A sustainable future for an interdisciplinary journal

Abstract

With its 60th anniversary in 2023 approaching, the future of the interdisciplinary journal NJAS looks promising. The founder of the journal, the Royal Netherlands Society for Agricultural Sciences (Koninklijke Landbouwkundige Vereniging, KLV), dissolved in 2020 after 134 years (De Groot & van Kasteren, 2020). Fortunately, Taylor & Francis recognised the value of an interdisciplinary journal in the domains of the agricultural and life sciences. With Taylor & Francis as the new owner and publishing house, we, as editors-in-chief, are confident that we will be able to sustain and expand the journal’s role as platform for integrative research that addresses major agricultural and societal challenges. In this editorial, we outline our view on the journal, which is also reflected in the aims and scope of NJAS. The importance of agricultural and life sciences is rapidly increasing as displayed in the increasing attention for e.g., global and local food production, the conservation of our natural resources and the attention to climate change. Although basic scientific research remains highly relevant, there is an increasing call to truly make the next step and show the (potential) impact of our research efforts on, for example, sustainable development goals. This requires more integrative research and additional attention in reporting the broader context of the research. This new emphasis is reflected in the new sub-title of NJAS: Impact in Agricultural and Life Sciences.