THE NECESSITY OF A PRODUCTIVE AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE IS ONE OF THE EIGHT CHALLENGES OF THE SPANISH SOCIETY ACCORDING TO THE SPANISH R+D+I PLAN DUE TO THE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPORTANCE OF THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION. THE CONCEPTS OF SUSTAINABILITY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ARE NEEDED WHEN SOCIETY LOOKS TO THE FUTURE. NEVERTHELESS, THERE IS A LACK OF DEFINITION WHEN MEASURING SUSTAINABILITY WHICH SHOULD BE REDUCED. IN THIS CONTEXT, THE DESIGNING OF A SUSTAINABILITY INDICATOR CONSIDERING A LIFE CYCLE APPROACH OF THE AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS IS PROPOSED.