Journal of Agricultural Policy & Transformation

Advancing Evidence-Based Policies for Sustainable and Inclusive Agricultural Transformation

1. Purpose

   AgriPaT – Journal of Agricultural Policy & Transformation is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and professionalism in scholarly publishing. As a global platform for credible, high-impact research on agricultural policy, rural transformation, and sustainable food systems, our ethical framework safeguards the quality, trust, and long-term relevance of the scholarly record. These policies ensure that the publication process reflects the principles of academic rigor, accountability, and respect for all participants.

   All stakeholders authors, editors, reviewers, and publishers share responsibility for maintaining these values and for engaging in respectful, responsible scholarly exchange that benefits both the academic community and society at large.

2. General Principles

   We expect all parties involved in the publication process to:

   • Treat each other with dignity, fairness, and respect, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment.

   • Avoid any form of discrimination, harassment, bullying, or retaliation in all communications.

   • Comply with legal, institutional, and disciplinary ethical standards, following international best-practice guidelines such as those provided by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), the ARRIVE Guidelines for animal research, and the CONSORT Statement for clinical trials.

3. Duties of Authors

   Authors play a pivotal role in ensuring that published research is credible, reproducible, and ethically sound. They are expected to:

   • Submit only original work that has not been published elsewhere or simultaneously submitted to another journal.

   • Provide a truthful, accurate, and transparent account of research methods, data, analyses, and interpretations, avoiding fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in any form.

   • Acknowledge all sources of data, concepts, or contributions, citing them appropriately.

   • Fully disclose conflicts of interest—whether financial, personal, or professional—as well as funding sources and the role of sponsors in the research.

   • Obtain ethical approvals from relevant institutional committees for research involving humans or animals, and ensure informed consent is secured where required.

   • Promptly notify the editor of significant errors or inaccuracies discovered after publication and cooperate in issuing corrections or retractions where necessary.

4. Duties of Editors

   Editors are entrusted with ensuring that every manuscript is evaluated fairly, objectively, and solely on its scholarly merit. Their responsibilities include:

   • Making independent publication decisions based on academic quality, originality, and relevance, free from commercial, political, or personal bias.

   • Maintaining confidentiality of all submitted manuscripts and safeguarding reviewer anonymity.

   • Avoiding the handling of manuscripts in which they have a conflict of interest.

   • Acting promptly and transparently when concerns about research integrity or misconduct arise, in consultation with the publisher and in line with COPE procedures.

5. Duties of Reviewers

   Peer reviewers are essential to maintaining academic rigor and credibility. They must:

   • Provide objective, constructive, and timely feedback to improve the manuscript’s quality.

   • Treat all manuscripts as confidential documents and refrain from using unpublished information for personal advantage.

   • Disclose any conflicts of interest before accepting a review.

   • Flag any suspected plagiarism, data fabrication, or ethical breaches, as well as notable overlaps with previously published work.

6. Publisher Responsibilities

   The publisher of AgriPaT will:

   • Ensure editorial independence and protect the integrity of the scholarly record.

   • Provide technical, procedural, and legal support to editors and reviewers.

   • Promote best practices in ethical publishing, peer review, and research dissemination.

7. Misconduct & Corrective Measures

   Allegations of research or publication misconduct will be investigated following COPE guidelines. Depending on the severity of the findings, corrective actions may include:

   • Manuscript rejection before or after peer review.

   • Publication of corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern.

   • Notification of the authors’ institutions or relevant authorities.

8. Use of AI Tools

   Generative AI or AI-assisted technologies may be used only for language editing and grammar improvement, not for generating scientific content, data, or citations. Any such use must be transparently disclosed in the manuscript.

9. Final Note

   By submitting to AgriPaT, all contributors agree to abide by this Ethics Policy, ensuring that every publication upholds the principles of integrity, accountability, and scholarly excellence. Together, we aim to foster a responsible and respectful publishing culture that advances the global dialogue on agricultural policy and transformation.

Ethics Policy