Reduce Nutrient Losses Research Articles

Reducing food losses as a tool for managing economic and social development

The principles of rational production and consumption are one of the key themes of “The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. Today, most countries of the world are implementing various initiatives aimed at creating a closed-cycle economy, at rational use of natural resources, at preservation of the environment and natural biodiversity, at the development of rational ways to produce, sell, and consume food. The amount of food waste has increased significantly and become a global problem amid growing concern about hunger in a number of states. Food-sharing is a solution to the problem, provided that an appropriate structure is developed that will guide its application. The sharing economy was named as a suitable basis. The autonomous non-commercial organisation “Food-sharing” was chosen as an object in this study. The key goal of the study is to optimise the daily work of the volunteer, coordinator and organisation as a whole that deals with this problem. Possible parameters for the analysis: the volume of products received during the period, the sources of products received, the categories to which they belong (fruits, bakery products, meat, etc.), the geography of exports, the number of volunteers involved during the period, the number of final recipients during the period.

Climate Change Impacts on Potato Storage.

In this study, we present a comprehensive literature review of the potential impacts of climate change on potato storage. Potato preservation can help reduce food loss and waste while increasing long-term food security, as potatoes are one of the most important crops worldwide. The review's results suggest climate change can negatively affect potato storage, especially tuber sprouting and diseases in storage chambers. Lower Sielianinov coefficient values (indicating dry and hot conditions) during the vegetative season of potato growing can lead to earlier sprouting. For instance, a decrease of 0.05 in the Sielianinov coefficient during the growing season results in tubers stored at 3 °C sprouting 25 days earlier and tubers stored at 5 °C experiencing a 15-day reduction in dormancy. This is due to the fact that the dry and hot climate conditions during the vegetation period of potato planting tend to shorten potato tubers' natural dormancy, which further leads to earlier sprouting during storage. Furthermore, high Sielianinov coefficient values may lead to worse disease situations. The results also suggest that research about the impacts of climate change on potato storage is very limited at the current stage, and further studies are needed to address the key knowledge gaps identified in this study.

Carbon footprint of synthetic nitrogen under staple crops: Afirst cradle-to-grave analysis.

More than half of the world's population is nourished by crops fertilized with synthetic nitrogen (N) fertilizers. However, N fertilization is a major source of anthropogenic emissions, augmenting the carbon footprint (CF). To date, no global quantification of the CF induced by N fertilization of the main grain crops has been performed, and quantifications at the national scale have neglected the CO2 assimilated by plants. A first cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment was performed to quantify the CF of the N fertilizers' production, transportation, and application to the field and the uses of the produced biomass in livestock feed and human food, as well as biofuel production. We quantified the direct and indirect inventories emitted or sequestered by N fertilization of main grain crops: wheat, maize, and rice. Grain food produced with N fertilization had a net CF of 7.4 Gt CO2eq. in 2019 after excluding the assimilated C in plant biomass, which accounted for a quarter of the total CF. The cradle (fertilizer production and transportation), gate (fertilizer application, and soil and plant systems), and grave (feed, food, biofuel, and losses) stages contributed to the CF by 2%, 11%, and 87%, respectively. Although Asia was the top grain producer, North America contributed 38% of the CF due to the greatest CF of the grave stage (2.5 Gt CO2eq.). The CF of grain crops will increase to 21.2 Gt CO2eq. in 2100, driven by the rise in N fertilization to meet the growing food demand without actions to stop the decline in N use efficiency. To meet the targets of climate change, we introduced an ambitious mitigation strategy, including the improvement of N agronomic efficiency (6% average target for the three crops) and manufacturing technology, reducing food losses, and global conversion to healthy diets, whereby the CF can be reduced to 5.6 Gt CO2eq. in 2100.

Slow-release Fertilizer Application on Silk (Falcataria moluccana Miq.) and Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Plant Growth and Yield in Agroforestry System

The aim of this experiment is to evaluate the impact of chitosan-NPK slow-release fertilizer (CS-NPK SRF) on the germination and growth of silk tree and rice in different planting patterns, as well as to assess the nutrient release rate of the SRF. The germination test followed a complete randomized design, incorporating a single factor (fertilizer type), namely no fertilizer (F0), SRF CS 0.5% weight 0.03 g (F1), SRF CS 0.5% 0.01 g (F2), SRF CS 0.7% 0.03 g (F3), SRF CS 0.7% 0.01 g (F4), and conventional NPK fertilizer (F5). The growth test utilized a 2-factor split-plot design, with the primary factor being the planting pattern (sengon/rice monoculture-SM/RM and sengon-rice agroforestry-AF) and the second factor being the fertilizer type. Results indicate that F2 and F4 yielded the highest germination and growth values in both plants, although not significantly different from F0. These findings suggest that CS-NPK SRF has the potential to enhance plant growth. The AF pattern exhibited lower growth compared to SM/RM, attributed to plant competition. CS-NPK SRF demonstrated a slower nutrient release (47.65% N; 85.01% P; 31.80% K) compared to conventional fertilizers. This slow release could potentially reduce nutrient loss to the environment while enhancing plant nutrient absorption.

Financial incentive programs and farm diversification with cover crops: assessing opportunities and challenges

Farmers in the Great Lakes region of the U.S. face tremendous pressure to reduce nutrient losses from agriculture. Increasing crop rotation diversity with overwintering cover crops can support ecological processes that maintain productivity while improving multiple ecosystem functions, including nutrient retention. We conducted a mixed-methods study to understand how financial incentive programs impact transitions to cover cropping in Michigan. Michigan farms span a wide range of soil types, climate conditions, and cropping systems that create opportunities for cover crop adoption in the state. We tested the relationship between Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) payments for cover crops and cover crop adoption between 2008–2019, as measured by remote sensing. We coupled this quantitative analysis with interviews with 21 farmers in the Lake Erie watershed to understand farmers’ perspectives on how incentive programs could support greater cover crop adoption. Panel fixed effects regressions showed that EQIP increased winter cover crop presence. Every EQIP dollar for cover crops was associated with a 0.01 hectare increase in winter cover, while each hectare enrolled in an EQIP contract for cover crops was associated with a 0.86–0.93 hectare increase in winter cover. In semi-structured interviews, farmers reported that financial incentives were instrumental to cover crop adoption, but that program outcomes fall short of intended goals due to policy design problems that may limit widespread participation and effectiveness. Thus, strengthening EQIP and related conservation programs could support broader transitions to diversified farming systems that are more sustainable and resilient.

Nanotechnology and The Use of Nanoparticles and Its Effect on Wheat Growing

The rapid increase in the human population and the improvement in the living standards of many countries in the world cause the increasing supply of agricultural land to be unmet. Therefore, soil fertility is gaining importance day by day and soil texture is becoming a strategic element. With the development of nanotechnology, the usability of nanoparticles in many fields, especially in agriculture, has started to be investigated or discussed. Studies in agricultural nanotechnology have generally focused on using less pesticides, increasing yields or developing stress-resistant crops. Some studies in this field have started to yield positive results. However, more studies are needed for nanotechnology to be used in agriculture. Because deciding on the use of nanoparticles is an issue that can be reached in the long term. In recent years, the application of nanotechnology-based applications in agriculture is one of the strategies that attract the attention of researchers. Nanotechnology explores a wide spectrum of applications in the fields of biotechnology and agriculture sector, creating a broad spectrum for various applications. Nanotechnology has become a new technology that can be used in various industries such as industry, medicine, food science and safety, smart packaging and agriculture. Nanotechnology, which has been used in many stages of agriculture in recent years, has been widely applied in product production, development, processing, packaging, storage and transportation, and has brought about major changes in food and agricultural systems. It is also used to increase plant resistance and to control the efficacy and safety of pesticides and fertilizers. Thus, the application of nanostructured materials designed for sustainable crop production reduces nutrient losses, suppresses diseases and increases yields. In this study, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and targets for the use of nanotechnology and nanoparticles in wheat agriculture were identified and presented.

Utilizing agricultural biowaste for food safety: Integrating naturally synthesized silver nanoparticles as antibacterial coating

The growing global population drives increased food demand, impacting the global packaging materials sector, leading to the development of active packaging to enhance food quality, shelf life, and safety. Proper packaging materials, with improved antibacterial and antioxidant barriers, are becoming important in the food sector to reduce food loss and contamination. This study uses Egyptian basil Ocimum basilicum L manufacturing wastes as a biowaste, an agro-industry waste, as a reducing and capping agent to biosynthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Then, different contents from AgNPs (0.5, 2, 4 wt%) were entrapped into polyurethane nanofiber (PUNFs) to enhance the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was employed to analyze the chemical constituents present in the aqueous peel extract of Ocimum basilicum L. The physicochemical properties of AgNPs before and after entrapped nanofibers were investigated, their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties were evaluated. As a result of the distinctive surface plasmon resonance properties exhibited by Ag (metallic nanoparticles), there are notable peaks observed at 272.5 nm and a prominent peak at 467.3 nm. TEM analyses indicated that the AgNPs were consistently round and uniform, measuring an average of 17.16 ± 1.94 nm in diameter; SEM also confirmed these findings. AgNPs were found to possess their typical crystalline structure, as evidenced by the results of XRD and TEM analyses. The rise in nanofiber diameter is responsible for the escalated AgNP concentration. The presence of AgNPs and Ocimum basilicum L biowaste significantly enhanced the antibacterial and antioxidant properties compared to pure TPU.

Unlocking the Potential of Agrifood Waste for Sustainable Innovation in Agriculture

The United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP’s) Food Waste Index Report 2021 highlights a global annual food waste of 1 billion tons. The UNEP plays a crucial role in achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12.3, which aims to halve per capita global food waste (FW) at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains globally by 2030. On the other hand, the agricultural sector faces the challenge of increasing productivity to feed the world’s growing population while reducing the environmental impact on ecosystems and human health. In this context, the conversion of agri-food waste (AFW) into biocides, bio-based fertilizers (BBFs) and biostimulants could represent a successful approach to tackle all these issues. This review shows the latest findings on the different sources of AFW and the application of their bioactive compounds in agriculture. Increasing crop yields and improving plant physiology through the utilization of AFW-derived value products aligns with a circular economy approach, bolstering people’s confidence in managing food waste for improved food production.

Quantitative assessment of the deficit in consumption of milk and meat products by the population of Ukraine as a result of food losses and waste

Purpose. The purpose of our study is to assess the extent to which food losses and waste affect the level of deficit in the consumption of milk and meat products by the population of Ukraine, which will allow us to identify the regions of Ukraine for which measures and policies to reduce food losses and waste should be developed.
 Methodology / approach. The empirical research was conducted using primary and secondary data. Primary data were used to calculate food losses and waste according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) methodology. Secondary data were used for correlation and regression analysis. Correlation and regression analysis were conducted for each of the six types of products: meat and milk. Factorial features are food losses and waste per capita. The result feature of the correlation and regression analysis is the share of consumption deficit resulting from food losses and waste. The sample was formed based on data from 24 regions of Ukraine.
 Results. According to the results of the correlation and regression analysis, the assumption of the absence of a relationship is not confirmed; all factors are significant. It has been proven that food losses and waste of milk and meat are a significant factor in the formation of a deficit in the consumption of milk and meat by the population of Ukraine. It was determined that milk losses and waste have a somewhat higher impact on the deficit of product consumption than meat losses and waste. It was established that the share of the deficit in milk and meat consumption, which arises as a result of food losses and waste, is higher in those areas that traditionally specialise in the production of livestock products. The feasibility of developing and implementing differentiated measures to reduce the deficit of milk and meat consumption in certain regions is substantiated.
 Originality / scientific novelty. For the first time, the degree of impact of food losses and waste of milk and meat production on the deficit of consumption of these products by the population of Ukraine has been scientifically proven and quantified.
 Practical value / implications. The results of this empirical study are the basis for the development of state and regional programmes and the implementation of the necessary actions to achieve Sustainable Development Goals 2 and 12 (SDG 2, 12) in Ukraine.

Tax measures to reduce food losses and waste in the United States and the European Union: a comparative analysis

Target 12.3 of the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda is as follows: “By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.” The implementation of the specific targets of the UN 2030 Agenda, such as this one, presents a significant challenge, as they require immediate action, proper public policies, and unprecedented collaboration between private and public entities and countries. Target 12.3 is intrinsically related to many other targets, so its achievement has a direct impact on several of them. Therefore, it is vital to successfully achieve it, not only to reduce hunger but also to achieve many other Agenda targets and, in particular, to be able to reduce our environmental footprint. Preventing Food Losses and Waste (FLW) is a target within Circular Economy that can be considered to be most instrumental as Target 12.3 tries to prevent food overproduction with better redistribution that not only reduces inputs but also attempts to minimize waste by the donation of food products to Social Economy (SE) entities that help those in need. Circular Economy contributes to the resolution of the three most pressing environmental problems: overuse of resources or overexploitation, global warming, and biodiversity loss, in addition to all the negative impacts derived from these (UN Environment, 2019), preventing food losses and waste is also key to ensure the solution of both a deep social problem a public health one and the most important environmental ones. Even though the urgency of immediate action is clear, various academics, such as Martin Rio, Rogenhofer, and Sandoval Alvarado (2022), highlight that the attention this target receives from professionals remains scarce. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to compare these policies on both sides of the Atlantic, to propose recommendations, and to help raise awareness of the problem of FLW, following a holistic approach for all possible actors involved, as communication is critical to achieve this target. Special attention is paid regarding tax policies in cases where food is donated to Social Economy Entities such as food banks, non-profit foundations, or soup kitchens as taxes can both act as barriers or facilitators to this aim; therefore, it is crucial to implement them correctly to ensure they act as true enablers to achieve the target. Thus, we will be able to assess the tax changes that can help do so by means of a comparison between the existing ones in the United States and the European Union.

Large reductions in nutrient losses needed to avoid future coastal eutrophication across Europe

Rapid technological development in agriculture and fast urbanization have increased nutrient losses in Europe. High nutrient export to seas causes coastal eutrophication and harmful algal blooms. This study aims to assess the river exports of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), and identify required reductions to avoid coastal eutrophication in Europe under global change. We modelled nutrient export by 594 rivers in 2050 for a baseline scenario using the new MARINA-Nutrients model for Europe. Nutrient export to European seas is expected to increase by 13–28% under global change. Manure and fertilizers together contribute to river export of N by 35% in 2050. Sewage systems are responsible for 70% of future P export by rivers. By 2050, the top ten polluted rivers for N and P host 42% of the European population. Avoiding future coastal eutrophication requires over 47% less N and up to 77% less P exports by these polluted rivers.

Assessing the Influence of Different Edible Coating Methods on the Shelf Life and Biochemical Characteristic of Tomato

The study investigated the " Assessing the influence of different edible coating methods on the shelf life and biochemical characteristic of Tomato" during storage. The experiment was laid out in the CRD with three replications. Each replication was comprised of ten treatments consisting of post-harvest edible coating materials viz., Aloe vera gel (10%, 20% and 30%), Bee wax (3%, 6% and 9 %), Guar gum (1.0%, 1.5% and 2.0%) and control (without coating) were used for tomato fruits and various parameters were analyzed over a storage period of 15 days. The results indicated significant influences of the coatings on pH, total soluble solids (TSS), ascorbic acid content, TSS: acid ratio and sugar content. Overall, Aloe vera gel coatings, particularly at higher concentrations, showed the most promising effects in maintaining the quality and extending the shelf life of tomato fruits. This research underscores the potential of edible coatings as a sustainable approach to postharvest management, contributing to reduced food loss and enhanced food security.

A Decision Support System for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Loss Reduction under Uncertain Agricultural Policy Frameworks

The EU Green Deal requires the reduction in pesticides and fertilisers in food crop production, whilst the sustainable development goals require reductions in food loss and food waste. In a complex and interacting system like the food system, these goals are difficult to coordinate. Here, we show an approach using Bayesian network modelling for decision support. Bayesian networks are important tools for modelling complex systems which may develop emergent behaviour and for providing quantitative comparisons for different candidate policies, approaches or interventions under the Integrating Decision Support System paradigm. Using lettuce as an exemplar crop, we demonstrate that expected food loss changes under different agricultural input reduction and integrated pest management combinations can be quantified to aid decision making for growers.

Towards Resilient and Sustainable Food Systems: Integrating Agricultural Production Efficiency and Food Security

This study explores the nexus between agricultural production efficiency and food security, globally and within Turkey. It analyzes agricultural data, emphasizing strategies to enhance productivity while ensuring access to nutritious food. Key areas include reducing food loss, promoting sustainable practices, ensuring safety, enhancing consumer awareness, and preserving resources. The article also outlines the six dimensions of food security availability, access, utilization, stability, agency, and sustainability and their policy implications. By integrating insights from diverse studies and emphasizing context-specific approaches, it advocates for holistic strategies tailored to each agricultural landscape’s unique challenges. Ultimately, the pursuit of agricultural efficiency and food security is positioned as both a moral imperative and an economic necessity. Through research, policy reforms, and stakeholder collaboration, nations can work towards resilient and sustainable food systems for present and future generations. In the study, it was determined that labor productivity was not taken into account sufficiently and the data was insufficient to measure labor and labor productivity in agricultural production. The study aims to contribute to strategic decision-making and local-global policies to increase agricultural and resource use efficiency.

Efficacy of preservation steps using super-oxidized water on vitamin C stability and prolonging the shelf-life of bok choy (Brassica rapa var chinesis)

ABSTRACT Leafy vegetables contain nutritious levels of vitamin C. Good postharvest management and food safety are the focus of reducing food loss. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of superoxide water in stabilizing the Vitamin C level and simultaneously prolonging the storage period for bok choy (Brassica rapa var. chinensis). The bok choy samples were immersed in superoxidised water [100 ppm Active chlorine concentration, neutral pH] and sodium bicarbonate solution for three different soaking periods: 5, 10, and 15 minutes and stored at 4°C. Weight loss, vitamin C, and chlorophyll content were evaluated during the 12 days of storage. The shelf life of bok choy treated with superoxidised water was extended from 3 days at room temperature to 8 days at 4°C. The results indicated that superoxidised water with a 5-minute treatment time could maintain a better quality of bok choy, which provides a cost-effective and sustainable alternative for chemical washing agents in the food industry compared to market-available sodium bicarbonate.

Cannabinoids: A new natural agent to control postharvest decay development

Pathogenic fungi are a major cause of postharvest loss of fresh produce. While chemical fungicides effectively control postharvest diseases their use raises concerns and alternatives are required. Natural compounds with antifungal properties and natural defense response elicitors are explored. Among those compounds, phytocannabinoids are secondary metabolites generated from Cannabis sativa that are of particular interest. Among the non-psychotropic cannabinoids are cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG). The current study investigates the effect of CBD and CBG’s effect on postharvest fungal pathogens and the fruit defense response. CBD and CBG inhibit the growth of major postharvest pathogens such as Botrytis cinerea, Penicillium expansum, and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Moreover, CBD and CBG significantly decreased gray mold development caused by B. cinerea on grapes. Studying their mode of action indicated that both CBD and CBG affected B. cinerea fungal cell wall composition and cell-wall-related remodeling genes, as well as cell membrane fluidity and permeability. CBD treatment causes hyperpolarization of the fungal mitochondria membrane, which results in increased intracellular ROS levels. Evaluation of the effect of CBD and CBG on the fruit defense response displayed a priming effect by up-regulating pathogenic related proteins and induced salicylic acid and flavonols production resulting in inhibition of decay development. Overall, the results of the current study reveal the direct and indirect ability of natural phytocannabinoids to control fungal decay development and reduce food loss. This novel eco-friendly postharvest treatment has the potential to replace chemically hazardous fungicides.

Food loss and waste reduction – a new challenge for all stakeholders in food supply chain

In line with the trend of population growth in the world, increasing food production becomes imperative for the agricultural sector, especially since even with the current population, one billion people were malnourished or hungry. The opportunity to increase food production is mainly reduced to increasing yields and is less based on increasing cultivated areas and the number of domestic animals. The productivity of agriculture increases through its intensification, that is, greater application of artificially produced inputs (fertilizers, pesticides, antibiotics, etc.), which threatens the health safety of the food produced in this way and leads to an increase in nature pollution. This closes a circle in which the survival of humanity is conditioned by the reduction of health food safety and the degradation of the environment. As a logical counterbalance, an ecological movement emerged that advocates food production based on sustainable principles, the use of natural inputs and processes, and the preservation of nature. That logic would be acceptable to everyone if it did not materialize in the contradiction of "more ecology, less (more expensive) food". In addition to environmental activists, the goal of producing food in an ecologically acceptable manner was also adopted by the EU as one of its longterm strategic goals (the so-called "Green Plan"). One of the possibilities of increased satisfaction of the food needs of the world population, instead of increasing its production, is the reduction of losses and waste of already produced food, which has become one of the world's development goals since 2015 (SDG 12.3. - halve global food waste per capita at the retail level and consumer level and reduce food losses along production and supply chains by 2030). Terminologically, food losses are related to the phases of its production, distribution and processing, and food waste to the phase of food trade and consumption. Practically, the effect of increasing food production can be substituted by the effect of reducing food losses and waste, which has become a new challenge for all participants in the food supply chain, from producers, through distributors and traders to consumers. The scientific community is also one of the participants in that process, which contributes with its research to identify causes and find solutions to reduce food losses and waste. The facts presented in this chapter aim to draw attention to the issue of food losses and waste with a focus on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The treatment of the selected topic begins with the argumentation of the growing need for food in the world, primarily due to the increase in the number of inhabitants and the goal of eradicating hunger and malnutrition. It continues with the projection of limited possibilities for the production of significantly larger quantities of food in the future. After that, the concepts of food loss and waste and ways of measuring them are introduced. The key chapter is the dedicated to assessing the scope and causes of food losses and waste in Bosnia and Herzegovina. An overview of food losses and waste along the supply chain is also given, based on selected literature sources. The chapter ends with a review of the hierarchy of food waste disposal with concrete proposals for reducing food losses and waste in the BiH environment.

REDUCING FOOD WASTE WHEN EATING OUT – RESEARCH ON THE PERCEPTIONS OF BULGARIAN STUDENTS

Food waste is a critical global challenge with far-reaching environmental and social consequences. Addressing this issue requires understanding consumer behaviours, habits, and knowledge related to food waste. Research on food waste in eating out covers various aspects, including factors that contribute to food waste, consumer behaviour and potential solutions. Key to understanding the problem of food waste and to finding and implementing effective solutions is research into the knowledge and behaviour of young people, and students in particular, regarding dietary choices, eating habits, food waste and their attitudes towards food in general. This paper delves into the urgency of reducing food waste, encompassing its definition, stages in the food supply chain, and its relevance to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The European Union's efforts and Bulgaria's initiatives provide context to the broader discourse on food waste reduction. Тhe European Commission has set out a number of policies and instruments aimed at reducing food loss and waste as part of the Circular Economy Action Plan and the Farm to Fork Strategy. In line with EU objectives, a National Programme for the Prevention and Reduction of Food Loss (2021-2026) has been developed in Bulgaria, which sets out the framework for joint action to reduce food loss and waste and for society to rethink its attitudes to food consumption and value. However, food waste problems at the consumer level in Bulgaria are understudied. The aim of the current study is to explore the personal perceptions and behaviours of Bulgarian students towards food waste when eating out. Information was collected through a structured online questionnaire. The survey was conducted during the academic year 2022/2023 among Bulgarian students of the University of National and World Economy in Sofia, Bulgaria. There were 123 participants between the ages of 18 and 35. The main findings of the study showed that over 50% of the respondents were of the opinion that the largest amount of food waste is generated when eating out. The majority of the respondents have stated that they throw away less than 5% of their food when eating out and they take the leftovers home „often“ or „sometimes“, which indicates that Bulgarian students eat most of the food they order when eating out and throw away a small portion of it. Overall, this research contributes to the understanding of food waste patterns and encourages targeted interventions to promote sustainable consumption among students and beyond. Key words: food waste, eating out, students, Bulgaria JEL codes: Q18, Q53

BENEFITS OF MANAGING FOOD LOSS AND WASTE FOR SUSTAINABLE RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN INDONESIA

The reduction of food loss and waste (FLW) has become a global priority under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Reports from the United Nations and FAO reveal alarming statistics, with 13.3 percent of the world’s food lost post-harvest and 17 percent wasted at the consumer level. FLW is a problem found in both industrialized nations like the EU and emerging countries like Indonesia. While EU nations have committed to reducing per capita food waste by 2030, Indonesia has only begun addressing FLW. This paper explores the awareness and management of FLW in Indonesia, focusing on food recovery and redistribution strategies and their potential impact on rural sustainability development. It addresses FLW management through literature review with the aim of raising awareness to the urgency of FLW management and to support the circular economy in Indonesia. FLW is closely associated with consumer behaviour, and lessons from the EU suggests that supporting local farmers and improving the supply chain can help reduce FLW. The role of food recovery and redistribution in reducing FLW in Indonesia highlights the successful practices, emphasizing the transformation of „ugly food“ and the redistribution of excess edibles to combat FLW. Non-profit organizations in Indonesia have emerged to combat FLW by redistributing edible leftovers to those in need. Additionally, FLW recovery practices extend to agriculture, involving the reprocessing of unharvested agricultural products onto animal feed or organic fertilizers. These initiatives not only reduce waste, but also contribute to food security and poverty alleviation, especially in rural areas. The study concludes that addressing FLW in Indonesia can lead to increased food availability and sustainability. It recommends the development of national policies, programs, and partnerships to promote FLW management and the well-being of Indonesian communities. Further research is needed to identify specific challenges and opportunities for implementing food recovery and redistribution initiatives effectively. By taking concrete steps to reduce FLW, Indonesia can enhance food security and simultaneously align itself with the global sustainability agenda. Keywords: Food loss and waste (FLW), food recovery, redistribution, sustainable rural development JEL: O31, Q53, R11

A two-step Bayesian network-based process sensitivity analysis for complex nitrogen reactive transport modeling

Process-based nitrogen reactive transport models (NRTMs) are vital tools for simulating complex nitrogen reactive transport processes in soils and groundwater to reduce nutrient loss and contamination risk. To develop and improve these models, global sensitivity analysis (GSA) is used to identify key model parameters and processes. Because existing GSA approaches focus mainly on model parameters and not model processes, in this study, we developed a two-step GSA method to improve our understanding of model processes. First, we applied the Morris method to identify less influential parameters. Then, we developed a Bayesian network (BN)-based GSA method to identify the dominant processes for different model predictions. The BN-GSA method accounts for the hierarchical uncertainty in the structure of the model system and flexibly groups uncertain inputs into processes based on their characteristics. The two-step GSA method was applied to a real-world nitrogen reactive transport model with 68 uncertain parameters in three different climate scenarios. The results show that the dominant processes differed for various nitrogen and agricultural outputs; thus, different processes should be emphasized based on specific modeling purposes.