The Proportion of Agricultural Area Under Sustainable Practices
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 2.4 aims to ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices by 2030. To track this ambitious goal, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) developed Indicator 2.4.1: the Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture.
This indicator is unique because it moves beyond measuring just volume or profit. Instead, it offers a holistic look at how farming affects the planet, the economy, and the people who do the work.
1. The Core Definition
The indicator is calculated as a ratio:
The denominator includes all arable land, permanent crops, and permanent meadows/pastures. The numerator is more complex; it only includes land from farm holdings that meet specific "sustainability" criteria across three different dimensions.
2. The Three Dimensions of Sustainability
FAO uses a multidimensional framework to assess sustainability. A farm is not considered sustainable unless it performs well in all three of the following areas:
| Dimension | Focus Area | Sub-Indicators |
| Economic | Viability & Resilience | Land productivity, Farm profitability, Risk mitigation |
| Environmental | Ecosystem Health | Soil health, Water use, Fertilizer/Pesticide risk, Biodiversity |
| Social | Human Well-being | Decent employment, Food security, Land tenure rights |
3. The "Traffic Light" Methodology
To make the data actionable, FAO uses a traffic light system for each of the 11 sub-indicators:
🟢 Green (Desirable): The farm meets high sustainability standards.
🟡 Yellow (Acceptable): The farm is in an intermediate state; it isn't failing, but there is room for improvement.
🔴 Red (Unsustainable): The farm is operating in a way that risks long-term viability or safety.
A farm's total area is only counted toward the "sustainable" numerator if it achieves a "green" or "yellow" status across the sub-indicators.
4. Why This Indicator Matters
Before Indicator 2.4.1, there was no globally agreed-upon way to measure "sustainable agriculture." This framework provides:
Policy Evidence: Governments can see exactly where they are failing—is it water scarcity (environmental) or low wages (social)?
Investment Guidance: It helps international donors and NGOs direct funds toward specific themes, such as soil restoration or agricultural insurance.
A Universal Language: It allows for comparison between countries while still being flexible enough to account for local farming types.
5. Implementation Challenges
Measuring 2.4.1 is difficult because it requires farm-level data. Most countries already track national crop yields, but fewer track the "Food Insecurity Experience Scale" of their farmers or specific pesticide management practices. To solve this, the FAO recommends using Integrated Agricultural Surveys (AGRIS) to collect data directly from farm holdings.
Key Performance Indicators for Sustainable Agriculture: The SDG 2.4.1 Framework
To measure the Proportion of Agricultural Area under Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 2.4.1), the FAO uses a specific set of 11 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). These are organized into three pillars: Economic, Environmental, and Social.
For a farm to be classified as "sustainable," it must achieve a Green (Desirable) or Yellow (Acceptable) status across these indicators.
The 11 KPIs of SDG 2.4.1
| Dimension | Theme | KPI / Sub-Indicator | Measurement Goal |
| Economic | Productivity | 1. Farm Output Value per Hectare | Measures land productivity and efficiency. |
| Profitability | 2. Net Farm Income | Assesses if the farm is financially viable. | |
| Resilience | 3. Risk Management Mechanisms | Tracks access to insurance, credit, or diverse income. | |
| Environmental | Soil Health | 4. Prevalence of Soil Degradation | Monitors erosion, salinity, and nutrient depletion. |
| Water Use | 5. Variation in Water Availability | Measures stability of water supply and sustainable use. | |
| Fertilizer Risk | 6. Management of Fertilizers | Tracks the risk of pollution from excessive runoff. | |
| Pesticide Risk | 7. Management of Pesticides | Evaluates health risks and environmental toxicity. | |
| Biodiversity | 8. Biodiversity-friendly Practices | Measures use of organic or agrobiodiversity methods. | |
| Social | Employment | 9. Wage Rate in Agriculture | Ensures farm workers are paid a living wage. |
| Food Security | 10. Food Insecurity Experience (FIES) | Tracks if farm households have enough to eat. | |
| Land Tenure | 11. Secure Tenure Rights | Ensures farmers have legal or recognized land rights. |
How the KPI "Traffic Light" System Works
The FAO applies thresholds to these KPIs to determine a farm's sustainability status:
🟢 Desirable (Green): The farm follows "best practices" (e.g., high income, no soil degradation, secure land rights).
🟡 Acceptable (Yellow): The farm meets basic standards but has room for improvement (e.g., moderate income, minor soil issues).
🔴 Unsustainable (Red): The farm fails to meet the minimum threshold for that KPI (e.g., below-poverty wages, severe erosion).
Calculation Formula
The final KPI for a country is the percentage of its total agricultural land that meets the "Sustainable" criteria:
Global Governance: Organizations Shaping SDG 2.4.1
Monitoring the Proportion of Agricultural Area under Sustainable Agriculture is a complex global undertaking. Because the indicator requires detailed, farm-level data across economic, environmental, and social themes, its implementation involves a hierarchy of international, technical, and national organizations.
1. The Global Custodian: FAO
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is the lead "custodian" agency for Indicator 2.4.1. As the primary authority, its role includes:
Methodology Development: Designing the 11 sub-indicators and the "traffic light" scoring system.
Global Reporting: Compiling national data into regional and global trends for the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD).
Capacity Building: Providing technical training and e-learning resources to help countries establish their own monitoring systems.
2. Strategic & Technical Partners
The FAO collaborates with several high-level entities to ensure the indicator is scientifically sound and financially supported:
IAEG-SDGs: The Inter-agency and Expert Group on SDG Indicators governs the overall SDG process and officially endorsed the 2.4.1 methodology in 2019.
GSARS: The Global Strategy to improve Agricultural and Rural Statistics provides the technical manuals and sampling methods used by researchers.
The 50x2030 Initiative: A major partnership between the World Bank, IFAD, and FAO that aims to transform agricultural data systems in 50 low- and lower-middle-income countries by 2030.
ILO & UNEP: The International Labour Organization (ILO) provides expertise on the "Social" dimension (wage rates), while the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) advises on environmental metrics like biodiversity.
3. National Implementing Bodies
The actual data collection happens at the country level. This usually involves cooperation between several government branches:
| Entity | Primary Responsibility |
| National Statistical Offices (NSOs) | Leading the data collection effort, often by integrating 2.4.1 modules into existing national agricultural censuses. |
| Ministries of Agriculture | Providing technical experts to analyze farm productivity, soil health, and pesticide management data. |
| Ministries of Environment | Managing the data related to water scarcity, land degradation, and biodiversity-friendly practices. |
| Ministries of Labor | Assisting with the "Decent Employment" sub-indicator to ensure agricultural wage data is accurate. |
4. Supporting Stakeholders
Beyond government and the UN, other groups play vital roles:
Academia & Research Institutions: Help refine the scientific "thresholds" for sustainability (e.g., determining what level of fertilizer runoff is considered "Red" or "Green").
Civil Society & Private Sector: These groups were consulted during the design phase to ensure the indicator accurately reflects the challenges faced by both smallholder farmers and large-scale enterprises.
Leading Countries in Sustainable Agriculture Reporting and Performance
While many nations are transitioning toward sustainable practices, "leading" countries for SDG Indicator 2.4.1 are often categorized in two ways: those with the highest performance scores (actual sustainability on the ground) and those leading in methodological reporting (transparency and data collection).
1. Top Performers by Sustainability Score
According to the Sustainable Development Report 2025, European and Nordic countries consistently lead the global rankings for Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) and its associated sustainability metrics. These countries benefit from strong environmental regulations and high economic farm viability.
| Rank | Country | Key Strength |
| 1 | Finland | Excellence in social sustainability and food security. |
| 2 | Sweden | Leader in economic sustainability and animal welfare. |
| 3 | Denmark | High scores in organic farming and nutrient management. |
| 4 | Germany | Advanced biodiversity-friendly agricultural practices. |
| 5 | France | Strong focus on agroecology and reducing pesticide risks. |
Note: While these countries rank high on the general SDG Index, their specific 2.4.1 scores depend on the "Traffic Light" status of their individual farm holdings.
2. Leaders in Data Collection & Reporting
Because Indicator 2.4.1 is a "Tier II" indicator (meaning it is complex to measure), many countries struggle to report data. The following nations are recognized by the FAO as "pioneers" for being among the first to successfully implement the farm-survey methodology:
Vietnam: One of the first countries globally to publish a comprehensive national report specifically for SDG 2.4.1. They integrated the 11 sub-indicators into their Mid-term Rural and Agricultural Survey.
Indonesia: Identified in recent regional analyses (2025) as a leader in Southeast Asia, particularly for its resilience in the ecological dimension and commitment to multidimensional monitoring.
Armenia & Kyrgyz Republic: These nations were early "pilot" testers of the FAO methodology, helping to refine the 11 sub-indicators for global use.
Benin & Uzbekistan: Highlighted in 2025 progress reports as some of the fastest-improving countries regarding their overall SDG agricultural scores since 2015.
3. Regional Highlights (2025 Trends)
Europe: Remains the "area of excellence," with the highest density of countries in the "Green" or "Close to Achieving" categories.
Latin America: Countries like Costa Rica and Peru are leading their regional peers in the speed of progression toward sustainable land use.
Asia-Pacific: Thailand and Timor-Leste have joined Indonesia and Vietnam in reaching the "moderately sustainable" category, showing significant improvement in farm-level reporting.
4. What Makes a "Lead" Country?
A leading country in the context of SDG 2.4.1 typically demonstrates:
High Land Tenure Security: Ensuring farmers have the legal rights to invest in long-term sustainability.
Advanced Risk Management: Providing farmers with insurance or climate-resilience tools to achieve the "Economic" Green status.
Regular Farm Surveys: Conducting surveys at least every 3 years to capture real-time data on soil health and water use.
The Fastest-Improving Countries for SDG 2.4.1
As of the latest 2025-2026 FAO progress reports, tracking the "Fastest Improvement" for Indicator 2.4.1 involves looking at two specific metrics: Methodological Leaders (those who first bridged the data gap) and Progress Leaders (those showing the most significant shift toward sustainable practices).
1. Vietnam: The Global Pioneer in Reporting
Vietnam is widely recognized by the FAO as the fastest country to adopt and report on the official 2.4.1 methodology.
The Achievement: In 2020, immediately after the FAO finalized the 2.4.1 criteria, Vietnam integrated all 11 sub-indicators into its national Mid-term Rural and Agricultural Survey.
Current Status (2026): Vietnam remains a "knowledge hub," helping other developing nations in the Global South implement the survey-based approach. It has successfully moved from having no data to maintaining a five-year evaluation cycle.
2. Indonesia: The Regional Leader in Policy Acceleration
Indonesia has emerged as a top-improving country in the Asia-Pacific region, which is currently the fastest-growing region for sustainable agriculture markets.
Why it stands out: The Indonesian government used its 2.4.1 data results to directly influence national policy, particularly in the resilience and economic dimensions.
Key Focus: Significant improvements in land tenure security and risk management for smallholder farmers.
3. Fastest Improving Countries by Region (2025/2026 Trends)
The 2025 FAO SDG Progress Report utilizes a "Proxy" measure to track trends in countries where full farm surveys are still being established. The following countries have shown the most rapid upward movement:
| Region | Fastest Improving Countries | Primary Driver of Improvement |
| Central/South Asia | Uzbekistan & Kyrgyz Republic | Rapid modernization of irrigation and soil health monitoring. |
| Southeast Asia | Vietnam & Thailand | High adoption of "Green Economy" and bio-engineering models. |
| Western Africa | Benin | Strong growth in secure land rights and food security for farmers. |
| South America | Guyana | Leading in food self-sufficiency and sustainable pasture management. |
4. Market-Driven Leaders: India and China
While the "official" 2.4.1 indicator is survey-based, market data from early 2026 shows that India and China are the fastest improvers in sustainable inputs:
India: Through the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), India has seen a massive surge in certified organic farming area.
China: The "Zero Growth in Fertilizer and Pesticide Use" action plan has led to one of the world's fastest reductions in chemical runoff (Environmental KPIs 6 and 7).
The "Proxy" Success Story
Because the original 2.4.1 indicator is hard to measure, the FAO introduced the SDG 2.4.1 Proxy in 2023. As of late 2025, the world as a whole is at a "moderate distance" (3.3/5 score) from the goal, but the speed of progress has doubled in countries participating in the 50x2030 Initiative, which provides the funding to conduct these complex surveys.
Global Improver Projects: Driving Data and Sustainable Action
To improve both the reporting (data) and performance (results) of SDG Indicator 2.4.1, several high-impact projects have been launched. These "improver" initiatives bridge the gap between abstract policy and on-the-ground farming practices.
1. The 50x2030 Initiative: Closing the Data Gap
The 50x2030 Initiative is the most significant global effort to help developing nations measure agricultural sustainability.
The Goal: To transform agricultural data systems in 50 low- and lower-middle-income countries by 2030.
Impact on 2.4.1: It provides funding and technical expertise to integrate the 11 sub-indicators into national survey cycles.
Recent Success: In 2025, countries like Cambodia successfully "graduated" from the initiative, having established self-sustaining systems for reporting high-quality 2.4.1 data.
2. SAS-PSA: Regional Action in Southeast Asia
The Project for Supporting Agricultural Survey on Promoting Sustainable Agriculture (SAS-PSA) is a targeted effort within the ASEAN region.
The Focus: It aligns national agricultural statistics across Southeast Asian nations to monitor food security and sustainable productivity.
Improvement Driver: It uses 2.4.1 as the primary benchmark to help countries like Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand standardize their "Green" farming definitions.
3. VnSAT and the "1 Million Hectares" Project
Vietnam’s Sustainable Agriculture Transformation (VnSAT) project is often cited by the World Bank and FAO as a premier example of turning "Red" indicators to "Green."
Sustainable Practices: The project scaled up initiatives like "Three Reductions, Three Increases" (reducing seed, fertilizer, and pesticide while increasing yield, quality, and profit).
The Expansion (2025-2026): Building on VnSAT’s success, Vietnam has launched a massive project to establish 1 million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice in the Mekong Delta. This directly improves Environmental KPIs related to fertilizer and pesticide management.
4. FAO-GEF Partnership: Financing Green Landscapes
The partnership between the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) has surpassed $2 billion in grants as of early 2026.
Project Scope: These projects help over 140 countries improve the management of agricultural landscapes.
Performance Impact: Recent 2026 approvals include projects in Senegal, India, and Mexico designed to restore 314,000 hectares of degraded land and improve the management of 1.2 million hectares of productive land—directly boosting the "Soil Health" and "Biodiversity" sub-indicators.
5. Digital Improvers: The Rise of "Ag-Tech" Platforms
New digital projects are making it easier for smallholders to achieve "Sustainable" status through precision monitoring:
Traceability Systems: In 2025, digital platforms for dragon fruit and shrimp in Vietnam allowed farmers to track carbon footprints, helping them move from "Yellow" to "Green" in environmental performance.
AI Decision Assistants: Projects like Agteq and GreenSync are being deployed in 2026 to help farmers optimize water and nutrient use through real-time data, ensuring they meet the technical thresholds for SDG 2.4.1.
A Paradigm Shift in Global Agriculture
The FAO Indicator 2.4.1 represents a fundamental shift in how the world defines agricultural success. By moving away from a singular focus on "yield at any cost," this indicator establishes a rigorous, multidimensional benchmark that balances economic viability, environmental stewardship, and social equity.
Key Takeaways
Integrated Success: A farm is only truly "sustainable" if it is profitable for the farmer, healthy for the ecosystem, and fair to the workers.
Data-Driven Policy: The 11 sub-indicators provide a granular "map" for governments, allowing them to pinpoint exactly where their agricultural systems are vulnerable—whether it's soil degradation in one province or low wages in another.
Universal Standards: For the first time, the global community has a shared language for sustainable agriculture, moving it from a vague concept to a measurable, reportable metric.
The Final Verdict: 2026 and Beyond
As of early 2026, the transition toward sustainable agriculture is no longer just a "green" choice; it has become a necessity for market access and climate resilience. While the world remains at a "moderate distance" from the 2030 targets, the rapid adoption of digital monitoring tools and the success of "improver" projects like 50x2030 offer a clear path forward.
Ultimately, Indicator 2.4.1 serves as the global compass for the 2030 Agenda. It ensures that as we work to end hunger, we do so in a way that protects the land for future generations, ensures the dignity of those who feed us, and builds a food system capable of weathering the challenges of a changing planet.