Social Life Cycle Assessment of Rice Production: A Systematic Review and Implications for Sustainable Rural Development

Articles in Press

Document Type : Review Articles

Authors

Ali Hajinejad ¹

Elnaz Asheri-Gafsheh ¹

Majid Yasouri ¹

Ashkan Nabavi-Pelesaraei ²

¹ University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran

² Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran

10.22067/jrrp.2026.99360.1168

Abstract

Purpose- Rice production plays a fundamental role in ensuring food security and sustaining rural livelihoods worldwide. Despite its economic importance, rice production systems are often associated with social challenges such as inadequate working conditions, income inequality, and occupational health risks.
Design/methodology/approach- This study systematically reviews the application of Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) in rice production systems with a focus on its contribution to sustainable rural social development. A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA protocol. Relevant studies were retrieved from international scientific databases, and after screening, the selected studies were analyzed based on stakeholder groups, social indicators, assessment approaches, and reported social impacts.
Finding- The resuls reveal that occupational health and safety, fair wages, labor rights, and the well-being of farmers are the most frequently assessed social issues. Organic and socially oriented production systems generally demonstrate better social performance than conventional systems. However, concerns such as child labor, labor exploitation, and unequal access to economic opportunities remain evident. Most existing studies focus primarily on workers and farmers, while broader dimensions of rural social development, including social resilience and community participation, receive considerably less attention. The limited number of available studies and methodological heterogeneity highlight the need for greater standardization in future S-LCA research.
Originality/value- The results emphasize the importance of incorporating social dimensions into agricultural policies and demonstrate the potential of S-LCA as a decision-support tool for promoting socially sustainable rice production systems. This study provides an integrated synthesis of S-LCA applications in rice production and explicitly links social life cycle assessment outcomes to sustainable rural social development.

Keywords

Rice production

Social life cycle assessment

Social sustainability

Sustainable rural development

Rural livelihoods

Sustainable agriculture

Subjects

• Rural Studies

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