Agri-food Quality Research Articles

Jointing quality effort and contract decision in green agri-food supply chain based on differential game

PurposeThe managerial questions of this paper are as follows, and the authors are trying to solve them: How revenue sharing contract (CSR) degree and government subsidy affect the agri-food quality? What kind of model (WPC, revenue-sharing contract [RSC] and cooperative) would be more effective in motivating manufacturers and retailer to increase effort and improve agri-food quality? What kind of model (WPC, RSC and cooperative) would make manufacturer and retailer better off?Design/methodology/approachConsidering the jointing quality effort and contract decision in green agri-food supply chain, this paper proposes six models that consider CSR of manufacturer and retailer, and then the obtained optimal solutions are compared and analyzed. At the same time, the impact of government subsidies is analyzed, and corresponding conclusions are drawn.FindingsThe results show that, first of all, whether the increasing CSR of the manufacturer or the retailer can motivate both parties to improve the agri-food quality effort investment. Second, the WPC and RSC contract may play different role in different cases. Finally, under the model with government subsidies, regarding positive influence of government subsidies on efforts of manufacturer and retailer, quality and profits of members is investigated. Based on these conclusions, this study puts forward the following policy suggestions. Firstly, governments should formulate reasonable subsidy policies to support manufacturer and retailer to improve the agri-food quality, thereby promoting green industries' development. Secondly, manufacturer and retailer should actively improve CSR and strengthen the effort of agri-food so as to advance quality. Finally, manufacturer and retailer can choose cooperative model or WPC contract.Research limitations/implicationsIn this paper, one manufacturer and one retailer are considered. Since the agri-food supply chain structure in reality is more complicated, the future research direction can consider the supply chain structure with one manufacturer and multiple retailers. In addition, this paper only considers the subsidy, and future research can classify the subsidy into different types.Originality/valueThe study makes two substantive contributions to the body of knowledge in the field of sustainable operations:(1) incorporating quality-based demand function in supply chain and dynamic process of agri-food quality; (2) exploring the impact of CSR awareness of members and subsidy of government on agri-food quality, and comparing the influence in different models.

Does Green Food Certification promote agri-food export quality? Evidence from China

The construction of a food certification system plays a vital role in upgrading export quality, which previous studies have largely overlooked. We match China's industry-level data of Green Food Certification with its HS6-digit export data of agri-food products to quantify the impact of Green Food Certification on export quality. We identify the significant and positive effect of Green Food Certification on export quality. The 2SLS estimation based on instrumental variables and a range of robustness checks confirm the validity and robustness of the benchmark conclusions. Further analysis discloses that Green Food Certification improves export quality by raising agricultural production efficiency and brand premiums. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the effect of Green Food Certification varies across regions, notably improving the quality of agri-food products exported to developed regions and regions with high levels of import supervision. Furthermore, among various product types, Green Food Certification significantly improves the export quality of primary products and products vulnerable to non-tariff measures. The above findings could guide the future development of agri-food quality certification systems, potentially leading to a transformation and promotion of the agri-food trade.

Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning-Based System for Agri-Food Quality and Safety Detection

Deep Learning (DL) has emerged as a highly effective technique for analyzing large volumes of data across various domains, including image processing, speech recognition, and pattern recognition. Recently, DL has also found applications in the field of food science and engineering, a relatively novel area of research. This paper provides a concise introduction to DL and delves into the architecture of a typical Convolution Neural Network (CNN) structure, as well as AI and IoT (Internet of Things) data training methodologies. Our research involved an extensive review of studies that utilized DL as a computational approach to address food-related challenges, such as food recognition, calorie computation, and safety detection of various food types like fruits, potatoes, meats, and aquatic products, as well as food supply chain management and food borne illness detection. Each study examined different problems, datasets, preprocessing techniques, network architectures, and evaluation metrics, comparing their results with alternative solutions. Furthermore, we explored the role of big data in the field of food quality assurance, uncovering compelling trends. Based on our analysis, DL consistently outperforms other approaches, including manual feature extractors and traditional machine learning algorithms. The findings highlight the tremendous potential of DL as a promising technology for food safety inspections and related applications in the food industry

Identification of sweetpotato black spot disease caused by Ceratocystis fimbriata by quartz crystal microbalance array

Sweetpotato black spot disease caused by Ceratocystis fimbriata is a major sweetpotato disease that not only affects yield and storage but also damages human or animal health. Herein, a four-element quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) gas sensor array based on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) and zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) materials were reported to differentiate healthy sweetpotatoes and sick sweetpotatoes. Several volatile organic compounds, namely citronellol, heptanal, benzaldehyde, and 2-pentylfuran, were selected for detection based on the results of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The MIPs and ZIFs were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and nitrogen adsorption-desorption, and the results show that materials were successfully obtained. The four sensors based on the as-prepared materials exhibited excellent sensitivity and selectivity toward target gases. Finally, the sensor array was applied to identify sick sweetpotatoes. Frequency shift was selected as the eigenvalue and quadratic support vector machine (QSVM) and weighted k-nearest neighbor (WKNN) models were employed for discrimination. QSVM and WKNN exhibited 100% accuracy in classification, proving that the sensor array can be used for the identification of Ceratocystis-fimbriata-infested sweetpotatoes. This study may contribute to the development of gas sensor arrays for use in agri-food quality control and protection.

Predicting agri-food quality across space: A Machine Learning model for the acknowledgment of Geographical Indications

Geographical Indications (GIs), as Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), offer a unique protection scheme to preserve high-quality agri-food productions and support sustainable rural development at the territorial level. However, not all the areas with traditional agri-food products are acknowledged with a GI. Examining the Italian wine sector by a geo-referenced database and a machine learning framework, we show that municipalities which obtain a GI within the subsequent 10 year period (2002–2011) can be predicted using a large set of (lagged) municipality-level data (1981–2001). We find that the Random Forest algorithm is the best model to make out-of-sample predictions of municipalities which obtain GIs. Results show that there is a sort of optimal territorial condition characterized by the successful matching of wine-growing profession (vineyards), local actors involved (number of farmers), and physical dimension of farms (middle farms). Being in a vital economic system and the distance from major urban centers also emerges among the main relevant features in predicting the success of GIs. The methodology adopted and the evidence provided lead to policy reflections, in the light of the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) programming period and the scheduled reform of the GI’s quality scheme.

Metallic and Metal Oxides Nanoparticles for Sensing Food Pathogens-An Overview of Recent Findings and Future Prospects.

Nowadays, special importance is given to quality control and food safety. Food quality currently creates significant problems for the industry and implicitly for consumers and society. The effects materialize in economic losses, alterations of the quality and organoleptic properties of the commercial products, and, last but not least, they constitute risk factors for the consumer’s health. In this context, the development of analytical systems for the rapid determination of the sanitary quality of food products by detecting possible pathogenic microorganisms (such as Escherichia coli or Salmonella due to the important digestive disorders that they can cause in many consumers) is of major importance. Using efficient and environmentally friendly detection systems for identification of various pathogens that modify food matrices and turn them into food waste faster will also improve agri-food quality throughout the food chain. This paper reviews the use of metal nanoparticles used to obtain bio nanosensors for the purpose mentioned above. Metallic nanoparticles (Au, Ag, etc.) and their oxides can be synthesized by several methods, such as chemical, physical, physico-chemical, and biological, each bringing advantages and disadvantages in their use for developing nanosensors. In the “green chemistry” approach, a particular importance is given to the metal nanoparticles obtained by phytosynthesis. This method can lead to the development of good quality nanoparticles, at the same time being able to use secondary metabolites from vegetal wastes, as such providing a circular economy character. Considering these aspects, the use of phytosynthesized nanoparticles in other biosensing applications is also presented as a glimpse of their potential, which should be further explored.

Subsidy and pricing strategies of an agri-food supply chain considering the application of Big Data and blockchain

Based on the advantages of Big Data and blockchain in food traceability area and information sharing area, it has attracted widespread attentions. However, it is not so popular in agricultural field, a vital reason is the scarcity of effective incentives. Government incentive as an important incentive measure is thought to be useful. To study the subsidy rules in the new background, we chose an agri-food supply chain with one producer and one retailer as research object and divided government incentive into direct incentive and indirect incentive. Then, considering the changes of consumer perceived safety on agri-food in the new environment, the demand function was revised. Furthermore, we proposed and analyzed three subsidy models and their benefit functions considering the information service inputs based on Big Data and blockchain (BBIS). Findings: (1) The subsidy models will not change the variation tendency of prices and benefits with the BBIS optimization coefficient, the BBIS investment costs from the producer and the retailer, the ascension of the unreliability coefficient of quality safety and the agri-food quality level. (2) When the subsidy coefficients about direct and indirect subsidies can meet a relationship, benefits of chain members in the indirect subsidy model are higher than them in the direct subsidy model. Findings offer a theoretical guidance for government departments to make and implement the subsidy strategies. In addition, for company, it can provide a theoretical guidance on setting pricing strategies in the new technology background.

Determinants of quality and food safety systems adoption in the agri-food sector

PurposeIn order to meet the increasingly demanding needs of international markets, quality and food safety systems have become widespread among companies in the agri-food sector. This has led to a transformation of the agri-food sector that has also been detrimental for companies seeking to adopt such standards. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to define the determining factors that affect the process of adopting quality and food safety standards in agri–food companies, from the implementation of standards in company quality management systems to the process of certification of these standards.Design/methodology/approachTo this end, a literature review is carried out in which the motivations, benefits, barriers and contingency factors are identified, analyzing and delimiting the scope and contribution of each of them to the company’s quality management.FindingsThe results show that the most important benefits and motivations are access to new markets and compliance with legislation, while the most important barrier is the high cost of adopting QFS systems within the company. Finally, the most relevant contingency factor when adopting these systems is the size of the company. Furthermore, the analysis shows that the results are closely interrelated. In conclusion, the consideration of the determinants identified in the paper contributes to a better implementation of agri-food quality and safety standards by companies.Originality/valueThis paper combines an analysis of the determining factors for the adoption of quality systems in the agri-food industry with the identification of contingency factors that, despite their importance throughout the process, are scarcely analysed in the rest of the literature. Finally, the work points out future lines of research that are still underexplored, such as the relationship between quality assurance and financial development; the role of contingency factors in the process of adopting these systems and the analysis of HACCP systems in the agri-food sector.

Agri-food Quality – A Dimension of Freedom of Conscience. Evidence from World, European and Romanian Montanology

Agri-food Quality – A Dimension of Freedom of Conscience. Evidence from World, European and Romanian Montanology

Exploring Sustainable Aspects Regarding the Food Supply Chain, Agri-Food Quality Standards, and Global Trade: An Empirical Study among Experts from the European Union and the United States

Sustainability is increasingly a priority in the policies of the European Union, especially in the Common Agricultural Policy. This paper focuses on Sustainable Development Goals, the European Green Deal, and the Farm to Fork Strategy in an attempt to establish a relationship with the European Union’s trade policy. Three selected components of the agri-food sector—the food supply chain, agri-food quality standards, and global trade—are examined in relation to defined sustainability aspects. The aim is to understand the interrelationship between the three components with specific regard to sustainability, to highlight their high complexity and current relevance, to contribute to systematic analysis in this area, and to present current progress. This qualitative–explorative study is empirically supported by a survey of market experts, and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership between the European Union and the United States is used as an example. The results show the complexity between the relationships of the three components with a focus on sustainability and reveal a deep uncertainty. The most notable results are the limited level of knowledge and the insufficient attention from business representatives to sustainability aspects. Finally, the study identifies the state of integrating a sustainable perspective into European Union trade policy and provides suggestions for further research.

Where Does the Peanut Smut Pathogen, Thecaphora frezii, Fit in the Spectrum of Smut Diseases?

Smut fungi, such as Ustilago maydis, have been studied extensively as a model for plant-pathogenic basidiomycetes. However, little attention has been paid to smut diseases of agronomic importance that are caused by species of the genus Thecaphora, probably due to their more localized distribution. Peanut smut incited by Thecaphora frezii has been reported only in South America, and Argentina is the only country where this disease has been noted in commercial peanut production. In this work, important advances in deciphering T. frezii specific biology/pathobiology in relation to potato (T. solani), wheat (U. tritici), and barley (U. nuda) smuts are presented. We summarize the state of knowledge of fungal effectors, functionally characterized to date in U. maydis and most recently in T. thlaspeos, as well as the potential to be present in other Thecaphora species involved in dicot-host interactions like T. frezii-peanut. We also discuss applicability and limitations of currently available methods for identification of smut fungi in different situations and management strategies to reduce their impact on agri-food quality. We conclude by describing some of the challenges in elucidating T. frezii strategies that allow it to infect the host and tolerate or evade plant immune defense mechanisms, and assessing other aspects related to pest control and their implications for human health.

Commodity risk assessment of Momordica charantia fruits from Mexico.

The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to prepare and deliver risk assessments for commodities listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 as ‘High risk plants, plant products and other objects’. Momordica fruits originating from countries where Thrips palmi is known to occur qualify as high risk plants. This Scientific Opinion covers the introduction risk for T. palmi posed by fruits of Momordica charantia L. imported from Mexico, taking into account the available scientific information, including the technical information provided by the National Service of Health, Safety and Agrifood Quality (Senasica) of Mexico. The risk mitigation measures proposed in the technical dossier from Mexico were evaluated taking into account the possible limiting factors. An expert judgement is given on the likelihood of pest freedom taking into consideration the potential pest pressure in the field, the risk mitigation measures acting on the pest in the field and in the packinghouse, including uncertainties associated with the assessment. For T. palmi on M. charantia fruits from Mexico, an expert judgement is given on the likelihood of pest freedom following the evaluation of the risk mitigation measures acting on T. palmi, including any uncertainties. The Expert Knowledge Elicitation indicated, with 95% certainty that between 9,492 and 10,000 M. charantia fruits per 10,000 will be free from T. palmi.

SELOS DE IDENTIFICAÇÃO DE QUALIDADE E ORIGEM: PARA ONDE VÃO AS PRODUÇÕES ALIMENTARES TRADICIONAIS?

A introdução de processos industriais no sistema agroalimentar ocasionou um distanciamento entre os alimentos e os seus territórios de origem. O “substitucionismo” impôs uma produção em grande escala em um contexto concorrencial. O tema tem sido objeto de críticas e de revisão, por força de uma crise da “qualidade” da produção, onde se propaga o uso de ferramentas de identificação, certificação e proteção da qualidade agroalimentar. Durante a realização do doutorado sanduíche no Centre Ressources des Terroirs (França), conhecemos experiências relativas aos selos de identificação de qualidade e origem (SIQO). Estes contribuem para ampliar o mercado dos produtos alimentares tradicionais, valorizando o trabalho dos pequenos artesãos e de suas práticas “naturais”. Porém, apesar dos aspectos positivos dessas estratégias, elas exigem um grau de organização da comunidade e padronização dos processos e produtos que muitas vezes inibem e limitam seu uso.

Network analysis of pig movements in Argentina: identification of key farms in the spread of diseases and relationship with their biosecurity level

Network analysis of pig movements in Argentina: identification of key farms in the spread of diseases and relationship with their biosecurity level

Institutional density and public policies in two cases of geographical indications from Mexico and Spain

AbstractThis study analyses the role of private and/or public institutions on achieving success in projects aiming to obtain certification labels for local food products. This analysis is performed through comparative framework provided by 2 specific study cases; 1 from Mexico, based on the production of a type of traditional spicy pork sausage, or chorizo, and another from Spain, on the production of Iberian ham. A mixed methodology has been used to perform an in‐depth analysis of socio‐political contexts by distinguishing the divergent institutional frameworks of both cases. The study will contribute to connecting the results of these initiatives to the institutional density in which both proposals are originated and are implemented. From there, the text explores the reasons for success, stagnation, and/or failure of these actions. These empirical data constitute an important contribution to the analysis of geographical indications and diverse sociological universes supporting the differentiation of agrifood quality certification.

The Trilateral Evolutionary Game of Agri-Food Quality in Farmer-Supermarket Direct Purchase: A Simulation Approach

The prevalence of opportunistic behaviors in agri-food production and circulation results in frequent quality accidents in emerging economies. Numerous researches have discussed effective countermeasures to this problem, but few of them focus on the effectiveness and stability of quality assurance systems. Owing to the bounded rationality and information asymmetry, the dynamic quality game among producers, marketers, and consumers has significant characteristics of complexity. This paper aims at discussing the farmer-supermarket direct purchase’s contributions to ensure the agri-food quality and analyzing the effectiveness, stability, and key factors of this new industrial organization. Based on the evolutionary game theory, we establish the trilateral-game payoff matrix, build up the replicator dynamic equations, and discuss possible evolutionary stable states. The simulation results show that the evolutionary system converges to desired stability faster, when the high-quality agri-food’s market premium increases and the penalty for violating quality standards increases. Furthermore, when farmers share more high-quality agri-food’s market premiums and marketers compensate more for violating the quality standards than before, the evolutionary system also converges to desired stability faster. Therefore, the quality information tracing technology, farmers and marketers’ fair distribution of profits and risks, and consumers’ capabilities to safeguard their legal rights are the three key factors to maintain the effectiveness and stability of quality assurance systems.

Recommendations from the workshop on Comparative Approaches to Safety Assessment of GM Plant Materials: A road toward harmonized criteria?

ABSTRACTAn international meeting of genetically modified (GM) food safety assessors from the main importing and exporting countries from Asia and the Americas was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, between June 26th and 28th, 2013. Participants shared their evaluation approaches, identified similarities and challenges, and used their experience to propose areas for future work. Recommendations for improving risk assessment procedures and avenues for future collaboration were also discussed. The deliberations of the meeting were also supported by a survey of participants which canvassed risk assessment approaches across the regions from which participants came. This project was initiated by Argentine Agri-Food Health and Quality National Service (SENASA, Ministry of Agriculture, Argentina), with the support of the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) and other partner institutions. The importance of making all possible efforts toward more integrated and harmonized regulatory oversight for GM organisms (GMOs) was strongly emphasized. This exercise showed that such harmonization is a feasible goal that would contribute to sustain a fluid trade of commodities and ultimately enhance food security. Before this can be achieved, key issues identified in this meeting will have to be addressed in the near future to enable regulatory collaboration or joint work. The authors propose that the recommendations coming out of the meeting should be used as a basis for continuing work, follow up discussions and concrete actions.

A Review of Literature for Research on Urban Demand Oriented Agri-Food Cold Chain Logistics Management System

Agri-food cold chain is at the very beginning in China, however, it has been the focus of academic study abroad. Most studies mainly lay emphasis on the awareness of agricultural security issues, agri-food traceability and making researches from the perspective of supply chain; the orientation of researches includes some parts or links, etc. At present, in China, there are a lot of factors impacting on agri-food quality safety, researchers conduct studies on agri-food cold chain mainly from four aspects: legal system, production and distribution standards, regulatory system, and market access standards. This paper presents an overview of agri-food chain study from the perspectives of supply chain, quality safety, traceability, standardization, technology and urban management.

Why improving agrifood quality is difficult in China: Evidence from dairy industry

The issue of economy of scale exists both in terms of the quantity of agricultural production and also in its quality aspect. From the perspective of production cost, we build an agrifood quality-cost function and its elasticity estimation model and then empirically estimate this model in China's dairy industry. Analysis of survey data, estimation results of raw milk quality-cost elasticity and quantity-cost elasticity indicate that, in current factors market and under current policy environment, an economy of scale for raw milk quality does not exist and the economic incentive to improve raw milk quality is not enough. In contrast, raw milk quantity exhibits an economy of scale, and increasing the production scale is profitable. This provides a theoretical basis for explaining why improving raw milk quality is much more difficult than increasing quantity. Accordingly, in order to fundamentally improve the overall level of quality of raw milk, changing the status of diseconomy of scale should be the primary strategy.

The effectiveness of contemporary Geographical Indications (GIs) schemes in enhancing the quality of Chinese agrifoods – Experiences from the field

Food quality problems have frequently been in the news in China leading to growing concerns amongst consumers. Within this context, Geographical Indications (GIs), as an indicator of quality, are becoming increasingly important in the Chinese agrifood market. However, in the face of a number of GI agrifood scandals reported in the last decade, the effectiveness of contemporary Chinese GI schemes in terms of enhancing agrifood quality is becoming questionable. To discover the underlying reasons for this, the paper first provides an overview of Chinese GI schemes and conceptualises ‘agrifood quality’ using ideas drawn from socio-economic theory and network approaches, with a particular focus on the role of power relationships. It then applies the conceptual framework to case studies examining quality forming processes in three GI networks in Jiangxi Province. The research indicates that the development of Chinese GI networks is driven primarily by the government's intention to increase farmers' and rural incomes, and that the GI schemes examined in this study are characterised by low or basic standards, inappropriate GI issuing procedures and weak government quality inspection programmes. Therefore, the overall conclusion is that the quality of Chinese agrifood products may not be enhanced by GI schemes as currently implemented.