Food Sufficiency Research Articles

Geographic and Sociodemographic Variations in Prevalence of Mental Health Symptoms Among US Youths, 2022.

Objectives. To assess geographic and sociodemographic variations in prevalence of mental health symptoms among US youths. Methods. We analyzed data from the Household Pulse Survey, phases 3.5 and 3.6, between June 1 and November 14, 2022. The sample included 103 296 households with an estimated 190 017 youths younger than 18 years. We defined mental health symptoms based on parental responses and estimated prevalence by state and subgroups, including race/ethnicity, parental education, household income, housing tenure, household food sufficiency, and health insurance coverage. All analyses incorporated sampling weight. Results. An estimated 34.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 33.7%, 35.3%) of youths had parent-reported mental health symptoms. The prevalence of symptoms varied across states, ranging from 27.9% (95% CI = 23.8%, 32.0%) in Florida to 46.4% (95% CI = 41.9%, 50.9%) in New Hampshire. We observed variations by subgroup, with youths in households that did not pay rent reporting a prevalence of 43.8% (95% CI = 39.3%, 48.4%) and those experiencing food insufficiency reporting a prevalence of 56.0% (95% CI = 50.9%, 61.2%). Conclusions. There is an urgent need for attention to mental health challenges among youths, taking into account geographic and sociodemographic variations. (Am J Public Health. 2023;113(10):1116-1119. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307355).

Adequacy of Food Availibility for Farming Households in Moving and Setting Field Agriculture Systems

An analysis of the food sufficiency of farming households in shifting and permanent farming systems in South Central Timor Regency, Tobu sub-district (Tobu Village and Tutem Village) and Fatumnasi sub-district (Fatumnasi Village and Kuanoel Village), villages directly bordering the Mutis nature reserve, was carried out in October - November 2018. The aim of this research is to analyze the adequacy of food availability in farming households through shifting cultivation systems and settled farming systems and to determine the diversity of plants in shifting cultivation systems and settled farming systems. This research was conducted using a survey method through direct observation in the field and interviews with people in shifting and permanent cultivation. Farming household data was taken from Fatumnasi sub-district (sedentary farming) and Tobu sub-district (moving farming) and carried out in a balanced manner (Proportionate Random Sampling). The results of diversity analysis in swidden and permanent farming households are categorized as moderate diversity (1 < H < 3), this is because there are few types of plants planted in the location.

The Effects of School Food Assistance on Children’s Food Sufficiency During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the U.S

ABSTRACT This study investigates the effects of school food assistance on children’s food sufficiency in the United States during the pandemic. We employed the Household Pulse Surveys (HPS) conducted by the United States Census Bureau and administered between July 21, 2021-May 9, 2022. Our outcome of interest is the household self-reported indicator of children’s food sufficiency in the last 7 days. The results show that the probability of children being food sufficient increased significantly by about 12%, 3%, 2%, and 10% among households who received school meals via School pickup, Pandemic-EBT, ate at school, and delivery at home, respectively. The effect of school food assistance on children’s food sufficiency across race and ethnic groups is mixed. While all school food assistance consistently impacts children’s food sufficiency levels among White, only school meals received via school pickup, eating on-site at school, and delivery at home impact children’s food sufficiency among Black. In contrast, only school meals received via school pickup, Pandemic-EBT, and delivery at home impact children’s food sufficiency among Asia households. We also find only school meals received via school pickup impact children’s food sufficiency levels among Hispanics and other races.

Unemployment Insurance benefit reduction and food hardship

AbstractWe leverage the sharp drop in unemployment insurance (UI) benefits following the expiration of the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program to estimate the consumption smoothing effect of UI. The $600/week decline in supplemental UI benefits is estimated to reduce total food spending by 9.7% and the odds of having food sufficiency by 6.0%. The estimate for food spending translates to a marginal propensity to spend on food out of UI benefits of 0.06, or a 1.2% reduction in food spending for every 10 percentage point decline in UI replacement rate (calculated as the ratio of UI benefits to pre‐unemployment wages). We find that the consumption effect of UI is countercyclical, greater when economic conditions are weak. The UI effect is also heterogeneous over respondents differentiated by race and ethnicity, income, homeownership, presence of children, state unemployment rates, and state UI generosity. The estimated effect of UI on self‐assessed food sufficiency and confidence about future food sufficiency is largely consistent with the food spending results.

Survey on the Prevalence and Burden of Gastrointestinal Helminths Infections of Cattle Slaughtered at Dutse Modern Abattoir, Jigawa State, Nigeria

An abattoir cross sectional survey was carried out to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic helminths in slaughtered cattle at Dutse Local Government Area, Jigawa State, Nigeria. A total of 288 fecal samples were tested. Gastrointestinal helminths’ eggs were detected in 219 samples tested giving an overall prevalence of 76.04%. The prevalent helminthes species identified were Cooperia sp., Fasciola sp, T. saginata, T r i c o s t r o n g y l u s s p , Ostertagia, and Paraphostimum sp. High prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in cattle slaughtered was observed during the wet season; with T. saginata 106(35.2%) having highest prevalence and the least prevalent species Paraphostimum sp. with 11(3.7). There is significant association of increasing parasitic infection with months of wet season p=0.001; χ 2 =80.36. However, there was no significant association was observed during dry season p= 0.35; χ2 =21.74. the distribution of gastrointestinal helminths according to age group of the animals were found to be 77.14% in Cattle less than 2 years, 76.27% in young and 70.59% in adults. These findings implied that the majority of cattle brought for slaughter in Dutse abattoir were highly infested with several internal helminthes parasites that may present a public health problem and an important epidemiological implication. Therefore, an effective chemotherapy, an appropriate meat inspection, and famers education of proper use of anthelminthic to prevent infestation of human and to enhance food sufficiency not only in quantity but also in quality.

Food security strategy to enhance food self-sufficiency and overcome international food supply chain crisis: the state of Qatar as a case study

The food security challenge continues to be one of the main issues that currently face the world despite improved economic development in many countries. The challenge is particularly unique in one of the world’s arid regions, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). This paper analyses the food security strategies of Qatar (one of the six countries that make up the GCC), especially since 2017 when the blockade of the country by its neighbors began. Qatar’s current food sufficiency was made possible by the country’s swift and profound changes in its food production strategies to ensure food security for its population. In order to provide locally sourced foods to the population, private and public initiatives were activated to support small farmers to distribute and supply their farm produce to local markets. The results show that Qatar has shifted from importing some food commodities to locally producing a high proportion of its foods to the extent of becoming an exporter of some farm produce. However, this increase in the local food production was achieved at the cost of depleting the local groundwater at a rate higher than the natural recharge. This paper thus critically assesses the specific situation of food security in Qatar that could be used as an example for other countries aiming to strengthen their food security, especially during transnational crises when international food supply chains suffer from unavoidable disruption (e.g., COVID-19 crisis).

Winter is Coming: Early-life Experiences and Politicians’ Decisions

Abstract This paper traces the formation of politicians’ policy preferences to their early-life experiences. Based on biographical information on 2,806 county party secretaries in China and fiscal data from the 1,713 counties they governed during the 1998–2007 period, we find that a one-percentage-point increase in the early-life famine severity experienced by a county party secretary increases fiscal expenditures on agriculture by 0.8% and on social security subsidies by 1.1%. Agricultural taxes are reduced significantly, boosting grain production in the county party secretaries’ work counties. Our findings suggest that county party secretaries who experience early-life famine may develop preferences for food sufficiency and care for people suffering hardships.

Dynamics of Land Use Change and The Relationship with Food Sufficiency in Pacitan Regency

Infrastructure development in an area affects changes in existing land use, one of them to meet demand in development. Agricultural land use change can affect agricultural production and productivity. This study aims to determine the conditions of land use change and food sufficiency in Pacitan Regency and the relationship between the two variables. The data used in the analysis are data on land use and food production from 2009-2017 to calculate food sufficiency. The research method is quantitative descriptive with Pearson correlation statistics. The results showed that agricultural land use in Pacitan Regency was dominated by dry land agriculture. Paddy fields and dry land agricultural have decreased, while non-agricultural land has increased. The food sufficiency of the four food commodities, namely rice, corn, sweet potatoes, and cassava, has fluctuated in recent years. However, the overall condition of food sufficiency from 2009-2017 decreased from 6.48 in 2009 to 5.04 in 2017. Based on the Pearson correlation test results in Pacitan Regency, there was no connection and significant relationship between land use change and food sufficiency. This result can occur due to an increase in population, changes in the cultivation of food crops into woody plants, changes, and a decrease in land productivity.

Hongos Trichoderma como control biológico agrícola en México

Environmental pollution, food sufficiency, and health are among the main challenges for sustainable crop production in Mexico. The main tool for plant protection is chemical pesticides, but environmental safety and risks to animal and human health have prompted the community and scientists to propose alternatives for their integrated management. This has encouraged the inclusion of biological products, such as species of the antagonistic fungus Trichoderma spp., which act against pests and pathogens in different crops, and are environmentally benign, effective and economically viable. The aim of this paper was to compile information on Trichoderma spp. regarding their taxonomy, ecology, use as biological control, isolation, culture, morphological and molecular identification, mode of action, distribution of native species, and availability of international commercial products and those produced in Mexico. For this purpose, information was selected from indexed journals and suppliers of Trichoderma spp. on open data digital platforms. The exposed information could be useful for Mexican farmers, to know, accept and use biological control with Trichodermaspp. in their crops, for the benefit of quality agriculture and pesticide-free crops. In addition, research could be generated to develop new autochthonous products based on Trichodermaspp. that are more effective against pests and diseases native to Mexico.

USDA’s Summer Meals During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Methods Examination of Participants and Non-Participants in 2021

BackgroundThe US Department of Agriculture's school meal programs have wide reach during the school year, but food insufficiency among households with children increases during summer months. The US Department of Agriculture summer meal programs are designed to fill this gap, yet participation has historically been low. ObjectiveTo examine the facilitators and barriers to participation in a 2021 summer meal program while the COVID-19 pandemic regulation waivers were in place. DesignCross-sectional mixed-methods survey research. Participants/settingAll parents/guardians of children enrolled in a school district in Connecticut were invited to participate in an online survey in December 2021. The respondents included summer meal participants (n = 622) and nonparticipants (n = 294). Main outcome measuresSurvey respondents reported demographic variables, current food sufficiency, communication preferences, satisfaction with the program, reasons for using or not using the program, and whether they found the program helpful financially. The survey included three open-ended questions about barriers to participation. ResultsRespondents who used the summer meal program indicated that the pandemic-related regulatory waivers were key to their decision to participate. Reported barriers included lack of awareness of the program, inability to travel to sites during the times they were open, lack of transportation, concerns about dietary restrictions, and lack of variety in the menu, and concerns about wasting food. Parents/guardians expressed strong preferences for receiving communication about summer meals directly from their child’s school and being able to access meals outside of typical work hours. ConclusionsThe pandemic waivers allowed sponsors to test different models of distribution. Parents/guardians responded positively to the opportunity to access grab-and-go meals, multiple meals at once, and meals without a child present. These findings can be used to inform potential policy changes to reduce barriers and increase participation.

Termination of SNAP Emergency Allotments, Food Sufficiency, and Economic Hardships

To meet the rising need for food and nutrition assistance during the pandemic in the United States, all states were approved to provide Emergency Allotments (EA) to households enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). In this analysis, we use the Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Surveys and exploit staggered state-level variation in dissolution of the SNAP EA payments to study whether the end of EA is associated with food-related challenges and economic hardships. Our findings indicate that EA termination is followed by a decrease in the likelihood that adult survey respondents had sufficient food for consumption and an increase in the probability of experiencing difficulty in paying meeting with usual household expenses. These findings provide policy-relevant insights into the potential impact of the nationwide termination of the EA payments that came into effect in early 2023.

Mapping the Pluralities of Agrarian Change in India: The Role of Intermediaries and Caste–Tribe Relations in Jharkhand

The agricultural economy of Jharkhand is primarily understood to be ‘subsistence’ agriculture. However, an ongoing agrarian change in rural Jharkhand has drawn less academic attention. This substantial change is from indigenous seeds to high-yielding varieties of paddy seeds enabling food sufficiency in the villages to a larger extent. In addition, the introduction of commercial crops like vegetables, watermelons and marigolds is another attendant change. This article is concerned with ethnographic fieldwork in two neighbouring villages of district—Khunti of Jharkhand, where farmers have been influenced by intermediaries (both old and new) restricted to State, NGOs and private companies (agricultural input suppliers). Also, the introduction of various governmental schemes, such as the ‘Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI)’ programme, a part of ‘National Food Security Mission’ and ‘Special-Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana’, has encouraged agrarian change in rural Jharkhand. Despite Jharkhand being a low agricultural productivity region, there is a proliferated presence of transnational connections such as agribusiness companies and research institutions linked to State institutions and NGOs to form a new set of agricultural intermediaries. These agricultural intermediaries at the regional level in the Khunti district influence the crop choice, cropping pattern and usage of inputs (seeds, fertilisers and pesticides). The study also tries to understand agrarian (labour) relations among caste–tribe communities of rural Jharkhand.

Givers of Great Dinners Know Few Enemies: The Impact of Food Sufficiency and Food Sharing on Low-intensity Household Conflict in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

Our study establishes a linkage between household food sufficiency and food sharing behaviour with the reduction of low-intensity, micro level conflict using primary data from 1763 households of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. We develop a theoretical explanation of such behaviour using the seminal theories of dissatisfaction originating from food insecurity and the reciprocity of gifts in economic anthropology. We first examine if food sufficient households are less likely to engage in low-intensity conflict. Following, we investigate possible heterogeneous effects of food sufficiency, conditional on food sharing behaviour. Using propensity score matching, we find that food sufficiency reduces household conflict risk by an average of around 10 percentage points. Upon conditioning on food sharing behaviour, we find that conflict risk in the subpopulation of food sufficient households is 13.8 percentage points lower for households that share their food while the effects disappear for households that do not share their food. Our results hold through a rigorous set of robustness checks including doubly robust estimator, placebo regression, matching quality tests and Rosenbaum bounds for hidden bias. We conclude that food sufficiency reduces low-intensity conflict for households only in the presence of food sharing behaviour and offer explanations and policy prescriptions.

Proximate Composition and Consumption Constraints of Edible Forest Insects in Three Local Government Areas of Cross River State, Nigeria

Proximate composition and consumption constraints of edible forest insects was studied within ten months. Data on protein, lipid, carbohydrate, crude fibre and moisture contents was obtained by collecting insect’s samples from forest and households in Akamkpa, Obubra and Ogoja in Cross River State and taken to the laboratory and analyzed. The data generated was subjected to different vigorous processes in the laboratory using approved methods. Data on constraints to insect’s consumption was obtained through administration of questionnaire to respondents. Results reveal that protein content (19.8%) was highest in termites and lowest in yam beetles (16.5%). The carbohydrates content (17.6%) was highest in ground cricket and lowest in oil palm grub (6.3%). Lipid content (18.6%) was highest in oil palm grub and lowest in grasshopper (15.1%). Ash and moisture contents were highest (16.8 and 18.6%) in grasshopper and termites, respectively, and lowest in yam beetles (14.1%) and grasshopper (13.4%). Fibre content (17.6%) was highest in locust and lowest in termites (13.4%). Consumption of edible insects in the study area is however constrained by seasons as indicated in the three locations where the study was carried out. Therefore, due to their high protein and lipid content, termites, ground cricket and oil palm grubs should be considered as important delicacies for man’s basic nutritional challenges and encourage food sufficiency. Different cultures and traditions should encourage their subjects to consume these delicacies for healthier society.

Resources of Islamic Countries

This study examines the potential outcomes of uniting the resources of Muslim countries. Despite the challenges in obtaining accurate data, various representative approaches are proposed. Among the institutions that collect such data is the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Center for Islamic Countries (SESRIC), which is under the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. The analysis focuses on the sufficiency of energy, food, and industrial raw materials in Muslim nations. However, it emphasizes the need for adjustments to improve economic interdependence among these countries, reducing their reliance on developed nations that once colonized them. Furthermore, the study acknowledges the ongoing work required to tap into intangible resources effectively. The findings underscore the anticipated benefits and ease that can be achieved through collaborative efforts among Muslim countries, paving the way for improved resource utilization and collective advancement.

Business models for sustainable food systems: a typology based on a literature review

The current state of the agri-food systems calls for more attention to sustainability. This article explores how diverse business models can contribute to sustainability in food systems, and develops a new business model typology in this domain in which the wider business ecosystem is taken into account. A systematic literature review is done and 37 articles are analyzed according to the business model types, their various sustainability dimensions and roles within the food system. Nine different business model types for sustainable food systems are identified: circular business models, place-based social food networks, new logistics or online food distribution business models, disruptive, sufficiency, inclusive, and family business models, the focal company, and regional food hubs. Collaborative approaches, clear sustainability visions, companies' values and continuous innovation are important factors for agri-food business models striving for sustainability. More in-depth single-country but also cross-country comparative and cross-disciplinary research is needed for understanding business models and their transitions toward sustainable outcomes within diverse and complex food systems.

Food sufficiency, an approach rooted in the ethics of Epicurus: Analysis framework and research agenda

Against the backdrop of an ecological crisis, we must transform our consumption patterns to ensure long-term sustainability. By reducing the negative impact of our food on health and the social and biospheric environment, food sufficiency is one way to achieve this transformation. However, this raises a major question about the compatibility of food sufficiency with pleasure – that is, one traditional pillar of ‘eating well’. At the crossroads of philosophy and marketing, this theoretical research draws on Epicurus’s ethics to address this issue. It highlights the importance of Epicurean consumer value as a fundamental element of both individual and collective ‘eating well’. In addition, it proposes an analysis framework that shows how an approach to food sufficiency that prioritises the satisfaction of essential needs can provide access to this value. Finally, the article proposes a detailed research agenda that outlines research avenues and managerial implications.

Farm Fields as Toxic Sinkhole

Farm Fields as Toxic Sinkhole

Potential Land Reserves for Agriculture in Indonesia: Suitability and Legal Aspect Supporting Food Sufficiency

Information on land reserves is crucial and required to support agricultural development in relation to increased population pressure, food demand, and food security. This research aims to identify and evaluate idle abandoned land based on biophysical suitability, status of land concessions, and forest areas to determine potential land reserves for agricultural development to support food security in Indonesia. The results show that, at the national level, the area of suitable abandoned lands for agricultural extensification is 27.7 million ha, but most of these lands have concession permits and are located in forest areas, so 12.4 million ha are still available, with the largest area being in dry land. The identification of abandoned land by employing satellite imagery in 54 districts resulted in a smaller acreage compared to abandoned land being mapped formally at 1:250,000. After considering land ownership and forest status, both sources resulted in similar areas at a scale of 1:50,000 and 1:250,000, i.e., 6.1 million ha and 6.0 million ha, respectively. It seems that land ownership and forest status adjusted the total acreage of identified land reserves at different map scales. An area of around 7.4 million ha will be required to meet food demand in 2045 by assuming constant consumption per capita. We found about 1.7 million ha as potential land reserves, most of which are in conversion or production forests areas. Converting forests or utilizing drylands could be potential alternatives to deal with the lack of land for food production. Moreover, due to limited wetlands, the use of reserve land in that agroecological zone should be in accordance with its designation, comply with the priority principles, and be supported by government regulations and policies, so that food security can be maintained until 2045.

Decision Support System and Fuzzy Logic Controller for Capillary Irrigation System

Purpose: Different irrigation systems exist and they all possess various degrees of benefits in enhancing food sufficiency. In this study however, the enhancement of capillary irrigation system through an integrated fuzzy logic controller with Decision Support System (DSS) to ensure improvement in water saving for irrigation thereby improving crop yield towards food security was examined and achieved.
 Methodology: An integrated fuzzy logic controller with Decision Support System (DSS) for capillary irrigation system was adopted for the enhancement of water saving for irrigation. By using this method, the challenges of irrigation management which is prevalent with capillary irrigation system is minimised using the fuzzy logic controller. An Internet of things (IoT) based weather station for computation of potential evapotranspiration (PET), for measuring rainfall and a VH400 moisture content sensor for monitoring the volumetric water content of soil, were some facilities used to control the water level depth (WLD) autonomously through a fuzzy controller simulated in MATLAB and implemented on Arduino Mega.
 Findings: The soil moisture content (SMC) depicts that fuzzy controlled water level depth (WLD) is able to compensate reduction of water in crop medium that took place due to plant water uptake which changes daily. The result proves that dynamics of water supply depth has substantial effects on the water absorption flow rate, wetting pattern, soil water content and cumulative infiltration which are proportional to the water supply depth decrement. 
 Unique Contribution to Practice: An integrated fuzzy logic controller with Decision Support System (DSS) is a new technique proposed for managing capillary irrigation system as it offers enhanced water saving capacity (irrigation volume) based on crop demand.