Abstract The safe and sustainable production and supply of dairy products are essential for food and nutrition security, rural livelihoods, and the resilience of agri‑food systems in developing countries. In Bangladesh, however, the dairy sector is largely informal and food safety practices are weakly regulated at the farm level, leading to persistent food safety risks and undermining value‑chain performance. While prior research has focused mainly on technical, household, or farm‑level determinants of food safety practices, empirical evidence on the role of institutional arrangements from farm to market remain limited, particularly across diverse agro‑climatic contexts. This study assesses how institutional factors influence the adoption of food safety practices among market‑oriented dairy farmers in river, dry, and coastal regions of Bangladesh. Primary data were collected from 495 dairy‑producing households, and negative binomial regression was employed to explain variation in the intensity of food safety adoption, accounting for institutional, market, infrastructural, and farm characteristics. The findings reveal overall low adoption levels, with substantial spatial heterogeneity across agro‑climatic zones. Household and farm structural factors showed different effects for different household groups. In contrast, formal veterinary and public extension services exhibit overall limited influence, indicating weak institutional outreach and enforcement within existing institutional settings around food safety. Participation in dairy‑specific training programs, however, significantly and consistently enhances food safety adoption, highlighting the importance of targeted training interventions. Market institutions emerge as critical drivers: farmers supplying private buyers and structured milk collection centers demonstrate higher compliance, whereas cooperative channels perform poorly in promoting food safety practices. Additionally, improved transport infrastructure at the village level is positively associated with food safety adoption, underscoring the role of market connectivity in safer dairy production. From an agri‑food systems and food security perspective, the results indicate that food safety adoption is shaped by interacting institutional, market and infrastructural factors rather than isolated farm‑level decisions. Policy efforts should therefore prioritise coordinated institutional reforms, including strengthening extension and veterinary services, scaling up dairy‑specific training, and improving incentive structures within dairy value chains. Importantly, policy design should be differentiated according to agro‑climatic diversity and observed adoption patterns.

The rise of agricultural financial technology, particularly mobile banking, has effectively improved food security and profits for resource-poor agri-entrepreneurs often ignored by traditional banks. However, in regions like northern Uganda with limited formal banking infrastructure, mobile banking adoption remains low. This study explores how institutional and technological factors influence mobile banking adoption among agri-entrepreneurs in northern Uganda, using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). It addresses research gaps centered on individual behaviors, emphasizing the need to understand the broader contextual factors at play. A cross-sectional study design was employed, collecting primary data through a structured questionnaire from 480 randomly selected agri-entrepreneurs. Data analysis was conducted using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Process Macro regression techniques in SPSS version 25. The findings reveal that awareness is the most significant direct factor influencing mobile banking adoption (c’ = 0.3238). Knowledge dissemination (ab = 0.2514) and sustainability (ab = 0.3324) have indirect effects through perceived usefulness. Key enablers include user protection (ab = 0.3833) and coordination (ab = 0.2910), while training has a smaller but significant indirect effect (ab = 0.1580). Perceived ease of use also shows a strong total effect (c = 0.4413, p < 0.001), primarily mediated by perceived usefulness. To encourage mobile banking adoption, this study emphasizes the importance of investing in awareness campaigns and knowledge-sharing initiatives, as well as implementing reforms to improve coordination, user protection and trust. It recommends policies focused on sustainable infrastructure and customized training programs for agri-entrepreneurs. By integrating institutional and technological factors into TAM, the study provides a comprehensive framework for understanding digital financial adoption in underserved regions. Collaborative efforts among stakeholders are crucial for raising awareness, building trust, and improving technological accessibility for agri-entrepreneurs. This study establishes a foundation for exploring gendered adoption patterns, regional variations, and the long-term effects of these factors.

Food consumption patterns are influenced by a variety of social, economic, and cultural factors. This study investigates the determinants of fresh fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption among Tennessee consumers, utilizing data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey. A Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) model employing Poisson regression was applied to analyze household fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption, with data initially in SAS Transport format, converted to a text file using R, and subsequently transformed into Excel for analysis in STATA. The findings indicate a positive correlation between health status and FV consumption. Notably, females are more likely to consume greater quantities of FV compared to males. Households characterized by higher levels of physical activity consume FV 1.2 times more than their less active counterparts. Additionally, White and Black Americans consume 1.13 times fewer FV than Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders. Younger respondents aged 18–24 exhibit lower FV consumption compared to older age groups. Households with an annual income below $15,000 demonstrate the lowest levels of FV consumption relative to higher income brackets. Furthermore, waged employees consume less FV than those unable to work, and higher educational attainment is associated with an increase in FV consumption. This analysis underscores the significance of socio-economic factors, including income, education, and physical activity, in understanding fresh produce consumption patterns among U.S. households. Insights derived from this research are essential for stakeholders in the food sector and policymakers aiming to formulate targeted strategies to enhance FV consumption, thereby promoting improved public health.

This study investigates the effects of conflicts on both the production and consumption of cassava, a major crop crucial for rural development and food security due to its high carbohydrate content. Cassava is also an essential raw material for many industries. While numerous studies have examined the impact of conflicts on crops, most focus on aggregate production or consumption, and the findings on cassava production have been mixed. However, to our knowledge, no research has specifically explored the effects of conflicts on cassava consumption per capita, highlighting the need for a more systematic analysis. This paper addresses that gap by examining how conflicts influence both the demand and supply of cassava among households in different regions. In particular, it investigates the effects of conflicts on cassava production and per capita consumption in northeast and southeast Nigeria, adopting the novel perspective that these effects may differ between the two regions. A fixed-effect model was employed using three waves of household panel data merged with conflict data recorded in local government areas (LGAs) or within a 5 km radius of the households. Our results show that an increase in fatalities within local government areas decreases cassava consumption per capita and production in the Southeast of Nigeria. However, an increase in fatalities within a 5 km radius of households leads to increased cassava production and decrease cassava consumption in the Southeast. These results differ from the findings in Northeast Nigeria. The findings underscore the need for region-specific strategies, targeted interventions, and improved rural–urban accessibility. For instance, enhancing security in cassava-producing areas, particularly in the Southeast, is essential. Farmers, especially in the Southeast, are also advised to locate their Cassava farms closer to their homes to minimise the risks associated with distant farming.

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted South Africa’s economy, exacerbating household vulnerabilities. In response, the government established the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant in 2020 to support working-age adults facing economic hardship. Although initially conceived as a temporary measure, the grant has been extended multiple times. Despite extensive research on social assistance programs, evidence on their long-term effects on food insecurity in low- and middle-income countries remains limited. This study examines the effect of the COVID-19 SRD grant on household food insecurity in South Africa over a four-year period (2020–2023), using fixed-effects analysis of nationally representative General Household Survey (GHS) data. Contrary to expectations, the findings indicate that receipt of the grant was associated with a significant increase in food insecurity. These results underscore the complexities of cash transfer programs, suggesting that immediate financial relief may not translate into long-term economic stability. The study emphasises the importance of integrated policy interventions, including direct food support, employment initiatives, and sustainable income-generating strategies, in enhancing household food security. Policymakers and stakeholders should consider these unintended consequences when designing future social protection measures to ensure they effectively support vulnerable populations during crises.

Building climate resilience is now widely recognized as an essential strategy for smallholder farmers aiming to achieve long-term food security and enhance agricultural productivity. In light of the deterioration of agricultural lands due to climate change, it is essential to develop impactful strategies to tackle these urgent challenges. This study aims to identify the key factors that significantly impact farmers' ability to adapt to climate change and its effects on both net farm income and food security. To achieve this objective, we employed a multistage approach, analyzing data from 420 farmers in the Central Plateau and North Regions of Burkina Faso. We applied multivariate probit and Poisson regression models to determine the key factors influencing climate change strategies. To obtain unbiased estimates of impact, the propensity score matching (PSM) method was utilized to effectively address the selection bias arising from observable factors. The Poisson regression model consistently showed that factors including off-farm income, family labor, training, improved seed, farming experience, microdosing practices, chemical fertilizer, drought exposure, and access to climate information have a positive and significant impact on the adoption of strategies. Based on the average treatment effect on the treated (ATT) estimation, the climate change adaptation strategies (CCAS) significantly contribute to reducing food expenditures by 48%. Moreover, there is compelling evidence indicating that these specific strategies have a positive effect on enhancing farm income by 43%. Strategy 3 "increasing availability of manure" is more practical and feasible to implement, as it can be executed by individual farmers or communities with support from extension services and NGOs, requiring less complex coordination than Strategy 4 "updating knowledge for new technology". The results of the study indicate that all strategies assessed have significantly enhanced food security and increased farm incomes. For a meaningful improvement in food security and a rise in farmers’ earnings, it is vital that governments and NGOs take action to support sustainable practices. This can be done through persistent capacity building and better access to climate change information.

Abstract This study explores crop diversification (CD) in smallholder farming systems in the coastal zone of the Ganges Delta in southern Bangladesh, which faces significant environmental challenges such as drought, erratic rainfall, soil salinity, waterlogging, and cyclones. These factors undermine agricultural sustainability and contribute to poverty and food insecurity. This research examines how environmental, farm resource, and socioeconomic factors influence CD across 200 farms in the Barguna, Khulna, and Patuakhali districts of Bangladesh. The Herfindahl index was used to measure crop diversity, showing an average value of 0.36, indicating moderate concentration and relatively high diversity, although half of the farmers exhibited higher values. The Fractional Probit model findings show that environmental factors such as reduced waterlogging and soil salinity positively influenced CD, while farm resources like access to irrigation, number of land parcels, and access to machinery facilitated greater diversity. Socioeconomic factors, such as greater distance from markets and the availability of hired labour, also promoted CD, but seasonal migration of the household head and low household savings hindered it. The study found that Khulna exhibited greater CD, while tidal flooding limited agricultural potential in Patuakhali district . The study recommends improving environmental and socioeconomic conditions in Bangladesh’s coastal farming systems through targeted soil rehabilitation, drainage and irrigation, expansion of water infrastructure and harvesting solutions, and improving access to affordable mechanisation. Strengthening rural infrastructure and financial tools, such as crop insurance and low-interest loans, will enhance resilience, farm incomes, and long-term sustainability. Tailored strategies are recommended for the Khulna and Patuakhali districts to support region-specific cropping systems and diversification.

Abstract Insects are considered promising alternative protein sources for livestock production. Their use in feed formulation for livestock production has thus attracted considerable attention in the last several years. This review article discusses the suitability of insect-based diets for livestock species and provides insights into recommended dietary proportions based on available evidence. Certain factors influence the adoption of insect-based feed in livestock rearing. These include, amongst others, economic viability, consumer acceptance, technology, regulatory clarity, as well as farmer attitudes and willingness to pay for and adopt this practice. To successfully incorporate insects into livestock nutrition and optimize their use as a valuable protein source, it is important to properly understand these factors, associated challenges, as well as opportunities for optimization. This review, therefore, also offers a summary on these influencing factors, discussing some identified concerns such as potential associated food safety risks. The use of insects can potentially introduce heavy metals, pathogens, allergens, as well as other chemical and biological hazards into food chains. This necessitates research and regulatory efforts to correctly understand and manage relevant risks. To scale the industry and ensure food safety, policymakers and other relevant stakeholders should establish robust regulatory frameworks that incentivize sustainable technologies for incorporating insects into animal feed formulations and standardize quality assurance protocols. Studies identify advantages including resource efficiency, comparatively limited land requirements, and lower greenhouse gas emissions for insect use in livestock production, compared to conventional livestock feed. While these indicate that the use of insects is comparatively more sustainable, further studies are required to understand the extent to which the use of insects can contribute to achieving sustainable food systems. More in-depth studies measuring and characterising the environmental sustainability of insect farming to enhance our understanding of the benefits and challenges associated with incorporating insects into our food systems are therefore required.

Abstract Emergency stocks are established to secure food supplies in the event of crisis and war. The net value of an emergency stock of an agricultural input depends on the cost of storing and the production value of the input in the case of a crisis event. In this study, such net values are calculated for five agricultural inputs (fuel, nitrogen fertilizer, seeds, pesticides and protein feed) for a crisis with a 50% reduction in the supply of inputs. The production value of each input is calculated using the price elasticity of demand for inputs and the cost of stocks is estimated through interviews with industry-specific experts. Results from the qualitative analyses show that farmers buying the inputs always gain from the use of emergency stocks, while the effect on sellers is determined by relative changes in prices and quantities with and without releasing the stock in the crisis event. The estimated cost of stockpiling as a percentage of the input price without a crisis varies between 5% (pesticides) and 14% (diesel fuel). The results of a 50% reduction in the available supply of each input reveal large variations in the farmers’ and sellers’ net value of emergency stocks in the event of a rapid liquidation: between 0.08 billion euros (pesticides) and 0.59 billion euros (diesel fuel). However, stock disposal can result in lower profits for sellers of the inputs. A comparison of different mechanisms show that any losses can be compensated and provide net revenues for the stock owner. Furthermore, the net value for each input decreases with the length of the period between the stock build-up and crisis. The cost of holding emergency stocks arises every year, while the economic value materializes in the year of a crisis. This is relevant for rebuilding civil defence in a broader sense. This highlights the importance of timing stockpiling for effective food preparedness.