Product Diversification Research Articles

The Belt and Road Initiative and Dynamics of Structural Transformation

Structural transformation is among the core questions in development economics, but in recent decades, the discipline has shifted its focus away from production and transformation in favour of analyses on exchange, growth and productivity. Yet, the structural transformation question remains central, and needs to be confronted with the main changes in the global economic and political landscape, such as the emergence of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). With its emphasis on an infrastructure-based connectivity agenda, the BRI opens the space for a paradigm shift in development, and for a renewed emphasis on structural transformation. This article introduces a special issue that explores the role of the BRI in promoting structural transformation in low- and middle-income countries, to understand if and under which conditions the BRI creates pathways that can change the structure of the economies. Through an explicit focus on the role of BRI on transformation in low- and middle-income countries, this special issue examines how domestic institutions regulate and coordinate production diversification, national and international sectoral specificities, and drivers and barriers to technological innovation and trade. In this sense, the special issue sheds light on new conceptualisations and empirical examples of industrial policies.

Late-stage diversification of bacterial natural products through biocatalysis.

Bacterial natural products (BNPs) are very important sources of leads for drug development and chemical novelty. The possibility to perform late-stage diversification of BNPs using biocatalysis is an attractive alternative route other than total chemical synthesis or metal complexation reactions. Although biocatalysis is gaining popularity as a green chemistry methodology, a vast majority of orphan sequenced genomic data related to metabolic pathways for BNP biosynthesis and its tailoring enzymes are underexplored. In this review, we report a systematic overview of biotransformations of 21 molecules, which include derivatization by halogenation, esterification, reduction, oxidation, alkylation and nitration reactions, as well as degradation products as their sub-derivatives. These BNPs were grouped based on their biological activities into antibacterial (5), antifungal (5), anticancer (5), immunosuppressive (2) and quorum sensing modulating (4) compounds. This study summarized 73 derivatives and 16 degradation sub-derivatives originating from 12 BNPs. The highest number of biocatalytic reactions was observed for drugs that are already in clinical use: 28 reactions for the antibacterial drug vancomycin, followed by 18 reactions reported for the immunosuppressive drug rapamycin. The most common biocatalysts include oxidoreductases, transferases, lipases, isomerases and haloperoxidases. This review highlights biocatalytic routes for the late-stage diversification reactions of BNPs, which potentially help to recognize the structural optimizations of bioactive scaffolds for the generation of new biomolecules, eventually leading to drug development.

The Valorization of Spanish Minority Grapevine Varieties—The Volatile Profile of Their Wines as a Characterization Feature

Despite the large number of existing varieties of Vitis vinifera L., only few occupy a large niche in today’s highly globalized wine market. The increasing consumer demand for diversified products, as well as the changing climatic conditions, make establishing a process of varietal diversification essential to achieve both challenges. It is for this reason that the study of minority varieties, which have a higher level of adaptation to each area of origin, is of particular interest. With the main objective of achieving an in-depth knowledge of minority varieties in Spain, the national research project ‘Valorization of Minority Grapevine Varieties for their Potential for Wine Diversification and Resilience to Climate Change’ (MINORVIN), has been proposed. Within this extensive project, the present study describes the aroma profiles of 60 single-variety wines, corresponding with 44 different varieties, with 12 of these varieties being studied at the same time in several Spanish regions. Volatile compounds were determined through three consecutive vintages using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography–flame ionization detector (GC-FID). Compounds were grouped into major compounds, including alcohols, C6 compounds, esters, acetates, acids, carbonyl compounds, and other type of compounds, and minor compounds, including lactones, terpenes, and C13-norisoprenoids, according to their concentration in the wines being analyzed. Among this last group of compounds, lactones were quantitatively the most abundant, followed by terpenes. This study reflects that minority variety wines show distinctive aromatic profiles, supporting the importance of valuing and promoting the autochthonous minority grapevine varieties for the Spanish winemaking industry.

The impact of repayment obligations arising as a by‐product of input use on partial inefficiency: Evidence from Western Australian farm businesses

AbstractFarm businesses often use debt to finance the purchase inputs and meet operational costs. Selected studies have investigated the impact of debt use on farm performance as measured using technical efficiency. However, no prior studies in agriculture have considered treating the debt repayment obligation created as a by‐product of production when benchmarking farm performance. This study employs nonparametric directional distance function models to quantify the impact of debt repayment as a by‐product of input use purchased on credit on farm‐level partial inefficiency using a panel data of 54 mixed enterprise broadacre farms in Western Australia from 2002 to 2011. The study finds that omitting repayment obligations created in the production process in analysis results in underestimating partial inefficiency scores. Farm size, production diversification and rainfall zone are significant drivers of partial inefficiency. The implication of the study's findings is that failure to account for repayment obligations created in the production process may result in erroneous policy suggestions that undermine the efforts of farm businesses to minimise or avoid financial stress.

Current trends in Tourism and Gastronomy: An Analysis in Urban and Rural Environments

In a context where gastronomic tourism has gained relevance, this systematic review article focuses on identifying current trends in the relationship between tourism and gastronomy in urban and rural environments. The main objective is to explore how the integration of technology, tourists' gastronomic preferences and gastronomic events impact the tourist experience. A systematic review methodology was used to analyze recent and relevant studies in indexed journals. The results highlight the importance of experiential tourism in urban environments, the appreciation of local gastronomy in rural environments and the diversification of gastronomic products as a key tourist resource. In conclusion, this study highlights the diversity of gastronomic preferences and experiences, underlining the need for future research that delves into the influence of technology and tourism promotion strategies on tourist gastronomy.

The Blasingame method considering the effect of inter-well interference in a circular homogeneous closed reservoir

The Blasingame method is a valuable tool for analysing the diminishing production challenge in the presence of variable bottomhole pressure and diverse production conditions. It is essential to highlight that the Blasingame method views the closed reservoir as the outer boundary condition for its model. This paper introduces the concept of the equivalent well control radius and formulates the Blasingame method based on the fluid flow characteristics inherent in twin-well production, taking into account the influence of inter-well interference. This study provides an in-depth analysis of production variations in reservoirs with inter-well interference by examining Blasingame type-curve definitions of the dimensionless parameters. Additionally, it investigates key factors impacting production, including neighbouring wells’ production, distance, and opening time: variations in all three parameters lead to different levels of interference between wells, which manifests itself in the regularised production integral derivative curve with different lengths and heights of convexity. Numerical simulations employing orthogonality are conducted to validate the reliability of this method. The results of these simulations offer theoretical support for the precise evaluation of reservoirs facing similar challenges.

Diversification of Eco-Friendly Batik Craft Products with Export Potential

The Laweyan Surakarta batik industry center has more than 100 developing batik IKMs. The existence of the Laweyan Surakarta batik IKM has contributed greatly to the revival of the batik industry in Surakarta after experiencing a downturn due to the pandemic. However, the presence of batik artisans in the Laweyan area of Surakarta has not been optimally accommodated, coupled with the conditions of the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to an 80% decline in the batik trade. The Indonesian Batik Craftsmen and Entrepreneurs Association (APPBI) is still unable to reach all artisans at the grassroots level. Therefore, batik artisans require guidance to maximize their potential in discovering new innovations related to batik handicraft products. The participatory collaborative approach between craft actors (IKM) and educational institutions is expected to increase the bargaining power of batik artisans. The developed batik craft products are still based on local cultural values and strive to improve product quality by adhering to SNI standards. The participatory collaboration model places artisans as actors and educational institutions as partners. This study aims to develop a diversification model for Laweyan Surakarta batik products through a participatory collaborative approach involving educational institutions and batik craft centers to strengthen export potential. This study employs the development research model from Borg and Gall and Mc Kenny’s development research, which is then modified into 2 steps. The two steps include (1) the preliminary study stage as a need and contents analysis. Keywords: diversification, batik, Laweyan, export potential

China and the Andean Community: Opportunities and Risks out of the Decoupling Process

Even if China and the United States (US) are not heading toward a redux of classic military, Cold war logic, they are locked in an economic confrontation that has quickly turned into a dispute over prospective economic supremacy and heavily driven by technological advances. While the first area of intervention was international trade, progressively, the protectionist policies both nations began to implement were directed toward a broader plan to secure a leading edge in the future of technological development. Then, technological decoupling might be a more accurate term to describe the key courses of action to be followed in the forthcoming hegemonic struggle. In this setting, the question arises, what are the risks and opportunities for China in its relation with the Andean Community (CAN)? The departing argument is that the economic tensions between the world’s largest economies will cause growing competition. On the one hand, this will provide CAN an opportunity to improve their participation in the global economy, but on the other hand, risks for China for securing resources. The results show that Andean Community (CAN) trade relations with both the US and China follow a typical centre-periphery model. Still, it is noteworthy that China’s imports from CAN are almost entirely basic goods, while the US purchases significant amounts of goods that make part of the region’s productive diversification efforts since the 1990s. Regarding the opportunities for CAN, through a novel methodology, it was found that there are effectively some added-value manufactures that can substitute trade between China and the US. They represent a huge opportunity for the Andean nations to shift away from primary export dependency to manufactured goods. Regarding risks for China, on the one hand, the largest competition is expected in minerals such as molybdenum and tungsten; and agricultural products such as buckwheat and fish fats. On the other hand, the US has the lead in current LAC exports, given that it exceeds China’s current purchases

Agroecosystem-based analysis of household dietary diversity and its linkage with agricultural production diversification in the Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia: Multilevel analysis approach

Even though the UN's Sustainable Development Goals emphasize improving dietary diversity and overall nutritional status globally by promoting sustainable agriculture, inadequately diversified dietary intake remains a public health problem in many low-income countries, including in Sub-Saharan Africa. The main objective of this study was to gather relevant information to gain an improved understanding of household dietary diversity and explore the role that production diversification could play within household diets and nutrition so that appropriate interventions could be implemented with the goal of enhancing nutrition-sensitive agriculture while also considering the varied features across the agroecosystems. Agroecosystem-based cross-sectional study design was employed. Data were collected predominantly through semi-structured questionnaires and analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics, and a multilevel mixed-effect model. Results showed that the usual dietary intake of households has a monotonous pattern dominated by starchy staple foods, and consumption of fruits, vegetables, and animal-sourced foods was very limited. One out of five households had inadequate dietary diversity but varied significantly across agroecosystems. About 26% of the heterogeneity in dietary diversity was attributed due to agroecosystem level factors. In the fixed-effect part of the model, production diversification, wealth status, number of meals per day, market access, and annual mean rainfall were significantly associated with household dietary diversity status. The findings of our research contribute to give insights on the linkage between dietary diversity and production diversification among subsistence rural farmers across contrasting agroecosystem zones. Therefore, understanding agroecosystem variations and local context in the rural subsistence farming setup is a key point in designing nutrition-sensitive agriculture.

Enhancing salt marshes monitoring: Estimating biomass with drone-derived habitat-specific models

Salt marshes play a vital role in biodiversity conservation, coastal protection, and carbon sequestration. Estimating aboveground biomass (AGB) is crucial for quantifying the carbon sequestration capacity of the system. However, traditional fieldwork methods are time-consuming, demanding, and detrimental to marsh ecosystems. In this study, we propose utilizing low-altitude remote sensing techniques to collect high-resolution LiDAR and multispectral (MS) data for biomass assessment. With these datasets, we characterized salt marsh vegetation habitats through the analysis of vegetation indices (VIs) variability. LiDAR high-resolution topographic information aids in evaluating habitat distribution. Moreover, the Anthocyanin Reflectance Index 2 (ARI2), combined with the Digital Surface Model, allows for the identification and separation of the two habitats with distinct dominant species (Sarcocornia spp. and Sporobolus maritimus). The analysis of the annual cycle of VIs reveals the presence of seasonality. However, the VIs for the two vegetation classes exhibit dissimilar seasonal changes, indicating distinct growth mechanisms for each. Biomass models are created for each season in the annual cycle. Habitat-specific models exhibit higher precision (up to 99%) than models that treat species uniformly. Depending on whether the marsh is considered as a whole or separated into dominant habitats, differences in biomass estimation trends are observed. This implies that the two dominant species exhibit varying behaviours throughout the year, contributing to diverse biomass production. The study reveals a seasonal pattern in the total AGB, with the highest biomass value in summer and the lowest peak in spring, with annual variation accounting for only 9% of total output. The reduced AGB value in spring may be due to increased soil salinity and stress. The use of LiDAR and MS data from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is crucial for accurately distinguishing primary marsh habitats and creating detailed biomass models, with unprecedented accuracy. This method is user-friendly, repeatable, and cost-effective, enabling the study of salt marshes, evolutionary trends, and climate change response requiring less fieldwork.

EFFECT OF PRODUCT MARKET MATRIX ON THE PERFORMANCE OF MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN NORTH CENTRAL, NIGERIA

This research work examined the effect of product market matrix on the performance of medium enterprises in North Central, Nigeria. The researcher used primary data source from a sample of three hundred and eighty four (384) respondents obtained by the use of a structured questionnaire. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, simple percentage and the relationship between the variables of the model were tested using multiple linear regression analysis. The hypotheses of the study were tested using the probability value of the regression estimates. The result of the regression analysis indicates that Market penetration strategy's regression coefficient is 0.401 and significant (p0.05). Product development strategy is -0.059 and negligible (p0.05). A one-unit increase in product development decreases medium firm performance by 0.059 units. A one-unit increase in market development strategy increases medium firm performance by 0.196 units (p0.05). Product diversification approach has a strong coefficient of 0.319. This means a one-unit improvement in product diversification strategy increases medium firm performance by 0.319 units. It was concluded that businesses must consider the region's market conditions, competitive hurdles, and client behaviors to flourish. It was recommended among others that Market Penetration and Product Diversification Strategies are advised for medium enterprises in North Central Nigeria due to their benefits. Expanding market share and targeting existing clients can increase performance. Diversifying products to fulfill client needs can enhance revenue and performance. Firms should use both methods to optimize profits.

Examining the Profits and Losses of Medan City Roadside Ditch Scraping by the Medan City Government on MSMEs

The practice of digging roadside ditches by the Medan City Government is an important part of the flood mitigation strategy and improvement of the urban drainage system. However, this practice not only provides benefits for reducing flood risk, but also has a significant impact on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) around the area. This research aims to investigate the dynamics of profit and loss from the practice of trenching for MSMEs in Medan, focusing on identifying the challenges they face and opportunities to improve the sustainability of their businesses. Through a triangulation approach, including direct surveys, interviews with stakeholders, and secondary data analysis, this study reveals the complexity of the impact of trenching practices on MSMEs and the adaptation strategies adopted. The results show that MSMEs experience accessibility problems, material losses, and damage to business infrastructure due to this practice. However, MSMEs have also taken adaptation steps such as product diversification and increased connectivity. Support from sustainability-oriented public policies has also helped MSMEs increase their competitiveness and resilience. Despite this, challenges in implementing sustainable policies remain the main focus, with limited resources and lack of coordination between government agencies as the main obstacles. In conclusion, this research highlights the need for a holistic approach and close collaboration between stakeholders to create an environment that supports the growth and sustainability of MSMEs amidst changes in urban infrastructure.

Investigating the Potential of Phenolic Compounds and Carbohydrates as Acceptor Substrates for Levansucrase-Catalyzed Transfructosylation Reaction.

This study characterizes the acceptor specificity of levansucrases (LSs) from Gluconobacter oxydans (LS1), Vibrio natriegens (LS2), Novosphingobium aromaticivorans (LS3), and Paraburkholderia graminis (LS4) using sucrose as fructosyl donor and selected phenolic compounds and carbohydrates as acceptors. Overall, V. natriegens LS2 proved to be the best biocatalyst for the transfructosylation of phenolic compounds. More than one fructosyl unit could be attached to fructosylated phenolic compounds. The transfructosylation of epicatechin by P. graminis LS4 resulted in the most diversified products, with up to five fructosyl units transferred. In addition to the LS source, the acceptor specificity of LS towards phenolic compounds and their transfructosylation products were found to greatly depend on their chemical structure: the number of phenolic rings, the reactivity of hydroxyl groups and the presence of aliphatic chains or methoxy groups. Similarly, for carbohydrates, the transfructosylation yield was dependent on both the LS source and the acceptor type. The highest yield of fructosylated-trisaccharides was Erlose from the transfructosylation of maltose catalyzed by LS2, with production reaching 200 g/L. LS2 was more selective towards the transfructosylation of phenolic compounds and carbohydrates, while reactions catalyzed by LS1, LS3 and LS4 also produced fructooligosaccharides. This study shows the high potential for the application of LSs in the glycosylation of phenolic compounds and carbohydrates.

Neoscytalidium dimidiatum: A newly identified postharvest pathogen of pears and its implications for pome fruits

AbstractTürkiye is a prominent contributor to pear and diverse pome fruit production. Pear fruit with unusual brown to black spots and rot symptoms observed in public marketplaces in Mardin province have raised concerns regarding postharvest fruit health. The consistent isolation of a fungus from these fruits revealed morphological features indicative of Neoscytalidium dimidiatum. Phylogenetic confirmation of its identity ensued through BLASTn searches targeting, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of ribosomal DNA, the partial translation elongation factor 1‐alpha gene (tef1), and the partial β‐tubulin gene (tub2). Pathogenicity evaluations were conducted on common pome fruits, namely pears, apples, and quinces, unveiling the susceptibility of all examined fruits to postharvest infection by this emergent pathogen. Furthermore, an investigation was carried out to discern the pathogen's response to varying temperature ranges on pear fruits, revealing that the most pronounced lesions occurred at 30°C, followed by 25°C, 35°C, and 20°C. Conversely, no lesion development was observed at 10°C, 15°C, or 40°C. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first report of N. dimidiatum as the etiological agent responsible for postharvest rot in pear fruit. The implications of these findings highlight the potential threat posed by this pathogen to pome fruits postharvest, especially in regions where cold storage facilities are not widely utilized, warranting increased vigilance and preventive measures.

Life cycle assessment of hydrogen production, storage, and utilization toward sustainability

AbstractIn the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions, hydrogen emerges as a promising candidate for decarbonization. The United States has the potential to sell wind energy at a record‐low price of 2.5 cents/kWh, making hydrogen production electricity up to four times cheaper than natural gas. Hydrogen's appeal stems from its highly exothermic reaction with oxygen, producing only water as a byproduct. With an energy content equivalent to 2.4 kg of methane or 2.8 kg of gasoline per kilogram, hydrogen boasts a superior energy‐to‐weight ratio compared to fossil fuels. However, its energy‐to‐volume ratio, exemplified by liquid hydrogen's 8.5 MJ.L−1 versus gasoline's 32.6 MJ.L−1, presents a challenge, requiring a larger volume for equivalent energy. In addition, this review employs life cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate hydrogen's full life cycle, including production, storage, and utilization. Through an examination of LCA methodologies and principles, the review underscores its importance in measuring hydrogen's environmental sustainability and energy consumption. Key findings reveal diverse hydrogen production pathways, such as blue, green, and purple hydrogen, offering a nuanced understanding of their life cycle inventories. The impact assessment of hydrogen production is explored, supported by case studies illustrating environmental implications. Comparative LCA analysis across different pathways provides crucial insights for decision‐making, shaping environmental and sustainability considerations. Ultimately, the review emphasizes LCA's pivotal role in guiding the hydrogen economy toward a low‐carbon future, positioning hydrogen as a versatile energy carrier with significant potential.This article is categorized under: Emerging Technologies > Hydrogen and Fuel Cells

Exploring the potentialities of industrial hemp for sustainable rural development

This literature review paper explores the potential sustainable applications of industrial hemp, contextualizing it within the UN Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Hemp is a dioecious, herbaceous, anemophilous (wind-pollinated) annual crop that grows from one to five meters in height. However, monoecious varieties have been developed through breeding and selection. Historically versatile, Cannabis sativa L. has faced stigmatization and unfounded prohibitions, having played crucial roles in different civilizations, including during World War I. A member of the Cannabaceae family, it is a versatile non-psychoactive crop, with low concentrations of THC. Recently, the global market for hemp has grown. It is an eco-friendly option in the food, textile, pharmaceutical, and energy sectors. This study is based on bibliographic research covering primary and secondary sources, including technical reports, academic journals, and scientific repositories. The origin, characteristics and cultivation methods of industrial hemp are discussed, besides its practical applications, including the production of fibers, health food grains, medicinal phytocannabinoids, biofuels, sustainable biomass energy, and carbon offsetting. Its potential to contribute to sustainable agriculture and achieve SDG targets stands out, considering environmental benefits, product diversification, resistance, and integration into agroforestry systems. Regenerative agriculture is explored as a promising approach, aligned with the principles of sustainable agriculture and the SDGs, aiming to restore agricultural ecosystems, promote soil health, and improve climate resilience. The research highlights the importance of reforming cannabis-related policies to achieve goals relating to health, justice, and global partnerships, emphasizing the need for sustainable approaches to exploiting this natural resource.

Coffee Business Development Strategy (Case Study at PT XYZ)

The coffee business especially in the coffee shop sector to be superior to the competition is something that must be carried out in a sustainable manner by PT XYZ. Realizing this goal, PT XYZ must formulate its business development strategy. This study aims to determine internal factors (strengths and weaknesses) and external factors (opportunities and threats) which are used as the basis for formulating coffee shop business development strategies. The basic research method is descriptive with data collection techniques through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions (FGD), observation, documentation. Information was obtained through key informants who were determined purposively with the consideration of knowing the coffee shop business, namely directors, managers, supervisors, baristas, consumers, competitors, suppliers and coffee experts. Data analysis uses internal factor evaluation matrix, external factor evaluation, Grand Strategy matrix, SWOT matrix, and participatory prospective analysis. The results of the study show that the position of the grand strategy of PT XYZ is in quadrant I, which means that the strategy concentrates on market and product sustainability, product diversification, and aggressiveness. The main strategy prioritized based on the driving strategy is to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of departmental performance and improve the quality of human resources.

The Tragic Note and Pessimism in Twentieth Century British Novel

This research aims to formulate an international expansion strategy for Kirana Tour and Travel, a Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) in the tourism industry in Indonesia, utilizing a SWOT Analysis approach. Kirana Tour and Travel is an SME operating in the tourism sector in Indonesia. This study employs a qualitative approach with data collection through interviews with business owners, direct observation, and documentation. The results of the SWOT analysis indicate that Kirana Tour and Travel has significant potential for international expansion, but also faces several challenges that need to be addressed. Internal strengths of the company, such as a good reputation, extensive network, and quality service, serve as assets to leverage in facing global competition. However, there are also internal weaknesses that need to be addressed, such as limited resources and a lack of experience in international markets. Based on the SWOT analysis, recommended international expansion strategies for Kirana Tour and Travel include product and service diversification, enhanced digital marketing, strategic partnership development with international travel agencies, and enhancing employee competencies related to the global market. The implementation of these strategies is expected to increase the global presence of Kirana Tour and Travel and mitigate risks associated with international expansion for SMEs

Kirana Tour and Travel MSME Go International Strategy with SWOT Analysis

This research aims to formulate an international expansion strategy for Kirana Tour and Travel, a Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) in the tourism industry in Indonesia, utilizing a SWOT Analysis approach. Kirana Tour and Travel is an SME operating in the tourism sector in Indonesia. This study employs a qualitative approach with data collection through interviews with business owners, direct observation, and documentation. The results of the SWOT analysis indicate that Kirana Tour and Travel has significant potential for international expansion, but also faces several challenges that need to be addressed. Internal strengths of the company, such as a good reputation, extensive network, and quality service, serve as assets to leverage in facing global competition. However, there are also internal weaknesses that need to be addressed, such as limited resources and a lack of experience in international markets. Based on the SWOT analysis, recommended international expansion strategies for Kirana Tour and Travel include product and service diversification, enhanced digital marketing, strategic partnership development with international travel agencies, and enhancing employee competencies related to the global market. The implementation of these strategies is expected to increase the global presence of Kirana Tour and Travel and mitigate risks associated with international expansion for SMEs

Formulating new types of rice husk biochar‐based fertilizers for the simultaneous slow‐release of nutrients and immobilization of cadmium

AbstractChina, as a significant global consumer of chemical fertilizers and a leading producer of rice, faces challenges associated with low fertilizer efficiency and fewer utilization options of rice husks. The development of rice husk biochar‐based fertilizers (RHBF) offers a strategic solution to address these issues. In this study, diverse biochar fertilizer production techniques were used to develop four types of fertilizers: blended RHBF, soaked RHBF, high‐pressure soaked RHBF, and pure rice husk biochar coated fertilizer. The nutrients slow‐releasing performance of these four RHBF were compared by hydrostatic and soil column intermittent leaching methods. Effects of their application on rice growth, yield, and cadmium reduction potential were analyzed and compared by the pot trial. Results demonstrated that nutrients of the four RHBF were generally released slower in the soil compared with the conventional compound fertilizer (CK). The slow nutrient release effect was more pronounced under high‐pressure soaked RHBF. Notably, in the soil column leaching experiment, the cumulative leaching rates of nitrogen and K2O for RHBF3 (12.0% and 13.9%) were greatly lower than those of CK (42.3% and 51.3%). Moreover, the application of RHBF induced a marked enhancement in the nutrient use efficiency, grain yield, harvest index, and photosynthetic characteristics compared to CK. The average agronomic efficiency of P2O5 for the four RHBF increased by 102.8% compared with CK, while the average grain yield of the four RHBF increased by 20.6%. In addition, RHBF showed a significant reduction in Cd mobilization by an average of 80.1% compared to CK. This study offers a promising model for enhancing the comprehensive performance of RHBF and optimizing traditional fertilizer application practices.