Food Production Potential Research Articles

Morphological Evaluation and Phenolic Content of Wild Prunus cerasifera Ehrh. Fruits from Slovenia

Wild fruit species offer significant nutritional, environmental, and economic benefits. Among them, Prunus cerasifera Ehrh. (myrobalan) stands out for its resilience and nutrient-rich fruits, traditionally consumed fresh or dried. This study aimed to assess the morphological and biochemical diversity of 21 wild P. cerasifera accessions from Slovenia, focusing on 18 fruit and stone traits, including size, shape, color, and phenolic compounds such as total monomeric anthocyanins and total phenolic content (TPC). The objective was to identify genotypes with potential for cultivation and food production or as parental components in breeding programs. The results showed variability in fruit length (2.19–2.82 cm), width (2.18–2.99 cm), weight (67.98–150.30 g), firmness, and juiciness, with notable differences in stone characteristics. Phytochemical analysis revealed a wide range of TPC (277–1756 mg/100 g) and anthocyanin levels (0–710 mg/100 g), with higher concentrations in darker fruits. Statistical analysis compared PAM and AGNES clustering methods, finding that PAM with five clusters and AGNES with two clusters provided similar insights. The study emphasized variability in morphological and chemical traits among clusters, with specific accessions showing particularly valuable traits, such as accession RK13, which had high TPC and anthocyanins and a non-adherent stone.

Isolation and Characterization of Two Novel Lytic Bacteriophages against Salmonella typhimurium and Their Biocontrol Potential in Food Products.

Foodborne pathogens, such as Salmonella, are major factors that pose significant threats to global food safety and public health. Salmonella typhimurium is a prominent serotype contributing to non-typhoidal salmonellosis, which is a prevalent foodborne illness affecting humans and animals. Bacteriophages are considered one of the most environmentally friendly biocontrol agents, particularly in the food industry, owing to their high specificity and high safety. However, the emergency of phage-resistant mutants limits the biocontrol effect of phage treatment, leading to the requirement for a high diversity of lytic phages. Therefore, the study isolated and characterized two novel lytic Salmonella bacteriophages (SPYS_1 and SPYS_2) targeting S. typhimurium ATCC14028 and evaluated their effectiveness in reducing the contamination rates for milk and chicken tenders. Morphological and genomic analyses indicated that Salmonella phages SPYS_1 and SPYS_2 are novel species classified under the genus Skatevirus and the genus Berlinvirus, respectively. Both phages exhibited high stability across a broad range of thermal and pH conditions. The one-step growth curve result suggested that both phages had a short adsorption time and a large burst size in a single lytic cycle. The phage SPYS_1 demonstrated a noteworthy inhibition effect on the growth of S. typhimurium ATCC14028 in milk, resulting in a ~2-log reduction within the 2 to 4 h range. Overall, both phages have shown significant potential for application in food safety in the future.

How do drought and heat affect the response of soybean seed yield to elevated O3? An analysis of 15 seasons of free-air O3 concentration enrichment studies.

The coincidence of rising ozone concentrations ([O3]), increasing global temperatures, and drought episodes is expected to become more intense and frequent in the future. A better understanding of the responses of crop yield to elevated [O3] under different levels of drought and high temperature stress is, therefore, critical for projecting future food production potential. Using a 15-year open-air field experiment in central Illinois, we assessed the impacts of elevated [O3] coupled with variation in growing season temperature and water availability on soybean seed yield. Thirteen soybean cultivars were exposed to a wide range of season-long elevated [O3] in the field using free-air O3 concentration enrichment. Elevated [O3] treatments reduced soybean seed yield from as little as 5.3% in 2005 to 35.2% in 2010. Although cultivars differed in yield response to elevated [O3] (R), ranging from 17.5% to -76.4%, there was a significant negative correlation between R and O3 dosage. Soybean cultivars showed greater seed yield losses to elevated [O3] when grown at drier or hotter conditions compared to wetter or cooler years, because the hotter and drier conditions were associated with greater O3 treatment. However, year-to-year variation in weather conditions did not influence the sensitivity of soybean seed yield to a given increase in [O3]. Collectively, this study quantitatively demonstrates that, although drought conditions or warmer temperatures led to greater O3 treatment concentrations and O3-induced seed yield reduction, drought and temperature stress did not alter soybean's sensitivity to O3. Our results have important implications for modeling the effects of rising O3 pollution on crops and suggest that altering irrigation practices to mitigate O3 stress may not be effective in reducing crop sensitivity to O3.

Ionic titanium is expected to improve the nutritional quality of Tartary buckwheat sprouts through flavonoids and amino acid metabolism

Tartary buckwheat sprouts are highly valued by consumers for their superior nutritional content. Ionic titanium (Ti) has been shown to enhance crop growth and improve nutritional quality. However, there is limited research on the impact of ionic Ti on the nutritional quality of Tartary buckwheat sprouts. This study cultivated Tartary buckwheat sprouts with ionic Ti and found that the high concentration of ionic Ti significantly increased the contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids (increased by 25.5%, 27.57%, and 15.11%, respectively). The lower concentration of ionic Ti has a higher accumulation of total flavonoids and total polyphenols. Metabolomics analysis by LC-MS revealed 589 differentially expressed metabolites and 54 significantly different metabolites, enriching 82 metabolic pathways, especially including amino acid biosynthesis and flavonoid biosynthesis. This study shows that ionic Ti can promote the growth of Tartary buckwheat sprouts, improve nutritional quality, and have huge development potential in food production.

Antibacterial Activity Potential of Industrial Food Production Waste Extracts against Pathogenic Bacteria: Comparative Analysis and Characterization.

The Food and Agricultural Organization estimates a 17% loss in the food production chain, making it imperative to adopt scientific and technological approaches to address this issue for sustainability. Industrial food production waste and its value-added applications, particularly in relation to a wide variety of pathogenic microorganisms and the health-related effects have not been thoroughly investigated. This study explores the potential of food production waste extracts-lemon peel (LP), hot trub (HT), and coffee silverskin (CSS) as sources of bioactive compounds. Extraction was conducted using hydro-methanolic extraction with yields in LP (482 mg/1 g) > HT (332 mg/1 g) > CSS (20 mg/1 g). The agar diffusion assay revealed the substantial antibacterial activity of all three extracts against Erwinia Amylovora, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus aquimaris. All extracts demonstrated activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, displaying minimum inhibitory concentrations effective against pathogenic bacteria like Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and Salmonella enterica. Total phenolic content (TPC in mg GAE/1g) was 100, 20, and 100 for CSS, HT, and LP, respectively. Antioxidant activity by ABTS indicated IC50 of 3.09, 13.09, and 2.61 for LP, HT, and CSS, respectively. Also, the antioxidant activity of the extracts was further confirmed by DPPH assay with the best activity in CSS (9.84 GAEg-1) and LP (9.77 mg of GAEg-1) rather than in HT (1.45 GAEg-1). No adverse cytotoxic effects on HaCaT cells were observed. Pancreatic amylase inhibition demonstrated antidiabetic potential, with LP showing the highest levels (92%). LC-MS characterization identified polyphenols as the main compounds in CSS, prenylated compounds in HT, and flavanols in LP. The findings imply the potential sustainable use of food production waste in industry.

The Role of Fungi in Food Production and Processing

Fungi play an important and multifaceted role in the production and processing of food, influencing various stages from cultivation to consumption. This paper explores the complex relationship between fungi and food systems, highlighting their diverse contributions. Firstly, fungi serve as essential agents in food cultivation, aiding in the breakdown of organic matter and the recycling of nutrients, and promoting plant growth through symbiotic relationships. Moreover, fungi such as yeasts and molds are integral to fermentation processes, yielding a wide array of fermented foods and beverages with unique flavors and textures. Additionally, fungi are indispensable in the creation of enzymes and bioactive compounds utilized in food processing, enhancing the nutritional value, shelf life, and safety. However, certain fungal species pose significant challenges as food spoilage agents and mycotoxin producers, necessitating stringent quality control measures. Understanding the intricate interplay between fungi and food systems is essential for optimizing food production, ensuring food security, and mitigating the risks associated with fungal contamination. This paper synthesizes current research to elucidate the important role that fungus play in shaping the modern food industry and underscores the importance of ongoing scientific inquiry in harnessing their potential for sustainable and safe food production.

African food system and biodiversity mainly affected by urbanization via dietary shifts

The rapid urbanization in Africa profoundly affects local food and ecological systems. According to earlier research, urbanization may cause food production and biodiversity losses as agricultural or natural lands are absorbed by expanding cities. Land-use displacement effects may buffer agricultural production losses or may lead to additional biodiversity losses but are often overlooked. Moreover, impacts of dietary changes associated with urbanization are rarely considered. To address this, we combined spatially explicit projections of African urban area expansion with observed rice consumption shifts to inform a partial equilibrium model (the Global Biosphere Management Model). We demonstrate the importance of displacement effects to identify potential food production or biodiversity issues until 2050 and argue for their integration in land-use planning and policymaking across spatial scales. We identify that because of agricultural displacement, the impact of urban area expansion on food production losses is probably limited (<1%)—at the cost of additional losses of natural lands by 2050 (up to 2 Mt). We also show that considering dietary shifts associated with urbanization increases rice consumption, production (+8.0%), trade (up to +2 Mt of required import) and agricultural methane emissions (up to +12 MtCO2-equivalent yr–1), thereby underscoring the need for a systems approach in future sustainability studies.

Successful cultivation of edible fungi on textile waste offers a new avenue for bioremediation and potential food production

Textile waste contains both natural fibres such as cotton and bamboo viscose, and synthetic fibres such as elastane and polyester. As a complex mixture, textiles present a challenging pollution issue as breakdown in landfill results in microplastics entering water and soil environments, and incineration results in particulate air pollution. Here the use of edible fungi as bioremediation agents of waste textiles is described for the first time. Three species of filamentous fungi were shown to colonise and grow on mixed fibre textile waste (underpants made from 28% cotton: 68% bamboo viscose: 4% elastane). All three fungi were able to metabolise the common textile dye Reactive Black 5 to some extent. The metabolome was captured to elucidate the dye remediation pathway utilized and to characterise the volatiles released during bioremediation with a view to assessing the safety profile of this process for future industrial applications. The results suggest that edible fungi may be cultivated on textiles, and that some interesting and useful compounds may be produced in the process. This has great biotechnological potential. No mushrooms were produced in this study, suggesting that further work will be needed to optimise conditions for crop production from waste textiles.

Effect of Covid-19 on Female-Headed Farming Household Food Security in Northern Bahr El Ghazal State, South Sudan

At the beginning of 2020, global food security was interrupted by the unprecedented occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated restrictions to contain it. In South Sudan, women were among the most vulnerable groups due to restrictions and standard operating procedures (SoPs). This study was conducted to determine the effect of COVID-19 on the food security of female-headed households from three counties in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, South Sudan. The analysis of the food security status was based on the Consolidated Approach for Reporting Indicators of Food Security (CARI) and food security was viewed in terms of availability of, and accessibility to food among households. Findings revealed that only 15.5% of the female-headed households sampled were food secure while 84.5% of them were food insecure on the 2-level scale. There was a significant reduction in average household income, size of land under agricultural production and crop harvest. Households lost access to produce markets, supermarkets, agro-input markets and produce stores, lowering their food production potential and farm output. Coping strategies included sale of household items, finding other work to supplement their agricultural activities, revision of household food consumption tendencies, new sales channels, while some of the households did nothing. These strategies are indicators of poverty, hunger and food insecurity which can lead to malnutrition. The study concluded that food security among female-headed households is low post-COVID, pushing women into life-threatening coping strategies in South Sudan. Development efforts in the country should be directed towards supporting recovery and resilience systems among these households in the country

Development and innovation of locally inspired food products by Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Central Java, Indonesia

Indonesia possesses significant and diverse potential in local food production. The diversity has created ideal conditions for the production of a wide variety of local foods rich in flavors and nutritional value. This research aims to assess the extent of product development and innovation by Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Central Java, Indonesia, in responding to market challenges in producing locally-inspired food products. The research method involved a survey of 50 MSMEs producing local food products in five districts of Central Java, namely Grobogan, Banyumas, Semarang, Sragen, and Wonosobo, with 10 MSMEs sampled from each district using purposive sampling technique. Data analysis is conducted descriptively and through a literature review. The results of the study indicate that MSMEs have a high ability to create various locally-sourced food products, modify food products, believe in the originality of their products, and make efforts to brand the products they produce. Furthermore, the research also reveals a high level of innovation in marketing strategies carried out by MSMEs, including their ability to try new things in product marketing, openness to new marketing ideas, continuous product improvement, and the development of new product models.

Innovative vs classical methods for drying heterotrophic Chlorella vulgaris: Impact on protein quality and sensory properties

Drying is a necessary step in the microalgae production chain to reduce microbial load and oxidative degradation of the end product. Depending on the differences in applied temperature and treatment time, the process of drying can have a substantial impact on protein quality and aroma, important characteristics determining the incorporation potential in food products. In this study, we compared the drying of heterotrophic Chorella vulgaris with both innovative (agitated thin film drying (ATFD), pulse combustion drying (PCD) and solar drying (SolD)) and commonly used drying techniques (spray drying (SprD) and freeze drying (FD)). To evaluate the impact on protein quality, we evaluated techno-functional properties, in vitro digestibility (INFOGEST) as well as protein denaturation using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A sensory analysis was performed by a trained expert panel, combined with headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) - gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) to determine volatile organic compounds (VOCs). ATFD was found to increase techno-functional properties such as gelling, water holding and solubility as well as in vitro protein digestibility. These observations could be related to induced cell disruption and protein denaturation by ATFD. Sensory analysis indicated an increased earthy off-flavor after ATFD. Interestingly, the high-temperature PCD led to an increase in cacao odor while low-temperature FD resulted in lower flavor, odors and VOCs. These results demonstrate that protein quality and sensorial properties of C. vulgaris can be steered through the type of drying, which could help in the selection of application-specific drying methods. Overall, this work could promote the incorporation of microalgal single cell proteins in different innovative food products.

Severity of natural calamities and crop yield prediction using hybrid deep learning model in Uttar Pradesh

AbstractCrop yield prediction has gained major potential for global food production. Predicting crop yields based on specific parameters like soil, environment, crop, and water has been an interesting research topic in recent decades. To accurately predict crop yields, measuring the severities of natural calamities including water level is mainly required. However, the existing studies failed to predict crop yields accurately because of various issues like overfitting problems, difficulty in training, inability to handle large data, and reduced learning capability. Thus, the proposed study develops an efficient mechanism for accurately predicting crop yields by analyzing several natural calamities. Here, the input samples are initially pre‐processed to remove unwanted noises using data normalization and standardization. To enhance the performance of crop yield prediction, natural calamities are computed by using an Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) model based on parameters like the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI), Severe Hail Index (SHI), and Storm Severity Index (SSI). Also, the hyperparameters of XGBoost model are tuned by utilizing Sheep Flock Optimization Algorithm (SFOA). Finally, the crop yield is predicted by proposing a new one‐dimensional convolutional gated recurrent unit neural network (1D‐CGRU). The proposed classifier predicts the crop yields with reduced error rates like mean square error (MSE) of 0.4363, root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.1904, normalized root mean squared error (NRMSE) of 0.00101, mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.2437, and R‐squared (R2) of .2756. Also, the significant findings of the proposed study positively indicate that this study can be applicable to real‐time agricultural practices and is highly suitable for water quality predictions. Also, it can assist farmers and farming businesses in predicting the yield of crops in a specific season when to harvest and crop a plant for attaining improved crop yields.

Secretory expression of amylosucrase in Bacillus licheniformis through twin-arginine translocation pathway.

Amylosucrase was secreted in Bacillus licheniformis via the twin-arginine translocation pathway.

Duckweed: exploring its farm-to-fork potential for food production and biorefineries

Duckweed is a promising and sustainable aquatic plant offering an eco-friendly alternative for synthesizing high-value bio-products and has potential across food industries, pharmaceuticals, and bioenergy production.

ОЦІНКА СУЧАСНОГО СТАНУ ГЛОБАЛЬНОЇ ПРОДОВОЛЬЧОЇ БЕЗПЕКИ

Achieving sustainable development goals in the world and Ukraine is closely related to ensuring food security. Increasing the global population's well-being and quality of life is primarily determined by people's access to food products of the required quantity and quality. The assessment of the current state of global food security, which was carried out in the study, showed the relevance of the problem of hunger in the world for a significant part of countries and their regions. The global assessment was conducted based on the global GFSI index, the dynamics and significance of which showed the rating of world leaders in the issue of food security, among which such countries as Finland, Ireland, Norway, France, and the Netherlands were found. Despite the duration of the military conflict, Ukraine improved its ranking according to this index in 2022. Research has revealed that the lowest level of food security is characteristic of the countries of Central and East Africa, South Asia, and the Caribbean. The geographical distribution of hunger in the world confirmed the results of this assessment. The results enabled the identification of critical trends that slow progress in overcoming the global problem of ensuring food security. Among the main ones were the final consequences of the global COVID-19 pandemic; the riskiness of natural, climatic, and weather conditions; the beginning of the military conflict in Ukraine, as a leading participant in the world food market; reduction of mineral fertilizer exports from the Russian Federation; significant fluctuations in the global food market; problems in the world's food production, infrastructure, and logistics potential. To assess the potential for ensuring global food security, the volume of world reserves and the grain balance were analyzed. The analysis showed that the world's food production volume is estimated at 2841.1 million tons, and the world's food reserves are estimated at 894.2 million tons. However, such volumes need to be increased to achieve inclusive access for the entire planet's population to the necessary amount of quality food. The assessment showed that the current share of the population without access to healthy food is more than 42.2%, and significant differences in the value assessment of healthy food by world region accompany this.

Is Abandoned Cropland Continuously Growing in China? Quantitative Evidence and Enlightenment from Landsat-Derived Annual China Land Cover Dataset

Abandoned cropland is a great waste of land resources, which not only affects the stability of food production, but also wastes limited cropland resources. China has large areas of abandoned cropland, and accurately extracting the large-scale abandoned cropland is a prerequisite for the government to implement reclamation policies and estimate the food production potential of abandoned cropland. China has implemented the Grain for Green Project (GGP) since 1980, but most research has not considered its impact on the extraction of abandoned cropland. Therefore, a method was proposed to identify abandoned cropland excluding the regions of GGP, and to analyze the spatio-temporal characteristics and potential of abandoned cropland in China from 1991 to 2018. GGP potential and food production potential of abandoned cropland were discussed. The results showed that 26.47 million hectares of cropland has been abandoned in the past 28 years (including cropland that has been reclaimed). Under the positive influence of the government’s food security policy, the abandoned cropland has decreased in recent years, but the total area is still high. The abandonment mainly occurred in the Jiangnan Hills, the Hilly Regions of Fujian and Guangdong Province, the North China Mountains, and Eastern Inner Mongolia. The higher the elevation and the steeper the slope, the higher the abandonment rate. In addition, the urban-rural income gap significantly affected the abandonment rate. This study drew the spatial and temporal distribution map of abandoned cropland in China with a spatial resolution of 30 m considering GGP. It provides an important basis for formulating reclamation and GGP policy.

Sea buckthorn oil regulates primary myoblasts proliferation and differentiation in vitro.

Skeletal muscle is the main edible part of meat products, and its development directly affects the yield and palatability of meat. Sea buckthorn oil (SBO) contains plenty of bioactive substances and has been recognized as a potential functional food product. The study aimed to explore the effects and possible mechanisms of SBO on sheep primary myoblast proliferation and myogenic differentiation. The results implied that SBO exhibited a pro-proliferative effect on primary myoblasts, along with up-regulated proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Cyclin D1/cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) abundances. And, SBO promoted myotube formation by increasing the expression of myogenin. Meanwhile, we found that SBO inhibited the expression of miRNA-292a. Moreover, the regulatory effect of SBO on myogenic differentiation of myoblasts was attenuated by miRNA-292a mimics. Of note, SBO activated protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway and augmented glucose uptake and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) content, which might be attributed to AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation. Additionally, the results were shown that SBO increased the abundance of antioxidative enzymes, including glutathione peroxidase 4 (Gpx4) and catalase. In summary, these data suggested that SBO regulated the proliferation and myogenic differentiation of sheep primary myoblasts in vitro, which might potentiate the application of SBO in muscle growth.

Aquaponics: A Sustainable Path to Food Sovereignty and Enhanced Water Use Efficiency

This comprehensive review explores aquaponics as an environmentally friendly solution aligned with SDGs and food sovereignty, assessing various aspects from system design to automation, and weighing social, economic, and environmental benefits through literature and case studies. However, challenges persist in obtaining organic certification and legislative recognition, hindering its growth. Achieving remarkable water use efficiency, up to 90%, relies on adaptable fish species like Nile tilapia and carp. Nutrient-rich fish feeds notably benefit low-nutrient-demanding greens. Ensuring water quality and efficient nitrification are pivotal, supported by IoT systems. Despite its efficiency, integrating Industry 4.0 involves complexity and cost barriers, necessitating ongoing innovation. Economies of scale and supportive horticultural policies can bolster its viability. Aquaponics, known for its efficiency in enhancing crop yields while minimizing water use and waste, is expanding globally, especially in water-scarce regions. Aquaponics, pioneered by the University of the Virgin Islands, is expanding in Europe, notably in Spain, Denmark, Italy, and Germany. Asia and Africa also recognize its potential for sustainable food production, especially in water-limited areas. While it offers fresh produce and cost savings, challenges arise in scaling up, managing water quality, and meeting energy demands, particularly for indoor systems. Egypt’s interest in desert and coastal regions highlights aquaponics’ eco-friendly food production potential. Despite the associated high costs, there is a quest for practical and affordable designs for everyday integration. Research in arid regions and industry advancements are crucial for aquaponics’ global food production potential. Deeper exploration of intelligent systems and automation, particularly in large-scale setups, is essential, highlighting the industry’s promise. Practical application, driven by ongoing research and local adaptations, is a key to fully harnessing aquaponics for sustainable food production worldwide.

Antiobesity effect of healthy food crops and functional foods: A systematic review of their mechanisms.

Diet is a modifiable risk factor in the prevention and management of obesity, and various foods have the potential to aid in obesity management by modulating different pathways involved in the disease's pathology. We performed a systematic review of literature, using CINAHL, PubMed, and Google Scholar, focusing on the antiobesity potential of foods crops and functional food products, and their mechanisms of action and clinical evidence. Sixty-four articles were identified, of which 41 investigated food crops, while 23 investigated functional products. Food crops, such as cereals, vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, seaweeds, legumes, herbs, spices, and cocoa seeds, have antiobesity effects through mechanisms such as altering the metabolism of glucolipids by inhibiting enzymes like α-amylase and α-glucosidase, stimulating the bioenergetics of thermogenic fat, modulating gut microbiota, and inhibiting lipogenesis and storage. In addition, developed functional teas, beverages, and yoghurt have antiobesity effects through similar or different mechanisms, such as enhancing energy expenditure and satiety, suppressing adipogenesis and lipolysis, improving glucose and lipid metabolism, and altering hormonal secretion. This review reemphasized the significance of food in the control of obesity, and highlights the distinct methods these explored foods exert their antiobesity effects. In conclusion, foods are safe and effective means of combating obesity without the side effects of conventional drugs, which can help inform dietary choices, assist professionals in providing more accurate advice, and also lead to better understanding of food and its effect on overall health of the public. This approach will eradicate global diseases, especially if more underutilized and indigenous food crops are extensively researched.

Feed-food and land use competition of lowland and mountain dairy cow farms

Dairy cows and other ruminants contribute to human nutrition as they are able to convert feed components containing human inedible fibre concentrations (e.g. roughage and by-products from the food processing industry) into valuable animal-sourced food. A number of crops often fed to dairy cows (e.g. soy or cereals) are however potentially edible by humans too. Additionally, land used to grow dairy cattle feed may compete with crop production for human consumption. Two different methods to assess the competition between feed consumption of dairy cows and human food supply were thus refined and tested on 25 Swiss dairy farms. With respect to the potential human edibility of the feeds used in dairy production, the human-edible feed conversion ratio (eFCR) was applied. The land use ratio (LUR) was used to relate the food production potential, per area of land utilised, with the dairy production output. Low to medium eFCR, with values ranging from 0.02 to 0.68 were found, as an average proportion of 0.74 of total DM intake consisted of roughage. In contrast, we found relatively high LUR (0.69–5.93) for most farms. If the land area used to produce feed for cows was used for crop production (applying a crop rotation), 23 of the 25 farms could have produced more edible protein and all farms more human-edible energy. Indicator values strongly depend on the underlying scenarios, such as the human-edible proportion of feeds or the suitability of land and climate for crop production. Reducing the amount of human-edible feeds in dairy farming by feeding by-products from the food processing industry and improving forage quality may be suitable strategies to reduce eFCR, but relying on low-opportunity cost feeds may restrict milk performance level per cow. On farm level, improving overall efficiency and therefore using less land (especially area suitable for crop production) per kg product decreases LUR. However, the most promising strategy to mitigate land use competition may be to localise dairy production to land areas not suitable for crop production. Both methods (eFCR and LUR) should be used in parallel. They offer an opportunity to holistically evaluate the net contribution of dairy production to the human food supply under different environmental conditions and stress the importance of production systems well suited to specific farm site characteristics.