Identification of Factors Affecting the Agricultural Sector's Sustainable Development, With a Focus on Health Factors and Critical Conditions (Covid-19 pandemic)

Food security, supply chains, and food safety have all been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The social, economic, and health problems caused by the Covid-19 pandemic posed a direct threat to global life and well-being. The present study aims to identify the factors that influence sustainable development in the agricultural sector, with a particular emphasis on health aspects and critical situations (Covid-19 pandemic). First, the factors influencing sustainable development in the agricultural sector have been identified using the Grounded Theory technique and a thematic literature review. In the second stage, 20 experts in the economy, promotion, and sustainability of agriculture were interviewed using 17 questions to identify the variables that impact sustainable development in the agricultural sector, focusing on health factors and critical circumstances (COVID-19 pandemic). In the third step, the research's final criteria and sub-criteria were determined using the fuzzy Delphi technique and expert opinion. Then, using the fuzzy DEMATEL approach, the internal relationships, influence, and impact of the health factor criteria, critical conditions, and environmental, economic, and social conditions were determined. The results of the study indicate that among the sub-criteria of health, social, economic, environmental factors, and crisis situations, the sub-criteria of providing sustainable financial resources in the health sector, the degree of farmer personal development, facilitating the export of agricultural products in critical conditions, and the status of managing medical waste for Covid-19 and natural disaster have the greatest influence.