Source Of Food Supply Research Articles

A practical surface irrigation system design based on volume balance model and multi-objective evolutionary optimization algorithms

Agriculture has always been considered as an important source of food supply, and the optimal use of its resources, specially water, for productive agriculture has been given especial attention. In this paper a simulation-optimization model based on the volume balance model for designing an efficient and practical irrigation system is presented. The proposed model uses the multi-objective evolutionary algorithm for optimizing design parameters of different irrigation systems, furrow, border and basin. Using appropriate constraints and applying performance indicators in first and subsequent irrigations, practical and theoretical optimal designs are obtained. The proposed model achieves a more practical design using three novel approaches. First, simultaneously considering the performance indicators of the first and subsequent irrigations. Second, using both total time required for irrigation and inflow rate of the field. Third, considering the labor required to implement the obtained design. In this study, the proposed model was evaluated performing several experiments on 16 fields. To get better results, an evolutionary method called MetaGA is used to properly tune the parameters of the simulation-optimization model. Results of the simulation stage of the proposed model were compared with results of two simulation software in the irrigation systems, SIRMOD and SURDEV and the simulation stage was validated. Results of the proposed model were evaluated using the results of two other models, EDOSIM and multi-objective, in 16 fields, based on 5 performance indicators. The results of this study reveal that the proposed model in most fields and indicators achieves better results and the results are close in the others.

CALIDAD FISICOQUÍMICA Y ANÁLISIS DE LA CLORACIÓN PARA AGUAS DE ABASTECIMIENTO EN ESPITA, YUCATÁN

<p><strong>Background.</strong> It is undeniable the presence of many other contaminants in the food supply sources, in addition to the pathogens. <strong>Objective.</strong> The objective of this study was to analyze biogeochemical parameters to evaluate the quality of the water from the applied treatment and at the same time determine the ideal doses of chlorine for the disinfection of the supply waters in Espita, Yucatán. <strong>Methodology</strong>. The water quality was determined at sample points (i.e. houses in the areas adjacent to supply wells) during the months of August, October, November and December 2019. The biogeochemical parameters sampled were determined based on standardized methods for analysis of drinking water. <strong>Results.</strong> The free residual chlorine determined in the house-room samples presented lower elevations than necessary (0.10 to 0.25 mg / L) for a residual effect that mitigates the presence of pathogens. According to the comparative analysis, the means of the concentrations of free residual chlorine do not present statistical differences for the four supply wells, which led to a proposed sodium hypochlorite dose of 4.10 and 8.60 mg / L for 0.10 and 0.25 ppm respectively of free residual chlorine. The analysis of the results of the concentrations of ammonia nitrogen (N-NH<sub>3</sub>) showed the existence of recent contamination in the third and fourth samples; for nitrate nitrogen (N-NO<sub>3</sub>), specifically elevated concentrations were also found in the first and second sampling. <strong>Implications.</strong> This analysis is useful for local decision-makers as data-driven or proposed decisions can improve the provision of the water supply service. <strong>Conclusions.</strong> The results suggest contamination of the water by external agents, for example, from agricultural products such as fertilizers and wastewater from sumps connected to wells. No free chlorine concentrations were found that promote the residual effect, it is necessary to implement continuous verification.</p>

Место организационно-правовых форм АПК в формировании ресурсов для обеспечения национальной продовольственной безопасности

The place of various organizational and legal forms of the agricultural sector of the economy in the formation of national food security resources, as well as in the formation of food resources of the regions of Russia is considered, the urgency of the problem is revealed, statistical indicators for the provision of food to the population are given. The main sources of food supply to the country’s food fund are characterized. The main problems of the national food security of Russia are revealed, measures to strengthen the country’s food security are proposed. The assessment of the replacement of imported food with domestic products is given, food production is considered in the context of the country’s regions. The level of food production that provides the population with the necessary domestic food products is revealed. The dynamics of production and consumption of agricultural products by the population of Russia in comparison with medical standards is given. The article considers the development of the food processing industry in Russia.

Systemic Risk in Global Agricultural Markets and Trade Liberalization under Climate Change: Synchronized Crop-Yield Change and Agricultural Price Volatility

Climate change will increase simultaneous crop failures or too abundant harvests, creating global synchronized yield change (SYC), and may decrease stability in the portfolio of food supply sources in agricultural trade. This study evaluated the influence of SYC on the global agricultural market and trade liberalization. The analysis employed a global computable general equilibrium model combined with crop models of four major grains (i.e., rice, wheat, maize, and soybeans), based on predictions of five global climate models. Simulation results show that (1) the SYC structure was statistically robust among countries and four crops, and will be enhanced by climate change, (2) such synchronicity increased the agricultural price volatility and lowered social welfare levels more than expected in the random disturbance (non-SYC) case, and (3) trade liberalization benefited both food-importing and exporting regions, but such effects were degraded by SYC. These outcomes were due to synchronicity in crop-yield change and its ranges enhanced by future climate change. Thus, SYC is a cause of systemic risk to food security and must be considered in designing agricultural trade policies and insurance systems.

Estimating diet costs: Bridging the gap between food supply price databases and dietary intake data

Abstract Introduction The cost of food is a key influence on diet. The majority of diet cost studies match intake data from population-based surveys to a single source of food supply prices such as the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Our aim was to examine the nutritional significance of using food supply data to price dietary intakes in Canada. Methods We examined food groups and nutrients in dietary intakes captured by the CPI. For prices, we used 2015 Canadian CPI average monthly item prices. For dietary intakes, we used reported intakes from the 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)-Nutrition, 1st 24-hour recall (n = 20,487). i) 2015 CPI item prices ($/g) were matched to the 156 food items from the 2015 CCHS-Nutrition as full, partial, or non-match; ii) CPI capture (full or partial match) per total intake (g), without water, was calculated for each respondent; iii) descriptive statistics and quantile regression (α = 0.05) were used to compare intakes of Canadian Nutrient File food groups and nutrients by quantile of CPI capture. Results The CPI captured on average 74% of total dietary intake (g) without water. A greater proportion of protein and fat intake was captured by the CPI as compared to carbohydrate, sodium, fibre, and sugar intake. Intakes of beef, poultry, sausages, pork, and breakfast foods had among the best match; snack foods, nuts, veal, and alcoholic beverages had among the worst. Individuals in the poorest CPI capture quantile consumed the greatest fibre (g), carbohydrates (g), total sugar (g), fat (g), protein (g), and energy (kcal) as compared to those with best CPI capture. Conclusions The poorest quantile of CPI capture reflects individuals with high intakes of nutrients of concern including fat, carbohydrates, and sugar; potential bias in estimating fibre and protein intake was also detected. Researchers and decision makers should attend to differential misclassification bias and opportunities for tailored datasets to price dietary intakes. Key messages Given the proliferation of diet cost studies using food supply prices, this novel study highlights the importance of understanding the biases in using food supply data to price dietary intakes. Nutrition researchers and decision makers can use these findings to strengthen food supply price data to support the monitoring of diet costs in relation to diet quality and health outcomes.

清代 兩湖 지역개발과 전염병

The COVID-19 began in December 2019 in Wuhan City, Hubei Province. In spite of the Chinese government’s mass quarantine of Hubei, COVID-19 spread all over the world and threatened the lives of many people. Until now, COVID-19 has claimed more than 506,369 lives, with more than 10 million confirmed cases globally. In this regard, it is meaningful to study the epidemics of Hubei and Hunan Provinces in Qing Dynasty.BR Despite the value and importance of their social effects, there has not been enough research to identify the exact realities of the diseases. In this context, this article investigates the spatial and temporal distributions of epidemics with special reference to their regional developments and resulting disasters in Hubei and Hunan Provinces during Qing Dynasty.BR The Hubei and Hunan Provinces are located in the middle of Yangzi River area. These regions experienced an increased development of polders(垸田) in plain areas during Ming-Qing Dynasties due to immigration and population growth. The Hubei and Hunan plains were geopolitically important for Ming-Qing Dynasties, since they were major sources of food supply. The unprecedented demographic rise and economic boom caused the environmental degradation. In addition, overcrowded people in the plains moved to the mountainous areas and developed forest. As a result, the immigrants concentrated on food production, which enabled them to resolve subsistence but at the same time caused the erosion of soil.BR In Qing Dynasty epidemics accrued from frequent floods caused by the development of polders(垸田) in plain areas and the soil erosion made by exploitation of mountainous areas. The plainfoothill areas especially suffered frequent epidemics during Qing Dynasty, which usually followed some natural disasters that intensively raged in the years of 1700s, 1720s, 1820s and 1830s. Historical documents indicate that geographical changes in the environment and immigration led to periodical flood disasters, which were followed by series of epidemics.BR Constant development of nature by humans increased natural disasters and subsequently epidemics occurred frequently. There are lessons to be learned by paying attention to these historical fact about epidemic.

China's Food Supply Sources Under Trade Conflict With the United States and Limited Domestic Land and Water Resources

AbstractThe U.S.‐China trade conflict has already considerably reshaped China's food imports, and should the conflict continue, it might have substantial impacts on global food supply dynamics as well as China's food supply sources. We address these implications by analyzing recent trends in China's food imports and associated use of land and water resources. We show that China's limited land and water availability will make it challenging to replace soybean imports from the United States with its own production, but switching to new trading partners by investment and cooperation could secure China's food supply while avoiding much negative environmental impacts on exporting countries.

Analysis of the factors of sustainable development of ecosystems in the territories of the North

The article considers the problem of achieving sustainable development. The purpose of this study is to identify the interconnection between the components of sustainable development, taking into account the involvement of indigenous peoples in the protection of the environment. In the context of climate change, the process of achieving sustainable development is becoming more complicated. Indigenous peoples are the first to feel the effects of climate change and play an important role in the environmental monitoring of their places of residence. The environment is the basis of life for indigenous peoples, and bioresources are the main source of food supply. Over time, the value of bioresources will increase, and therefore, economic development cannot be considered in isolation. It is assumed that the stability components are interconnected and affect each other. To identify this interconnection, a correlation model was developed. The model is based on statistical methods and allows us to determine the close interconnection between economic development and its environmental footprint in the context of climate change. The developed correlation model can be used by a wide range of state-owned companies, and the general principles for constructing this model can be used by companies of different industries.

Applications and Trends of Machine Learning in Genomics and Phenomics for Next-Generation Breeding.

Crops are the major source of food supply and raw materials for the processing industry. A balance between crop production and food consumption is continually threatened by plant diseases and adverse environmental conditions. This leads to serious losses every year and results in food shortages, particularly in developing countries. Presently, cutting-edge technologies for genome sequencing and phenotyping of crops combined with progress in computational sciences are leading a revolution in plant breeding, boosting the identification of the genetic basis of traits at a precision never reached before. In this frame, machine learning (ML) plays a pivotal role in data-mining and analysis, providing relevant information for decision-making towards achieving breeding targets. To this end, we summarize the recent progress in next-generation sequencing and the role of phenotyping technologies in genomics-assisted breeding toward the exploitation of the natural variation and the identification of target genes. We also explore the application of ML in managing big data and predictive models, reporting a case study using microRNAs (miRNAs) to identify genes related to stress conditions.

Transcription factors as molecular switches to regulate drought adaptation in maize.

Here, we reviewed major transcription factors of maize that confer drought stress tolerance, and their target genes and involved signaling pathway. Transcription factors in maize can be promising candidates for improving comprehensive resistance of multiple environmental stimuli. Adverse environmental stress is the main influencing factor affecting plant growth and reproduction, which poses tremendous threats to sustainable agriculture development and crops productivity worldwide. Among various abiotic stress factors, drought is the most vital adversity with the characteristics of frequent occurrences, long duration, and globality. Maize (Zea mays L.) is a major source of food supply for human being and livestock and recently for biofuel. Maize is the crop that is highly susceptible to drought stress. Drought stress tolerance in plants is quite complex, and it is not ideal to improve crop drought tolerance through a single resistant gene. Transcription factors participate in the regulation of plant growth and development, morphogenesis, and various environmental stress responses via regulating the expression level of their target stress-responsive genes independently or cross talk with other transcription factors, thereby the comprehensive resistance of multiple stresses in crops is improved. This review aims to summarize the major drought-tolerant transcription factors in maize and their regulatory network. With the continuous identification of maize transcription factors, more will be demonstrated to confer drought tolerance either in maize or other crops. It is expected that the transcription factors will greatly enrich the functional gene resources and will be a benefit to drought-tolerant maize cultivars breeding.

The contradictory CAP regulations within the recent, extraordinary transformation of Italian agricultural Systems

Over the past two decades Italian agricultural systems have recorded an extraordinary change in their structural foundations partially due also to the contradictory CAP regulations. The most significant factors that have produced the accelerated evolution in our countryside are two: on the one hand, the recognition and acquisition by the primary sector of new economic, social, environmental and cultural functions, on the other hand, the renewed interest in the beauty of rural areas, the importance of technical sustainable agricultural production and the quality of the food supply sources. To all these aspects, researchers and the general public attribute today the fundamental role of guarantors for the quality of life and human health, animal health and environmental protection. It is a new awareness that, breaking the traditional delay with which the primary sector responds to the cultural activities, with unexpected timing, has translated into concrete, conspicuous forms of land corporate reorganization. Applying the qualitative and quantitative methodology of the Interuniversity Research Group GECOAGRI LANDITALY to the latest census data of the agriculture in 2010, the contribution considers the recent evolution of Italian agricultural systems to evidence landscape outcomes and territorial issues.

Economía alimentaria y política social: un análisis de su relación e influencia en la selva de Chiapas (México)

En este artículo se presenta un análisis de la transformación paulatina de la economía alimentaria lacandona, a partir de su contexto histórico, político y cultural. Esta economía ha sido particularmente de subsistencia, con patrones caracterizados por sus formas de apropiación y uso de los recursos naturales de la selva lacandona. Para comprender dichas formas se realizaron procesos de investigación participativa y microsociológica con el propósito de identificar cada una de las fuentes de abastecimiento de alimentos y los sistemas de producción y preparación. Si bien estas formas de vida pueden considerarse sustentables y saludables, dada su economía alimentaria han tendido a ser transformadas y a cambiar su organización. La colonización y la política social construidas verticalmente no han dado cabida a las realidades locales que podrían redituar, bajo su esquema alimentario y de subsistencia, condiciones de bienestar y salud. En este sentido, se revisan los objetivos y el enfoque de los programas de orden social y el Programa Nacional México Sin Hambre en la comunidad lacandona. Este análisis refleja el vacío de estos planes de Gobierno, que no solo desconocen las realidades locales, sino que además legitiman una serie de elementos de poder que implican una transformación que puede atentar contra el patrimonio cultural.Las políticas de desarrollo del Gobierno federal mexicano son asumidas en línea vertical hacia todos los niveles, con una orientación incisiva en estrategias que alteran las formas de vida de las comunidades indígenas y en su relación con los ecosistemas, al dar por hecho un contexto de problemas locales concebido desde un deber ser. De esa manera, las políticas remueven la estructura y organización de las poblaciones, pues generan ajustes en las sinergias sociales, dinamizadas a través de las redes de relaciones, construidas y deconstruidas que se sustentan en un conjunto de significaciones locales.

Ethno-botanical study of wild edible fruits consumed by the people of Lakhimpur district of Assam, India.

The present study deals with the identification, ethno-botanical exploration, documentation and popularization of wild edible fruits consumed by the people of Lakhimpur district of Assam, India. Fruits are the chief sources of essential minerals, protein, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamin C, sugar, water and possess tremendous medicinal value. Fruits play an important role in maintaining a well-balanced weight loss diet and healthy living. During the study period, several field trips were conducted in different seasons and the plants were identified by consulting relevant scientific literatures. In this paper, a total of 48 wild edible fruits belonging to 25 families were recorded along with their local names, scientific name, family, time of availability, taste and uses. Further, emphasize should be given in order to maintain and improve this important source of food supply for their conservation for human welfare.

Self-Sufficiency versus Security: How Trade Protectionism Challenges the Sustainability of the Food Supply in Russia

Food security is increasingly influenced by multilateral trade systems and foreign trade policies implemented by national governments. Many of them are now concerned about the sustainability of food supply and the vulnerability of domestic food markets to price volatility, and seek to support domestic producers and protect themselves from increasing food imports. Such restrictions improve food self-sufficiency, but decrease food security. It is important to understand any changes that may have occurred in the food consumption pattern due to trade protectionism and to observe any nutritional implications of these changes. This paper employs the rational food security (RFS) assessment approach, which differentiates sources of food supply on the domestic market, assesses the influence of agricultural and trade frameworks on food consumption patterns, and complies consumption with the appropriate food intake threshold. In the case of Russia, the study demonstrates that the conventional consumption approach to self-sufficiency (FSCA) underestimates the food insecurity level by not accounting for nutrition factors. In addition, the gap between the FSCA and the RFS increases in times of protectionist trade policy and decreases when the agricultural and trade policy framework turns to liberalization. The paper concludes that trade protectionism challenges the sustainability of food supply by decreasing food availability and quality of food products, causes dietary changes, and threatens the food security of the country.

Farmers' Willingness to Adopt Conservation Agriculture: New Evidence from Lebanon.

With increasing food insecurity and climate change, conservation agriculture has emerged as a sustainable alternative to intensive conventional agriculture as a source of food supply. Yet the adoption rate of conservation agriculture is still low. Our paper analyses the factors affecting farmers' willingness to adopt conservation agriculture in Lebanon. The findings show that household characteristics-years of farming and farm size affect conservation agriculture adoption. However, household characteristics alone were insufficient to explain conservation agriculture adoption. We found that farming experience, information sources, frequency of irrigation, and severity of weed infestation in the past, participation in specific trainings, and farmers' perception about the long-term impact of conservation agriculture, were key determinants of conservation agriculture adoption. Our paper encourages policymakers to invest in conservation agriculture to overcome food insecurity and environmental changes affecting food systems in the Middle East. The paper also informs agribusiness firms to view conservation agriculture as a viable alternative to strengthen their business relationship with farmers in arid and semi-arid regions.

Environment and Food Poisoning: Food Safety Knowledge and Practice among Food Vendors in Garki, Abuja – Nigeria

The survey reached fifty food vendors in Garki, Abuja Nigeria to assess their knowledge of food safety, contamination, poisoning and control measures. A simple questionnaire was developed and administered one on one to the target population and data collected on their knowledge food borne disease pathogens, personal hygiene, and food handling practices, safety and risk perception as well as temperature control. 80% reported that they wash and clean their equipment; 52% reported that the exempt a sick staff from work until recovered and certified healthy; 89% reported that they wash their hands regularly with clean water. 42% reported that they use hand sanitizer frequently. 100% (all respondents) said that they washed their hands after handling raw food like fish and meat 53% lacked knowledge of optimum refrigeration temperature while 26% could not adjust refrigerator temperature. 40% had knowledge of Hepatitis A as a food borne pathogen, 20%, had knowledge of Salmonella, and 21%, E. coli, and 12% Listeria and 7% had knowledge of Vibrio as pathogens. Water supply is gotten from local water vendors from private boreholes. Comparison of the knowledge base between the educated and non-educated vendors revealed a great disparity on the level of knowledge between the two. The major source of food supply was from the Open markets while water supplies come from private bore holes. The research also showed a direct relationship between educational level and knowledge of food pathogens as well as hygiene and safety knowledge. Lack of knowledge on safety and hygiene practices among food vendors (owners and staff) indicates the increased risks of food poisoning associated with the food vendors and restaurants

Local knowledge of the Co Tu in the use of wildlife resources

Co Tu ethnic group lives mainly in mountain regions, where forest elements play an important role in the domination of their material and spiritual life. Along with gathering, hunting is considered daily activities and an important source of food supply to the inhabitants. However, to effectively exploit these nature-endowed resources, for so long, the Co Tu people have accumulated a consistent system of knowledge. This knowledge is the specific characteristics of the Co Tu, expressing their behavior with their living environment, and distinguishing from local knowledge of other ethnic groups.

Change of soil properties and microbiological activity under the vegetation of pastures

Most of the territory of the Navoiy province of Nurata region is occupied by the degraded pastures which are the main source of food supply of animal husbandry. This paper is devoted to investigation of agrochemical and microbiological properties of soils of pastures under agrophytocenosis of 1986, 1996, 2012 and under natural pastures of the study area. It is revealed that improvement of biological, agrochemical properties of the studied soils, depends on duration of the period of use of the land in the pasture regime. Features of biological parameters of the degraded soils depending on their prescription of use and type of plants, humus content agrochemical properties are revealed. If the activity of pasture plants during 3–19–29 became a permanent factor pasturable plants (zhitnyak — Agropyron desertorum L., chagan — Halothanus subaphyllus, astragal — Astragalus agameticus Lipsky) improve soil properties and increase microbiological activity of light gray agricultural soils. Refs 20. Figs 3. Table 1.

Identifying rural food deserts: Methodological considerations for food environment interventions

Food insecurity in an important public health issue and affects 13% of Canadian households. It is associated with poor accessibility to fresh, diverse and affordable food products. However, measurement of the food environment is challenging in rural settings since the proximity of food supply sources is unevenly distributed. The objective of this study was to develop a methodology to identify food deserts in rural environments. In-store evaluations of 25 food products were performed for all food stores located in four contiguous rural counties in Quebec. The quality of food products was estimated using four indices: freshness, affordability, diversity and the relative availability. Road network distance between all residences to the closest food store with a favourable score on the four dimensions was mapped to identify residential clusters located in deprived communities without reasonable access to a "good" food source. The result was compared with the food desert parameters proposed by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), as well as with the perceptions of a group of regional stakeholders. When food quality was considered, food deserts appeared more prevalent than when only the USDA definition was used. Objective measurements of the food environment matched stakeholders' perceptions. Food stores' characteristics are different in rural areas and require an in-store estimation to identify potential rural food deserts. The objective measurements of the food environment combined with the field knowledge of stakeholders may help to shape stronger arguments to gain the support of decision-makers to develop relevant interventions.

Do global food systems have an Achilles heel? The potential for regional food systems to support resilience in regional disasters

Today’s domestic US food production is the result of an industry optimized for competitive, high yielding, and high-growth production for a globalized market. Yet, industry growth may weaken food system resilience to abrupt disruptions by reducing the diversity of food supply sources. In this paper, we first explore shifts in food consumption toward reliance upon complex and long-distance food distribution, food imports, and out-of-home eating. Second, we discuss how large-scale, rapid-onset hazards may affect food access for both food secure and insecure households. We then consider whether and how regional food production might support regional food resilience. To illustrate these issues, we examine the case of western Washington, a region not only rich in agricultural production but also threatened by a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake and tsunami. Such an event is expected to disrupt transportation and energy systems on which the dominant food distribution system relies. Whether a regional food supply—for the purposes of this paper, defined as food production in one or adjacent watersheds—can support a broader goal of community food resilience during large-scale disruption is a key theme of our paper. The discussion that ensues is not meant to offer simplistic, localist solutions as the one answer to disaster food provision, but neither should regional food sources be dismissed in food planning processes. Our exploration of regional farm production, small in scale and flexible, suggests regional production can help support food security prior to the arrival of emergency relief and retail restocking. Yet in order to do so, we need to have in place a robust and regionally appropriate food resilience strategy. This strategy should address caloric need, storage, and distribution, and, in so doing, rebalance our dependence on food supplied through imports and complex, domestic supply chains. Clearly, diversity of food sourcing can add redundancy and flexibility, allowing more nimble food system adaptation in the face of disruption.