Growing Food Production Research Articles

Logistic Infrastructure, Informational Technology and Crop Production: Role of Food and Crop Production in Economic Miseries

This study examines the impacts of logistic facilities and infrastructure on crop and food production, inflation, and unemployment rates. It concludes that improvement in logistic facilities is an important significant and robust element of food and crop production growth. The logistic infrastructure improves employment in direct and indirect ways. Empirical evidence does not favor subsidies, tax exemptions, and credit to the private sector for crop production and food security enhancement. The study recognizes the importance of information technology for food and non-food crop production growth. Moreover, information technology improves the employment opportunities. These findings are based on 14 years data of 187 countries, while fixed and common effect models have been applied to estimate the parameters.

Downscaled climate change threats to United States freshwater finfish aquaculture

Downscaled climate change threats to United States freshwater finfish aquaculture

Change in Climate and its Impact on Aquaculture Sector

The aquaculture industry continues to see significant production increase, making it the fastest growing food production sector in the world. However, the predicted effects of climate change are not just a possibility for the future; they are a reality that threatens the sector's viability. The study examines the expected effects of climate change on aquaculture production and its consequences for the sector's sustainability. Among the many elements of a changing climate that we have discussed are rising sea levels, rising temperatures, diseases, toxic algal blooms, changes in sea surface salinity, shifting precipitation patterns, unpredictable external input sources, and extreme weather. Overall, we expect that climate change will have both beneficial and negative consequences on the agricultural sector's capacity to maintain production, with the former outweighing the latter. Furthermore, we have provided a variety of adaptation alternatives and indicated a number of information gaps that need further research. It could be essential to implement long-term mitigation strategies while adjusting to anticipated short-term changes in order to maintain sector output. Conversely, the success of the adaption will depend on how adaptable manufacturers are worldwide.

Effects of Time Based Integrated Organic and Mineral Fertilizer Rate Application on Improved Coffee Cultivar Yield at Awada South Ethiopia

Coffee Production plays a significant role in Ethiopian economy, even though the productivity at farm level is among the lowest as compared to other coffee producing country. Soil degradation is one of the most challenging problems in coffee growing areas of Ethiopia. Declining soil fertility is a fundamental problem to agricultural growth and a major reason for slow growth of food production. Therefore, this activity was designed to determine optimum application time of integrated organic and inorganic fertilizers under coffee growing areas and to assess the effects of temporal application effects of integrated organic and inorganic fertilizers on coffee yield and yield stability performance of coffee cultivar. The experiment was conducted with RCBD design with four replications and ten treatments settled from integrated organic and inorganic inputs at Awada Agricultural research sub-center starting from 2013-2023 for the last 10 consecutive years. The result demonstrated that, application of 200kgha<sup>-1</sup>N, 77kgha<sup>-1</sup>P and 12.5ton ha<sup>-1 </sup>integrated nutrient application at each cropping season resulted statically significant higher yield result as compared to the other nutrient applications. The plot treated with the recommended NP + recommended decomposed coffee husk application per year (200kgha<sup>-1</sup>N, 77kgha<sup>-1</sup>P and 12.5ton ha<sup>-1</sup>) indicated over all yield advantage over the other plots by 22.07% or 345kg/ha of clean coffee yield over the recommended (200kgha<sup>-1</sup>N, 77kgha<sup>-1</sup>P) applied alone per year and 33.39% or 522kg/ha of clean coffee yield over the plots treated with recommended decomposed coffee husk (12.5ton ha<sup>-1</sup>) alone application per each cropping season.

Analysis of Paddy Field Changes (1989–2021) Using Landsat Images and Flooding-Assisted MLC in an Urbanizing Tropical Watershed, Vientiane, Lao PDR

Paddy fields are essential for food security and sustaining global dietary needs, yet urban expansion often encroaches on agricultural lands. Analyzing paddy fields and land use/land cover changes over time using satellite images provides critical insights for sustainable food production and balanced urban growth. However, mapping the paddy fields in tropical monsoon areas presents challenges due to persistent weather interference, monsoon-submerged fields, and a lack of training data. To address these challenges, this study proposed a flooding-assisted maximum likelihood classification (F-MLC) method. This approach utilizes accurate training datasets from intersecting flooded paddy field maps from the rainy and dry seasons, combined with the Automated Water Extraction Index (AWEI) to distinguish natural water bodies. The F-MLC method offers a robust solution for accurately mapping paddy fields and land use changes in challenging tropical monsoon climates. The classified images for 1989, 2000, 2013, and 2021 were produced and categorized into the following five major classes: urban areas, vegetation, paddy fields, water bodies, and other lands. The paddy field class derived for each year was validated using samples from various sources, contributing to the overall accuracies ranging from 83.6% to 90.4%, with a Kappa coefficient of between 0.80 and 0.88. The study highlights a significant decrease in paddy fields, while urban areas rapidly increased, replacing 23% of paddy fields between 1989 and 2021 in the watershed. This study demonstrates the potential of the F-MLC method for analyzing paddy fields and other land use changes over time in the tropical watershed. These findings underscore the urgent need for robust policy measures to protect paddy fields by clearly defining urban expansion boundaries, prioritizing paddy field preservation, and integrating these green spaces into urban development plans. Such measures are vital for ensuring a sustainable local food supply, promoting balanced urban growth, and maintaining ecological balance within the watershed.

Antimicrobial Activity of Diffusible Substances Produced by Lactococcus lactis Against Bacillus cereus in a Non-Contact Co-Culture Model

The symptoms of foodborne illness caused by Bacillus cereus often go unreported, complicating the effectiveness of conventional chemical and physical methods used to inhibit its growth in food production. This challenge, combined with the increasing use of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in the food industry and consumer preference for minimally processed products, prompted this study. The antibacterial activity of diffusible substances produced by Lactococcus lactis ATCC 11454 against Bacillus cereus NC11143 and Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655 was investigated using a non-contact co-culture model utilising deMann Rogosa and Sharpe broth, with glucose as a carbon source. This study employed plate counting and flow cytometry to assess the impact of these substances on bacterial growth and to analyse their composition and antimicrobial efficacy. The co-culture of Lactococcus lactis ATCC 11454 resulted in the production of a stable antimicrobial peptide, which was heat resistant and acid tolerant. Purification was achieved via ammonium sulphate precipitation and preparative HPLC, yielding a peptide with a molecular mass of 3.3 kDa, with daughter ion fractions similar to nisin A. Antimicrobial activity studies demonstrated that the diffusible substances effectively inhibited B. cereus growth over a period of eight days and exhibited bactericidal activity, killing 99% of the B. cereus cells. Additionally, these substances also inhibited Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655 grown under similar conditions. Comparative analysis revealed that in the co-culture assay, L. lactis produced a 50% higher yield of the antimicrobial peptides compared to pure cultures. Similarly, the specific growth rate of L. lactis was four times higher. With respect to protein purification and concentration, ammonium sulphate precipitation coupled with solid phase extraction was most effective in the purification and concentration of the diffusible substances. The findings provide a basis for utilising bacteriocin-producing strains as a preservation method, offering an alternative to traditional chemical and physical control approaches especially for the food industry.

Effects of Time based Different Integrated Organic and Mineral Fertilizer Rate Application on Improved Coffee Cultivar Yield in South Ethiopia

Coffee Production plays a significant role in Ethiopian economy, even though the productivity at farm level is among the lowest as compared to other coffee producing country. Soil degradation is one of the most challenging problems in coffee growing areas of Ethiopia. Declining of soil fertility is a fundamental problem to agricultural growth and a major reason for slow growth of food production. Therefore, this activity was designed to determine optimum application time of integrated organic and inorganic fertilizers under coffee growing areas and to assess the effects of temporal application effects of integrated organic and inorganic fertilizers on coffee yield and yield stability performance of coffee cultivar. The experiment was conducted with RCBD design with four replication and ten treatments settled from integrated organic and inorganic inputs at Awada Agricultural research sub-center starting from 2013-2023 for the last 10 consecutive years. The result demonstrated that, application of 200kgha-1N, 77kgha-1P and 12.5tonha-1 integrated nutrient application at each cropping season resulted statically significant higher yield result as compared to the other nutrient applications. The plot treated with the recommended NP + recommended decomposed coffee husk application per year (200kgha-1N, 77kgha-1P and 12.5ton ha-1) indicated over all yield advantage over the other plots by 22.07% or 345kg/ha of clean coffee yield over the recommended (200kgha-1N, 77kgha-1P) applied alone per year and 33.39% or 522kg/ha of clean coffee yield over the plots treated with recommended decomposed coffee husk (12.5ton ha-1) alone application per each cropping season.

A Multi-Method Approach to Assess the Adoption of Precision Agriculture Technology in Brazil

Precision Agriculture (PA) application aims to increase crop productivity while minimizing environmental impacts. We analyzed the topics most studied in the advancement of crop production in Brazil by applying the concepts of PA using the systematic literature review (SLR). A multi-method approach combined an SLR applying the PRISMA method and secondary data analysis. We found five clusters of technologies using the PA concept related to hardware development and four clusters related to applying technologies to software development in the PA concept. Most topics focused on using sensors to control water (soil and environment), soil electrical conductivity, and data communication. The focus on sustainability led researchers to reduce chemical products related to fertilizers and pesticides using Variable Rate Fertilizers (VRT) and reducing the environmental loading. According to the research results, it was evident that PA technology might help farmers make more accurate decisions about cultivation, production, harvest, and soil management. The availability of decision support systems powered by big data and artificial intelligence to select the best crop for a given season and soil might assist Brazil's sustainable growth of food production.

Removal of nutrients from aquaculture wastewater using cattail (Typha spp.) constructed wetlands.

The aquaculture industry is among the fastest growing food production sectors in the world. Land-based aquaculture systems continue to increase in popularity as they offer the benefits of controlling diseases, managing water quality, and minimizing threats to wild populations of fish. However, these systems discharge wastewater high in N and P. The ability of cattail (Typha spp.) constructed wetlands (CWs) to remove N and P from aquaculture wastewater (AWW) was examined here. Cattail CWs were established in mesocosms and had a gradient of AWW applied weekly for a total of 5 weeks. Total N and P loadings ranged from 13.7 to 209.2mg m-2 and 3.01 to 45.97mg m-2 over 28 days, respectively. Additions of AWW did not cause elevations in total dissolved N, total ammonia N, or nitrite N in CW water; however, concentrations of nitrate N and P in CW water were related to nutrient loading conditions. Elevations in P persisted for 3-4weeks among high nutrient loading treatments, providing an opportunity for eutrophic conditions to develop in CW systems. However, after 33 days of treatment,>95% total P concentration reduction was achieved in all mesocosms with final concentrations<0.05mg L-1, equivalent to reference conditions. High-loading treatments achieved greater P load reduction (856.8-955.0mg m-2year-1) than low-loading and reference treatments (591.7-792.7mg m-2year-1). This study demonstrates the effectiveness of cattail CWs to remove nutrients during AWW treatment and highlights the potential for end-of-season use in northern climates, providing insights regarding the operational timeline of such systems.

Impact of the comprehensive agricultural water use reform policy on food production: Quasinatural experimental evidence from China

Impact of the comprehensive agricultural water use reform policy on food production: Quasinatural experimental evidence from China

Full nutritional spectrum and hazard risk assessment of high commodity value aquaculture species in Penang, Malaysia

Full nutritional spectrum and hazard risk assessment of high commodity value aquaculture species in Penang, Malaysia

The Role Of Millennial Farmers In Optimizing Critical Land In Order to Face the Food Crisis In the Era Of Society 5.0

Abstract The era of society 5.0 is a concept of people’s lives that utilize information technology in solving social problems in facing the food crisis in Indonesia. This research aims to investigate the contributions of farmers in enhancing the productivity of critical land. Millennial farmers are recognized as crucial players in the advancement of sustainable food land agriculture in Indonesia, reflecting their belief that this development is essential for bolstering the community’s economy. Critical land refers to an expanse of terrain that remains predominantly unflooded throughout the year, presenting potential for cultivation of food crops. The world food crisis is a threat to all countries in the world, both developing and developed countries. The 2008 world food crisis is poised for a recurrence in 2012, driven by a burgeoning population outpacing the growth in food production.

Statistical investigation on the relationship between climate change, food availability, agricultural productivity, and economic expansion

Statistical investigation on the relationship between climate change, food availability, agricultural productivity, and economic expansion

Leadership Skills and Growth of Micro and Small Farm Inputs Enterprises in Kenya

Micro and small farm inputs enterprises play a key role in many economies across the world since they supply farmers with agricultural inputs for food production and economic growth. Several policies and programs have been put in place to promote the growth of farm inputs MSEs in Kenya. However, despite this effort, most of these enterprises continue to struggle with growth problems. This study sought to determine the influence of leadership skills on the growth of farm inputs MSEs in Kenya. The study was supported by skills leadership theory. The study adopted a positivist research philosophy and descriptive survey design. The target population was 4,931 farm-inputs MSEs registered by the Agricultural Market Trust of Kenya. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics through Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. The findings indicated that leadership skills had a positive and significant influence on the growth of farm inputs MSEs in Kenya (b=1.111, p=0.000). The study concluded that leadership skills significantly and positively contribute to the increase in the growth of farm inputs MSEs in Kenya. The study recommended the need for farm inputs for MSE owners to strengthen their leadership skills for improved productivity and growth of enterprises through training. In particular, the farm inputs MSEs’ owners should focus on enhancing the following aspects of leadership skills: implementation plans for business activities, problem identification techniques, action plans to resolve business crises, selection of the right staff, and supporting staff during delegation of duties and responsibilities.

ENHANCING BORE-HOLE WATER QUALITY IN COASTAL REGION OF NIGERIA

Water is crucial for human survival, food production, and economic growth. However, many poor nations, including Nigeria, lack access to potable water. Untreated natural sources, such as ponds, rivers, and streams, are the only viable source for domestic use. In Oboguru, a community in Delta State, rainwater harvesting is not possible due to acid rain. The only viable option of water supply is through boreholes which have high iron content. This study is aimed to enhance Borehole water quality in rural areas with simple treatment methods. The treatment plant consists of a multiple-tray aeration tower in a hopper-shaped sedimentation tank constructed to provide a chamber of undisturbed body of water allowing for sedimentation. Draw off of the clear water from the sedimentation tank is by a 100mm diameter pipe that takes the water by gravity to a containerized rapid gravity filter. The filter media consists of graded sand, gravel, and activated carbon for effective iron removal. The filtered water flows by gravity into the 4.5 m3-capacity clear-water/chemical contact ground tank of steel construction. Filter backwashing is accomplished by 45 m3 of treated water in the elevated tank. The results revealed that the removal of iron content of 3.5mg/l was 100%. while the maximum removal of CO2 was 77.4%. The Water Quality Index (WQI) of the treated water improved from 514.74 to 23.28 indicating excellent water quality. With decreases in acidity, hardness, turbidity, alkalinity, and total dissolved solids, there is evidence that aeration, sedimentation, and filtration have greatly enhanced the water’s quality. This low-cost treatment method has achieved better water quality that is safe and free from contamination

Differential price pass‐through in organic and conventional fresh fruit and vegetable markets

AbstractOrganic food production growth has remained relatively slow compared to organic retail sales growth in the United States. This paper questions whether the conduct of downstream agents plays any role in explaining the difference. Mainly, we shed light on structural differences between organic and conventional fresh fruit and vegetable markets by examining differential price pass‐through rates. We estimate a rolling‐window retail pricing model using retail and wholesale price data from five metropolitan statistical areas with terminal markets in the United States. We find that pass‐through rates are 10 to 15 percentage points lower in the organic market, and the differences are statistically significant. We also find that the gap between pass‐through rates narrows as the organic market share increases. Our results suggest the organic market is significantly less competitive than the conventional market. The implication is that farmers may have less incentive to convert to organic farming as they may not capture the full retail price premium consumers pay.

Declining Rural Population in Nigeria: Implication for Food Security

This study is geared towards investigating the influence of rural population growth on food production in Nigeria from 1961 to 2018. The data was analyzed using the Johhansen cointegration test, ordinary least squares (OLS), dynamic (OLS), and fully modified OLS. The findings portrayed that a long-term link exists between food production and rural population growth in Nigeria. From the dynamic OLS, which is the lead model, it was observed that the influence of rural populations on food production has been negative and significant. This negative effect is linked to the continuous rural-urban migration that has left agriculture in the hands of the elderly. To curb this, the paper suggested that by making agriculture attractive through aggressive mechanization and the provision of inputs, the rural population will be able to accelerate food production and ensure food sufficiency in the country.

Продовольча система України на шляху реалізації Цілей Сталого Розвитку: передумови та сучасні виклики

The Global Sustainable Development Goals, announced by the UN General Assembly in 2015, today serve as a guideline for developing the national economy of Ukraine and its food system. The unprecedented challenges of the new millennium – the pandemic and the military aggression of the Russian Federation – distanced Ukraine from their implementation. In this regard, the article aims to reveal the prerequisites for the development of the food system and identify today's challenges to determine the most effective and efficient directions for solving problems and means of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The research uses the following methods: systemic generalization – to systematize the risks and challenges of the food system in the context of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals; method of comparisons and dynamic method – to assess the state of production and consumption; regression equations – to determine the forecast indicators of individual indicators of the Sustainable Development Goals and possible changes in food consumption volumes in the future. The content of the concept of sustainability and sustainable development of the food system was defined. Prerequisites for the sustainable development of the food system were identified, particularly Ukraine's leadership in food exports, the existing potential of land, and the growth of food production and consumption. The work assessed food production indices during periods of crisis, such as during a pandemic and martial law. A functional diagram of the food system's prerequisites and challenges for sustainable development in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals has been developed. An analysis of the dynamics of individual SDG indicators and trends in their development was carried out. Indicators of sufficiency of consumption of basic food products by recommended consumption standards are analyzed. The results of the study show that despite the unprecedented challenges, the food system of Ukraine is gradually adapting to modern conditions, restoring the economy and strengthening food security in the regions of Ukraine; humanitarian, economic, and economic ties are being established.

Improvement of the modeling system of mineral fertilizer use efficiency in agriculture

Chemical preparations used in agriculture and their effects are studied in the article. Also, the effect and composition of mineral fertilizers on the growth of food production was analyzed. At the same time, the interdependence of all the factors used in the production process was determined and evaluated in the evaluation of the additional productivity obtained due to the use of mineral fertilizers. At the same time, the impact of mineral fertilizers used in agriculture on climate change has been scientifically evaluated. It is necessary to take into account that the productivity of agricultural crops is influenced not only by mineral fertilizers, but also by the type of crops, soil fertility, geographical location, and the knowledge and experience of farmers.

Global food security: developing effective approaches to sustainable development

The agri-food complex is one of the most important sectors of the world economy, without which the very existence of mankind would be impossible. The relevance of studying the issue of global food security lies in the fact of the aggravation of the problem, which is expressed in the rapid growth of population in comparison with the growth of food production. Issues of food security remain relevant throughout the development of the economy, both at the national and global levels. This problematic issue is deeply studied by foreign and domestic researchers, who pay special attention to key aspects of national food security, such as the availability of food and the sustainability of its provision, as well as its safety and quality for human health and the environment. The insufficient knowledge of these issues, their practical significance, the controversial nature of the problems and their undoubted relevance determined the choice of research topic in this article. This review provides an analysis of the key issues and approaches that ensure the effective and sustainable functioning of the food system in the modern global economy.