Food Productivity, Green Energy and Land Resources: A Critical Perspective of the BRICS Economic Food Production Industry

Abstract

Food security and productivity is an essential part of sustainable development and goals which needs high attention because of the severity of climate risk and change. Therefore, we evaluated the food production index in BRICS economies through its leading determinants where the direct studies are missing in the literature. To address this gap, this research delves into the interplay between total natural resources (TNRNTS), economic growth (GDP), and the food production index (FPINDX) within the BRICS economies spanning from 1990 to 2022. This research also considers the significant impact of renewable energy (REC), research and development (RDEVP), and technological innovation (TI). This research employs a range of panel data techniques, encompassing first‐generation panel unit root tests. Both Kao residual and Johansen cointegration tests are employed to examine long‐run cointegration. The primary approach hinges on the utilization of panel ARDL. To ensure the robustness of the findings, FMOLS and quantile regression tests, encompassing both linear and nonlinear variations, are conducted. To investigate causality, the pairwise Dumitrescu Hurlin panel causality test is applied. The results reveal that the variables exhibit stationarity at the first difference, while a long‐run equilibrium relationship is observed among them. The empirical outcomes suggest that GDP, TNRNTS, and TI positively and significantly influence FPINDX, while REC and RDEVP reduce FPINDX in the short and long run. Robustness protocols provide similar and comparable outcomes to the main methods, while causal linkage reveals that TI has a bidirectional linkage with FPINDX, while the remaining variables have a unidirectional connection with FPINDX. Despite resource shortages, the role of cleaner technologies has a lower or negative influence on FPINDX. Policymakers should promote investments and innovations in renewable energy to enhance energy efficiency and productivity, reduce reliance on fossil fuels in the agricultural sector and increase the productivity of FPINDX.