Introduction

In the present economic, political, societal and environmental landscape, which is dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the emergence of challenges and issues that demand immediate and urgent responses is more intense than ever. Policymakers, international organizations, governmental and non-governmental institutions around the globe are seeking effective and sustainable policies, as they try to tackle far-reaching issues that affect all aspects of the economy and agriculture, including the food sector. In this context, this book presents new modelling approaches and their application to complex problems in the agro-food chain in order to address today’s pressing food policy issues. The respective chapters showcase national and regional studies on sustainable communities, rural environments and ecosystems. Taken together, they offer a valuable reference guide for scholars and practitioners alike.