is unfair. A choice experiment centered on olive oil revealed strong consumer preferences for products that are local, traditionally farmed, produced by family companies, and reflect a fair price for their quality. This indicates a powerful, market-driven demand for transparency and equity that, if harnessed, could realign value chains to better reward producers.