The Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development accepts unsolicited applied research papers, thought-provoking articles, and commentary at any time. Periodically, the Journal issues a call for papers on a special topic. This is based in part on the interests of subscribers who participate in polls conducted on this website.

Peer-Reviewed Applied Research Papers

If you are interested in submitting an applied research paper, please review the editorial policy and submission guidelines carefully. We publish only high quality work that brings practical knowledge to agriculture and food systems development professionals. We use the very efficient FastTrack double-blind peer review system to streamline the review process and eliminate the need for paper and snail mail.

Peer reviews consist of carefully reading a manuscript and responding to questions pertaining to its contribution to the emerging practice of agriculture and food systems development, validity of research results, quality of writing, and readiness for publication. If you are interested in serving as a reviewer for the Journal, contact Duncan Hilchey at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Special Columns and Book Reviews

We invite experienced writers with expertise on a particular aspect of agriculture and food systems development to propose regular column concepts. Columns are short, timely pieces that follow a particular topical thread. If you care to write a book review, please let us know what you are interested in reviewing ahead of time so we don't have duplication of effort. If you are interested in a special column or book reviewing, please contact Duncan Hilchey at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Thought-Provoking Articles

Articles that are not research-based but that proffer (not promote) a new idea — or a novel view on an old idea — are welcome at any time. In either case, articles must be topical, practical, and shed light on new research and development opportunities.

Please note: Material that may not qualify for use in the Journal may well be ideally suited for posting on the forthcoming AgDevOnline.com website, a companion site to the Journal. We will make recommendations to authors when appropriate.

Criteria for Evaluation

The criteria for evaluating material submitted to the Journal, in no particular order, include:

1. Its topical relevance to current agriculture and food system development practice, or to a call for papers on a special topic.
2. The quality of the writing, especially its clarity, logic, professional tone, and appropriateness to the audience of applied researchers and practitioners.
3. The appropriateness and execution of the applied research methodology used.
4. The value of the insights gained from the paper in terms of its contribution to the literature.

As an applied journal, the Journal has a wider audience than a strictly academic journal would. Please keep this in mind in your writing style, and lean toward writing for an educated but not necessarily academic reader. Define terms and spell out abbreviations that may not be familiar to all readers.

When considering whether to submit an article, feel free to contact publisher Duncan Hilchey at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss the topic and research elements to be sure it is a good fit for the Journal. Please note that you must submit your final version of the paper, via email, to Duncan for prescreening. If it is accepted for review, you will be sent login and upload instructions for the online manuscript review system.

Review System Used

In theory, the role of peer review is to maximize the quality of the Journal’s content. In actual practice, it is not a perfect system, often criticized for not being adequately objective. That said, it is the best system yet devised to exact at least some measure of quality control. Our reviewers play a vital role in maintaining the high standards of the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development.

The review process we use is called “double blind.” This is a common approach in which the author does not know who is reviewing his or her paper, and the reviewer does not know the author’s name or gender. This should eliminates any bias the reviewer might have toward the author’s work. There is some scientific evidence that women authors, in particular, benefit from a double-blind peer-review process.

The Review Process

Initial manuscript evaluation: The publisher first evaluates all manuscripts. Those rejected at this stage are insufficiently original, have serious methodological flaws, or are outside the aims and scope of the Journal. Authors of manuscripts rejected at this stage will normally be informed within 2 weeks of receipt. Those that meet the minimum criteria are passed on to at least 2 reviewers.

How the reviewers are selected: Reviewers are matched to the paper according to their expertise. Our list of reviewers is updated on an ongoing basis. (If you are interested in serving as a reviewer, contact Duncan Hilchey at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Reviewers are asked to evaluate whether the manuscript:

• Is original
• Makes clear links into the community development aspects of agriculture and food systems
• Is methodologically sound
• Follows ethical guidelines
• Has results that are clearly presented and support the conclusions
• Correctly references previous relevant work

Reviewers are not expected to correct or copyedit manuscripts. Language correction is not part of the peer review process.

How long does the review process take? Typically, two reviews of a manuscript are received within 2 months of submission. Should the reviewers’ reports contradict one another or a report be unnecessarily delayed, a further review will be sought. Revisions suggested by the reviewers should be made by the author within 2 weeks. Reviewers may request more than one revision of a manuscript. If reviewers are not satisfied that the manuscript is ready to proceed to publication after two revisions, the manuscript will usually be rejected.

Author updates: Manuscripts in the review process are managed through an online editorial management system. You will receive status updates and other communications through that system as your paper moves through the review process.

Final report: A final decision to accept or reject the manuscript will be sent to the author along with any recommendations and verbatim comments made by the reviewers.

Publisher’s decision is final: Reviewers serve as advisors to the publisher, who is responsible for the final decision to accept or reject the article.

Submission Declaration

Submission of an article implies that the work described:

1. has not been published previously (except in the form of an abstract or as part of a published lecture or academic thesis), and
2. is not under consideration for publication elsewhere, and
3. has been approved for publication by all authors and tacitly or explicitly by the responsible authorities where the work was carried out, and
4. if accepted, will not be published elsewhere in the same form, in English or in any other language, without the written consent of the copyright-holder.