Anatomy-guided prompting with cross-modal self-alignment for whole-body PET-CT breast cancer segmentation.

This study investigates the organic production behavior of beef cattle farmers in Kazakhstan across three key operational dimensions: standardized farm construction, standardized use of agricultural inputs, and the implementation of organic food certification. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates a large-scale field survey of 410 respondents, in-depth interviews with farmers and officials, econometric modeling (SEM, probit, ordered probit), and comparative case studies of farms at different stages of organic transition. The findings reveal that while many farmers demonstrate a willingness to adopt organic practices, actual adoption remains limited due to financial constraints, insufficient technical capacity, certification complexity, and uneven access to advisory services. Econometric results highlight the significant role of perceived behavioral control and education, experience, and scale factors in shaping organic behavior. Differences between high- and low-income farmers, as well as between large- and small-scale producers, further emphasize the importance of targeted support mechanisms. Overall, the study provides applied evidence forpolicymakers and practitioners, showing that effective promotion of organic livestock production in Kazakhstan requires reducing certification burdens, improving technical assistance, expanding financial support programs, and strengthening regional infrastructure for sustainable cattle farming.

Well-organized ecosystems for innovation support services are crucial to accelerate agricultural innovations and to address the Grand Challenges to achieving Sustainable Development Goals. Deepening our understanding of what drives the emergence of service ecosystems is crucial to facilitate their deployment. In this study, we use the service ecosystems framework and focus on organizational alignment dynamics and ecosystem emergence. We provide an integrated perspective on how agricultural innovation support services are deployed through evolving coordination and institutional arrangements. Considering the specificities of agricultural innovation, we also provide new insights into the role played by hub organisations in their emergence by overcoming the constraints to organizational alignment for value co-creation. Our case study approach is based on semi-structured interviews and analysis of over 5 years of case study data concerning innovative labelling of organic farm products in sub-Saharan Africa. Participatory guarantee systems offer small-scale farmers the opportunity for organic or agroecological certification for national markets. This systemic innovation requires diverse technical, social, and organizational innovations and calls for several innovation support services. Processual analysis through temporal bracketing identified three stages of emergence: preliminary, birth, and growth. We differentiate between constraining factors, which are internal to the ecosystem and its functioning, and external factors, which depend on the context. We also enrich the theory of alignment and its relevance in the Global South in the form of two new constraining factors to alignment: international development projects and end-user demand, and the crucial role of hub organisations.

The purpose of this study was an environmental assessment of the contamination of medicinal plant raw materials of the Rostov region with sim-triazine pesticides. The objects of the study were pharmacopeial plant species, widespread in the Southern Federal District, which are characteristic representatives of both natural plant communities and synanthropic vegetation, as well as soil. The content of sim-triazine pesticides: atrazine, simazine, promethrin in soil and plant samples was determined. The content of pesticides in plant samples and soil samples was determined using the Chromatec-Crystal-5000 analytical chromatograph. The results of the study of samples taken in the territories of the most representative agrocenoses of the Chertkovsky and Tsimlyansk districts of the Rostov region, characterized by intensive chemicalization in agriculture, showed the complete ecological well-being of soils and plant materials in relation to pollution with sim-triazine pesticides. The obtained results of analyses of soil and plant raw material images for residual pesticide content meet the strict requirements of organic farming, which creates prerequisites for the development of organic crop production and certification of wild and cultivated medicinal plant raw materials as environmentally friendly, which makes it possible to position the region as a favorable zone for pharmacopoeial raw material production.

The article analyzes the legal regulation of organic production in the context of the European Green Deal, focusing on the main challenges facing Ukraine in this area. The study provides an overview of international and European standards for organic production, compared with national legislation. In particular, the analysis of European sources in the field of organic production allows for significant improvement of national legal frameworks, as well as the consideration of leading European practices for further development and strengthening of Ukraine’s position in the international market. Special attention is given to the issues of implementing organic farming practices, including aspects of certification, quality control, and mechanisms for encouraging organic producers. The article emphasizes the need to harmonize Ukrainian legislation with European norms to enhance competitiveness and achieve sustainable development of the agricultural sector. Following the signing of the Association Agreement with the European Union, Ukraine has committed to integrating into European processes. Despite a number of positive changes in Ukrainian legislation regarding organic production, full harmonization with European standards to ensure the competitiveness of environmentally friendly products still requires further development. The paper offers recommendations for improving the legal mechanisms of organic production in Ukraine. Further development of organic production in Ukraine is directly linked to the establishment of an effective state control system, the creation of transparent certification conditions, and the enhancement of consumer trust in organic labeling. An essential component of integration is the creation of a unified register of organic producers, which will ensure openness and prevent unfair competition. In addition to legal aspects, the state’s information and educational policy plays a significant role in raising awareness among farmers and consumers about the advantages of organic production. The development of partnerships between the state, scientific institutions, and businesses should form the basis for implementing innovative technologies, including digital land monitoring, eco-auditing, and the use of environmental indicators in agricultural planning. Therefore, organic production should be viewed not only as an economic activity but as a comprehensive ecological strategy that ensures a balanced combination of environmental, social, and economic interests.

Arid and desert regions face acute water scarcity, limited arable land, and a heavy reliance on food imports. This paper examines an advanced agroponic system (US Patent 12356905B2) that integrates aquaculture and hydroponics with AI-driven monitoring to enable sustainable crop production in such environments. The technology recirculates water and recycles nutrients from animal (fish) waste in a closed-loop, circular ecological model, providing a rich, natural nutrient solution for plants while purifying water for reuse. We describe the system’s design, including its sensor networks and machine-learning feedback controls, and detail its 5-year pilot operation in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The pilot demonstrated high productivity and water efficiency, growing a wide variety of crops year-round with up to 80–90% less water than traditional farming methods. We analyse the large-scale benefits of desert agriculture, such as enabling local cultivation of vegetables, fruits, and even grains with minimal water, thereby bolstering food security and socioeconomic resilience. The system’s closed-loop design yields two products (fish protein and crops) while avoiding synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, aligning with organic farming principles and providing a pathway to organic certification. We compare the patented agroponic approach with conventional hydroponics and aquaponics, highlighting its advantages in nutrient diversity, environmental sustainability, and yield predictability under extreme climatic conditions. Finally, we discuss the potential to scale this technology across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Sub-Saharan Africa, and project its role in reducing import dependency, creating rural employment opportunities, and building climate-resilient agricultural systems in non-fertile, dry geographies.

This study investigates how branding and marketing influence organic certification readiness and market access among registered partner-farmers of the Department of Agriculture in Siquijor Province, Philippines. Anchored on the Pagente Organic Farming Model (2025), the research highlights the role of integrated practices—pest management, fertilizer use, record-keeping, and product presentation—in enhancing farmer participation in sustainable organic agriculture. Employing a descriptive-comparative quantitative design, the study surveyed the entire population of DA-registered partner-farmers in Siquijor using a structured and validated questionnaire (Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.864). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, weighted means, and path analysis to identify key predictors of organic labelling readiness. Results showed strong adoption of organic practices in pest control (M = 4.96), fertilizer use (M = 4.81), and record-keeping (M = 4.51), while branding and marketing scored lower (M = 3.87), suggesting critical gaps in market-oriented competencies. Path analysis identified branding and marketing (β = 0.34, p = 0.01) and pest control (β = 0.33, p = 0.01) as the most significant predictors of certification readiness. Despite farmers’ strong ecological practices, limited access to certification, market platforms, and branding tools remains a barrier to full organic integration. The study recommends targeted interventions such as branding workshops, cooperative marketing hubs, simplified certification pathways, low-cost organic fertilizer promotion, and improved market access through digital and local channels. Funded solely by the author, the research calls for future studies to explore the long-term socio-economic and technological impacts of these strategies in Siquijor and similar emerging organic farming communities.

Sustainability is an existing challenge in the coffee industry. For sustaining long-term coffee production, the social, environmental, and economic problems posed by agricultural production systems must be addressed. Voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs) are one of the strategies proposed to address these issues, which aim to guarantee sustainable production within a fair value chain. Organic certification is one of the main VSSs that is established in international markets, well-received by consumers, and overseen by nonprofit organizations. However, the organic production system in the coffee industry faces difficulties due to climate change, market volatility, financial and social risks, and the economic vulnerability of small producers. In this context, this narrative review focuses on the coffee production process, associated environmental impacts, and different sustainability models. Finally, this paper reviews the perspectives on challenges and opportunities of organic certification in the coffee industry and proposes theoretical frameworks based on the triple bottom line (TBL) model. This model can be implemented by small producers in high-value forest regions such as the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia, as well as coffee cultivation areas with similar ecological characteristics.

This community service program (PKM) primarily aims to improve the economic welfare of the Purbaya Tani Mandiri (PTM) Farmer Group in Purwabakti Village, Bogor. The group, consisting of 40 members and managing 17.93 hectares of land, faces a crucial problem: the low selling price of organic rice (equivalent to non-organic) due to the lack of official certification and limitations in digital marketing. The program offers an integrated solution through education on securing product legality (Organic Certification and P-IRT/Home Industry Food Permit) and digital marketing training, which includes brand development, visual content, and the use of leading e-commerce platforms (Shopee and Tokopedia). The method used is a participatory approach with five stages: preparation, bureaucratic education, program execution, partner participation, and evaluation. The targeted outcomes of the program are an increase in product selling value, expansion of market reach to a national scale, and a significant improvement in farmer income.

Extension Master Gardener Volunteers (EMGVs) serve as critical educators in promoting research-based gardening practices such as integrated pest management (IPM), sustainable and environmentally responsible pest control methods. Despite the central role EMGVs play in public horticultural education, few studies have evaluated their actual IPM knowledge. This study assessed baseline IPM knowledge among EMGVs nationwide using a 12-question instrument developed through a modified Delphi process. A total of 887 valid responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, χ 2 tests, and regression modeling. Results revealed that although most respondents self-identified as “somewhat knowledgeable,” objective assessment scores revealed a higher level of competency, with 519 respondents (58.5%) scoring in the “very knowledgeable” range. Higher IPM knowledge scores were significantly associated with more years of education, younger age, male gender, and in-person or longer-format EMGV training programs. However, knowledge gaps were evident in questions related to pesticide classification, biological control, and organic labeling—terminology often misunderstood or conflated by both consumers and volunteers. These findings suggest that although EMGVs are generally well informed about IPM, targeted enhancements to training programs—particularly in areas such as pesticide usage, definitions, and biological controls—may enhance their ability to provide accurate research-based information to consumers. This study establishes a foundation for improved curriculum development and encourages continued research into EMGV competencies across other horticultural topics. This study represents the first national quantitative assessment of EMGV IPM knowledge in the United States and establishes a national baseline for future program evaluation.

Aims: To identify and rank the major constraints faced by small tea growers (STGs) in Kerala. Study Design: Field survey was conducted and the STGs were individually made to rank the constraints. The Garrett ranking method was used to find out which problems were most important to the STGs in both districts. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the principal tea-growing blocks of Idukki and Wayanad districts in Kerala, between June and August 2025. Methodology: A purposive sampling approach was adopted to select key tea growing blocks and panchayats, from which 200 STGs were randomly chosen. Primary data were collected through a pre-tested structured interview schedule focusing on constraints in tea cultivation and marketing. Respondents ranked each constraint, and the Garrett ranking technique was applied to quantify and prioritise the challenges identified in each district. Results: Price volatility was found to be the most critical constraint in Idukki, while labour shortage ranked highest in Wayanad. In Idukki, STGs also reported high wage rates and limited institutional support as significant challenges, whereas in Wayanad, respondents reported climate change and pest and disease incidence as major concerns. Statistical analysis revealed that the severity and nature of constraints differed significantly between the two regions, influencing decisions of STGs to diversify crops and income sources. Conclusion: The study found that in Idukki, price volatility was the main problem for STGs, along with lack of institutional support and high wage rate. In Wayanad, the biggest issue was a lack of labour, followed by climatic and pest and disease concerns, while stable prices from organic certification made market problems less severe. These challenges led many STGs to switch to other crops or non-farm work. The results show the need for strategies like improvement in market intelligence through price forecasting to help tea growers in Kerala overcome these key problems.

Abstract Although organic labels inform consumers about food production, many incorrectly infer that organic foods contain fewer calories than regular foods, a phenomenon known as the organic health halo effect. This study examines the influence of mood, restrained eating, and food healthiness perceptions on the prevalence of the organic health halo effect. Results revealed that both restrained and unrestrained eaters perceive organic foods as healthier and less caloric. Although organic and regular foods were identical in calories, calorie misperception persisted across mood conditions and restrained eating status. However, positive and negative moods decreased the organic health halo effect among unrestrained eaters.

This article proposes the implementation of a logistics system to improve the conservation and distribution of agricultural products from the Tianguis Orgánico Natural y Artesanal del Estado de México (TONAEM) committee, a small producer organization in Villa del Carbón, to the UAEMéx. The objective is to reduce losses due to spoilage, increase profitability, and optimize the supply chain through strategies such as the implementation of a pull system based on actual demand, the FEFO method for inventory management, the Participatory Organic Certification process, and the use of KPIs to evaluate efficiency.

Purpose This study aims to examine the antecedents of consumers’ behavioral intention (CBI) toward buying organic milk in a developing economy, i.e. India, based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) as a theoretical research framework. Also, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 focused on ensuring good health and well-being by accomplishing SDG-3. Design/methodology/approach Applying the purposive sampling technique, the data was collected from the consumers who visited retail shops and supermarket stores that sell organic products located in Delhi and Gurugram, India. Variance-based structural equation modeling (VB-SEM) has been used to assess the study’s hypotheses. Findings The study’s findings revealed that health benefits were found to be the most influential determinant of forming consumers’ attitude toward buying organic milk, followed by organic labeling, functional value quality (FVQ) and trust. Remarkably, findings revealed that consumers’ attitude is the foremost important factor for predicting their behavioral intention toward buying organic milk compared to subjective norms (SNM) and perceived behavioral control (PBC). Also, results show that attitude partially mediates the relationship between FVQ and CBI, as well as health benefits and CBI, while fully mediates the relationship between organic labeling and CBI, as well as trust and CBI toward buying organic milk. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study ever that examines consumers’ attitude and behavioral intentions toward buying organic milk by applying the inclusive theoretical framework of independent constructs, i.e. FVQ, organic labeling, health benefits and trust with TPB. Also, this study provides important managerial implications to producers and marketers of organic milk to devise consumer-driven, effective strategies to increase organic milk sales and business performance by enhancing consumers’ positive attitude and behavioral intention.

This study analyzes how socio-demographic factors influence the sustainable consumption of organic vegetables in Romania. Following behavioral theories such as the Theory of Planned Behavior and Value-Belief-Norm models, the study explores how attitudes, trust, and socio-demographic characteristics shape individual purchasing decisions. The main objective was to analyze the frequency of consumption of organic vegetables, the reasons for action, the level of trust in organic certification and preferences regarding distribution channels in relation to socio-demographic variables. The research was based on a structured questionnaire applied to a sample of 533 respondents, selected from various regions of the country. The statistical analysis included descriptive and inferential methods, namely the Chi-square test for the association between variables, the Spearman coefficient for ordinal correlations and the Mann–Whitney U test for the comparison of independent groups. Results show that the frequency of organic vegetable consumption decreases as income and education rise, a pattern influenced by Romania’s market structure and cultural context, where higher-income consumers often prefer imported or internationally certified products, while middle-income groups sustain local purchases. Health is the main motivation for the purchase, while aspects related to environmental protection and support for local producers are mentioned secondarily. Price perception is significantly associated with age, income, and education, and the preference for purchasing channels especially depends on educational level. Trust in producers correlates with gender and income, while trust in certification labels shows no significant associations. These findings provide insight into how socio-demographic characteristics shape sustainable consumption behaviors and build a solid foundation for the development of the organic products market in Romania.

Abstract In recent years, industries and nations have faced significant challenges in ensuring food safety and quality assessment. This study significantly enhances our understanding of food safety by providing a reliable method for classifying tomatoes as organic or non-organic. By accurately distinguishing between these categories, the research addresses a critical issue in the food industry: the assurance that consumers are receiving safe and high-quality products. It aims to establish an advanced platform that leverages Machine Learning algorithms to analyze Mass Spectrometry data, effectively classifying tomatoes as organic or non-organic. Using silica gel plates in conjunction with direct-infusion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, we present a pioneering optimization model that fuses genetic algorithms (GA) with grey wolf optimization (GWO). By harnessing GA’s exploratory strengths alongside GWO’s exploitative features, our model significantly enhances both solution diversity and convergence efficiency in optimization tasks. This integration merges GA’s principles of natural selection with GWO’s socially inspired techniques, making it applicable across various fields, including engineering design, machine learning, and resource management. The dataset was divided into 80% training and 20% testing sets, with the testing data classified using a random forest algorithm, achieving an impressive 95% accuracy. The training data, classified with both random forest and the Grey Wolf Optimizer, reached 76% accuracy. Remarkably, when the Grey Wolf Optimizer was combined with the genetic algorithm for feature selection, accuracy increased to 99.9% and F1-Score 99%. These results demonstrate that our proposed model can effectively classify the safety and quality of tomatoes. The findings indicate that a tomato can be safe and nutritious while being labelled as non-organic, challenging common perceptions. This clarity empowers producers, retailers, and consumers to make informed choices based on safety and quality rather than solely on organic certification. Ultimately, the practical applications of this study can lead to improved food safety standards, better consumer trust, and more efficient supply chain practices that prioritize the health and safety of the public.

Purpose: This report seeks to provide a comprehensive examination of participatory governance’s specific role, observed impacts, and the persistent barriers to its effective implementation within the unique Philippine agricultural context. Methodology: This systematic literature review used a content analysis with a thematic synthesis. It examined a wide range of papers from government records, industry analyses, peer-reviewed articles, and research reviews that were pertinent to the particulars of participatory governance in the Philippine agricultural context. Findings: Participatory governance serves as a critical but underutilized pathway to resilience in Philippine agriculture. Case studies of farmer field schools, irrigation management, seed governance, and organic certification demonstrate how inclusive, farmer-led approaches foster adaptive capacity, sustainability, and equity. However, persistent barriers including institutional rigidity, entrenched power imbalances, weak policy implementation, socio-political disempowerment, and organizational weaknesses at the grassroots level continue to limit its transformative potential despite supportive laws and frameworks. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice, and Policy: This report contributes to theory by framing participatory governance as a pathway not only to recovery but also to adaptive and transformative resilience, enriched by indigenous Filipino concepts of collective governance. In practice, it highlights concrete mechanisms and challenges that inform farmer organizations, NGOs, and development actors seeking to operationalize participatory approaches. For policy, it underscores the need to move beyond declarative frameworks toward genuine implementation that strengthens institutional capacity, addresses structural inequities, and embeds accountability, positioning participatory governance as both a political and technical imperative for agricultural transformation.

Abstract Empirical insights into consumer preferences for sustainability attributes of cattle products are relevant for developing labeling policies, consumer communication strategies, and agri-environmental compensation schemes for farmers. We analyzed and compared consumers’ preferences for two cattle products, beefsteak and milk, with sustainability labels pertaining to the attributes of biodiversity-fostering, animal-friendly, and pasture-based production alongside local and organic labels. We conducted online discrete choice experiments with 1029 consumers in Germany, estimated mixed logit models, and applied latent class analysis. Our results indicate that the mean preferences for sustainability attributes are similar for beef and milk, with the strongest preferences observed for animal welfare, local origin, and pasture grazing. In both cases, organic production was not among the top three attributes. However, it is striking that the preferences were highly heterogeneous among consumers. The latent class analysis identified five distinct consumer segments with varying preferences for sustainability attributes, highlighting the importance of targeting specific groups in policy and communication strategies and pointing to opportunities for differentiation in production systems.

ABSTRACT This study investigates the impact of packaging color on consumers’ healthfulness perceptions, comparing dark brown, transparent, and green glass bottles for olive oil in the Italian market. Results indicate that dark brown packaging significantly enhances perceived healthfulness and authenticity, as darker shades are associated with higher product authenticity. This effect is stronger when paired with the EU organic certification rather than the PDO label. Transparent packaging ranks second, while green is the least effective. These findings highlight the crucial role of packaging design in shaping consumer choices, offering valuable insights for marketing strategies aimed at promoting healthier consumption habits.

The definition of the word “Organic” is an ecological management production system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity. It is based on the minimal use of off –farm inputs (Savithri, N. & Lavanya, B, 2019). Organic food is a term given to food which is prepared without using any harmful foreign substances, such as pesticides and preservatives. Organic farming is a system of production that relies on animal manure, organic waste, crop rotation, legumes, and biological pest control. Organic foods are produced through traditional and natural methods, sustaining the procedures of organic farming which minimises the use of synthetic chemicals. Thus Organic Food Products (OFP) are nutrient-rich and free of chemicals and pesticides. Over the decades due to increasing disposable income it made major influence on purchasing power of Indian consumers have shifted their preference and buying behaviour from traditional food to modern nutritious and hygienic food. Assam has tremendous potential to growth crops organically and emerges as a main supplier of organic products in the World’s organic market. Assam hold the third position among the Northeastern states in the area under organic farming. Currently, Assam has an area of approximately 28234.66 hectares under organic certification (CSIR-North East Institute of Science & Technology, 2014). Objectives: The main goal of the present study was (a) to analyse the availability of organic food products in selected districts of Assam.(b) To explore the awareness level of consumers of organic food products in selected districts of Assam.Methodology: This study was systematic and scientific in nature. Different methods and techniques are used by researchers at different stages of research to accomplish the objectives of the study. The detailed plan and structural framework used for gathering information. For this study, a purposive cum multistage random sampling design was adopted. Primary data were collected using a specially designed pre-tested schedule and questionnaire through personal and group interviews. The data received from various sources and websites were tabulated and interpreted using standard statistical tools as the Likert 5 point scale, averages, T- test, correlation and regression, cross-tabulation, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and SPSS. The data trend and past history was used to arranged at various conclusion and were interpreted in respective chapter. To conduct the survey, a standard structural questionnaire was prepared, which was divided into four different sets and comprised the required number of questions for each set, as follows.Findings: The present study found that majority (51.66 percent) of the respondents opined that organic fruits and vegetables markets are significant. The study also indicated that consumer awareness of organic products is an important point. The analysis found that the majority (49.62 per cent) of respondents were aware of all organic food products. This study examined the opinions and perceptions of organic food product retailers, traders, consumers, farmers, and government stakeholders. The study shows that there is good potential for organic food products in Upper Assam, as there is a gradual increase in regular demand. Knowledge and awareness of organic products were quite good in the study area among customers. The study also found that the success of organic food products depends on a proper market structure and efficient supply chain management. Therefore, the government should take the initiative with proper measures and policies to promote organic products.Implication: The present study will be helpful to future researchers for further in different directions in organic products. Policymakers and government stakeholders may use data and findings for arbitrary strategies.Future research directions include Sustainability and Environmental impact, Nutritional and Health Benefits, Consumer Behaviour and preferences, Market Trends and Opportunities, Market segmentation and targeting, Assessing Distribution Channels, Barriers to market Entry, Impact of policy and Regulation and Consumer’s willingness to pay.