Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces persistent challenges in achieving sustainable agricultural production and food and nutrition security. Traditional farming methods, climate change, poor infrastructure, obsolete technology, declining resources, and limited access to finance and markets, are factors exacerbating these problems. Meanwhile, availability of reliable and accurate data is crucial for efficient resource allocation and management in critical sectors of developing countries, including agriculture. In countries where resources are scarce, efficient resource use will not only reduce waste but also ensure appropriate prioritization of the countries’ developmental needs. Development will forever remain a mirage in countries where there are no accurate data to learn from the past, manage the present sustainably, and understand the future trajectories of problems and prospects for accelerated progress in key sectors. This paper adopts a nuanced approach to explore how accurate agricultural data and innovation jointly influence food security in Africa. The methodology follows a multistage process, beginning with an extensive search of peer-reviewed journals, policy documents, and regional case studies to establish a rigorous evidence base. It then provides careful contextualisation, drawing on credible sources and relevant examples within and beyond Africa to clarify key concepts and terminologies. Through this approach, the study identifies the core problem, unravels knowledge gaps, and highlights issues often overlooked in the literature. In SSA, data-driven innovations have been documented to assist in strengthening resilience against climate shocks and other agriculture-related risks through the facilitation of tailored advisory services, predictive analytics and early warning systems. The availability and accessibility of technologies that combine weather forecasts, soil data, and historical yield trends can help farmers to be proactive in planning for climatic risks, optimizing planting schedules, and improving crop yields. Also, data-enabled platforms are transforming access to credit and insurance through digital profiling and risk assessment models that evaluate farm-level data to determine creditworthiness and underwrite agricultural insurance more effectively. Thus, data-driven approaches leveraging advances in technology such as remote sensing, mobile platforms, big data analytics, and precision agriculture offer transformative opportunities in these countries. The productivity improvement and social inclusion objectives of the government and relevant stakeholders can only be achieved with accurate and timely data. The paper concludes by highlighting the prime place of data-driven innovation in agricultural sustainability for improved nutrition and food security as well as the key initiatives and policy re-engineering required to transform African food systems in general. Key words: Data, Africa, Sustainability, Agriculture, Digital technology, Food security

Vegetable seeds play a crucial role in boosting the agricultural economy by increasing farm income, employment, export earnings, and nutritional security, and reducing poverty. The main objective of this study was to examine the export potentials, opportunities, and trends in the import of vegetable seeds in India over the past two decades, from 2004 to 2023. An eight-digit ITC (HS) code classification was used for a product-wise analysis of vegetable seeds. India’s export quantity of vegetable seeds grew at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.39 per cent, and value grew at a rate of 14 per cent over the past two decades. Similarly, the quantity of vegetable seeds imported to India increased by 15.55 per cent, and the value by 9.4 per cent. India’s import quantity of vegetable seeds grew faster than exports, but in terms of value, exports exceeded imports. The transitional probability matrix showed that the export of vegetable seeds from India was highly stable in Asian markets, particularly in Pakistan (70.5 per cent) and Bangladesh (63.5 per cent). However, the assessment of export potential revealed that European and Western markets, such as the Netherlands (US $29 million) and the USA (US $13 million), had greater unrealised export potential for Indian vegetable seeds. Therefore, Indian farmers can tap into these export opportunities in the vegetable seed sector and directly export to these markets to enhance their farm income and achieve sustainability.

'When you go to bed, and you cannot sleep … ': smallholder farmers' experiences and perceptions of climate change events and their impacts on health in northern Ghana.

Advancement of biodegradable packaging for sustainable food systems and nutritional security: Innovations, challenges, and global perspectives

Nano-AI synergy in food chemistry: smart analytical tools for quality, safety, and nutritional profiling.

Advancement of a hen-free approach for highly efficient zinc enrichment of eggs through the shell: investigate the effect of UV exposure.

Fabrication and characterization of chickpea-based supplements for their functional, structural, and organoleptic properties.

Anchote [Coccinia abyssinica (Lam.) Cogn.] is a neglected and underutilized root crop indigenous to Ethiopia. Despite its high-yielding potential, a lack of awareness of the nutritional importance, production practices, improved varieties, poor knowledge of methods of food preparation and consumption, product development, as well as its restricted production location, has limited the contribution of anchote to food and nutritional security. This article summarizes research output available on distribution, biology, genetic diversity, and agronomic practices, as well as its nutritional, cultural, and medicinal value, and brings anchote to the attention of researchers, growers, and policymakers. This review consolidates a wide range of both published and unpublished articles covering different domains of anchote research, observations, and experiences to illustrate how the crop is studied to date and highlights the gaps using a review of published literature and observational insights. The key articles published on anchote aspects were collected from the Google Scholar search engine. The article starts by introducing the importance, biology, propagation methods, and diversity of the anchote crop. It also highlights the nutritional and medicinal values of anchote. Moreover, it addresses how to cultivate, prepare, and consume anchote roots. As major anchote production is limited to the southwestern part of the country, this study provides information to other researchers and policymakers to promote the introduction and adaptation of the crop into new production areas and new cultural societies.

Perspective: Nutrient bioavailability is the missing ingredient connecting food systems to nutrition security and environmental sustainability.

Among Indian rural women, malnutrition remained a significant problem because of their high energy needs and insufficient food intake. Under rainfed, medium-land conditions in Bargarh, Puri, Ganjam & Boudh districts of Odisha, the study aimed to assess the nutritional benefits, economic feasibility, and agronomic performance of two bio-fortified sweet potato varieties: Bhusona (yellow-fleshed, rich in β-carotene) and Bhukrishna (purple-fleshed, rich in anthocyanins) in comparison to the native variety Nalikaanda. With rural farm women as the primary participants, a randomised block design (RBD) was used in an On-Farm Trial (OFT) approach. The findings revealed that in terms of yield, profitability, and nutritional content, both bio-fortified varieties considerably surpassed the conventional type. In comparison to the native variety, Bhusona recorded a 33% increase in yield, while Bhukrishna demonstrated a 24.8 % improvement. Higher net profits and benefit-cost ratios for both varieties were found through economic analysis, indicating greater profitability and suitability for smallholder farmers. According to the nutrient profile, Bhusona has 14 mg/100g β-carotene and Bhukrishna has 90 mg/100g anthocyanins, indicating that they may be able to help with vitamin deficits. According to the sensory evaluation, the superior appearance, sweetness, and flavour of Bhusona contributed to its higher overall acceptability score (8.55 ± 0.50) while Bhukrishna received lower preference ratings due to its darker colour and mildly astringent taste. The knowledge, abilities, and confidence of rural women in embracing nutrient-rich, climate-resilient crops were improved by the participatory trials. According to the findings, bio-fortified sweet potatoes are a viable agri-food innovation that can help rural women by increasing their dietary diversity, nutritional security, and economic resilience. It was proposed that widespread distribution, online awareness efforts, and incorporation into public nutrition initiatives might hasten adoption even more and support long-term ecological and social development in rural India. Malnutrition among rural women in India remained a pressing concern due to high energy requirements and inadequate dietary intake. An on-farm trial (OFT) was conducted across four districts of Odisha—Puri, Bargarh, Ganjam, and Boudh—to evaluate the agronomic performance, economic feasibility, and consumer acceptability of two biofortified sweet potato varieties, Bhu Sona (yellow-fleshed, β-carotene-rich) and Bhu Krishna (purple-fleshed, anthocyanin-rich), compared to the local variety Nalikanda (FP). Using a randomized block design (RBD) with three replications per location, data on yield, vine length, tubers per plant, cost-benefit ratio, and sensory attributes were collected. The results indicated that both biofortified varieties significantly outperformed the local check. Bhu Sona recorded the highest tuber yield (161.04 q ha⁻¹), longest vine length (212.43 cm), superior sensory acceptability (8.57 ± 1.35), and highest economic return (B:C ratio 2.18), followed by Bhu Krishna (yield 151.12 q ha⁻¹; B:C 2.15). Nalikanda exhibited the lowest performance across all parameters. Sensory evaluation revealed strong consumer preference for Bhu Sona due to its appealing appearance, sweetness, and flavour. The study demonstrated that biofortified sweet potatoes enhanced dietary diversity, nutritional security, and income among rural farm women. Participatory trials also improved knowledge, skills, and confidence in adopting nutrient-rich, climate-resilient crops. The findings suggested that widespread dissemination, awareness campaigns, and integration into public nutrition programs could have accelerated adoption and supported sustainable livelihoods and nutritional well-being in rural India.

Decline in productivity of major cereal crops has been observed due to climate change and global warming. The main effects of climate change are increase in temperature, uncertainties in rainfall and enhancement of greenhouse gasses emission. So, under these changed climatic scenario to ensure the nutrition and food security at national level the adoption of millets may be a good choice as millets are climate smart crops because of their high nutritive value, better adaptation to warm and drought conditions with short life, low external inputs requirement and higher tolerance to water and temperatures stress. The extent cultivated for the production of minor millets in India has declined significantly in recent decades due to the dominance of major cereal crops, despite their nutritional and agronomic benefits. Enhancement of millet productivity involves efficient nutrient management practices, especially nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), to maximize growth and yield. The goal of this research was to evaluate the growth and phenology response of different minor millet varieties under different levels of nitrogen and phosphorus application. Specifically, the study was laid out in split plot design to analyze four species of various minor millets: Foxtail millet (SIA 3156), Barnyard millet (VL 207), Proso millet (TNAU 202), and Finger millet (GPU 67) designated as main plots. Additionally, four levels of nitrogen and phosphorus are applied in sub-plots, categorized as N0 + P0, N20 + P10, N40 + P20, and N60 + P30 kg ha-1. The recorded data included growth attributes such as plant population (mrl-1), plant height (cm), dry matter accumulation (g mrl-1), and number of tillers (mrl-1). Phenological observations were recorded, including the measurement of days to crop emergence, days to heading, and days to maturity. The results indicated that the application of nitrogen and phosphorus to various minor millets significantly improved the growth and phonological attributes of millets which finally affected yield performance.

Fish landing centres (FLCs) function as crucial physical and economic anchors in the aquatic food system, linking capture and culture fisheries with wholesale markets, retailers, and end consumers. They influence not only the quality and safety of landed fish but also price realization, value addition, and the stability of livelihoods along the value chain. In India’s contemporary fisheries policy discourse, particularly under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), modern and hygienic FLCs are no longer viewed as simple landing points; they are conceived as integrated rural growth nodes that can support sustainable blue economies, enhance nutritional security, and create diversified employment opportunities in backward and forward linkages.

The dairy industry in India plays a pivotal role in rural development, employment, and nutritional security, making the quality of milk produced a key factor for both consumer health and economic viability. Enhancing milk quality, particularly in terms of fat, protein, and casein content, is essential for the production of high-value dairy products. Azolla filiculoides, a nutrient-rich and sustainable feed supplement, has shown potential to significantly improve these milk quality parameters. In a study involving 20 lactating HF crossbreed cows, Azolla supplementation led to notable increases in milk yield, with improvements ranging from 13.70% to 30.89%. Milk fat content ranged from 2.49% to 4.98%, protein content increased from 2.63%-3.24% to 3.16%-3.98%, and casein levels improved from 2.01%-2.3% to 2.66%-3.04%. Minimal changes were observed in lactose and galactose levels, indicating that while Azolla enhances fat and protein content, it does not significantly alter milk sugars. These results highlight A. filiculoidesas an effective, sustainable feed supplement that enhances milk quality, supporting the dairy industry's objectives of improving nutritional outcomes and economic sustainability.

Global food systems are advancing towards vulnerable due to over reliance on a narrow range of staple crops (rice, wheat, maize), creating risks from climate change, environmental degradation, and malnutrition. Neglected and underutilized plant species (NUPS), are known as Future Smart Foods which are offering climate-resilient, nutrient-dense alternatives adapted to marginal environments, with potential dietary diversity, ability to combat hidden hunger, and support sustainable livelihoods. This study was conducted with the objectives of knowing the people perception and attitude towards the NUPS in Gowainghat Upazila of Sylhet District, Bangladesh. The research area is located in a humid sub-tropical region with heavy monsoon rainfall (~5,000 mm annually) and having diverse agroecology covering 200 randomly selected respondents from four unions (Fatehpur, Rustampur, Purba Jaflong, Alirgaon) with the above objectives during June 2022 to and April 2023. Data were collected by using semi-structured interviews, pre-tested questionnaires, field observations, and focus group discussions. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Likert scales. Results revealed strong appreciation for NUPS, with fruits dominating usage (55.5%) followed by vegetables (16.5%) and medicinal applications (15%), and were primarily for self-consumption (55%) and contributing to nutrition, health, and income security. Women played the prominent role in labor-intensive production tasks (e.g., planting 57.5%, harvesting 65.5%), creating gender empowerment, while marketing remained male-dominated (71.5%). Respondents hold positive attitudes toward NUPS benefits including nutritional security and women's empowerment. But showed low awareness of environmental contributions (e.g., biodiversity enhancement),limited knowledge levels (47% nil), with a perceived decadal decline in availability/production (66.5%) attributed to marketing constraints (79 % respondents), uneven precipitation (72%), lack of training (69%), and inadequate knowledge (64%). These findings are aligned with global patterns of NUPS erosion due to policy negligence and climate stresses. The study underscores NUPS' viability as climate-smart resources in vulnerable rural Bangladesh, affirming their role in advancing SDGs 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 5 (Gender Equality), and 15 (Life on Land). Promoting awareness, gender-inclusive training, market linkages, and resilient cultivation could reverse declining, boost up food/nutrition security, and foster diversified, sustainable food systems in similar agroecological contexts. J. Sylhet Agril. Univ. 12(2): 117-126, 2025

ABSTRACT Food insecurity and malnutrition remain major challenges in Niger, where protein-rich crops are critically needed. Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is recognized as a strategic legume due to its high protein content (typically 35–45%) and valuable techno-functional properties reported in the literature. However, local accessions and improved soybean varieties cultivated in Niger remain poorly characterized in terms of their nutritional and techno-functional potential. This study aimed to comparatively evaluate the morphological traits, nutritional composition, and techno-functional properties of 12 local soybean accessions and 3 improved varieties cultivated in different agro-ecological zones of Niger. Samples were analyzed in triplicate using standard gravimetric, potentiometric, and functional property assessment methods. Protein contents ranged from 35.89 ± 0.26% to 40.58 ± 1.25%, values comparable to or slightly lower than those reported for improved soybean cultivars worldwide (≈40–45%). Lipid contents varied from 9.83 ± 1.07% to 18.47 ± 1.27%. Water absorption capacity ranged from 187.01 ± 2.51% to 289.00 ± 9.31%, while oil absorption capacity varied from 125.40 ± 5.90% to 175.87 ± 0.13%, indicating good functional performance relative to reference legume flours. Solubility reached up to 48.80%, particularly for accession AC34 (Tara), whereas swelling power remained modest (4.11–6.68 g/g). These results highlight the nutritional and techno-functional potential of both local accessions and improved soybean varieties, supporting their use in food formulation and their valorization as a strategy to enhance food and nutritional security in Niger.

The importance of fermentation as a food preservation technique that enhances food value, nutrition, and food security in South Africa is examined in this review. Poverty, malnutrition, unemployment, and food insecurity are among the many issues the nation still faces, especially in rural and low-income areas. As a traditional and scientifically proven food-processing technique, fermentation provides an affordable, environmentally friendly answer to these problems. A comprehensive review of the literature of peer-reviewed works covering 1980 to 2025 was conducted in databases like Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and PubMed. The review concentrated on the microbial components, nutritional advantages, and socioeconomic effects of both conventional and contemporary fermentation processes. While modern technologies have improved product consistency and safety, traditional fermented foods like amasi, umqombothi, amahewu, and incwancwa continue to be nutritionally significant and culturally relevant. However, obstacles like microbial contamination, uneven quality, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of regulations prevent widespread commercial adoption. The review concludes that by fusing traditional wisdom with cutting-edge biotechnology, fermentation has the potential to greatly improve South Africa’s food system. In order to scale fermentation practices and incorporate them into official food and nutrition programs, it is suggested that more funding be allocated to research, infrastructure, and supportive policies. Utilizing fermentation could improve the quality of food, encourage economic growth in rural areas, and provide a long-term route to increased food and nutrition security for the country.

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) is a climate-resilient nutri-cereal that plays a critical role in food and nutritional security in arid and semi-arid regions; however, genetic improvement for grain yield remains challenging. The present investigation was undertaken to quantify genetic variability and to elucidate causal trait pathways influencing yield among diverse germplasm, with the scientific objective of identifying reliable indirect selection criteria for breeding high-performing cultivars. The experiment evaluated 35 pearl millet germplasm lines in a randomized block design with three replications under field conditions. Highly significant variation was observed for all quantitative characters, confirming substantial exploitable genetic diversity. Moderate to high heritability coupled with appreciable genetic advance was detected for tiller number and stem diameter, while correlation analysis revealed strong positive associations of yield with plant height, leaf dimensions, and biomass parameters. Path analysis indicated that stem fresh weight, stem diameter, and leaf number exerted the strongest direct positive effects on grain yield, whereas certain vegetative traits influenced yield predominantly through indirect pathways. These findings demonstrate that effective yield enhancement in pearl millet can be achieved through indirect selection emphasizing biomass-related and structurally stable traits rather than yield alone.

Pulses (Pisum sativum L.) are important grain legume crops that contribute significantly to Bangladesh's nutritional security as inexpensive, high-protein food sources. This research assessed the agronomic performance and environmental adaptability of four pea varieties (Pea Nator Local, Pea Jikorgacha Local, BARI Khesari-2, and BARI Motorshuti-3) at the experimental field of Sylhet AgriculturalUniversity during the 2019-2020 Rabi season. The experiment employed a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. The results showed significant variation among varieties for plant population, leaves plant⁻¹, branches plant⁻¹, plant height, fresh weight of plant, pods plant⁻¹, pod length, seeds pod⁻¹, 100 seeds weight, and seed yield. The results revealed that the highest seed yield was obtained from Natore local (1572.37 kg ha⁻¹) and it was similar to Jhikorgacha local (1440 kg ha⁻¹). The lowest seed yield was obtained from BARI motorshuti-3 (961.87 kg ha⁻¹). Environmental suitability analysis showed that Pea Nator local had perfect adaptation with 5.5% yield loss while BARI motorshuti-3 suffered 38.8% yield loss due to environmental stress. Above all Pea Nator local and Jikorgacha local may be suggested to farmers to cultivate in Sylhet. J. Sylhet Agril. Univ. 12(2): 77-86, 2025

Malnutrition or hidden hunger due to micronutrient deficiencies (iron, zinc, vitamin A, iodine) affects over 2 billion people worldwide, with the greatest burden in developing countries. Biofortification, the practice of breeding staple food crops that are rich in specific micronutrients through agronomic, conventional or modern genetic approaches, is a cost-effective and sustainable approach to combat malnutrition at a population scale. This review paper covers recent developments in biofortification with special focus on developing nutrient-dense varieties using genomic tools, marker-assisted selection (MAS) and omics technologies, as well as microbial-assisted biofortification using plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and mycorrhizal fungi (MF). Additionally, the paper identifies future research trajectories, including the potential biofortification of other underutilized crops such as millets and pulses (many of which are already naturally high in key micronutrients and adapted to harsh climates), digital agriculture, artificial intelligence and climate-resilient practices for greater efficiency and scale. Biofortification is a science-based strategy that holds great promise for achieving nutrition goals globally, but its success will rely on interdisciplinary collaboration, policy support and stakeholder engagement within the agriculture, health and education sectors. Prospective directions for further research include exploring multi-nutrient biofortification, integrating biofortification with sustainable soil–plant–microbe interactions and leveraging systems biology to optimize nutrient uptake and stability. Future challenges involve ensuring consumer acceptance, addressing bioavailability issues, minimizing trade-offs with yield and quality and strengthening policy frameworks to enable large-scale adoption and equitable access.

ABSTRACT This discussion paper examines the case for broadening the food basket of South African consumers, particularly rural households vulnerable to food insecurity, through the utilization of underutilized indigenous crops (UICs). Historically central to local diets, these crops are increasingly recognized for their resilience to climate change, nutritional benefits, and contribution to biodiversity. Despite these advantages, UICs remain marginal in production and consumption due to socioeconomic, cultural, and policy barriers. This paper synthesizes literature and policy perspectives to argue that broadening the rural food basket through UICs can enhance food and nutrition security while supporting sustainable livelihoods. Findings emphasize that effective integration of UICs requires awareness campaigns, supportive policies, research investment, and institutional coordination. Reviving indigenous crops will not only improve dietary diversity and climate resilience but also support South Africa’s progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.