Food Security Management Research Articles

Promoting Food Safety and Food Security in Rural Tourism Destination

This study was conducted at two villages, Ban Mae Kampong, Mae On, Chiang Mai and Ban Pa Miang, Muang, Lampang, Northern Thailand. This community is supported by Thai government tourism ministry to develop their skills in order to create and offer rural tourism. The study focus on community member groups who are involved with rural tourism activities; Homestay members, food preparation management members, tour guides, community leader groups, in order to assess the acceptance, collaboration and preparation of safety indigenous food menu and food security management where will support rural tourism community objectives. This study was carried out as in a participatory stage which included various seminars and workshops of rural tourism management concluded from homestay services, Thai herbs medication beneficiary, basic and applied nutrition concepts, indigenous healthy food productivity with standardized recipes, food safety handling and food security management for preparing food for themselves as well as suitable for tourism consumption. In addition of this useful vegetarian calendar information, which is highly appropriate serving as a tool for their daily meal management.

Sustainable Integrated Water Resources Management for Energy Production and Food Security in Libya

Abstract Paper is designed to present an overview of sustainable integrated water resources management at global, regional, national and local level for enhanced energy production and food security in Libya. It demonstrates that how actions, accords, and commitments by institute industry interaction (3Is) initiative with special reference to water resource efficiency for enhanced energy production & food security are being debated by using awareness and preparedness for environmental emergencies at local level (APELL) along with numerous both Libyan and UNEP priority initiatives and programs. Based on case studies to recognize some of the most common problems experienced in Sustainable Integrated Water Resource Management (SWIM) planning for enhanced energy production technologies & food security and developing options for overcoming them a set of recommendations on how to enhance institutional and legal reforms for its implementation at the national/local levels are briefly outlined. Finally it shows that how lessons learnt and best practices technologies especially from UN agencies are assisting to promote water resource efficiency to achieve energy & food security of case study areas in Libya for its wider application in both developed and developing countries.

Nutritional and antinutritional composition of the five species of aquatic edible insects consumed in Manipur, India.

The people living in Manipur have a distinct identity, culture, and food habits. They have a prototype culture of eating insects. In our study, the nutritive contents of five potentially-edible aquatic insects, Lethocerus indicus (Lepeletier and Serville) (Hemiptera: Belostomatidae), Laccotrephes maculatus (F.) (Nepidae), Hydrophilus olivaceous (F.) (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae), Cybister tripunctatus (Olivier), and Crocothemis servilia (Drury) (Odonata: Libellulidae), were analyzed to inform consumers about the nutritional quality of the insects and the suggested quantity of their intake. A good amount of protein content and high gross energy was recorded among the insects. The results showed high levels of sodium, calcium, and magnesium present in the insects, indicating that they are a good source of minerals. Antinutritional properties of these insects were below 0.52%, which is a non-toxic level. Aquatic insects, such as C. tripunctatus , also possesses strong antioxidant activity (110 µg/mL). Therefore, these insects can play a major role in food security, health, and environment management. It is essential to cultivate edible insects to maintain their population sustainability.

基于OWA的低丘缓坡建设开发适宜性评价——以云南大理白族自治州为例

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 基于OWA的低丘缓坡建设开发适宜性评价——以云南大理白族自治州为例 DOI: 10.5846/stxb201312233004 作者: 作者单位: 北京大学城市与环境学院,北京大学城市与环境学院,北京大学城市与环境学院,北京大学城市与环境学院,北京大学城市与环境学院 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 国土资源部公益性行业科研专项经费课题（201311001-2） Suitability assessment for building land consolidation on gentle hillside based on OWA operator：a case in Dali Bai Nationality Borough in Yunnan, China Author: Affiliation: Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes,Ministry of Education,College of Urban and Environmental Sciences,Peking University,Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes,Ministry of Education,College of Urban and Environmental Sciences,Peking University,Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes,Ministry of Education,College of Urban and Environmental Sciences,Peking University,Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes,Ministry of Education,College of Urban and Environmental Sciences,Peking University, Fund Project: 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:山区城市在城镇化、粮食安全、生态保护的多重要求下，有必要探索将基本农田以外的低丘缓坡山地开发为建设用地的可行性和限制性。研究选取涵盖景观风险和灾害风险的共12个空间化指标，基于有序加权平均（ordered weighted averaging，OWA）方法，以大理白族自治州为例进行低丘缓坡区域建设开发适宜性评价。通过设置不同位序权重表征评价者偏好，结果表明：在指标风险程度的可信度较高的情况下，农用地、城镇、断裂带、河流等高风险指标权重被加大，空间特征明显；在指标风险程度的可信度较低的情况下，评价结果的空间均质性增强。通过模拟城镇建设导向、维持现有政策、风险控制导向3种适宜性分区情景，得出在城镇建设导向下应优先开发中小城镇，在风险控制导向下应优先保证大城市合理扩展。评价结果可以描述在城市的不同发展阶段如何构建政策权衡后的城镇化空间格局，满足了不同决策思路下的建设用地开发布局需求。 Abstract:Under the multiple requirements of urbanization, food security and ecosystem management, it is necessary to explore the feasibilities and limitations on how to develop building land on gentle hillside in mountain cities. In the process of mountain development, the ecological sensitive area should be prevented from human interferences and human health from disaster threats. In this study, 12 spatial indices were selected which can represent the landscape and disaster risks in order to find the suitable degree of building land development on gentle hillside. Ordered weighted averaging (OWA) operators are usually used to model a family of parameterized decision strategies, which can be applied to route planning to provide more realistic results. In this method the optimistic degree can be quantified by the ordered weight. In an optimistic preference, the function of the relatively important indices is magnified; while in a pessimistic preference, the importance is relatively ignored. OWA algorithm can be used to conduct the scenario simulations of the feasibility of various construction land under different preferences,which is apparently able to reduce the impact of a single result of a subjective perception by decision-makers, and thus can well reflect the changes of evaluation result led by the slight adjustment of regional policies. In this study, Dali Bai Nationality Autonomous Prefecture was chosen as the study area, and OWA operators were adopted to measure the suitability of building land construction on gentle hillside. By setting up different ordered weights, scenarios can be set with the quantified optimistic or pessimistic preference of the decision makers. The result showed that in the optimistic scenario, the characteristics of high risk indices like farm land, urban, fault zone, rivers can be obviously detected spatially; in the pessimistic scenario where the degree of reliability for risk indices was decreased, the spatial homogeneity was enhanced on the result layer. Then, three scenarios were built up by the OWA operators, which support three different strategy orientations-urban construction, keeping the present policies and risk control. After defining the suitability sub region, it was found that priority development of small towns should be encouraged in urban construction scenario, while ensuring the land supply for big cities in the risk control scenario. With the assessments, we can describe how to build up the spatial pattern of urbanization after a policy trade-off among different stages of city development, and the results can satisfy the different decisions from the government and various requirements for the layout of construction land from different stakeholders. This study tended to draw a comprehensive conclusion through a combination of inter-scene. Although in a mathematical level, the three policy-perspectives provided by this paper are described as the preference of evaluator's, they are actually a reflection of decision makers' different strategic tendencies and thus are no clear good or bad. This study didn't attempt to select an optimal solution, but tends to describe how to build a spatial pattern of urbanization with policy trade-offs in different stages of urban development, so as to meet the needs of construction land's development under different decisions or layout ideas, with relatively high practical significance. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

Frontiers in Sino-Australian Polymer Science and Engineering

Welcome to this Special Edition of the Australian Journal of Chemistry, entitled Frontiers in Sino-Australian Polymer Science and Engineering, which showcases recent progress in Australian and Chinese polymer research. The articles contained in this special issue are drawn from key polymer chemistry and engineering laboratories from both countries, whose leaders met in January 2013 for an intensive week of scientific exchange. Polymers are a part of daily life for all of us, be it in health, food packaging, personal electronics, or one of the many industrial applications that polymers are used in; they surround us everywhere, every day. Polymers are therefore a key component of material science and engineering, and polymer research has been a strength of many research institutions in both countries for a long time. Australia and China can look back with pride on more than three decades of successful polymer science and technology cooperation, which includes discoveries and improvements in areas as diverse as water conservation, mining efficiency, medical research, cleaner energy, food security, and disaster management. The two nations have many complementary research strengths in the field of polymers: while Australian researchers are world leaders in advancing polymer synthesis and characterization (e.g. nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization (NMP) and reversible addition– fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization methods), Chinese polymer chemists excel at developing industrial applications for polymers (e.g. polymer membranes for clean energy technologies, chemical fibre technologies). Both the Australian and the Chinese governments recognise the importance of research in the area of polymer science and engineering, and polymer science has featured on the list of important research areas in both countries for many years. It is currently listed among the six most important research areas by the Chinese government and is represented in the Australian government’s National Research Priority ‘Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries’ with its associated priority goal ‘Advanced Materials’. Thanks to funding provided by the Australia-China Science andResearch Fund, an initiative of the AustralianGovernment’s Department of Innovation, Industry, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIISRTE), I, with Dr Katharina Ladewig (The University of Melbourne) as activity coordinator, had the pleasure of leading a delegation of outstanding Australian polymer scientists on an official visit to key polymer science and research laboratories in China earlier in 2013. The Australian delegation comprised Drs Cyrille Boyer, Xiaojuan Hao, Professors David Lewis, Dan Li, Martina Stenzel, Dr San Thang, Professors Xungai Wang, Andrew Whittaker, and Dr Xiaoqing Zhang. The 1st Australia China Polymer Mission included attendance of the 1st China–Australia Polymer Meeting (CAPM) hosted by Professor Meifang Zhu at Donghua University (20–21 January 2013; Fig. 1) and subsequent visits of the delegation to the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Beijing, Donghua University, Fudan University, Nankai University, Peking University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Tianjin University, and Tsinghua University (Fig. 2). The Chinese participants at the 1st CAPM and subsequent hosts at their respective home institutions were Professors Amin Cao, Chao Gao, Junpo He, Zhibo Li, Linqi Shi, Jing Shen, Xinhua Wan, Xu-Ming Xie, Shuguang Yang, Xiaoyan Yuan, Jiong-Xin Zhao, and Jongfeng Zhou. Both the 1st CAPM and the subsequent visits were a great success andwe all look forward to intensified collaborations and scientific discussions in the near future. The key outcomes of the bilateral talks held as part of CAPM were:

Yield and economic performance of organic and conventional cotton-based farming systems--results from a field trial in India.

The debate on the relative benefits of conventional and organic farming systems has in recent time gained significant interest. So far, global agricultural development has focused on increased productivity rather than on a holistic natural resource management for food security. Thus, developing more sustainable farming practices on a large scale is of utmost importance. However, information concerning the performance of farming systems under organic and conventional management in tropical and subtropical regions is scarce. This study presents agronomic and economic data from the conversion phase (2007–2010) of a farming systems comparison trial on a Vertisol soil in Madhya Pradesh, central India. A cotton-soybean-wheat crop rotation under biodynamic, organic and conventional (with and without Bt cotton) management was investigated. We observed a significant yield gap between organic and conventional farming systems in the 1st crop cycle (cycle 1: 2007–2008) for cotton (−29%) and wheat (−27%), whereas in the 2nd crop cycle (cycle 2: 2009–2010) cotton and wheat yields were similar in all farming systems due to lower yields in the conventional systems. In contrast, organic soybean (a nitrogen fixing leguminous plant) yields were marginally lower than conventional yields (−1% in cycle 1, −11% in cycle 2). Averaged across all crops, conventional farming systems achieved significantly higher gross margins in cycle 1 (+29%), whereas in cycle 2 gross margins in organic farming systems were significantly higher (+25%) due to lower variable production costs but similar yields. Soybean gross margin was significantly higher in the organic system (+11%) across the four harvest years compared to the conventional systems. Our results suggest that organic soybean production is a viable option for smallholder farmers under the prevailing semi-arid conditions in India. Future research needs to elucidate the long-term productivity and profitability, particularly of cotton and wheat, and the ecological impact of the different farming systems.

Research of Organic Vegetables Safety Traceability System in Agricultural Enterprise Based on RFID Technology

Taking full advantages of RFID technology relative to barcode, we collect the data of every link of organic vegetables including breeding, growing, fertilizing, farming, inspecting, harvesting, logistics and distribution. In view of the agricultural enterprises own characteristics, we develope the organic vegetables safety traceability system. In this system, not only can our customers take part in every link of organic vegetables traceabilty, but also purchase all kinds of rest asured organic vegetables online. The agricultural enterprise can also monitor each link of the organic vegetables. Linking to the governmental food security management platform, the system will not only enhance the food security management level, but also promote the healthy development of the agricultural industry.

English

The character of the sub-regional eco-climatic zones has possibly changed as suggested in the dwindling fortune of agricultural productivity, documented changes in vegetation and freshwater resources and rising poverty levels especially in the hitherto productive Northern Nigeria. To determine and map the changes, if any, in these eco-climatic characteristics is therefore important for general planning. This study is using rainfall and temperature data (1950-2006) to determine factors of rainfall effectiveness; onset dates, cessation dates, hydrologic growing season (HGS), monsoon quality index (MQI) and aridity index (AI); summarizing and ranking them using numerical identifiers for the interpretation of the various moisture situations, to assess the eco-climatic characteristics in the northern Nigeria. A multi-temporal database has been developed for the factors and classes have been defined using quantitative definitions for the time series. The point data have been transformed to spatial data and subjected to geospatial analysis. The results so far reveal variability in the effects of each factor on eco-climatic zonation and it is anticipated that integrating these derived climatic parameters and remotely sensed (vegetation dynamics) data using GIS techniques, is crucial for water management and attainment of food security. Key words : Eco-climatic, moisture effectiveness, surface, principal component analysis, environmental quality.

Bio-cultural refugia—Safeguarding diversity of practices for food security and biodiversity

Food security for a growing world population is high on the list of grand sustainability challenges, as is reducing the pace of biodiversity loss in landscapes of food production. Here we shed new insights on areas that harbor place specific social memories related to food security and stewardship of biodiversity. We call them bio-cultural refugia. Our goals are to illuminate how bio-cultural refugia store, revive and transmit memory of agricultural biodiversity and ecosystem services, and how such social memories are carried forward between people and across cohorts. We discuss the functions of such refugia for addressing the twin goals of food security and biodiversity conservation in landscapes of food production. The methodological approach is first of its kind in combining the discourses on food security, social memory and biodiversity management. We find that the rich biodiversity of many regionally distinct cultural landscapes has been maintained through a mosaic of management practices that have co-evolved in relation to local environmental fluctuations, and that such practices are carried forward by both biophysical and social features in bio-cultural refugia including; genotypes, artifacts, written accounts, as well as embodied rituals, art, oral traditions and self-organized systems of rules. Combined these structure a diverse portfolio of practices that result in genetic reservoirs—source areas—for the wide array of species, which in interplay produce vital ecosystem services, needed for future food security related to environmental uncertainties, volatile financial markets and large scale conflicts. In Europe, processes related to the large-scale industrialization of agriculture threaten such bio-cultural refugia. The paper highlights that the dual goals to reduce pressures from modern agriculture on biodiversity, while maintaining food security, entails more extensive collaboration with farmers oriented toward ecologically sound practices.

Integrated modeling of food security management in Ukraine. II. Models for structural optimization of agricultural production under risk

An aggregate mathematical model for country-wide agricultural production is proposed. It allows analyzing various scenarios of crop and livestock production in terms of food security. We developed a mathematical model of agricultural holdings, taking into account weather and economic risks. The model incorporates various factors such as crop insurance, credit terms, and uncertain prices for agricultural products.

Food security, climate change, and sustainable land management. A review

Agriculture production in developing countries must be increased to meet food demand for a growing population. Earlier literature suggests that sustainable land management could increase food production without degrading soil and water resources. Improved agronomic practices include organic fertilization, minimum soil disturbance, and incorporation of residues, terraces, water harvesting and conservation, and agroforestry. These practices can also deliver co-benefits in the form of reduced greenhouse gas emissions and enhanced carbon storage in soils and biomass. Here, we review 160 studies reporting original field data on the yield effects of sustainable land management practices sequestering soil carbon. The major points are: (1) sustainable land management generally leads to increased yields, although the magnitude and variability of results varies by specific practice and agro-climatic conditions. For instance, yield effects are in some cases negative for improved fallows, terraces, minimum tillage, and live fences. Whereas, positive yield effects are observed consistently for cover crops, organic fertilizer, mulching, and water harvesting. Yields are also generally higher in areas of low and variable rainfall. (2) Isolating the yield effects of individual practices is complicated by the adoption of combinations or “packages” of sustainable land management options. (3) Sustainable land management generally increases soil carbon sequestration. Agroforestry increases aboveground C sequestration and organic fertilization reduces CO2 emissions. (4) Rainfall distribution is a key determinant of the mitigation effects of adopting specific sustainable land management practices. Mitigation effects of adopting sustainable land management are higher in higher rainfall areas, with the exception of water management.

Sustainable Livestock Management for Poverty Alleviation and Food Security

Book Review of:Sustainable Livestock Management for Poverty Alleviation and Food Security: by Katrien van’t Hooft, Terry S. Wollen and Dilip P. Bhandari

Integrated modeling of food security management in Ukraine. I. Model for management of the economic availability of food

We discuss some aspects of food security in Ukraine concerning the economic availability of food and analyze the current price adjustment procedure for major foods in Ukraine. We develop an alternative procedure, based on an original demand model.

J.M. Lenné and D. Wood (eds.): Agrobiodiversity management for food security: A critical review

J.M. Lenné and D. Wood (eds.): Agrobiodiversity management for food security: A critical review

Gully location mapping at a national scale for South Africa

Gully erosion is an important form of soil erosion that contributes greatly to soil degradation and loss in South Africa (SA). It is a process whereby soil is removed through the concentration of surface or subsurface water which results into the formation of incised channels. However, little is known regarding the spatial extent of gullies in SA, especially at a national scale. Previous soil erosion assessment studies indicated the difficulties of modelling or automatically extracting gullies using remote sensing at regional scales due to the temporal and spatial complexity at which the phenomenon occurs. This study created a gully location map for SA by means of visual interpretation and vectorisation from Système Pour l'Observation de la Terre (SPOT) 5 imagery at a scale of 1:10,000 within a geographic information system. Results illustrate the extent of gully erosion in the Eastern Cape (161,517 ha), Northern Cape (160,885 ha), KwaZulu-Natal (92,543 ha), Free State (64,674 ha), Limpopo (58,669 ha), Western Cape (25,403 ha), Mpumalanga (17,420 ha) and North West (10,782 ha) provinces. Additional zonal calculations indicate that gullies are more prominent on land that is suitable for cultivation (4.3%) than on less suitable to unsuitable land (1.5%), subsequently undermining sustainable management of soil resources and food security. This is probably attributed to inappropriate agricultural activities such as clearing of vegetation and overstocking in certain agricultural areas. Despite some problems experienced during the interpretation and mapping phases (such as difficult distinction between gullies and dry river beds/channels, landslides and other erosion forms), results show an overall accuracy of 90% when compared to observations (n = 1019) in the field. Future studies should focus on quantifying different contributing factors in order to ease selection of appropriate management strategies.

The food security challenge of the food-land-water nexus in India

Two of the key factors that drive agricultural growth and food production in India are access to arable land and utilizable water resources. These are examined with particular reference to their regional variation in order to make an assessment of the magnitude of the food security challenge they pose for the country. Recent official estimates of groundwater exploitation in India are compared with actual negative physical, social and economic consequences of over-exploitation, as are evident in different regions, and their implications for national food security discussed. The analyses show that the real food security and water management challenge lies in the mismatch between water availability and agricultural water demand: high demands occur in water scarce but agriculturally prosperous regions and low demands in naturally water-abundant but agriculturally backward regions. Serious groundwater depletion problems, which occur in the naturally water-scarce but surplus food-producing regions, magnify the challenge. The small area of arable land per capita is a major reason for low agricultural water demand in regions that have abundant water. Sustainability of well irrigation in the naturally water-scarce regions, which is the backbone of India’s food security, could be achieved through judicious investment in surface water projects which encourage direct irrigation and replenishment of over-exploited aquifers. Other strategies include: pro rata pricing of electricity in the farm sector; volumetric pricing of water from public irrigation systems; improving the efficiency of utilization of green water or the rainwater held in the soil profile; preventing depletion of the residual soil moisture in the field after crop harvest by reducing the fallow period; and reducing the use of water through a shift to low water consuming crops

Mass digitization of scientific collections: New opportunities to transform the use of biological specimens and underwrite biodiversity science

New information technologies have enabled the scientific collections community and its stakeholders to adapt, adopt, and leverage novel approaches for a nearly 300 years old scientific discipline. Now, few can credibly question the transformational impact of technology on efforts to digitize scientific collections, as IT now reaches into almost every nook and cranny of society. Five to ten years ago this was not the case. Digitization is an activity that museums and academic institutions increasingly recognize, though many still do not embrace, as a means to boost the impact of collections to research and society through improved access. The acquisition and use of scientific collections is a global endeavor, and digitization enhances their value by improved access to core biodiversity information, increases use, relevance and potential downstream value, for example, in the management of natural resources, policy development, food security, and planetary and human health. This paper examines new opportunities to design and implement infrastructure that will support not just mass digitization efforts, but also a broad range of research on biological diversity and physical sciences in order to make scientific collections increasingly relevant to societal needs and interest.

Biodiversity and Nutraceutical Quality of Some Indian Millets

This study was designed to investigate the biodiversity and nutraceutical quality of some Indian millets. These crops are cold, drought and salinity tolerant and can be cultivated on marginal land also. Seeds were analyzed for dry matter, total N, protein N, protein and seed protein concentrate extractability. In addition, millets were categorized on the basis of poverty eradication/source of income, health management, food security and natural resource management. The study indicates that millets can potentially be developed as an active nutraceutical and industrial bioresources for the care of environment and sustainable health of the society and nature.

Social responsibility of fish processing companies located in Portugal and Spain

PurposeThe present paper is part of an extensive research project conducted in various fish processing companies located in the Iberian Peninsula and its purpose is to study corporate social responsibility (CSR) relating to: management's perception of the CSR concept; current practice analysis of the companies studied; and proposal formulation for a company's CSR implementation plan.Design/methodology/approachThe study, done during June through October of 2009, utilized a qualitative method. The data were acquired through questionnaires, industry visits, interviews and management manuals.FindingsThe results indicate a strong inclination toward a management of quality control, food security and environment with lower priority given to social responsibility. The results also suggest that the CSR concept is not fully understood among the companies studied.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was conducted at five fish processing companies. Caution is required in generalizing these results to other fish companies located in other countries.Practical implicationsIn view of the positive results in the areas of economic (quality control and food safety) and environmental management the next step would be to become socially responsible by developing its social resources (work safety, health, and a polity of human rights).Originality/valueThe study provides an analysis of fish processing companies that have already implemented an integrated management system which includes a well defined and ample concept of CSR. This type of study has not been done before to the best knowledge of the authors.

An Islamic perspective on food security management

Islamic regulation has a balanced management approach to food management and towards attaining sustainable food security. This approach includes many social, spiritual, resource supply, security, and institutionally-related perspectives. If harmonization between Allah's1 orders and Moslem behavior was maintained, either within or outside an Islamic state, food security would already be happening, succeeding, and sustaining, regardless of time or space. An institutional structure to maintain this harmonization with regard to food security management in an Islamic State was proposed, including three interconnected departments responsible for interrelated administration and duties: a Moslem Treasury Department, Department of Food Reserves, and Department of Social Affairs. The three departments would be governed by a Moslem Council of Consultants. A thorough discussion of the Islamic view of food security and related water policy implications was presented including the leading rules and specifications, the administrative aspects required, procedures used and guiding directions for proper development and planning.