Food Security Goals Research Articles

Assessment and Multiscenario Simulation of Land Use and Ecosystem Services Interactions in Inner Mongolia

ABSTRACTBalancing land development and ecological protection poses significant challenges for sustainable development in arid and semi‐arid regions like Inner Mongolia. This study uses the integrated valuation of ecosystem services (ESs) trade‐offs model and patch‐generated land‐use simulation model to analyze the impacts of land‐use/cover (LULC) changes on ESs from 2005 to 2020 and simulate scenarios for 2035. The results show that (1) ecological governance efforts improved the comprehensive ecological index (CEI), habitat quality, and soil conservation capacity but led to a decrease in the annual water yield (AWY) in the eastern region. Additionally, the conversion of grassland and forest land to construction land and farmland caused slight declines in carbon sequestration and increased nitrogen export. (2) The external driving factors of different ESs vary, and the internal relationships within ESs have also changed. Notably, changes in LULC transformed the synergy between AWY and habitat quality into a trade‐off relationship after 2010 due to increased forest and grassland. (3) Among the five land‐use scenarios, the comprehensive development scenario combined with zonal management strategies can achieve the sustainable development goals of economic growth, ecological protection, and food security. This study clarifies the internal and external factors affecting ESs in Inner Mongolia and provides a scientific basis for future LULC management and ecological governance policies. It fills a gap in the spatiotemporal simulation of ESs under multiple scenarios in this region. These findings offer valuable references for promoting sustainable development in similar arid and semi‐arid regions, highlighting the importance of integrating multi‐objective strategies and adaptive management practices to balance ecological and economic objectives.

Frontiers of Artificial Intelligence in Agricultural Sector: Trends and Transformations

Artificial intelligence (AI) in agriculture is transforming the sector by improving resources efficiency, sustainability and productivity. Our study examined a number of AI-related applications such as pest control, crop monitoring, precision farming and soil health evaluation. AI powered devices enables automated fertilization, harvesting and irrigation, and therefore, cutting down the labor expenses and resource waste. Predictive analytics in AI helps with crop yield and weather forecasts which ultimately improves the planning and risk management. The paper also discusses the challenges and limitations of AI adoption in agriculture, such as the need for reliable data, technical expertise and infrastructure investment. Ultimately, the findings highlights the AI can have positive transformative potential in creating resilient agricultural practices that can meet the demands of a growing global population while minimizing environmental impact. However, one of the biggest uses of AI is precision farming, which uses the technology to optimize inputs like water, fertilizer and pesticides by adjusting them to the unique requirements of the crop and the field. AI techniques also make it possible to detect the pests and diseases through picture recognition and predictive analytics, which ultimately minimizes the crop loss and allows for prompt interventions. Widespread use may be hampered by issues with data quality, model interpretability, expensive prices and system integration. Furthermore, issues with labor impact, regulatory frameworks and scalability complicate its adoption. In order to fully utilize AI in agriculture, researchers, farmers and policymakers must work together to overcome these challenges and develop workable and accessible solutions that are suited to a variety of agricultural environments. Present review also highlighted how AI involvement has the ability to revolutionize agricultural sector by developing resilient methods that can both minimize environmental effects and meet the needs of an expanding global population. The agriculture industry can set the path for a sustainable future by adopting AI advances and guaranteeing the environmental stewardship and goals of food safety and security.

Surging compound drought–heatwaves underrated in global soils

Compound drought-heatwaves (CDHWs) accelerate the warming and drying of soils, triggering soil compound drought-heatwaves (SCDHWs) that jeopardize the health of soil ecosystems. Nevertheless, the behavior of these events worldwide and their responses to climatic warming are underexplored. Here, we show a global escalation in the frequency, duration, peak intensity, and severity of SCDHWs, as well as an increase in affected land area, from 1980 to 2023. The increasing trends, which are particularly prominent since the early 2000 s, and projected to persist throughout this century, are dominated by summertime SCDHWs and enhanced by El Niño. Intensive soil warming as well as climatologically lower soil temperatures compared to air temperatures lead to localized hotspots of escalating SCDHW severity in northern high latitudes, while prolonged duration causes such hotspots in northern South America. Transformation of natural ecosystems, particularly forests and wetlands, to cropland as well as forest degradation substantially enhance the strength of SCDHWs. Global SCDHWs consistently exhibit higher frequencies, longer durations, greater severities, and faster growth rates than CDHWs in all aspects from 1980 to 2023. They are undergoing a critical transition, with droughts replacing heatwaves as the primary constraint. We emphasize the significant intensification of SCDHWs in northern high latitudes as well as the prolonged duration of SCDHWs in the Southern Hemisphere, posing an underrated threat to achieving carbon neutrality and food security goals.

Food loss analysis in Nigeria: A systematic literature review

The issue of food loss and waste is a complex one that must be addressed if sustainable food systems are to be achieved. In the Global South, as evidenced by Nigeria, two paradoxical trends can be observed. Firstly, substantial losses of arable crops occur during the production and distribution stages. Secondly, Nigeria is affected by food scarcity, which is in part a consequence of losses occurring at these stages. In terms of food availability, Nigeria ranks 26th among African countries. In light of this context and the government's expressed interest in identifying sustainable solutions to this problem, a systematic review was conducted with the objective of consolidating the fragmented studies on food loss in the region. This review provides a foundation for understanding the causes of food loss, the preventive and reduction strategies required, and for identifying promising areas for future research. The review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Checklist 2020. Following the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 23 studies were selected for review. A thematic synthesis was employed to integrate and examine the findings of the studies. The findings indicated that maize, rice, and cassava continued to be the most prevalent food crops in Nigeria, with cultivation occurring across the entire country. We differentiate the critical loss points for different crops, which arise between the production and distribution stages. In conclusion, this review reveals that food loss in Nigeria is a multifaceted issue requiring integrated solutions that address the natural, social, and material dimensions. Further empirical research, especially qualitative studies that focus on the perspectives and practices of food system actors, is essential for developing effective interventions and policies. This approach will help achieve sustainable development of food systems and advance global food security goals.

Climate‐resilient irrigation: Essential changes to balance food production and water security on a livable planet

AbstractClimate‐resilient irrigation is a necessity for sustainable development, aligning with broader goals of poverty alleviation, food security and environmental stewardship. By embracing adaptive strategies and fostering collaborative efforts, communities can navigate the challenges posed by a changing climate, safeguarding livelihoods and ecosystems. Climate‐resilient irrigation can improve coping measures and build resilience for communities through pathways which help improve agriculture. The relationship between agriculture, irrigation, water resources and climate change calls for an evolution of traditional irrigation practices towards climate‐resilient irrigation approaches, such as farmer‐led irrigation development; innovation and modernization to ensure the long‐term viability and functionality of irrigation systems and infrastructure; financing mechanisms to support the transition towards climate resilience; partnerships between governments, international organizations and the private sector to mobilize resources effectively; and efficient service delivery mechanisms, promoting equitable access and effective management of water resources. Emphasizing the need climate‐resilient irrigation to balance food production and water security, this essay advocates a paradigm shift towards sustainable water management, ensuring resilience in the face of climate uncertainties while safeguarding agricultural productivity and environmental integrity for a livable planet.

Revolutionising agriculture for food security and environmental sustainability: A perspective on the role of digital twin technology

Abstract The agricultural sector faces escalating challenges from climate volatility, environmental degradation, and rising food demand. Digital twin (DT) technology offers a transformative solution by creating virtual replicas of farms for data-driven decision making, optimising crop management, and enhancing soil health. This study highlights key findings on DT’s role in improving agricultural efficiency, sustainability, and resilience. Global case studies demonstrate successful DT deployment, although challenges persist in developing countries. Recommendations are provided to overcome these barriers. Ultimately, DTs are crucial for advancing sustainable farming, enhancing food security, mitigating environmental impacts, and aligning agriculture with global conservation and food security goals.

Integrated farming optimization ensures high-yield crop production with decreased nitrogen leaching and improved soil fertility: The findings from a 12-year experimental study

Context or problemSustainable farming practices, including precision fertilization, water-saving irrigation and recycling of organic materials, have been implemented worldwide in recent decades to achieve high crop yields and minimize nonpoint source pollution. However, the comprehensive impacts of these agricultural practices have seldom been systematically evaluated in field production. As agricultural intensification started in the 1980s, most previous studies focused on a single practice in the context of low land productivity. Objective or research questionThe objective of this research is to investigate and evaluate how holistic farming practices affect both crop production and environmental quality. MethodsWe reported findings from a 12-year experiment (2008–2020) in the highly intensive North China Plain (NCP) farming region, and conventional and optimized farming measures were compared. Three field treatments with annual double cropping (winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and summer maize (Zea mays L.)) were chosen in the study, i.e., control without nitrogen (N) application (CK), farmers’ conventional practices (CON), and optimized practices (OPT), were chosen for this study. ResultsCompared with the CON treatment, OPT reduced N fertilizer input by 41.4 % and irrigation water by 27.1 % but produced similar grain yields; OPT increased the N recovery efficiency (REN) and N utilization efficiency (NUT2E) by 90.4 % and 53.0 %, respectively; these values were much greater than the increases in REN (+56.1 %) and NUT2E (+25.5 %) when soil N change was not considered. Similarly, compared with those in the CON treatment, the soil N stock (0–60 cm) in the OPT treatment increased by 8.4 %, and the N loss via leaching, ammonia volatilization and N2O + NO + N2 decreased by 47.1 %, 11.4 % and 28.6 %, respectively. ConclusionsOur study revealed that the integration of optimized practices of organic material recycling, precision fertilization and water-saving irrigation substantially reduced N losses, mainly through decreased N leaching, but maintained fertilizer N in the root-zone soil layer, which is important for a sustainable and high-yield crop production. Implications or significancesThe dissemination of these optimized practices to other regions in China and beyond will be highly important for achieving the dual goals of food security and environmental protection.

Engineering a One Health Super Wheat.

Wheat is the predominant crop worldwide, contributing approximately 20% of protein and calories to the human diet. However, the yield potential of wheat faces limitations due to pests, diseases, and abiotic stresses. Although conventional breeding has improved desirable traits, the use of modern transgenesis technologies has been limited in wheat in comparison to other crops such as maize and soybean. Recent advances in wheat gene cloning and transformation technology now enable the development of a super wheat consistent with the One Health goals of sustainability, food security, and environmental stewardship. This variety combines traits to enhance pest and disease resistance, elevate grain nutritional value, and improve resilience to climate change. In this review, we explore ways to leverage current technologies to combine and transform useful traits into wheat. We also address the requirements of breeders and legal considerations such as patents and regulatory issues.

Integrating Maize Yield and Agricultural Drought Analysis for Sustainable Food Security: A Provincial Study in South Africa (1993–2022)

ABSTRACTExtreme climatic events, such as droughts, hinder progress toward achieving the sustainable development goal of food security. South Africa is vulnerable to drought‐related agricultural losses, which have led to food insecurity. However, few studies have focused on the long‐term impacts of drought on crop production at a regional scale. Therefore, we aimed to examine the intensity, magnitude, and trend of rainfall‐based short‐term agricultural drought at the provincial scale in South Africa based on the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI). Additionally, we analyzed the impact of agricultural drought on maize yield by calculating the Standardized Yield Residual Series (SYRS) and Crop Drought‐Resilience Factor (CDRF). To this end, we collected rainfall data from 29 stations across nine provinces along with maize yield data for the period of 1993–2022. Agricultural drought analyses based on the three‐month (SPI‐3) and six‐month (SPI‐6) SPIs demonstrated dynamic variations in occurrence, with Sen's slope indicating that 10 stations exhibited a significant increase in drought events across South Africa. Notably, SPI‐6 analysis showed that Gauteng, Free State, and North West provinces experienced the highest percentages of severe to extreme drought events during the study period, at 4.17%, 3.89%, and 3.61%, respectively. Furthermore, the majority of provinces in South Africa experienced an extreme SPI‐6 magnitude ranging from −46.03 in Western Cape Province to −61.6 in Free State Province. The dynamic effects of agricultural drought on maize yield revealed that the maximum yield loss of 13% occurred in 1993 in Eastern Cape Province, while some provinces experienced no yield loss during certain years. However, CDRF analyses identified Western Cape (CDRF [SPI‐3] = 0.52, CDRF [SPI‐6] = 0.62) and Mpumalanga (CDRF [SPI‐6] = 0.7) provinces as the most vulnerable to food insecurity due to the severe non‐resilience of maize to drought in these regions. This study reveals the complex interplay between climatic extremes and maize yield variability, providing valuable insights for managing regional food production systems and ensuring future food security in South Africa.

Role of Agricultural Extension in Addressing Food Security

Agricultural extension services play a pivotal role in global efforts to achieve food security, acting as a critical link between research, farmers, and policymakers. This comprehensive review examines the multifaceted contributions of agricultural extension to food security goals, drawing on theoretical frameworks, empirical evidence, and case studies from diverse global contexts. This paper explores how extension services address the four dimensions of food security: availability, access, utilization, and stability. It analyses the evolution of extension models, from traditional top-down approaches to participatory and market-led systems, assessing their relative effectiveness in enhancing agricultural productivity and food security. This review paper highlights innovative practices, including the integration of information and communication technologies (ICT), community-based approaches, and public-private partnerships, which have shown promise in overcoming persistent challenges. The case studies from both developed and developing countries provide insights into successful strategies and their impacts on crop yields, farmer incomes, and nutritional outcomes. This paper also addresses critical challenges facing extension services, including financial constraints, technological barriers, and socio-cultural issues, proposing potential solutions and policy recommendations. By synthesizing current knowledge and identifying future research directions, this review underscores the indispensable role of agricultural extension in achieving global food security goals and emphasizes the need for continued innovation and adaptation in extension practices to meet evolving challenges in the agricultural sector.

Toward compatibility with national dairy production and climate goals through locally appropriate mitigation interventions in Kenya

CONTEXTLivestock are an important component of livelihoods in smallholder dairy systems in Africa, but are characterized by low animal productivity and large environmental impacts per unit of animal product (e.g. greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) intensities). Governments in African countries have set ambitious targets for dairy systems, but development of climate-smart strategies has been hindered by a scarcity of baseline data and local intervention trials. OBJECTIVEWe use a rich dataset from smallholder mixed dairy systems in Kenya to determine whether national climate and development goals for 2030 can be met using locally appropriate interventions. Interventions considered included improved herd management and feed interventions. METHODSWe conducted a yield gap analysis to determine the scope of the existing milk yield gaps, then evaluated the extent to which yield gaps could be closed using interventions in a second step. We outscaled our results to the national level to determine the potential impact of adopting our interventions on national dairy production and GHG emission goals using the FAO Global Livestock Environmental Assessment Model – interactive (GLEAM-i) tool. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSOur analysis showed that substantial yield gaps exist in Kenyan dairy systems (39 to 49% of attainable yields). These gaps could be closed by intervention packages but not by individual interventions alone. Our outscaled scenarios showed interventions can reduce milk GHG emission intensities (−6.5 to −27.4%), while absolute emissions would increase in most scenarios (−3.9 to +25.9%). To meet national milk production goals, we estimated that a large increase in animal numbers is needed by 2030 compared to 2010 (from ∼2.7 M to 4.5–7.1 M heads of cattle). However, most scenarios fell short of the emissions target (−4% to +48%) by 2030. It may be possible to narrowly meet Kenyan national milk production and GHG emission goals by 2030. SIGNIFICANCENational goals for milk production and reducing GHG emissions were only marginally compatible in Kenya. Other sectors of the economy will need to reduce emissions to ensure that food and nutrition security objectives are not jeopardized. In order to achieve national milk goals, there will be need to be a consummate increase in animal numbers even with the adoption of multiple interventions. To meet Kenya's national emissions goals, widespread adoption of several locally appropriate interventions will be required. International support will be needed to meet Kenya's conditional Nationally Determined Contributions under the 2015 Paris Agreement, as well as food and nutrition security goals.

Building climate-resilient value chains in arid and semi-arid regions: a VC-ARID approach for rangeland adaptation in Kenya

AbstractClimate change has adversely impacted nature-based value chains in the arid and semi-arid regions. The study investigates the impact of climate change on nature-based value chains in arid and semi-arid environments. With an emphasis on rangeland adaptation in Kenya, the study used the VC-ARID (Value Chains for Arid and Semi-Arid Regions) approach, designed to build climate-resilient value chains in arid and semi-arid regions. The findings reveal that climate change poses significant risks to nature-based value chains, including reduced water availability, increased temperature variability, and changes in precipitation patterns. The study identifies several challenges to value chain development, such as limited access to climate information, financial resources, and supportive policies. It underscores the urgent need to integrate climate resilience into value chain interventions to achieve poverty reduction and food security goals in arid and semi-arid regions. This calls for active collaboration and investment in climate information services, research, and extension services to enhance the adaptive capacity of value chain actors and promote sustainable development in vulnerable regions. Given that climate hazards and changes are context-specific, strategies for improving value chains' sustainability must be customized to the unique ecological and socioeconomic setting in which the nature-based value chain operates. Consequently, to build value chains that are climate resilient, each actor along the chain must assess climate risks and manage the activities that make up the value chain adaptively.

Barriers and opportunities to agrihood development in growing cities of the Rocky Mountain region: A comparative case study

Rapid urbanization and peri-urban development are driving land use change across the globe, result­ing in lands being converted from agricultural uses to housing development. Sustainable, multifunc­tional land use in urban and peri-urban areas is needed to balance the requirements of producing food in a way that protects environmental resources and of providing housing to a growing population. An agrihood is a planned development model that incorporates food production within a community to help address goals of nutritious food security while providing social, economic, and environmental benefits. Agrihoods may offer an alternative land use for integrating food production in new housing developments for the sustainable development of rapidly urbanizing cities. A com­parative case study, using semi-structured, qualita­tive interviews with key informants from two cities (Bozeman, Montana, and Longmont, Colorado), highlighted four key barriers to agrihood develop­ment in two cities in the Rocky Mountain region of the U.S: labor; ownership and governance struc­tures; resource availability; and land use regulation. Concerns for water and land resource availability reflect general barriers to agricultural expansion in the Rocky Mountain region, while the other identi­fied barriers reflect the structural and legal limita­tions preventing agrihood development and expan­sion. To reduce these barriers, policy interventions and incentives provided at municipal, state, and federal levels, informed by community advocates in support of local food production, will be essential.

Classifying methods to quantify crop nitrogen input requirements

In this short communication, we propose a framework that classifies methods for estimating crop nitrogen (N) input requirements along two dimensions: short-term versus long-term and current versus optimal crop management practices. The four resulting quadrants provide different perspectives on modelling methods, each distinctive in handling soil N supply, mineral versus organic N sources, management and yield levels. For each quadrant, study examples and data requirements are provided. We emphasise the importance of accurate and purpose-oriented selection of crop N requirement modelling methods and acknowledge the complexity and uncertainties inherent in N modelling, often due to a lack of data availability. The choice of methods to estimate N inputs strongly impacts model outcomes and conclusions, affecting agricultural practices, advisories, and policy strategies. Therefore, a decision tree is presented to support choices in assessing N input requirements so that models can help identify under and over-fertilisation hotspots, maintain soil fertility, and optimise crop yields, contributing to environmental protection and food security goals.

Do rotations and intercrops matter? Opportunities for intensification and diversification of maize-based cropping systems in Zambia

ContextRealizing the double-edged goals of food security and crop diversification require knowledge of crop yield response to different agricultural practices and the extent to which such response is context dependent. This is particularly important in Southern Africa where cropping systems are dominated by maize and smallholders use few external inputs. ObjectiveThe objectives of this study were (1) to evaluate the performance of cropping systems with different levels of legume diversification and intensification on maize productivity across the main agroecological zones and farming systems of Zambia, and (2) to establish the minimum land required to reach maize self-sufficiency at household level with the different cropping systems tested. MethodsSix maize-based cropping systems, comprising maize monocropping, maize-legume rotations and intercrops under ‘conventional’ tillage and conservation agriculture, were evaluated across 40 farms in contrasting agro-ecological zones and farming systems of Zambia. A household survey was conducted in the same communities hosting the on-farm trials to quantify the share of households with enough maize cultivated area to benefit from the tested cropping systems. ResultsMaize yield measured in the on-farm trials ranged, on average, between 3.6 and 5.4 t ha−1, which was greater than mean maize yields reported by farmers not hosting on-farm trials during the same growing seasons and in the same sites. Our results showed a clear positive effect of legume rotation on maize yield in Eastern province only, where cropping systems including groundnut as rotation crop yielded between 1.0 and 2.0 t ha−1 more maize than other cropping systems. Pigeon pea intercrops and Gliricidia hedgerows, crop residue management, and tillage practice had no significant effect on maize yield in any of the provinces. Finally, nearly 35, 50, and 70% of surveyed farms in Northern, Eastern, and Southern province would have enough land to achieve the same level of maize production obtained on their farm with the yields, and associated area requirements, of the maize-legume rotations tested in the on-farm trials. ConclusionLegume rotations can increase maize productivity on land abundant farms in high potential maize production areas of Southern Africa, whereas legume intercrops have benefits at cropping systems level and should be targeted to land constrained farms. SignificanceThe study contributes to better understand the niche for diversified maize-based cropping systems with legume rotations and intercrops in Southern Africa, along with their impacts on maize productivity at the field level and their land requirements at the farm level.

Literature review of food insecurity in the Sahel from an interdisciplinary perspective

ABSTRACT This paper fills a gap in the literature by consolidating existing literature on food insecurity in the Sahel region. We explore the literature by considering the four primary characteristics of food security, namely; food accessibility, availability, utilisation, and stability. We further examine three crucial factors impacting food insecurity – climate change, conflict, and COVID-19 - as identified by the UN. This paper aims to provide researchers with an interdisciplinary perspective to build decision analysis systems through multidimensional exploration. We discuss the contributions as well as the limitations of this research. In general, our literature review also contributes to global as well as region-specific food security goals.

Impacts of Climate Change and Adaptation Strategies for Rainfed Barley Production in the Almería Province, Spain

Mediterranean water-stressed areas face significant challenges from higher temperatures and increasingly severe droughts. We assess the effect of climate change on rainfed barley production in the aridity-prone province of Almería, Spain, using the FAO AquaCrop model. We focus on rainfed barley growth by the mid-century (2041–2070) and end-century (2071–2100) time periods, using three Shared Socio-economic Pathway (SSP)-based scenarios: SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5. Using the paired t-test, Spearman and Pearson correlation coefficient, Root Mean Squared Error, and relative Root Mean Squared Error, we verified AquaCrop’s ability to capture local multi-year trends (9 or more years) using standard barley crop parameters, without local recalibration. Starting with a reference Initial Soil Water Content (ISWC), different soil water contents within barley rooting depth were modelled to account for decreases in soil water availability. We then evaluated the efficiency of different climate adaptation strategies: irrigation, mulching, and changing sowing dates. We show average yield changes of +14% to −44.8% (mid-century) and +12% to −55.1% (end-century), with ISWC being the main factor determining yields. Irrigation increases yields by 21.1%, utilizing just 3% of Almería’s superficial water resources. Mulches improve irrigated yield performances by 6.9% while reducing irrigation needs by 40%. Changing sowing dates does not consistently improve yields. We demonstrate that regardless of the scenario used, climate adaptation of field barley production in Almería should prioritize limiting soil water loss by combining irrigation with mulching. This would enable farmers in Almería’s northern communities to maintain their livelihoods, reducing the province’s reliance on horticulture while continuing to contribute to food security goals.

Carbon nanotubes: a novel innovation as food supplements and biosensing for food safety.

Recently, nanotechnology has emerged as an extensively growing field. Several important fabricated products including Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are of great importance and hold significance in several industrial sectors, mainly food industry. Recent developments have come up with methodologies for the prevention of health complications like lack of adequate nutrition in our diet. This review delves deeper into the details of the food supplementation techniques and how CNTs function in this regard. This review includes the challenges in using CNTs for food applications and their future prospects in the industry. Food shortage has become a global issue and limiting food resources put an additional burden on the farmers for growing crops. Apart from quantity, quality should also be taken into consideration and new ways should be developed for increasing nutritional value of food items. Food supplementation has several complications due to the biologically active compounds and reaction in the in vivo environment, CNTs can play a crucial role in countering this problem through the supplementation of food by various processes including; nanoencapsulation and nanobiofortification thus stimulating crop growth and seed germination rates. CNTs also hold a key position in biosensing and diagnostic application for either the quality control of the food supplements or the detection of contagions like toxins, chemicals, dyes, pesticides, pathogens, additives, and preservatives. Detection such pathogens can help in attaining global food security goal and better production and provision of food resources. The data used in the current review was collected up to date as of March 31, 2024 and contains the best of our knowledge. Data collection was performed from various reliable and authentic literatures comprising PubMed database, Springer Link, Scopus, Wiley Online, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Research related to commercially available CNTs has been added for the readers seeking additional information on the use of CNTs in various economic sectors.

Heavy metals and potential health risk assessment of Lactuca sativa and Daucus carrota from soil treated with organic manures and chemical fertilizer

The large-scale production of food crops with heavy application of chemical fertilizers in the effort to meet the astronomical increase in food demands may be counterproductive to the goal of food security. This study investigated the effect of different soil treatments on the levels of heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in two types of vegetables Lactuca sativa (lettuce) and Daucus carrota (carrot). The potential carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks from their consumption were also evaluated. Planting experiment was set up in a randomized block design, with different soil treatments of soil + cow dung (CD), soil + sewage sludge (SS), soil + chemical fertilizer (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK)), and untreated soil (UNTRD). The vegetables were harvested at maturity, washed with distilled water, and subjected to an acid digestion process before the levels of heavy metals were measured by inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP-MS). The mean concentrations of the metals in the vegetables across all treatments were below the maximum permissible limits. The pattern of heavy metal accumulation by the vegetables suggested that the lettuce from SS treatment accumulated higher concentrations of heavy metals like Cr (0.20 mg/kg), Cu (3.91 mg/kg), Ni (0.33 mg/kg), and Zn (20.44 mg/kg) than carrot, with highest concentrations of Fe (90.89 mg/kg) and Pb (0.16 mg/kg) recorded in lettuce from NPK treatment. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF) showed that lettuce, a leafy vegetable, has bioaccumulated more heavy metals than carrot, a root vegetable. The BAF was generally below the threshold value of 1 in both vegetables, except in lettuce from NPK and CD treatments and carrot from NPK treatments, with BAF values of 1.6, 1.69, and 1.39, respectively. The cancer risk assessment factors were well below the unacceptable maximum range of 10−4 suggesting that consuming these vegetables might not expose an individual to potential risk of cancer development. The hazard quotient estimations were below the threshold values of 1 for all heavy metals; however, the hazard index (HI) values of 1.27 and 1.58 for lettuce from NPK and SS treatments indicate a potential non-carcinogenic health risk to consumers from intake of all the heavy metals.

OPTIMASI OPTIMASI PROSES PEMBERSIHAN BERAS: STRATEGI TERAPAN UNTUK PENINGKATAN KUALITAS HASIL PERTANIAN

This community service activity (PKM) aims to introduce and train the community to process their rice harvests using appropriate technology, in the form of a grain peeling machine. The main target of this PKM activity is the people of the Jaya Mandiri Farmers Group in Batu Layang Village RT.04/RW.15, North Pontianak District, who still have limited means for their agricultural activities. The methods applied in this PKM activity are science and technology diffusion, socialization, and active community participation. So that with this PKM activity, the community has gained knowledge and skills in processing their post-harvest rice products, and it is hoped that this can help overcome their productivity problems due to limited agricultural facilities. Cleaning rice not only aims to remove empty grains, dirt and other foreign objects, but also increases the selling value per unit weight, increases the efficiency of drying and processing post-harvest products and extends shelf life. The working principle of the automatic rice cleaning tool is that when the rice is in the main reservoir, it then goes down through a small gap so that when it comes down it is cleaned with a fan so that the dirt stuck to the rice is blown away and the clean rice enters the reservoir section. The construction of this rice cleaning machine is divided into a hoper as a place to input rice, a crankshaft system, while the drive system consists of an electric motor, pulley, belt, pegs, bearings. With this device, the process of cleaning rice can be carried out simply and easily, and the process time, namely cleaning time, is shorter. With a shorter processing time, the production rate per unit time becomes greater. Improving the quality of agricultural products is very important in supporting food security and farmer welfare. One of the key aspects in ensuring the quality of agricultural products is the post-harvest processing process, especially the rice cleaning process. In this context, this research aims to optimize the rice refining process through the implementation of effective applied strategies. This study was conducted through a comprehensive series of laboratory experiments and field tests. Refining methods involving a combination of traditional and innovative technologies were evaluated to find the most efficient strategy for improving rice quality. The research results show that the use of a combination of certain technologies can increase the efficiency of rice cleaning, as well as reduce yield losses and increase the selling value of the product. This research makes a significant contribution to the development of agricultural practices that are sustainable and oriented towards quality results. These findings have direct implications for farmers in increasing the competitiveness of their products in local and global markets, as well as in supporting government efforts to achieve national food security goals.