Peer Review Policy

Duties of Reviewers
The peer review process is a vital component of the editorial decision-making at the International Journal of Agriculture Sustainable Farming (IJASF). Reviewers play a crucial role in ensuring the quality and integrity of scholarly communication. By providing thoughtful feedback, they assist editors in making informed decisions regarding manuscript publication and offer authors constructive suggestions to enhance their work, particularly in the context of sustainable agricultural practices. The IJASF emphasizes that all scholars who wish to contribute to the advancement of sustainable agriculture research have a responsibility to engage actively in the peer review process.

Timeliness
Reviewers are expected to adhere to timelines for manuscript evaluation. If a reviewer feels unqualified to assess a particular manuscript (e.g., lacking expertise in specific sustainable farming techniques) or anticipates delays that could affect the review process, they should promptly inform the editorial team and decline the invitation. This enables the journal to secure alternative reviewers efficiently and maintain a streamlined review process, ensuring timely dissemination of research in sustainable agriculture.

Confidentiality
Manuscripts assigned for review are confidential and must be treated as such. Reviewers should not disclose, discuss, or share the content of the manuscripts with unauthorized individuals unless expressly permitted by the Editor-in-Chief under exceptional circumstances. This confidentiality is crucial to uphold the integrity of the peer review process, especially given the sensitive nature of some agricultural research data.

Objectivity and Constructive Feedback
Reviews should be objective and focused on the content rather than the authors. Reviewers must provide clear, well-supported observations to help authors improve their manuscripts, with specific attention to the methodology, findings, and implications for sustainable farming. Personal criticism or attacks against authors are considered inappropriate and detrimental to the scholarly discourse.

Acknowledgment of Sources
Reviewers are encouraged to identify and cite relevant literature that the authors may have overlooked, particularly groundbreaking research or established practices in sustainable agriculture. Any claims, arguments, or observations referenced in previous studies should be appropriately cited. Furthermore, reviewers should inform the editorial team if they encounter any substantial similarities or overlaps between the manuscript under review and any other known work, whether published or unpublished, especially concerning innovative sustainable solutions.

Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest
Invited reviewers must disclose any conflicts of interest that may arise from personal, professional, or financial relationships with the authors, institutions, or organizations associated with the manuscript. If a reviewer has any such conflicts, they should notify the editors and decline the review invitation. This transparency ensures a fair review process.

Additionally, reviewers must refrain from using unpublished information disclosed in a submitted manuscript for their own research without the authors' explicit consent. Any privileged information or insights gained through the peer review process should remain confidential and not be used for personal gain. This standard applies equally to reviewers who choose to decline the review invitation.

By adhering to these policies, the International Journal of Agriculture Sustainable Farming fosters a rigorous, fair, and transparent peer review process that upholds the highest standards of academic integrity in sustainable agriculture research.