Food Security In Countries Research Articles

СТРАТЕГИЧЕСКОЕ УПРАВЛЕНИЕ УСТОЙЧИВЫМ РАЗВИТИЕМ ОТРАСЛИ ЖИВОТНОВОДСТВА НА РЕГИОНАЛЬНОМ УРОВНЕ

The livestock industry is a fundamental part of agriculture. The relevance of developing a sustainable livestock development system is due to a number of global and local factors that have a significant impact on modern agricultural systems. The article examines the current state of the livestock industry in the Russian Federation, as well as in the Nizhny Novgorod region. Ensuring the sustainable development of animal husbandry is an important aspect in the formation and assessment of the country's food security. Criteria for the sustainable development of the industry can serve not only economic indicators, including profitability, gross profit, etc., as well as indicators of social sustainability, which include the quality of life of the population, the development of human resources, etc., but also directly indicators characterizing the production of livestock products, the preservation of animal health, etc. In this regard, measures to ensure sustainable development are of particular relevance. In order to determine the main directions of development, we have compiled a strategic map. The strategic map serves as a tool for visualizing, planning and implementing a development strategy, taking into account many factors and stakeholders. The development of a strategic map for the sustainable development of livestock is a key element for achieving a balance between economic efficiency, social justice and environmental sustainability. A methodological tool for drawing up a strategic map has been developed, providing a systematic approach to the issue under consideration with the allocation of the following "pools": human resources, innovation, financing, as well as active marketing.

Does Climate Change and Energy Consumption Affect the Food Security of European Union Countries? Empirical Evidence from a Panel Study

This study aims to provide empirical evidence on whether using renewable and non-renewable energy, CO2 emissions, and the resulting changes in temperature and precipitation can alter cereal yields in European Union countries. To this end, a panel data set covering 1992–2021 has been used to analyse the impact of climate change and economic factors on cereal production in European Union countries. The study employed various analytical techniques to better understand the impact of climate change and economic factors on cereal crop yields. These included using annual average temperature and rainfall to measure climate change, energy consumption, and economic growth to analyse the economic aspects. To achieve the objective, feasible generalised least squares (FGLS) models with robust standard errors and bootstrap and a quantile regression (QR) model with marginal analysis were employed. The Westerlund cointegration test confirmed the presence of cointegration between cereal production and climate variables, economic growth, and energy consumption. The results indicate that increases in temperature and precipitation may contribute to increased cereal production in European Union countries. In contrast, energy consumption, including renewable energy and CO2 emissions, may have a nonlinear effect on cereal production. Quantile regression analysis suggests climate change may impact crop yields most in countries with low and moderate cereal production per hectare. Increased CO2 emissions may increase yields in the initial period, but excessive CO2 may negatively impact cereal production in the long term. It would be advisable for countries with low and moderate crop productivity to consider implementing technological advances and combating global warming by modernising cultivation methods and making greater use of renewable energy sources.

ORGANIZATIONAL AND ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATIONS OF THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR IN THE POST-WAR PERIOD OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF UKRAINE

The agricultural sector in Ukraine plays a pivotal role in the country's socio-economic stability and food security. However, the full-scale war with Russia has significantly impacted this sector, necessitating comprehensive organizational and economic transformations to restore and enhance its functionality in the post-war period. This study aims to propose practical recommendations for the organizational and economic transformations required in the agricultural sector of Ukraine during the post-war economic revival period. The research employs a combination of general scientific methods, including abstract-logical reasoning, monographic and terminological analysis, theoretical generalization, economic and statistical analysis, abstraction, and formalization. These methods facilitate the substantiation of theoretical approaches, formation of conceptual frameworks, identification of development trends, and justification of strategic directions for the agricultural sector's transformation. Despite the crisis induced by the war, the agricultural sector in Ukraine has demonstrated financial stability and adaptability. In 2022, agriculture contributed 8.6% to GDP, though this was a decline from previous years. The sector's share in export structure increased, becoming a crucial source of foreign currency inflows despite logistical challenges. The study identifies structural issues such as over-reliance on low-value-added exports, technological dependencies, and economic vulnerabilities tied to the raw material orientation. Recommendations include diversifying production, enhancing value-added processing, fostering technological advancements, and creating investment funds for structural economic reforms. Further research should explore the long-term impacts of proposed transformations, the role of technological integration in agriculture, and the development of policies that balance agricultural productivity with environmental sustainability. Additionally, investigating the effectiveness of investment funds and economic incentives in achieving structural changes will be critical to ensuring the resilience and growth of Ukraine's agricultural sector.

Innovation and investment activities in crop production in Kazakhstan based on the example of grain industry: modern approaches

Innovative and investment development of agro-industrial complex, based on modernization of technical equipment, introduction of digital technologies, and increase in investment flow, helps to increase labor productivity and create competitive products, which determined the relevance of the study. The goal is theoretical and methodological substantiation and development of practical recommendations for stimulating innovation and investment activity in crop production sector of the republic based on the example of grain subcomplex. Methods – study of statistical, economic information, systematic approach to identifying general trends and effects, graphical representation. Results – lack of modern agricultural machinery, insufficient level of modernization of rural infrastructure and access to the market, low degree of renewal of fixed assets of enterprises, wear and tear of machinery and equipment, limited influx of investments due to seasonality and high risks for investors have become the main obstacle to sustainable growth of the main indicators of this sector of economy. The authors conducted correlation analysis of the dynamics of investment in crop production and gross production, which was confirmed by strong positive relationship. Conclusions – by summarizing, the authors recommend increase investment capital in the use of environmental and green technologies, implementing training and consulting programs for farmers on advanced technologies and innovations in crop production farms, leasing financing, and partnerships with research institutes for the exchange of knowledge and experience. Joint research and experiments should become the main tools of state regulation of innovation and investment activities in agriculture in order to ensure the country's food security. Investments and innovations should be considered as a single system, on the successful functioning of which the economic recovery and stabilization of agricultural production depend.

Аналіз сучасного стану логістичної ефективності України

Agro-industrial complex (APK) belongs to the system-forming, strategically important industries. It ensures the country’s food security, makes a significant contribution to ensuring employment of the population, preserving socio-economic stability, and increasing export potential. In recent years, the development of the domestic agricultural industry has had positive dynamics. However, the industry faced many problems related to hostilities: destruction of infrastructure, congestion of alternative routes, difficulties with exports, etc. Military operations significantly affect all aspects of the logistics chain, including transport, storage, processing and export of products. It is noted that the domestic agro-industrial complex not only meets the domestic needs of the country, but also exports agricultural products abroad. Logistics plays a key role in export operations, and it is through effective management of logistics processes that companies can achieve better results in foreign economic activity. The hostilities greatly complicate export logistics by blocking seaports and disrupting rail routes, posing a threat to the country’s economic stability and food security in many countries. Although the volume of transportation remained significantly lower than the pre-war level, the positive dynamics of the indicators is maintained. The commodity structure of the export of agricultural products and indicators of the freight transportation index were analyzed. The value of the logistics efficiency index was considered and it was noted that there is a significant deterioration of the specified indicator for the country, which is why there is a need to analyze logistics processes, identify problems in the logistics industry and take measures to improve indicators. The main problems of logistics, which create serious challenges for business and the country’s economy, are highlighted. It was noted that the logistics of agricultural products in wartime conditions faces numerous challenges that require rapid adaptation and the search for new solutions. Restoration of logistics infrastructure is one of the key directions for ensuring Ukraine’s competitiveness on the global market. Keywords: logistics, agricultural products, export, costs, efficiency.

Moving towards food security in South Asian region: Assessing the role of agricultural trade openness, production and employment

Despite several accomplishments in addressing malnutrition, the issue of food scarcity remains a persistent concern all over the globe, particularly in the South Asian region. One recommended solution to address this situation involves advocating for further liberalization of global food trading and opening employment opportunities. In this context, using panel data spanning 2000–2019, this study makes a novel attempt to quantify the impact of agricultural trade openness and agricultural employment on food security in countries belonging to the South Asian region while controlling the tariff and agricultural production. Using “Fully Modified Ordinary Least Square (FMOLS)” and “Dynamic Ordinary Least Square (DOLS)” modeling, this article concludes that increased agricultural trade openness hinders food security in this region. Because, the member countries of South Asia are heavily reliant on food imports to meet their domestic needs, implying that the expenses of food imports exceed the potential benefits of increasing exports. Moreover, tariffs have a detrimental impact on food security in this region. However, production and employment in the agricultural industry augment earnings, strengthen the capacity to buy food, and ensure adequate nutrition intake over the long term. The study's findings suggest that these nations should prioritize food self-sufficiency to expand agricultural exports and lessen their reliance on imported food. More than that, economies should provide rewards to broaden their agricultural production locally, which aids in reducing hunger and uplifting food security.

The four misses of agricultural water husbandry in the Maghreb

AbstractRecurrent droughts plaguing the Maghreb geography have impacted dramatically on the yet scarce renewable water resources. This situation intensified tensions between water users, namely urban, industrial and agricultural sectors. At this point, agricultural water management in large‐scale irrigated schemes is under scrutiny since more than two‐thirds of the Maghreb mobilized water resources are used for agricultural purposes. However, this sector's performance is undermined by mismanagement, misuse, mispricing and misgovernance of agricultural water. From low irrigation water transport efficiencies, low water use efficiency at field level and low valuation of irrigation water by farmers, to nonreasoned pricing policies and lack of good governance, agricultural water husbandry is suffering a number of setbacks. This situation endangers the sustainable development of large‐scale irrigation schemes and could deprive Maghreb countries of the contribution of irrigated agriculture to countries' GDP and food security. These constraints were thoroughly analyzed, and a set of remedies was discussed that included restoration of water transport canals and water distribution networks, improvement of cropping systems, crop water use efficiency, extension services, reasoned subsidies and irrigation water pricing. Only by redirecting water husbandry in the large‐scale irrigation schemes, Maghreb countries can achieve sustainable development.

Human-induced climate change has decreased wheat production in northern Kazakhstan

Northern Kazakhstan is a major wheat exporter, contributing to food security in Central Asia and beyond. However, wheat yields fluctuate and low-producing years occur frequently. It is currently unclear to what extent human-induced climate change contributes to this. The most severe low-producing year in this century was in 2010, which had severe consequences for the food security of wheat-importing countries. Here, we present a climate impact attribution study that quantifies the impact of human-induced climate change on the average wheat production and associated economic revenues in northern Kazakhstan in the 21st century and on the likelihood of a low-production year like 2010. The study uses bias-adjusted counterfactual and factual climate model data from two large ensembles of latest-generation climate models as input to a statistical subnational yield model. We consider the climate data and the yield model as fit for purpose as first, the factual climate simulations represent the observations, second, the out-of-sample validation of the yield model performs reasonably well with a mean R 2 of 0.54, and third, the results are robust under the performed sensitivity tests. Human-induced climate change has had a critical impact on wheat production, specifically through increases in daily-minimum temperatures and extreme heat. This has resulted in a decrease in yields during 2000–2019 by approximately 6.2%–8.2% (uncertainty range of two climate models) and an increased likelihood of the 2010 low-production event by 1.5–4.7 times (10th to 90th percentile uncertainty range covering both climate models). During 2000–2019, human-induced climate change caused economic losses estimated at between 96 and 180 million USD per year (10th to 90th percentile uncertainty range covering both climate models). These results highlight the necessity for ambitious global mitigation efforts and measures to adapt wheat production to increasing temperatures, ensuring regional and global food security.

Mechanism of synergy between public health, food safety and consumer behavior: the role of neuromarketing

Methods. The results of the study were obtained by using the following methods: comparison – when studying the dynamics of the global hunger index and the GTI in Ukraine to determine Ukraine's place in the world food security ranking; general and specific – when establishing the relationship between food security and the public health system; standard methods of sociological research – when studying the behavior of food consumers as a result of the use of various neuromarketing methods; structural and logical analysis – when justifying the use of neuromarketing methods to improve the country's food security and directly affect the development of the public health system. Results. The role of positive changes in the regulatory and legal support for the functioning of the integrated public health system in Ukraine in the context of European integration processes is shown. The position of Ukraine in the world food security ranking among the indicators of 125 countries is investigated. The dynamics of the factors influencing the formation of the GHI is analyzed. It is proved that food security is one of the components of the public health system. The reasons for the food problem in the world and in Ukraine in particular are considered. Examples of the application of neuromarketing methods as a tool for influencing food security and the public health system in general are given. Positive and negative factors of influence of neuromarketing methods on the public health system are systematized. The necessity of further scientific research on the synergy of neuromarketing, food security and the public health system as factors influencing the overall well-being of the population is emphasized. Novelty. The article is the first to investigate the aspects of synergy between public health, food security and neuromarketing in Ukraine in the current conditions of ecosystem disruption during the period of military aggression. Practical value. The application of neuromarketing methods to improve the promotion of food products on the market aimed at ensuring food security of the country, improving public welfare and further development of the public health system is proposed.

Organisational and economic support for the development of business enterprises in agriculture under martial law

Entrepreneurs in agriculture ensure the potential of the country's food security and environmental protection. The study aims to substantiate the social, economic and conceptual foundations of the activities of business entities in agriculture under martial law. The research methodology is based on the provisions of system-functional analysis and institutional economic theory. Graphical, and abstract methods of systematisation of results were used. The study found that in 2023, more than 50 thousand business entities (92% of them were farms) produced products. 1.6 thousand agricultural businesses received loans worth 60.1 billion UAH. The author substantiates the need to keep the preferential financing of agricultural entrepreneurs under the "Affordable Loans 5-7-9%" programme as "survival loans" with the expansion of the limits to 130-140 million UAH and a reduction of the interest rate to 5%. The study determined that small business and family farming are the primary guarantors of employment. It is proved that in the period 2017-2022, 84.64% of the variation in net profit is explained by the variation in the level of agricultural products sold by business entities. The article substantiates the expediency of applying the organisational and economic principles of business development in wartime, developing comprehensive indicators for assessing the state of development of business structures in the agricultural sector of the economy and the impact of entrepreneurship on the development of rural areas. The indicators of development and efficiency of agricultural enterprises are characterised. The information and analytical material can be considered when developing regional programmes for the development of agrarian entrepreneurship.

Profit and investment provision of agricultural enterprises in Ukraine

Investment processes are crucial for agricultural enterprises' sustainable development, innovativeness, competitiveness, and food security. The article presents the results of the study, the purpose of which was to quantitatively assess the role of the profit of agricultural enterprises in the investment provision in agriculture in Ukraine in 2012-2022. Quantitative research methods were used, particularly trend analysis, correlation analysis, and a regression model design. The dynamic tendencies of investing and profitability in agriculture were defined. It showed the trend of increasing the annual number of investments in agriculture in the pre-war years. Political factors explained some deviations from the growth trend. Only in the first year of the war were capital investments reduced by 27% in agriculture in Ukraine. The total net profit of agricultural enterprises was positive during the research period, but its annual value fluctuated significantly. Our study has revealed a significant correlation between the profit of agricultural enterprises and the volume of investments in agriculture. We have developed regression models that demonstrate this relationship for the periods 2012-2022 and 2012-2021 with a one-year lag for investments. Our findings confirm that profit is the primary financial source of investment and innovation in Ukrainian agricultural enterprises. To ensure the innovative development of agrarian enterprises and the country's food security, further scientific research is needed to determine the financial sources of investment and their optimal structure in agriculture, particularly in times of decreasing profitability. Keywords: profit, investments, investment provision, enterprise, agriculture.

Silica nanoparticles as a waste product to alleviate the harmful effects of water stress in wheat

Drought is a threat to food security and agricultural sustainability in arid and semi-arid countries. Using wasted silica nanoparticles could minimize water scarcity. A controlled study investigated wheat plant physiological and morphological growth under tap-water irrigation (80–100, 60–80, and 40–60% field capacity). The benefits of S1: 0%, S2: 5%, and S3: 10% nanoparticle silica soil additions were studied. Our research reveals that water stress damages the physiological and functional growth of wheat plants. Plant height decreased by 8.9%, grain yield by 5.4%, and biological yield by 19.2%. These effects were observed when plants were irrigated to 40–60% field capacity vs. control. In plants under substantial water stress (40–60% of field capacity), chlorophyll a (8.04 mg g−1), b (1.5 mg g−1), total chlorophyll (9.55 mg g−1), carotenoids (2.44 mg g−1), and relative water content (54%), Electrolyte leakage (59%), total soluble sugar (1.79 mg g−1 fw), and proline (80.3 mol g−1) were highest. Plants cultivated with silica nanoparticles exhibit better morphological and physiological growth than controls. The largest effect came from maximum silica nanoparticle loading. Silica nanoparticles may increase drought-stressed plant growth and production.

АНАЛИЗ ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЯ ЧЕЛОВЕЧЕСКОГО КАПИТАЛА НА ПРИМЕРЕ АГРАРНОГО РЕГИОНА (РЕСПУБЛИКИ ТАТАРСТАН)

Human capital has always been of great importance for the stable economic and social progress of society. The way humanity accumulates experience and develops the potential of society in its various forms is the way of life of society. One of the forms of application of human capital is the agro-industrial complex, which is rightfully considered the foundation of any human economic activity. Purpose of the study: to determine the theoretical basis for the practical use of human capital in the agro-industrial complex of the Republic of Tatarstan and to develop recommendations for its implementation in specific conditions of economic activity. Methodology: analysis of statistical data, description, synthesis, systematic approach, etc. Scientific novelty: The level of socio-economic development of Tatarstan is largely determined by the presence of human capital that can compete with similar capital in other regions. In addition, it is human capital that contributes to the activation of production factors aimed at introducing innovation into production processes and increasing the efficiency of the economic system. The agro-industrial complex of modern Russia is an important industry, the level of development of which determines the country's food security. The political crisis and sanctions have necessitated changes in production technologies and requirements for the qualifications of relevant personnel with the necessary set of competencies, including digital competence.

Risk of climate change to sweet potato cultivation in the American continent

ABSTRACT Sweet potato, Ipomoea potatoes L., is an essential crop for food security in various countries. However, the effects of climate change could reduce or increase the yield and profitability of this crop, especially for small farmers. Thus, we developed species distribution models for the current and six climate change scenarios based on environmental variables, species occurrence, and global climate change model. Also, we identified the most relevant environmental variables for cultivation. Future scenarios showed gradual shifts in suitable areas for cultivation. Losses in suitable areas were more relevant than gains at the low concentration of greenhouse gas emissions (RCP 2.6). This trend is maintained in the worst scenario of a high concentration of greenhouse gas emissions (RCP 8.5) with more significant losses of suitable areas. The temperature and precipitation of warmest and wettest quarters, temperature seasonality, and isothermality are the most critical variables for sweet potato cultivation. The cultivation is expected to expand the suitable areas in some regions and retract in others due to climate change. Knowledge about climate change effects in cultivated areas is essential for developing management plans that could mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.

Investigation of the effect of cow estrous serum when added to the maturation medium of oocyte-cumulus complexes <i>IN VITRO</i>

Saving and multiplying the existing livestock population is an important strategic objective that ensures the country's food security and levelling the dependence on imports of genetically valuable highly productive animals. Obtaining farm animal embryos in vitro is one of the methods of assisted reproductive technologies (ART), which can be used both lifetime and post-mortem. This method allows to optimise breeding work with livestock in a short period of time due to the large number of offspring obtained from highly productive individuals. Aim and objectives: to investigate the effect of bovine estrous serum on meiotic oocyte maturation and early embryogenesis prior to blastocyst development, when added to oocyte-cumulus complexes (OCC) maturation medium. A blind randomised controlled trial was conducted on the effect of bovine estral serum on blastocyst development when added to OCC maturation medium. Estral serum was obtained from the blood of clinically healthy cows with pronounced signs of puberty. The study was carried out in conditions of industrial livestock breeding. The material for the study were oocyte-cumulus complexes obtained by the method of lifetime aspiration from 89 Holstein cows with milk productivity of more than 10 thousand kg per lactation. Oocyte-cumulus complexes were divided into 2 groups: Group 1 (control) - oocyte maturation was carried out in commercial IVM medium without addition of estrous serum, Group 2 (experiment) - oocyte maturation was carried out in commercial IVM medium with addition of es trous serum in concentration from 5 to 15%. The hormones, growth factors and biologically active substances contained in estrous serum have no effect on the achievement of OCC at the stage of metaphase II of meiosis, as well as at the stage of fractions; moreover, a negative effect at these stages of development can be traced. However, substances contained in estrous serum are able to saturate and accumulate in OCC at the stage of maturation to metaphase II of meiosis, thus enhancing the potential of oocytes to embryonic development and further positively affect their achievement of the blastocyst stage. The difference in the formation of blastocysts from crushed embryos reaches more than 25%, and the difference in the formation of blastocysts from viable JCCs matured in media without serum and modified with estrous serum is 37.5% in favour of the latter.

Application of the JULES-crop model and agrometeorological indicators for forecasting off-season maize yield in Brazil

Zea mays L is a crucial crop for Brazil, ranking second in terms of production and sixth in terms of exports. In Brazil, the second season, or off-season, accounts for 80 % of the overall maize output, which primarily occurs after the soybean main season. A maize yield forecast model for the off-season was developed and implemented throughout Brazilian territory due to its importance to the country's economy and food security. The model was built using multiple linear regressions that connected outputs simulated from a land surface model used in large-scale analysis for agriculture (JULES-crop), to agrometeorological indicators. The application of the developed model occurred every 10 days from the sowing until the maturation. A comparison of the forecasting model was verified with the official off-season maize yields for the years 2003–2016. Agrometeorological indicators during the reproductive phase accounted for 60 % of the interannual variability in maize production. When outputs simulated by JULES-crop were included, the forecasting model achieved Nash-Sutcliffe modeling efficiency (EF) of 0.77 in the maturation and EF = 0.72 in the filling-grain stage, suggesting that this approach can generate useful predictions for final maize yield beginning on the 80th day of the cycle. Outputs of JULES crop enhanced modeling performance during the vegetative stage, reducing the standard deviation error in prediction from 0.59 to 0.49 Mg ha−1.

The analysis of changes in land management indicators over 30 years considering the food security of the country

The overarching aim of ensuring the country's food security is providing of the country's population with wholesome, quality-assured and available agriproduct, raw materials and food in volumes that ensure rational food consumption criteria. One of the central objectives of ensuring food security, whether external and internal conditions change or not, is the sustainable development of agriproduct, raw materials and food, sufficient to provide food sovereignty predicated on the principle of research-backed planning. Using the example of some regions of the Russian Federation, a look-back study of agricultural land use and changes in land management activities over a 30-year period was carried out, and the measures for rational land use organization.

Fostering Food Security through Farmers’ Intentions to Embrace Climate-Smart Agriculture: Unraveling the Impact of Attitude, Subjective Norms, and Behavioral Control

Food security is a global challenge exacerbated by climate change, especially in lower-income countries. Promoting the implementation of climate-smart agricultural techniques holds significant importance to addressing this issue. This research investigates how farmers’ attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control impact a certain aspect/area on their intention to adopt CSA practices, ultimately contributing to increased food security. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior framework, this study investigates how farmers’ attitudes toward CSAs, subjective norms within their social networks, and perceived ability to implement these practices influence their intentions to adopt CSAs. Data was collected through surveys and interviews with farmers in Cohen’s table to determine the required sample size. Our findings show that farmers’ attitudes towards CSA positively and significantly influence their intention to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices. Additionally, subjective norms are critical in shaping these intentions, indicating that social influence and support networks within farming communities are important in driving CSA adoption. Further, perceived behavioural control emerged as an important factor, highlighting the importance of farmers’ confidence in their ability to implement CSA practices. This research underscores the importance of encouraging positive attitudes, strengthening social networks, and building farmers’ confidence in adopting CSA practices to improve food security in lower-income countries. Policymakers, agricultural extension services, and development organizations can leverage these insights to formulate strategies and interventions to encourage the adoption of implementing climate-smart agriculture practices is essential to safeguard food security amidst the challenges posed by climate change.

Assessing the impact of a personalised application-based nutrition intervention on carbohydrate intake in rural Benin

BackgroundThis study aims to assess the effect of a personalised nutrition intervention on nutrient intake in rural Benin as a tool to tackle the double burden of malnutrition. The personalised recommender system uses information from the eating behaviour of all household members combined to provide tailored advice on adjusting the consumption of up to three food items to tackle malnutrition and obesity in the household. Many developing countries nowadays experience the double burden of malnutrition, the coexistence of undernutrition alongside overweight and obesity, as well as other related non-communicable diseases. Personalised nutrition was very effective in European studies in improving nutrition and tackling obesity, which is why this study aims to translate personalised nutrition to a developing country context.ResultsA study was conducted in rural areas of Benin where 720 households were randomly selected. Due to high attrition, we used propensity score matching and looked into average treatment effects. We found that the recommendation to eat less carbohydrates resulted in a reduction in carbohydrate consumption with a significant effect for both the average treatment effect (ATE) of the whole population as well as the average treatment effect of the treated (ATET). We found that households that received the treatment to consume less food items with a high carbohydrate intake have followed this advice and have consumed on average lower levels of carbohydrates than their control counterparts.ConclusionsRising obesity is a worldwide problem that poses a severe challenge for policymakers. Especially in developing countries the change from too little, to too much is seamless. For the increasing obese population, the recommender system could be a useful tool. The idea of personalised nutrition has the potential to be one of the necessary steps in the ongoing battle against obesity and unhealthy diets. The personalised application-based recommender system used in this study has the ability to be a strong and effective tool for policymakers in the ongoing battle of food security vs. obesity in Benin and other countries. We propose that future research focuses more on personalised nutrition in the context of a developing country.

The factor of adverse climate events in the food security of various countries of the world

The factor of adverse climate events in the food security of various countries of the world