Food Self-sufficiency Research Articles

Do internal and external risk spillovers of the food system matter for national food security?

The COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war raise concerns about food security, particularly in interconnected and vulnerable food systems. However, existing literature focuses mainly on food supply-chain linkages and less on systemic risk spillovers, namely system-wide risk contagion among food companies. We estimate countries' internal and external risk spillovers using the “Vector Auto-Regressive (VAR) for Value-at-Risk (VaR)” approach with an Elastic Net penalty and the stock returns of 528 food companies, and analyze their impacts on national food security using country-level panel data. Results reveal that both risk spillovers significantly threaten food security, especially for countries with low food self-sufficiency and high import concentration levels. Beyond non-financial channels like higher food consumer prices, fewer food imports, and lower food quality, these impacts also rely on financial channels (reduced credit flows to agriculture). Our study highlights enhancing food security for governments by monitoring and reducing risk contagion among food companies.

Regional food self-sufficiency potential in the European Alpine space

The sustainability of the food system needs to be improved, including shortening supply chains and promoting the consumption of regional food. Here, we explore the current potential for regional food self-sufficiency in the European Alpine space by calculating the current regional food/feed energy balance, deriving the regional per capita land footprint based on current food/feed consumption rates, and modelling the current potential for regional food/feed self-sufficiency. We show that 59% of the 560 Pcal of energy currently available in the study area comes from domestic production, and almost 60% of the energy is used for livestock consumption, with high regional variability. The resulting land footprints range from 2301 to 2975 m2 cap−1 y−1. Taking into account changes in cropping patterns, partial intensification, but no expansion of agricultural land, the European Alpine space could produce 89% of its current food demand domestically, with high regional variability due to population density, availability of agricultural land, crop yields, climatic conditions and dietary habits. These findings highlight the potential and limitations of regional mountain food systems and call for new strategies to improve sustainability. Reducing the current high consumption of animal products would reduce the land footprint and increase the potential for food self-sufficiency.

Fuzzy Deep Learning Recurrent Neural Network Algorithm to Detect Corn Leaf Disease

Corn is a major commodity after rice in supporting food self-sufficiency in Indonesia. However, due to leaf disease, the quality and quantity of corn plants are greatly reduced. The problem with detecting corn leaf diseases is that the detection method is still manual, making it inefficient and ineffective. Therefore, in this study, disease detection on corn leaves was performed using the Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) methods. First, oversampling was carried out to ensure an equal amount of data in all classes, then the corn leaf images were pre-processed before being input into the LSTM algorithm. After completing clustering process in the [Formula: see text] algorithm, the next step involved extracting texture features using the Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM) technique, followed by classification using LSTM. To assess their performance, both algorithms underwent evaluation using the k-fold cross-validation method, and their accuracy and speed were compared. The results of the k-fold cross-validation demonstrated that the [Formula: see text] algorithm achieved an accuracy of 63.53%, whereas the LSTM algorithm achieved an accuracy of 80.24%. In terms of the time required for training and prediction, the LSTM algorithm took 13[Formula: see text]min and 18[Formula: see text]s for training on corn leaf disease images, while the prediction process only took 1.59[Formula: see text]s. The training and prediction time required for the [Formula: see text] algorithm were 65[Formula: see text]min and 24[Formula: see text]s and 5[Formula: see text]min and 44[Formula: see text]s, respectively. The conclusion of this study is that the LSTM algorithm has better accuracy and time compared to [Formula: see text] on the dataset used in this study in terms of corn leaf disease detection.

Design Integrated Crop-Livestock and Fish Farming Model with LEISA System in North Minahasa Regency

Agricultural land in North Minahasa district has been shrinking. The number of farming families with land ownership of less than 0.5 ha is increasing due to land fragmentation. Designing an integrated farming system (IAS) model is a solution to the land problem, so that intensive farming can be carried out. This system can also be a solution to self-sufficiency and food self-sufficiency in agricultural products in a sustainable manner. The purpose of the study was to analyse the integrated farming system between crops, livestock and fish with various integrated farming patterns based on land area feasibility, economic feasibility, ecological feasibility, social feasibility for farming development in North Minahasa district. The results of the analysis obtained that the land area for crops and livestock/fish is between 0.2 ha to 0.4 ha including 0.1 ha for housing and other household businesses. economically, the net income from crops and livestock/fish is at least an average of Rp 175,000 per day. (North Sulawesi UMP 2023 standard, IDR 3,485,000/month), with a ratio of net income to RTP needs ≥ 1.0. Ecologically, the production of organic matter from livestock/fish is sufficient/exceeds the needs of crops (≥ 1.0) The strategic model for SPT development in North Minahasa district is to increase the variety of farmer income sources, increase the use of organic matter from livestock and agricultural residues, optimise land and soil utilisation.

Factors influencing demand for, and supply of, agricultural credit: A study from Bangladesh

The provision of a wide range of financing choices enhances farmers' ability to respond to changing circumstances in their agricultural activities and maintain optimal levels of production. However, several household- and farm-level determinants impact the availability of, and demand for, agricultural credit in rural households. Therefore, the current study explores the determinants of demand for, and supply of, agricultural credit. To do so, data at the farm level were gathered using interviews with a randomly selected sample of 360 respondents in the Mymensingh region of Bangladesh. Additionally, 30 years' worth of secondary data were obtained from various sources to investigate the determinants of agricultural credit supply. Data were analyzed using binary logistics and multiple linear regression. Findings reveal that farmers’ demand for agricultural credit is positively influenced by farming experience and farm size. Factors that significanly discourage farmers from taking credit include (a) an increase in income-generating family members, (b) perceived high interest rates of credit, and (c) negative perceptions regarding the application procedure. Factors that increase agricultural credit supply are (a) an increase in credit supply targets and (b) increased severity of natural disasters. In addition, an increase in non-performing loans does not hinder agricultural credit supply as the Bangladeshi government has placed special emphasis on protecting farmers from crop failures and other adverse situations in order to achieve food self-sufficiency in the country.

Reducing livestock quantities to avoid manure nitrogen surplus: would meat self-sufficiency be met in eastern regions of China?

In building a sustainable food system, the management of livestock production should avoid nitrogen (N) surplus and ensure animal-sourced food self-sufficiency. Reducing livestock quantities in regions producing excess of animal-sourced food and livestock manure is an effective approach for mitigating manure N surplus. In this study, we considered the eastern regions of China as a case study to quantitatively analyze whether meat self-sufficiency could be met when reducing the livestock quantity to avoid manure N surplus. In addition to considering the baseline scenario, considering the current livestock quantity (scenario C), we defined three strategies corresponding to livestock reduction scenarios: taking meat self-sufficiency as a priority regardless of the manure balance (scenario TB); taking manure N surplus avoidance as a priority regardless of the meat balance (scenario MNB); and considering the most limiting conditions between satisfying meat self-sufficiency and avoiding manure N surplus (scenario LF). A balance index was used to describe the excess (i.e., positive value) or deficiency (i.e., negative value) of meat and manure N. Concerning the whole of eastern China, in scenario LF, the meat balance index (TBI) and manure N balance index (MNBI) were 0.25 and −0.39, respectively, which could satisfy meat demand while avoid manure N surplus (for scenarios C, TB, and MNB, the TBIs were 1.95, 0, and 1.09, and the MNBIs were 0.56, −0.48, and 0, respectively). At the regional level, the regions with meat self-sufficiency accounted for more than 70% in the LF scenario, and manure N surplus could be avoided in all regions. However, southwestern China should adopt further measures, such as trading among adjacent regions and increasing manure fertilizer application, to satisfy the meat demand while avoiding surplus manure N.

Is food self-sufficiency possible for Reunion Island?

In the context of political and economic instability, food self-sufficiency of countries and territories is becoming a burning issue. Reunion Island is a densely populated small French territory isolated in the middle of the Indian Ocean. The previously developed GRAFS model, allowing consistent balances to be established using nitrogen (N) as a common metric for all crops and foodstuffs, has been applied to Reunion Island, considering 11 sub-regions to account for landscape variety. Reunion Island dedicates 87% of its crop production in terms of harvested proteins to the exportation of sugar and tropical fruits, while it imports 67% of its food supply, 54% of livestock feed, and 57% of all fertilizing N inputs to agricultural soils. Overall, the supply of 1 tonne of N as food requires the import of 2.7 tonnes of N as food, feed, and fertilizers. The model also demonstrated that the simultaneous operation of three levers of change would make it possible to reach self-sufficiency in terms of food, feed, and fertilizer: (1) the generalization of agro-ecological crop rotations alternating grain and forage legumes, cereal, and other food crops; (2) the reconnection of livestock with crop farming and a better recycling of manure as well as of human excreta; (3) a drastic reduction of animal-based food in the Reunionese diet, down to 20% of animal products in the total per capita protein intake, instead of the 60% current share. The area dedicated to sugarcane cultivation should be reduced to 15–25% of its current value.

Integrated water-population interactions framework: An application to assess water security in Iran

While dynamic water security models related to food and livelihood security have advanced significantly in recent decades, the inclusion of demographic variables in these models is often limited to merely population growth. As many countries have either completed or are in the process of completing the demographic transition, population growth alone may no longer be the predominant demographic variable influencing water security models. Therefore, there is a discernible need for more comprehensive water security models to consider the simultaneous impact of various demographic variables on different aspects of water security. Inspired by the contemporary environmental demography perspectives, we introduce a generic integrated framework for integrated water-population interactions (IWPI) which explores the overlooked impacts of demographic transitions on different aspects of water security. Demographic shifts can impact food and water consumption and agricultural employment. Recognizing these dynamics is essential as countries advance through demographic transitions and face mounting pressures on water resources. The Integrated Water-Population Interaction (IWPI) framework was implemented in Iran through the Water-Population System Dynamics (WPSD) model. The model shows that population size, household composition and urbanization significantly affect domestic water consumption. It also reveals how changes in educational and occupational structures impact livelihood security and food self-sufficiency under water constraints. We introduce a novel population metric for water security assessment in Iran, offering policy-makers a tool to assess and address water insecurities that can affect the population in different ways. Our findings recommend realistic food self-sufficiency targets, flexible water resource planning and policies that integrate population dynamics with water, food and livelihood security to ensure sustainable outcomes in Iran.

Free amino acids profile of pulp of Saba senegalensis (A.DC.) Pichon fruit in the three climatic areas of Burkina Faso

Non-timber forest products are often disregarded in favor of primary crops in Burkina Faso, despite their nutritional significance and contribution to food self-sufficiency. However, the lack of scientific information regarding the amino acid content of Saba senegalensis pulp impedes its utilization in various foods production. Consequently, the primary objective of this investigation was to assess the free amino acid profile of S. senegalensis pulp in the three distinct climatic zones of Burkina Faso. Fruit samples were collected from these climatic regions, and the amino acid content was analyzed using HPLC methods. The analysis of S. senegalensis pulp revealed the presence of essential amino acids in mg/100 g, mainly isoleucine (300 ± 75–305 ± 15), leucine (370 ± 92.50–377 ± 95.50), lysine (200 ± 50–205 ± 70), methionine (90 ± 22.50–104 ± 50), phenylalanine (140 ± 35–196 ± 15), threonine (230 ± 57.50–241 ± 27.50), valine (260 ± 65–285 ± 40), and tryptophan (230 ± 57.50–237 ± 75.50), as well as non-essential amino acids. Statistical analysis indicated no significant difference (p > 0,5) in the essential and non-essential amino acids across the climatic zones. According to the revised model spectrum of ideal essential amino acids for humans by the WHO/FAO, the E/T values ranged from 43.12 to 43.40%, and the E/NE values ranged from 75.83 to 76.68%. The BC/E values ranged from 50.69 to 51.09%, while the BC/A values ranged from 1.24 to 1.37. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed specific variations in the amino acid composition of the fruit pulp based on the climatic zones. This study demonstrates that S. senegalensis is a valuable source of amino acids and can potentially enhance food security.

Cashew apple in Tanzania: status of utilization, challenges, and opportunities for sustainable development.

Cashew apples, although widely available and rich in nutrients are still underutilized after harvest in Tanzania. Approximately 2,327,000 metric tonnes of cashew apples are lost each year. Their counterpart, the cashew nut is highly appreciated and successfully contributes to the national economy. The huge underutilization of cashew apples is a challenge that requires urgent attention in order to achieve both national and global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Improvement of the cashew apple sector could have a positive impact on global SDGs 1, 2, and 3 targets of no poverty, zero hunger, and good health and well-being respectively. At national level, this sector could contribute to the goals of the Tanzania Development Vision (TDV) 2025, namely: high quality livelihood, particularly food self-sufficiency and food security; and a strong and competitive economy, particularly a diversified and semi-industrialized economy with a substantial industrial sector comparable to typical middle-income countries. In addition, the country's Third Five Year Development Plan III (FYDP III) 2021/22 - 2025/26 has established key strategic interventions, notably those related to competitive industrialization, energy, and food and nutrition security to ultimately achieve the goals of the TDV 2025. To be effective, however, these strategic interventions require continued strong central and local government support and active involvement of stakeholders to ensure program effectiveness yielded towards efficient utilization of widely available natural resources such as cashew apples which has cross-cutting benefits in food, agriculture, health, energy, and economic perspectives. Therefore, the work provides evidence on the utilization status, challenges, and opportunities for sustainable development in Tanzania.

Participatory variety evaluation and selection of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) varieties; an underpinning to novel technology uptake in northwestern Ethiopia

The productivity and production of chickpeas can be improved by using access-improved varieties that are suitable for the specific agroecology. However, the foundation for adopting new technology is participatory variety selection (PVS). Therefore, this study aimed to identify the best adaptively improved chickpea varieties in northwestern Ethiopia based on the preferences of farmers in Adet and Fogera Districts. The experiment consisted of ten improved chickpea varieties (Desi and Kabuli) that were evaluated in three replications using the mother baby trail approach, including on-station and on-farm evaluations. According to this trail, the highest grain yield among different types of chickpeas was observed in the varieties Teketay (2327.8 kg/ha), Dalota (2175.9 kg/ha), and Geletu (2123.6 kg/ha). Among the Kabuli types, Koka (2813.2 kg/ha) and Dhera (2325.7 kg/ha) showed the highest mean values of grain yield. At Adet location, the varieties Teketay (2772.2 kg/ha), Dalota (2459.7 kg/ha), and Geletu (2270.8 kg/ha) produced the highest grain yield. Similarly, Koka (3195.8 kg/ha), Dhera (2604.2 kg/ha), and Ejere (2601.4 kg/ha) were the top-yielding Kabuli chickpea varieties. Farmers from Adet location in Senkengha Kebele selected three Desi and three Kabuli chickpea varieties, namely Geletu, Teketay, and Dalota, in that order, as well as Koka, Hora, and Ejere. Meanwhile, farmers in Mousobo Kebele identified Koka, Dhera, and Hora from the Kabuli type as the best varieties. The varieties Geletu (1976.4 kg/ha), Dalota (1891.9 kg/ha), and Teketay (1883.3 kg/ha) had the highest mean grain yield at Fogera location. Similarly, in the Kabuli chickpea varieties, the highest mean value of grain yield was obtained from Koka (2430.6 kg/ha) followed by Hora (2097.2 kg/ha), and Dhera (2047.2 kg/ha). Farmers have chosen three of the best Desi and Kabuli chickpea varieties, i.e Geletu, Teketay, and Dalota, and Local check (Shasho) followed by Koka and Ejere at Fogera location, Geina Kebele in that order. In conclusion, the adoption and dissemination of new improved varieties for the new environment can assist the producers such as the farmers for effective chickpea production. This leads to sustainable self-sufficiency of food at the household and country level.

Peatland Forest Fire Mitigation Policies: Impact on Traditional Farmer’s Food Security and Environmental Improvement

Indonesia is one of the countries with the most vulnerable food security to the effects of climate change. Peatlands have a considerable potential for crop production, but they must be managed carefully. The government issued a regulation restricting burning the land for farming preparation in response to forest and land fires on peatlands. Unfortunately, traditional farmers lost their food security due to that policy. This research aims to: i) analyze farmers’ food security and its impact on improving the environment after the policy banning burning in land preparation. Data was collected through interviews, field observations, and focus group discussions. The acquired data is analyzed qualitatively and descriptively. According to the study’s findings, their land no longer supports farmer’s food availability, and they must pursue new livelihoods to afford to buy their daily needs from the nearest market. Food utilization is still superficial. Farmers’s food stability is extremely fragile due to the impact of policies, pest invasions, droughts, and floods. Although the policy bans burning in land preparation causes farmers to lose their self-sufficient food security, it has improved peatland ecosystems. The government must strengthen community empowerment programs to restore farmers’ food security.

정부 재정지출이 자급률에 미치는 영향 분석

In Korea, the food self-sufficiency rate is one of the most important political issue. The Korean government puts a large budget into increasing the food self-sufficiency rate every year but the performance of the government's efforts is still controversial. The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of government fiscal expenditure on the self-sufficiency rate. In this paper, market changes were measured using Equilibrium Displacement Model(EDM). The changes in the self-sufficiency rate and social welfare were also measured using changes in market equilibrium. As a result of the analyses, as government fiscal expenditure increased, the food self-sufficiency rate and social welfare increased, contributing to food security in Korea. Among government fiscal expenditures, increasing proportion of government fiscal expenditure on consumption showed a more positive effect on all markets than increasing proportion of government fiscal expenditure on other types. Therefore, it is necessary to expand policies to increase domestic consumption. The results of this study can be useful to discuss about the more efficient management of government fiscal expenditure for the agricultural sector.

Regional food security management based on Data Driven Decision Making

The goal is to study the effectiveness of food security management in the country and regions based on the principles of Data Driven Decision Making (DDDM) for making justified and effective decisions. This research was carried out as part of implementation of the tasks of the project on grant financing of Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the topic AP14871923 “Management of regional food security in the context of global challenges based on the concept of Data Driven Decision Making.” Methods - the works of domestic and foreign economists concerning the problems of food supply in the context of globalization and integration of the country's economy were used as theoretical and methodological basis for the study. Scientific research methods: monographic, abstract, logical, systemic and complex analysis, statistical data processing, structural-functional approach. Results - the authors considered the possibility of using DDDM in agricultural sector. Conclusions - implementation of the results allows to obtain a multiplier effect associated with achieving sustainability of agro-industrial system of the country's regions through the implementation of DDDM principles in practical activities of central state and local authorities. It is substantiated that the use of the concept of decision-making based on Data Driven Decision Making contributes to objective assessment of economic and physical availability of food, food safety, when quality of raw materials and products meets established requirements and guarantees safe consumption. It is necessary to support domestic production and reduce imports. This policy is followed by many countries with high level of food self-sufficiency.

LEGAL PROBLEMS OF ENSURING FOOD SECURITY IN MODERN RUSSIA IN THE CONTEXT OF GLOBALIZATION AND MUTUAL RESTRICTIVE MEASURES

The article discusses the problems of ensuring food security in modern Russia in the context of globalization and mutual restrictive measures. Legal documents forming the sphere of state policy in the field of ensuring food independence are studied. The issues of creating conditions for uninterrupted provision of the population with affordable good-quality food, in the physical and economic sense, are considered. It is revealed that food security at the global level affects socio-economic development, health and ecology. It is shown that by pushing through their geopolitical interests, the countries of the golden billion threaten the food stability of entire continents, and the world community as a whole is moving away from solving the problems of food security at the global level. The absence of a direct legislative act regulating the most important area of national security hinders the food self-sufficiency of our country. It is recommended to develop and adopt the Federal Law “On Food Security” as soon as possible.

Trends in global sugar beet production and sugar consumption levels

Relevance. Sugar beet is one of the raw materials from which granulated sugar is produced, and it, in turn, is one of the indicators by which the food security of any country is assessed. In 2020, European countries produced 47.6% of the total global volume of sugar beet, Asian countries — 18.6%, America — 13.3%, the Russian Federation — 13.7%, African countries — 6.7%. At the same time, the share of sugar beet production in global production increased in Asian countries (from 15.9% in 2010 up to 18.6% in 2020), in the Russian Federation (from 10.1 to 13.7%), in African countries (from 4.6 to 6.7%). A decrease in sugar beet production was noted in European countries — from 55.4% in 2010 to 47.6% in 2020, in American countries — from 14 to 13.3%. In the Russian Federation, sugar production per capita generally meets not only rational consumption standards, but also all criteria for food self-sufficiency. The excess of actual consumption over rational consumption in Russia is 62.5%. The lowest sugar beet production volumes are observed in countries such as Greece, Portugal, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, and some others.Results. The results of the study showed that in order to increase the economic indicators of sugar beet production, Russian commodity producers need to implement a policy of intensification of agricultural production along with updating the material and technical base using modern agricultural technologies and the development of their own breeding and genetic centers.

Research Trends on Rice Paddy Agriculture: A Bibliometric Analysis

As an important commodity, rice paddy is a vital agricultural resource for the nation’s food security. Rice paddy has been the central focus of Malaysia’s rice self-sufficiency agenda as the paddy industry has a significant role in creating food self-sufficiency, job opportunities, and increasing people’s income; hence, it has been extensively studied. To reveal the research situation pertaining to rice paddy agriculture objectively, this paper utilized the bibliometric method to analyze the trends and research features in rice paddy farming over the past 100 years from the Scopus database. Basic characteristics of literature, the research power of the research area, and the most researched topics that have been studied with the greatest frequency and are currently attracting the most attention are observed in this paper. The results show that research on rice paddy agriculture has rapidly emerged since the 1990s, with a significant increase in the total of citations received by publications. The top research subject categories are namely: Agriculture and Biological Sciences; Environmental Science; and Social Sciences, while the top preferred journals for publications in the field of rice paddy agriculture are Sustainability Switzerland; Field Crops Research; and Indian Journal of Agriculture Sciences. The study has significant implications for scholars, decision-makers, and practitioners in rice paddy agriculture, providing a comprehensive overview of existing publications and identifying key areas for future investigation.

Increasing food and feed self-sufficiency and avoiding manure N surplus in eastern regions of China through a spatial crop-livestock optimisation model

CONTEXTAs the largest emerging economy globally, China is facing crop-livestock disconnection, which causes unnecessary synthetic fertiliser use, local food and feed unsatisfied demand, and manure nitrogen (N) surplus. OBJECTIVEWe investigated how crop-livestock regional integration combined with inter-regional transportation of food, feed, and manure, can contribute to food self-sufficiency of easter China (whole and regional level) while avoiding manure N excess. We also investigated how this could increase the local soybean production without harming the self-sufficiency of other food commodities. METHODSWe proposed an optimisation model of integrated crop-livestock production in eastern China, including the production of food, feed, and livestock manure N in each region and the demand for food (according to healthy diet recommendations), feed and manure N. We optimised the supplier cost-benefit balance considering food and feed production, domestic transportation, and foreign trade, taking food and feed demand satisfaction and manure N surplus avoidance as constraints. This optimisation exercise was performed under different scenarios: optimisation without soybean subsidies (scenario O), optimisation with increasing soybean subsidies (scenario OS+). The two scenarios were compared with the baseline scenario B (non-optimised without soybean subsidies) using balance indices (BI, the gap between production and demand divided by demand) of food, feed, and manure N and transportation indices. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSResults showed that, for the whole of eastern China, BI were positive for cereals (1.523), vegetables (2.789), meat (0.002), eggs (0.002), milk (0.102), and maize (0.244), and negative for manure N (−0.016) in scenario O. This indicated that most of the food and feed items except soybean were self-sufficient and manure N surplus was avoided after optimisation. Some regions lowered their self-sufficiency for some commodities. As soybean subsidies increased from 0 Yuan ‧ ton-‍1 to 6000 Yuan ‧ ton−1, the BI of soybeans increased by 66.37%. SIGNIFICANCEOur results suggested that crop and livestock can be integrated in China for an improved level of food self-sufficiency and manure N surplus avoidance. However, regional self-sufficiency could not be achieved in all regions for all items, and transportation is necessary. In particular, three strategies seem relevant for policy-making: (i) decreasing livestock quantity, for strengthening feed self-sufficiency and avoiding manure N surplus; (ii) increasing soybean production through subsidies; (iii) reducing regional-level self-sufficiency and increasing the transportation for meat and eggs, which would avoid manure N surplus in densely populated regions, while decreasing the maize transportation.

Agroforestry for income and livelihood development of ethnic minorities in Bangladesh

Agroforestry has enhanced the livelihoods of millions of smallholders globally. In Bangladesh, this is true for ethnic communities, including the Garo and Koch who are dependent on the Madhupur Sal forest. The Bangladesh Forest Department first introduced agroforestry in 1989, as part of a people-oriented forest management approach which sought to restore the Madhupur Sal forest - the country's most deforested and degraded forest. In this initiative, each farmer received 1 ha of deforested land and 50% of the land’s earnings would be shared with the department after a 10-year cycle. The Forest Department found that there were five types of profitable agroforestry practices in Madhupur: acacia-pineapple-aroid; jackfruit-pineapple-papaya; acacia-pineapple-turmeric; acacia-pineapple-ginger; acacia-pineapple-papaya; and jackfruit-pineapple-papaya. These practices have been found to generate significant income for farmers, with variations in output and costs depending on the specific combinations. The acacia-pineapple-aroid system proved to be the most profitable as it had the lowest total production cost and experienced little market price fluctuation. Income generation, however, was not the only benefit of this agroforestry programme. The programme had broader socio-economic impacts, including improvements in child and adult literacy rates, access to healthcare facilities, and road infrastructure development. Farmers were also able to invest in home development, purchase livestock, and increase their food self-sufficiency. To maximise the benefits of agroforestry, there is a need to further develop social and human capital and high-yield agroforestry practices, which will require more farmer training and support programmes. The investment of which is worthy as agroforestry has already proven its ability to address the challenges of deforestation and poverty, making it a crucial strategy for sustainable land use and livelihood improvement.

Pineapple cultivation under tree canopies of ancestral agroforests in Mexico

Mexico’s contemporary cultivation of pineapple, the king of tropical fruits, depends on intensive monoculture which negatively impacts the environment and human health. This represents a regression in history, as pineapple was traditionally cultivated in agroforests, which preserve the structural characteristics and ecological processes and functions of natural ecosystems. Some of these agroforestry systems remain, having been conserved for centuries by Indigenous and mestizo communities, particularly in the states of Jalisco and Nayarit, showcasing the sustainability and resilience of agroforestry. Unlike modern monoculture, pineapple agroforests incorporate diverse plant species to improve biodiversity and reduce disease, integrating pineapple with various woody species native to the subdeciduous tropical forest. They also provide shade and preserve forest cover, and limit the use of machinery, maximising the use of traditional knowledge and local technologies. The resulting agroecosystems not only sustain pineapple production but also yield additional products such as fruits, coffee, wood and fodder, contributing to food sovereignty and self-sufficiency. Despite the benefits of pineapple agroforests, they remain largely unknown at national and international levels, highlighting a need for greater recognition and support. This requires more data on the costs of establishing pineapple agroforests, as the costs are currently unclear. To encourage policymakers to promote the conservation and maintenance of pineapple agroforests, the article provides insight into their ecological and cultural significance and emphasises the importance of valuing and preserving ancestral agroforestry practices.