What is it about?
This study uses spatial analysis and Simpson’s Diversity Index (SDI) to examine agricultural diversity across São Paulo, Brazil, from 1999 to 2019. The results reveal shifting patterns of crop diversity, with weakening regional clusters and a trend towards specialization. These spatial changes have important implications for food security, as regions with low diversity may be more vulnerable to climate shocks. By proposing SDI as a standardized metric for tracking progress toward Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2.4, this study highlights the need for policies that strengthen agricultural resilience through regional diversification strategies.
Featured Image
Photo by Ricardo Gomez Angel on Unsplash
Why is it important?
This study provides a spatial analysis of agricultural diversification across São Paulo using Simpson’s Diversity Index (SDI). It reveals shifting patterns of crop diversity and regional specialization, which may have implications for climate resilience and food security. By proposing SDI as a standardized metric to monitor SDG 2.4, this research offers a timely tool for evaluating progress toward sustainable and resilient farming systems in developing regions.
Perspectives
Writing this article was a meaningful experience, as it combines spatial analysis with a broader discussion on agricultural sustainability. I hope it encourages researchers and policymakers to use diversity indicators such as SDI to better understand regional patterns and support more resilient farming systems. Beyond the data and methods, my intention is to show that measuring agricultural diversity can help bridge science and policy toward a more sustainable future.
Bruce Wellington Amorin da Silva
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Diversity index as a metric for SDG 2.4: an analysis of municipalities in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies, September 2025, Emerald,
DOI: 10.1108/jadee-07-2024-0229.
You can read the full text:
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
