Enhance Food Security Research Articles

Determinants of Smallholder Farmers’ About Choices of Sustainable Land Management Practices in West Wollega Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Background: Due attention has recently been given to the choices of sustainable land management practices (SLMPs) to reduce land degradation and improve the livelihood of smallholder farmers in developing countries. A rising number of people believe that Sustainable Land Management is an essential strategy for enhancing food security. For generations, Ethiopia has been regarded as a hotspot of land degradation, posing a severe threat to agricultural productivity leading to widespread rural poverty. Hence, this study aimed at identifying the determinants of smallholder farmers’ choice of SLMPs in the West Wollega zone, Oromia region of Ethiopia using the Multivariate Probit (MVP) model. 
 
 Results: Results of the MVP model show that the predicted probabilities of adopting organic fertilizer, area closure, soil and water conservation, crop rotation, and compost were 37.2, 35.3, 40.5, 38.3, and 38.5% respectively. The MVP model results also show that the five SLMPs are complementary and the probability that households choose all five SLMPs was 23% which is low. Further, results of the MVP model show that cooperative membership, model farmer contact, farm size, non-farm income, credit, farm experience, perceived soil erosion, social capital, livestock owned, farmland slope, NGO intervention, information access, and training have a significant positive influence while age, family size, and perceived input cost significantly and negatively impacted the choice of SLMPs by households in the study area. 
 
 Conclusions: The findings of the study confirm that socioeconomic, household, farm and institutional characteristics of the households have a significant impact on the choices of SLMPs and hence the need to focus on the above-mentioned factors to enhance the choices of SLMPs and reduce land degradation problem in the study area. The results also highlight the significance of environmentally-friendly policies, which include sustainable development, SLMPS plan determination, environmental permits, and incentive programs for managing the sustainability of land management performance in land-use policy within the local context.

Digital technologies and food security during crisis: COVID-19 experiences from smallholder farmers in Odisha, India

This research explores the significance of digital agricultural technology concerning food security for smallholder farmers and their communities in Odisha, India, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The study is a collaborative effort between academic researchers based in Canada, 15 small-scale farmers from Odisha, and the India-based social enterprise, eKutir. The farmers’ experiences utilizing eKutir’s technology are examined to understand how it aids them in meeting their food security requirements, sustaining their livelihoods and participating in local food systems before and during the pandemic. eKutir shares transactional data that illustrate how their platform facilitates food movement through local food systems during the pandemic while exploring its potential to enhance food security and food system resilience further. The primary goal of this research is to strengthen the adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers and the food systems dependent on them, particularly during non-conflict crises like the COVID pandemic, that affect economic, physical, and social aspects of life. This research is also intended to contribute to the continued development of digital technology in a way that supports smallholder farmer interests. Our findings reveal that access to eKutir’s platform enabled farmers to remain connected to essential markets, continue earning income, and support local food systems during the COVID pandemic. While potential negative consequences associated with data-focused agricultural technologies can acrue, when technology design is guided by and tailored to the needs of resource-constrained farmers, it can substantially contribute to their resilience in the face of contemporary challenges and risks.

FOOD SECURITY AND RAJASTHAN

This research paper explores the nuanced understanding of "food security," tracing its evolution from a mere "availability at all times of adequate world food supply" in the 1970s to Amartya Sen's comprehensive perspective on entitlements in the 1980s. Sen's emphasis on entitlements, beyond mere food availability, distinguishes his approach from traditional notions of effective demand. While Keynes' effective demand related to monetary income in a capitalist economy, Sen's analysis extends to a "mixed economy" with multiple classes.
 In the context of Rajasthan, this study reveals the intricate dynamics of food security, considering diverse demographics, geographical variations, and vulnerability indicators. Urbanization trends, examined through three distinct phases, present potential implications for food distribution and accessibility across regions. Recognizing the heterogeneity of regions in Rajasthan, the paper stresses the importance of tailored policies that account for climatic variations, regional interests, and health demands.
 A thorough investigation into the nutritional status of the population highlights concerning trends, particularly the prevalence of anemia and malnutrition among women and children. Despite advancements in education and awareness, persistent nutritional challenges demand a holistic approach addressing both immediate and underlying causes.
 In conclusion, this research underscores the multi-faceted nature of food security challenges in Rajasthan. It advocates for targeted interventions incorporating sustainable agriculture, improved infrastructure, and inclusive policies. By addressing the root causes of food insecurity and malnutrition, the paper provides valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners striving to enhance food security in the region.Top of Form

Binary endogenous treatment in stochastic frontier models with an application to soil conservation in El Salvador

SummaryNumerous programs exist to promote productivity, alleviate poverty, and enhance food security in developing countries. Stochastic frontier analysis can be helpful to assess their effectiveness. However, challenges can arise when accounting for treatment endogeneity, often intrinsic to these interventions. We study maximum likelihood estimation of stochastic frontier models when both the frontier and inefficiency depend on a potentially endogenous binary treatment. We use instrumental variables to define an assignment mechanism and explicitly model the density of the first and second‐stage error terms. We provide empirical evidence using data from a soil conservation program in El Salvador.

Survey of Rice Genotypes of Southern India for Seed Zinc Concentration to Explore its Seed Endophytic Microbial Diversity

Background: Rice is a vital staple food for a large part of the global population and zinc deficiency poses health risks, particularly in rice-dependent regions. Studying genotypic differences in rice seed zinc content is vital for breeding zinc enriched varieties to address malnutrition and enhance food security. In the plant microbe partnership exploring the role of seed bacterial endophytes in influencing the plant physiology holds promise for Zn accumulation contributing to the broader goals of enhancing food quality, nutrition and crop production in a world facing increasing agricultural demands and challenges. Methods: Rice genotypes were surveyed and their seed zinc content was analysed using non-destructive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Surface sterilization of rice seed samples was performed to isolate endophytic bacteria, involving a series of treatments with distilled water, ethanol and sodium hypochlorite to remove surface microflora. The sterilized seeds were then macerated and diluted to obtain a countable number of colonies, which were subsequently spread-plated on nutrient agar, tryptic soy agar and soil extract agar to enumerate the different nutritional types of seed endophytic microflora. Result: In this study, 34 different rice genotypes, comprising traditional landraces and modern cultivars, were collected and analysed for their inherent zinc content. One variety in each category of low, medium and high seed Zn content was selected. The occurrence of all nutritional types of bacterial and their population was highest in the genotype Karuppunel followed by CO51 and ADT 39. Nutrient agar was found to promote a higher count of culturable bacterial endophytes compared to Tryptic soy agar and Soil extract agar.

Species Composition and Abundance of the Cichlid Fishes in Owalla Reservoir, Osun State, Nigeria

Fish production plays crucial roles in enhancing food security and alleviating poverty of many people in Nigeria. As demand for fish increases steadily over the years, production becomes inadequate. One of the ways in which adequate fish production could be met is adequate conservation efforts. This study was conducted with a view of providing a more recent catalogue and update of species composition and abundance of cichlid fishes in Owalla reservoir. Sampling for cichlids fishes in the reservoir was done monthly for 24 weeks with the use of dugout canoe. Four experimental gillnets, each measuring 2 by 30 m, with various stretched mesh sizes (25.4, 38.1, 50.8 and 63.5 mm) were designed to sample various sizes of the fishes. Other sampling techniques adopted include the use of cast net, fish traps and hook and line. The six species of cichlid fishes identified during study are Hemichromis fasciatus (SL=7.35±0.12 cm; mean weight=15.58±9.01g), Sarotherodon galilaeus (SL=11.77±3.12 cm; mean weight=89.48±14.17 g), Oreochromis niloticus (SL=8.35±1.90 cm; mean weight=36.11±10.02 g ), Tilapia zilli (SL=9.95±1.09 cm; mean weight=88.03±16.04 g ), Tilapia mariae (SL=9.83±1.07 cm; mean weight=57.81±14.01 g ) and Tilapia dageti (SL=11.12.±2.01 cm; mean weight=85.30±20.01 g). The fish species were adequately represented, well distributed and occurred frequently in both wet and dry seasons, though the occurrence was higher in the wet season. The mean values of length and weight recorded for the fishes were small when compared with the values of cichlids from similar Nigerian inland waters and was attributed to the indiscriminate use of gillnets with unregulated mesh sizes. Overfishing by the artisanal fishermen could not be ruled out due to lack of regulations on the reservoir. Therefore, regular qualitative and quantitative information on cichlid fishes in the reservoir is necessary for enhancement of management and appraisal of the fisheries potential of the reservoir becomes essential.

Application of UAV-Borne Visible-Infared Pushbroom Imaging Hyperspectral for Rice Yield Estimation Using Feature Selection Regression Methods

Rice yield estimation is vital for enhancing food security, optimizing agricultural management, and promoting sustainable development. However, traditional satellite/aerial and ground-based/tower-based platforms face limitations in rice yield estimation, and few studies have explored the potential of UAV-borne hyperspectral remote sensing for this purpose. In this study, we employed a UAV-borne push-broom hyperspectral camera to acquire remote sensing data of rice fields during the filling stage, and the machine learning regression algorithms were applied to rice yield estimation. The research comprised three parts: hyperspectral data preprocessing, spectral feature extraction, and model construction. To begin, the preprocessing of hyperspectral data involved geometric distortion correction, relative radiometric calibration, and rice canopy mask construction. Challenges in geometric distortion correction were addressed by tracking linear features during flight and applying a single-line correction method. Additionally, the NIR reflectance threshold method was applied for rice canopy mask construction, which was subsequently utilized for average reflectance extraction. Then, spectral feature extraction was carried out to reduce multicollinearity in the hyperspectral data. Recursive feature elimination (RFE) was then employed to identify the optimal feature set for model performance. Finally, six machine learning regression models (SVR, RFR, AdaBoost, XGBoost, Ridge, and PLSR) were used for rice yield estimation, achieving significant results. PLSR showed the best R2 of 0.827 with selected features, while XGBoost had the best R2 of 0.827 with full features. In addition, the spatial distribution of absolute error in rice yield estimation was assessed. The results suggested that this UAV-borne imaging hyperspectral-based approach held great potential for crop yield estimation, not only for rice but also for other crops.

Farmers’ Knowledge and Perceptions in the Production of Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros) for Enhanced Food Security in Kenya

Local knowledge and perceptions regarding the value of edible insects among smallholder farmers are critical to introducing such enterprises and designing effective insect productivity-enhancing interventions. However, limited studies have been done in Kenya regarding insects as agricultural enterprises, specifically in the Kilifi region. A survey was carried out among 207 smallholder farmers of coconut palm in Kilifi North and South sub-counties to assess their knowledge and perceptions about Oryctes rhinoceros as a farm enterprise. The primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire triangulated by key informant interviews from the Department of Agriculture, Nuts and Oil Crop Directorate, and farmer group leaders. Descriptive statistics and a chi-square test were the major analyses. Results showed farmers had adequate knowledge and positive perceptions regarding the beetle and its useful larval stage, represented by the mean of 0.97 and 3.44, respectively. The age, education level, prior exposure to training on edible insect farming, religion, and years of coconut farming of the farmers are associated with the levels of knowledge and perceived values of the Oryctes rhinoceros farming. Considering the positive knowledge levels and perceptions among Kilifi farmers, rather than focusing on general awareness creation, there is a need to enhance the access to and use of agricultural training resources to learn the importance of agricultural innovations as a tool for food insecurity alleviation through intensive processes. The extension systems need to incorporate the concepts of edible insects. This will render an innovation sustainable and useful for economically disadvantaged people. Further studies should be done among livestock feed traders and even food and feed processors to enable effective commercialisation interventions

Assessing the efficacy of agricultural cold chain facility expansion in China

This study determines the effectiveness of agricultural cold chain facilities in preserving quality and extending storage time of vegetables and fruits in China. National data were collected through interviews with 10,263 farmers across all provinces except Tibet. Using ordinary least squares regression analysis, several conclusions and policy implications emerge. First, cold chain facilities significantly reduce loss ratios (about 2% on average) and extend storage days for fruits (up to 28 days), but some facilities fail to demonstrate significant effects for vegetables. This implies that stakeholders, especially vegetable producers, must strategically select storage methods. Second, regional disparities exist, with the less developed Northwest facing more acute post-harvest losses, underscoring the need for tailored interventions addressing infrastructure gaps. Third, cold chain transportation distinctly influences vegetable preservation, decreasing losses and storage time. Improving vegetable transport efficiency benefits farmers and consumers. Fourth, supporting facilities like packing houses extend storage days for fruits and vegetables, highlighting the need to construct such infrastructure especially where shipping is limited. Moreover, with the projected expansion of cold chain facilities in China, these findings offer crucial guidance for policymakers, agencies, and farmers in selecting and distributing infrastructure to mitigate losses and support agricultural sector growth. As China advances its cold chain capabilities, this study demonstrates the vital role of such facilities in enhancing food security, reducing waste, and providing fresh produce to consumers.

Phytopathological management through bacteriophages: enhancing food security amidst climate change.

The burden of plant diseases and phage-based phytopathological treatment.

Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on food systems in Manitoba, Canada and ways forward for resilience: a scoping review

Various studies over the past 3 years have synthesized trends and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Canada’s national food system. However, less research has characterized the effects of COVID-19 within regional and provincial food system contexts. This article presents results from a scoping review of peer-reviewed and grey literature published from March 2020 until end of March 2023 examining the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on food systems in the province of Manitoba, Canada. Findings are presented according to the categories of food security funding, policy, and programming; individual and household food security; and food systems. In each area we synthesize key findings and discuss their significance in relation to existing food systems scholarship and national trends. Using review results, we propose priority areas for research and practice to support equitable and resilient food systems in Manitoba, including: (1) undertaking evaluation of food system policies, programs, and funding implemented during the pandemic (2) enhancing food security monitoring for vulnerable populations (3) further exploring community experiences and responses to food security, and (4) examining opportunities for local food systems development.

Small-scale Farmers’ Adoptions of Climate-smart Agricultural Practices in the Guinean Savanna’s Agroecological Zones

Purpose: Guinean Savanna is the largest agro-productive area in Guinea and the most vulnerable to climate-induced hazards that challenge farming practices and cause crop failures. Subsequently, small-scale farmers have recently lent themselves to climate-smart agricultural practices (CSAPs) as alternatives to maintain food security. Developing such practices has led this study to identify farmers’ know-how of CSAPs and factors motivating these practices. Research Method: Methods including household surveys, focus group discussions, key informant interviews and field observations were used to collect data from a purposive random sample of 1,500 small-scale farmers in nine agroecological zones susceptible to drought and flood. Multivariate probit model was used to determine factors influencing small-scale farmers’ adoption of CSAPs. Findings: Results show that adoptions of CSAPs were influenced by farmers’ socio-economic characteristics including access to income sources from non-farm activities, holding of livestock and/or a plantation, perceived impacts of climate change, and membership to a farm-based organisation. Other factors such as farming experience, educational level, gender and age were also motivating farmers to adopt CSAPs. On the contrary, household size was not significant in adopting CSAPs in the Guinean Savanna. Limitation: This study only covers 9 of the 17 agroecological zones that make up the Guinea Savanna.Originality/Value: Being the first study that showed an interest in CSAPs in the study area, it provides information that could enhance food security and communities’ resilience.

The trilemma of food production, clean energy, and water: COP27 perspective of global economy

AbstractFood production is an essential component of global society, providing sustenance to the world's growing population. Countries export food to leverage their comparative advantages in agricultural production, satisfy the demands of international markets, and generate economic benefits. Additionally, food exports contribute to global food supply chains, which ensures the availability of food in places with limited production due to resource limits, climate conditions, or seasonal variations. As a reaction to these challenges, there has been a rise in the number of efforts made to promote food systems that are sustainable and resilient, to enhance food security. In recent years, green technologies have become increasingly crucial to the food production industry as they offer ways to minimize agriculture's environmental impact, encourage sustainable practices, and create high‐quality food. This study examines the impact of access to green technologies for cooking, CO2 emissions, arable land, and water productivity (WP) on global food production from 1990 to 2022. The study provides valuable insights for policymakers, academia and researchers regarding sustainable agricultural practices, trade development, and environmental conservation. Using advanced parametric approaches, the results show that access to clean technology for cooking, gross domestic product, and the availability of arable land positively affect food exports. On the other hand, WP demonstrates a negative influence on food exports. This highlights the requirement for environmentally responsible methods of water management.

Effectiveness of Early Warning Systems in Enhancing Food Security in Pokot Central Sub County, West Pokot County, Kenya

Pokot Central Sub County in West Pokot County, Kenya, is the most drought-stricken and food-insecure region as of 2022. The region faces severe threats to agriculture and food accessibility, exacerbated by delayed, reactive drought response strategies and limited resources. This study evaluated the effectiveness of early warning systems in enhancing food security during drought periods. The study used vulnerability and resilience and complex adaptive systems theories to explore these interrelationships. A mixed-method approach with a convergent parallel design was adopted, targeting 22,041 households in Pokot Central. A sample of 396 households was selected through stratified random sampling and 20 key informants were chosen using purposive sampling. Descriptive analysis outlined drought preparedness and food security, while thematic and content analysis were used for qualitative data. Regression and correlation analysis determined relationships between early warning systems and food security. Key findings revealed a positive association between early warning awareness and food security (r=0.155, p=0.000). Recommendations include enhancing drought risk management and improving early warning dissemination. An integrated approach involving government agencies, NGOs and local communities is crucial for effective drought response.

Spectraformer: deep learning model for grain spectral qualitative analysis based on transformer structure.

This study delves into the use of compact near-infrared spectroscopy instruments for distinguishing between different varieties of barley, chickpeas, and sorghum, addressing a vital need in agriculture for precise crop variety identification. This identification is crucial for optimizing crop performance in diverse environmental conditions and enhancing food security and agricultural productivity. We also explore the potential application of transformer models in near-infrared spectroscopy and conduct an in-depth evaluation of the impact of data preprocessing and machine learning algorithms on variety classification. In our proposed spectraformer multi-classification model, we successfully differentiated 24 barley varieties, 19 chickpea varieties, and ten sorghum varieties, with the highest accuracy rates reaching 85%, 95%, and 86%, respectively. These results demonstrate that small near-infrared spectroscopy instruments are cost-effective and efficient tools with the potential to advance research in various identification methods, but also underscore the value of transformer models in near-infrared spectroscopy classification. Furthermore, we delve into the discussion of the influence of data preprocessing on the performance of deep learning models compared to traditional machine learning models, providing valuable insights for future research in this field.

Research of Olive Sprouts and Fruits Grown in Uzbekistan

The primary focus of this study is the nurturing and adaptation of olive cultivars to the climatic conditions prevalent in the Republic of Uzbekistan, with an objective of yielding unusually high-quality olive oil that is both sustainable and environmentally friendly. Investigations were carried out into the physical and chemical properties of olives cultivated within Uzbekistan. The research findings support the assertion that the olive oils produced can be integrated into the diet, and also diversify the range of non-traditional vegetable oils available. Furthermore, this could enhance food security in response to rising population pressures. From a socioeconomic perspective, the cultivation of olives could serve as a viable financial endeavour for Uzbek residents, given that the process of producing this nutritious oil can be undertaken domestically with minimal expenditure.Conducting the results of the research work on the studies optimal timing of harvesting and planting stem cuttings Russian olive. The formation of adventitious roots on cuttings Russian olive is dependent on callus. The roots are laid in the cambium of the stem cuttings and breaking through the crust near the pillow or sheet between the callus and bark.

Promoting sustainable agriculture in Devdaha Municipality, Nepal: leveraging agroforestry to address challenges and enhance food security

Promoting sustainable agriculture in Devdaha Municipality, Nepal: leveraging agroforestry to address challenges and enhance food security

Evaluation of interventions to improve markets for rural dairy households of Ethiopia: Evidence through system dynamics approach

There is a growing consensus that improving market access for smallholder farmers will help them earn more income and enhance food security. In this respect, we employed system dynamics approach to evaluate interventions to expand market access for the traditional system dairy producers in West Shewa zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia. Investment by dairy cooperatives in milk collection capacity and/or raising the price of milk for producers are the interventions identified in the study. These interventions were assessed ex-ante for impacts on (1) milk collection and dairy enterprise balance for dairy cooperatives and (2) milk production and profitability of dairying for producers. Analysis results show that compared to the baseline, the interventions can increase milk production by 17 to 57 %, milk collection by 24- to 43-fold, dairy household's profit by 11- to 21-fold, and cooperatives' dairy enterprise balance by 27- to 55-fold. In the long-term, both dairy cooperatives and producers are better off under market access improvement than under market access with higher milk price for producers. The findings suggest that continued improvement in market access for the traditional dairy farmers in Ethiopia is necessary to sustain higher gains in milk production, milk marketed, and income from dairying.

Harnessing cultural heritage knowledge for sustainable urban agriculture in Bandung

Investigating the role of cultural heritage in the development of sustainable urban agriculture in Bandung, focusing on how heritage knowledge and practices can be integrated in efforts to improve food security and environmental sustainability in the city. The methodology used is a literature review to explore the complex relationship between cultural heritage and sustainable urban agriculture in Bandung. The results of this exploration indicate that the fusion of cultural heritage and sustainable urban agriculture in Bandung offers numerous advantages, including economic growth, food security, environmental sustainability, and cultural preservation. However, challenges related to urbanization, changing consumer preferences, infrastructure, and climate change need to be addressed to realize the full potential of this approach. The implication of this approach is the development of a resilient and sustainable urban agriculture system in Bandung. By preserving and promoting cultural heritage, the city can enhance food security, stimulate economic growth, and safeguard its unique cultural heritage for future generations. The novelty of this article lies in its comprehensive integration of cultural heritage with modern sustainable agriculture practices to address contemporary urban challenges. It emphasizes the importance of harnessing the wisdom of the past to cultivate a sustainable future for Bandung.

Analysis of the effect of climate-smart agricultural practices (CSAPs) on food security of maize production in Southeast, Nigeria

This study examines the effect of Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices (CSAPs) on the food security dimensions of availability, accessibility, affordability, stability, and usability of maize production in Southeast Nigeria. A multi-stage random sampling method was adopted to select 375 farmers. Censored and OLS regression analyses were conducted using R software to analyze the data. Results indicate that certain CSAPs significantly influence the availability and accessibility dimensions of food security. Water management, residue management, mulching, crop rotation, adopting early planting, and obtaining credit were associated with higher levels of availability and accessibility, while practices like minimum tillage and improving access to information were associated with lower levels. Practices such as water management, minimum tillage, and adopting early planting positively influence affordability and stability. Furthermore, the study explores the influence of constraints on the practice of CSA in Southeast Nigeria. Farmers’ illiteracy (50.6)***, high production costs (4.00)***, lack of equipment and inputs, limited awareness of CSA practices (5.24)***, and resistance to change (13.70)*** were identified as key constraints. However, the study recommends that promoting awareness and incentivizing sustainable agricultural practices can encourage farmers to overcome resistance to change and embrace CSA initiatives, thus enhancing food security and economic development in Southeast Nigeria.