UvaNet: A Deep Learning Framework for Precise Detection of Potato Leaf Diseases in Sustainable Agricultural Production

For decades, agriculture has been central to economic growth and development in Pakistan. However, endemic rural poverty hinders the performance of agricultural production, and thus deteriorates the sustainable development perspectives of the agricultural sector and the entire country. The need for agricultural reform emphasizes raising farmers’ incomes as a cornerstone of the sustainable development of rural areas, and this study attempts to reveal the effects of foreign aid and government policies on the level of rural poverty in Pakistan. In total, 384 farmers from major agricultural areas of Pakistan completed the survey-based questionnaire. The partial least square structural equation modelling technique tested the results. They, using sustainable agriculture practices, improved agricultural production positively and significantly. Agriculture production positively and significantly reduces or mitigates poverty. This study aimed to reveal the role of foreign aid in sustaining agricultural production and eradicating rural poverty. Foreign aid positively moderated the association between sustainable agriculture practices and agricultural production. In addition, government policies negatively, yet insignificantly, moderate the association between agriculture production and poverty reduction. Furthermore, the findings indicate that agriculture production positively and significantly mediates the association between sustainable agriculture practices and poverty reduction. The study contributes to the literature by improving the understanding of linkages within the poverty-policies-aid-sustainability framework.

Abstract. The development of agriculture and food security are becoming global today. The domestic agro-industrial complex actually ensures stability, balance of economies and well-being of people on all continents. Therefore, in the conditions of increasing crisis phenomena in the economy, the importance of a comprehensive analysis of the sustainability of the industry's development increases, which should be based on an assessment of the state and trends of changes in natural resource potential, on the study of effective indicators of economic activity and on the development of the main directions and measures to increase its level in the future. The solution of this problem is also relevant for the North Caucasus Federal District, which is a large agricultural region. In this regard, the purpose of this study is to give a comparative assessment of the sustainability of agriculture and to establish the significance of the main factors determining its level in the context of the subjects of the North Caucasus Federal District. The research methodology included the use of various methods of economic-mathematical, statistical, index and other methods. Scientific novelty. For the first time, in relation to regional peculiarities, priority factors providing an increase in the sustainability and efficiency of agricultural production for the subjects of the North Caucasus Federal District are justified on the basis of the index system. The results of the research have shown that the indicators included in the industry efficiency index have the greatest negative impact on the sustainability of agricultural production in most subjects of the district. At the same time, in the Stavropol Krai, these are the values that form the index of natural and climatic conditions. Nevertheless, the integrated indicator of agricultural sustainability of the region (2,216) significantly exceeds the corresponding indicators of all subjects of the district. The analysis of the level of the final comprehensive indicator of agricultural sustainability on average for 2018–2021 made it possible to eventually group the subjects of the NCFD into three blocks according to the degree of sustainability, identify systemic problems of the industry in each and suggest some ways to solve them.

To address the pressing challenges of quality and sustainability in agricultural product supply chains, this paper proposes a multi-stakeholder collaborative governance framework. Adopting the perspective of collaborative governance and sustainability, the paper develops an evolutionary game model of the Chinese agricultural product supply chain. This model involves four key stakeholders: agricultural enterprises, the government, NGOs, and consumers. It integrates sustainability principles to ensure that the decisions of each stakeholder contribute to the quality and safety of agricultural products while also promoting long-term environmental and social well-being. The simulation results demonstrate the critical importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in strengthening governance and promoting sustainability. Based on these findings, the government is advised to implement technology-driven oversight mechanisms, such as AI-based inspections and blockchain traceability. Additionally, a tiered penalty system should be established, escalating penalties for repeat offenders. Regulatory cost-sharing mechanisms can also help ensure continuous enforcement without imposing excessive financial burdens on any single party. NGOs play a vital role in exposing corporate violations and can be more effective through targeted financial support and crowdsourced monitoring platforms. Consumers, as active participants in governance, should be incentivized with reward-based reporting systems and verified compliance feedback, which influence enterprise reputation. Public–private sustainability partnerships and real-time transparency platforms can further facilitate active participation from all stakeholders. By implementing these measures, the regulatory framework can evolve from traditional enforcement to a dynamic, data-driven governance model, fostering long-term sustainability and risk reduction in agricultural production.

For the ever-increasing population of the world, an increasing demand for more and more food is required. To cope with this alarming situation, there is a dire need for sustainable agricultural production. In agriculture, management of optimum plant nutrients for sustainable crop production is the priority-based area of research. In this regard, much advancement in the area of plant nutrition has come forward and nano-nutrition is one the most interesting areas of research for sustainable agriculture production. Nanotechnology has revolutionized the world with tremendous advancements in many fields of science like engineering, biotechnology, analytical chemistry, and agriculture. Nano-nutrition is the application of nanotechnology for the provision of nano-sized nutrients for the crop production. Two sources of nanoparticles (NPs) have been used; biotic and abiotic. The abiotic form of nutrients or NPs is prepared from inorganic sources like salts but it is not safe because many of these are non-biodegradable. While the biotic ones are prepared from organic sources which are definitely the biodegradable and environment friendly. So, a few studies/attempts have been made in the field of nano-nutrition and a lot more are expected in the near future because this field of plant nutrition is sustainable and efficient one. Using nano-nutrition we can increase the efficiency of micro- as well as macronutrients of the plants. In this chapter, the focus has been made on the importance of nano-nutrition in the sustainable agricultural production and its future scenario so that it could be possible to apply this knowledge on a large scale without any concern regarding environment.

This compendium of research papers is a glimpse of the participants that are projected in the handbook on Sustainability in Agricultural Production and Natural Resource Management. The following pages show the results of projects, research and collective efforts presented at the 1 st Inter-University Congress "Sustainability in Agricultural Production and Natural Resource Management and 2nd Inter-University Symposium. Researchers from different institutions of the country share with students, researchers, producers and society in general contents, which with hard dedication, are directed towards the tireless search for knowledge in the field of science. Each of the disciplines addressed in this handbook within the framework of Aquaculture, Animal Production, Sustainable Agriculture, Pest Management and Sericulture represent a testimony of each author's commitment to the understanding of the various topics covered.

IntroductionConcerns about health and food security related to the food production chain and environmental degradation have increased the demand for sustainable agricultural development and a reduction in the harmful effects of conventional agriculture. Consumers are increasingly inclined to choose healthy food due to the environmental and health risks posed by products contaminated with chemical inputs.MethodsThis study aims to identify the determinants of healthy and sustainable agricultural production based on Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) and Farm Structure (FS) models, combined with a socio-psychological and environmentally-oriented approach. The study also seeks to propose recommendations for extension services to promote such production among summer crop farmers in Iran. Data were collected from 260 farmers using a survey and stratified random sampling method. The data were analyzed with SPSS26 and AMOS24.Results and discussionThe analysis of the research model demonstrated that the greatest influence on healthy and sustainable agricultural production is attributed to the emphasis on the importance of marketing. Environmental identity and attitudes toward healthy and sustainable agricultural production are of secondary importance. Access to extension services indirectly affects healthy and sustainable agricultural production through environmentally responsible behavior. Information access directly influences healthy and sustainable agricultural production. Furthermore, information beneficiaries also indirectly affect healthy and sustainable agricultural production by enhancing farmers’ knowledge and attitudes toward producing such products. Specific production and marketing relations should be established for these products. Additionally, various organizations should focus on extending, training, and informing farmers about healthy and sustainable agricultural production, while also creating the necessary infrastructure to make this a public demand among both consumers and producers.

In many low input agricultural systems of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), phosphorus (P) is one of the mineral nutrients most limiting for plant production. The most important reasons for this are: (1) the generally low P content of the highly weathered tropical soils, (2) the relative unavailability of inherent soil P for plant uptake, (3) the relative speed at which applied soluble sources, such as inorganic P fertilizers and manure, become fixed or transformed into unavailable forms, and lastly (4) the poor management of on-farm organic resources. Biotechnological methods and cultural practices should be used to facilitate the availability of native and applied P. An extensive review of the literature has revealed that P-solubilizing micro-organisms in soil and P-enhancing plant species are both very effective in the management of scarce phosphorus resources in the soil. The recycling of crop residues, integration of green manures and crop rotations, application of animal manures, domestic and industrial wastes are all important ingredients of the integrated management of P. In sub-Saharan African agriculture, much of the emphasis should be placed on integrated soil fertility management (ISFM), which is a set of practices that necessarily include the use of mineral fertilizer, organic inputs and improved germplasm, combined with the knowledge on how to adapt these practices to local conditions for increased production efficiency. Increased and sustained agricultural production and productivity in SSA must make use of all sustainable means of production, in an integrative manner. In striving to achieve food security, the continent must not be torn between conventional and organic farming practices, but must focus on ISFM approaches which explore synergies that reduce leakages and recover and reuse nutrients, especially P.

Increasingly, agriculture is becoming more knowledge-intensive. The challenge of feeding the ever-rising population will not be an easy task. Most of the food consumed in developed nations is provided by half a billion small-family farmers. Small-scale farming families play a critical role in increasing food production for our future food and nutritional security. However, they often have limited access to markets, knowledge, new technology and skills, new inputs, emerging value chains, and other opportunities. The development of agricultural research and its effective applications in the agricultural sector through the transfer of extension and advisory services is critical in achieving improved and sustainable agricultural production and productivity growth. Improved access to and availability to information and communication technologies (ICTs), especially cell phones, computers, radio, Internet, and social media, has created many more opportunities for multiformat information gathering, processing, storage, retrieval, management and sharing.

The problem of the non-exhaustive use of land, the restoration of their qualitative indicators, the reproduction of natural resources in one way or another were considered in the writings of scientists, but the essence and understanding of the concept of non-exhaustive use of land was not analyzed. The article emphasizes that current land and environmental legislation widely uses the phrase “non-exhaustive use”, but its legal content is not disclosed at all. In addition, the term “non-exhaustive use” is used in national legislation without filling it with any content. The article emphasizes that the term “exhausting use” is associated with such categories as: reduction of quantitative and qualitative indicators in the use of land and other natural resources, reduction of land productivity, loss of soil fertility, land use in a way that impairs their natural quality, etc. Thus, “non-exhaustive use” should be aimed primarily at the preservation and restoration of both land and other natural resources. The article is devoted to the research of topical issues concerning the definition of the non-exhaustive use of land and the peculiarities of such use. The article defines the need for legislative consolidation of such concepts as “non-exhaustive use”, “rational use”, “restoration”, “reproduction”, which leads to the emergence of legal gaps in the mechanism of regulation of land relations. The author of the article emphasizes that non-exhaustive use of land is a use which is connected, first of all, with the preservation of a qualitative state of land. Non-exhaustive use of land resources provides sustainable agricultural production, forestry and soil productivity. It is proposed to consider non-exhaustive use of land as a use (mode of use), which preserves the qualitative properties of land and qualitative and quantitative indicators of other natural resources, inextricably linked with the land.

What drives the adoption of sustainable production technology? Evidence from the large scale farming sector in East China

Toward sustainable agriculture in the tropics

Sustainable agriculture is an important target of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Information and communication technologies (ICT) could be an important instrument to assist developing countries in achieving this goal. This study investigates the short- and long-term effects of ICT-related factors (telephone, Internet, mobile phone use) alongside traditional inputs (agricultural land, labor, fertilizer) on sustainable agricultural production in Bangladesh using an autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model from 2000 to 2020. In the short term, telephone use and labor involved in agriculture have a positive impact on agricultural production. Conversely, the influence of internet use, mobile phone use, and agricultural land on agricultural production is negative in the short run. In the long run, these relationships have undergone substantial changes. The positive effects of telephone usage and agricultural labor demonstrate a decreasing trend, but the impacts of Internet usage, mobile phone usage, and total agricultural land display a progressively favorable pattern in the long run. Notably, the use of fertilizers has been found to have a positive impact on long-term agricultural production. This study offers valuable insights into the evolving role of ICT in agricultural sustainability, emphasizing the need for context-specific policy interventions that consider both short- and long-term benefits. Doi: 10.28991/HEF-2023-04-04-01 Full Text: PDF

Internet of Things (IoT) technology has a substantial role to play in promoting sustainable agriculture and food production. SMEs are playing a leading role in this space. Tools that allow continuous monitoring and decision making for example regarding the use of fertilisers or water consumption are being applied in various parts of the world by SMEs as in Vietnam and Australia, to undertake sustainable agriculture and food production. The aim in this article is to provide an overview of the latest technology which has been developed and applied in this space. Through the consideration of examples of applications, the resulting implications and impacts for example relating to water and energy use are provided. The potential for reducing environmental impacts while creating sustainable agriculture and food production from the perspective of technological applications by SMEs is discussed with broader environmental impact considerations.

The modern food production system is globalised, industrialised and utterly divorced from the consumer. Humans, animals and the environment have been heavily impacted due to unsustainable production methods, waste of resources and globalisation. Hence, major changes in the global food system are inevitable. In 2002, the Schweisfurth-Foundation Munich in collaboration with IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements) drafted the vision statement ‘Toward Sustainable Agriculture and Food Production – A Vision for the Future Viability of Food Production, Processing, and Marketing’. Its core concept is the developments of sustainable agriculture and food production, which is culturally rooted, ethically sound, economically profitable, and thus contributes to regional development, ecological health and the common wealth. The concept intelligently links regionalisation and globalisation and links traditional knowledge and modern technologies. The Vision states that food must be produced as organically as possible in order to protect the natural bases of existence and preserve plant and animal diversity. The idea favours short distances that do not incur costs to be borne by society at large for unsustainable industrial practices. Furthermore, the concept is based on an ecology of integrated cycles and close sourcing. It compounds value creation by taking metabolic products or waste and transforming them into food or green energy through natural recycling. This type of organic food production, processing, and marketing is multifunctional. It benefits several other areas important to societies. For example, this system saves energy, reduces transport costs, creates jobs, preserves occupational opportunities, protects the concept of apprenticeships, and promotes regional development. The concept has been developed further and has been successfully put into practice in several regions. This paper drafts the problems of industrial agriculture, introduces the concept and refers to a practical example of successful implementation.

This research emphasizes on review of existing empirical and theoretical literature on impacts of Research and Development (R&D) innovation spillovers for sustainable agriculture productivity. Furthermore, it identifies the challenges and opportunities that agrarians have in innovation adaptation for sustaining the agricultural output. Government and private sector intervention performs a productive role in agriculture adaptation and adoption measures of innovation spillovers. The review is based on 101 existing bodies of publication in scientific journals internationally. This research provides a qualitative review of studies from 2000 to 2022 addressing sustainable agriculture, R&D innovation, innovation spillovers, embracing, and returns on agricultural R&D for sustainable food security and economic development. This study aims to identify the role of innovation spillovers, knowledge spillovers, innovative capacity, absorptive ability, and other challenges faced in sustainable agriculture output. Specifically, this research highlights the challenges and opportunities that contain the farmers in sustainable agriculture through innovation adoption and spillover shocks that are anticipated in previous literature. The evidence shows that innovation spillover performs a mediator role in sustainable agriculture productivity, while agrarian absorptive ability, knowledge capital, adoption capacity, and government extension services are key challenges.