Celebrating Leadership and Editorial Excellence in Agricultural and Environmental Economics
The Agricultural Economics Department at Stellenbosch University has much to celebrate with two significant editorial milestones announced in 2025. These achievements reflect decades of academic leadership, service, and a commitment to strengthening the visibility and impact of agricultural and environmental economics research both locally and globally.
Dr Willem De Lange has been appointed as the inaugural Editor-in-Chief of Environmental Management: Economics and Policy (Environmental Management: Economics and Policy | Journal | ScienceDirect.com by Elsevier), a newly launched journal in the prestigious Journal of Environmental Management (JEM) series published by Elsevier. The journal, commonly referenced as JEMECP, focuses explicitly on the social, economic, and policy dimensions of environmental management areas that have grown substantially in recent years as sustainability challenges intensify worldwide. High-impact journals frequently evolve their scope in response to emerging research frontiers, and when a theme reaches critical mass, it often leads to a dedicated spin-off journal. The Environmental Management: Economics and Policy journal is the latest of these strategic expansions.
Dr De Langebrings extensive editorial experience to this new role, having served for 13 years as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Environmental Management. His appointment recognises both his expertise and his longstanding contribution to interdisciplinary environmental research. The launch of the Environmental Management: Economics and Policy journal provides an important platform for economists, policymakers, and environmental scientists to collaborate on evidence-based solutions to pressing environmental challenges.
In another important transition for South Africa’s agricultural economics community, Agrekon, the flagship journal of the Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA), has appointed Prof Eric Mungatana as its new Editor-in-Chief. His appointment marks the beginning of a leadership handover designed to ensure the journal continues to grow in stature and influence. Prof Mungatana brings extensive experience in environmental and resource economics, with a strong publication record and deep involvement in postgraduate supervision and policy-relevant research across Africa. His leadership is expected to build on the strong foundations established over the past decade.
Under the outgoing editor’s tenure, Prof Johann Kirsten, Agrekon has seen substantial improvements in its scholarly footprint. Notably, the journal has achieved a rising impact factor and a significant growth in readership, demonstrating Agrekon’s growing relevance and visibility in global academic conversations on agriculture and food systems.
The handover also marks a personal milestone: the conclusion of nearly 40 years of involvement in AEASA by Prof Kirsten, whose term formally ends in December 2025. From joining as a student in 1984 to serving in multiple leadership roles over 17 years on the AEASA Management Committee, this period reflects a remarkable legacy of dedication to strengthening the profession.
As the field continues to evolve, shaped by new technologies, sustainability imperatives, and shifting global trade dynamics, these editorial transitions ensure that the Agricultural and Environmental Economics journals are positioned to contribute meaningfully to academic and policy debates in the years ahead.
