Promote Food Security Research Articles

Agriculture 4.0 adoption challenges in the emerging economies: Implications for smart farming and sustainability

To ensure food security in this age of production and supply disruption, the agricultural sectors of emerging economies are gradually adopting more smart technologies to achieve sustainability. However, literature on the challenges of adopting Agriculture 4.0-based smart farming technologies is still very limited. This research, therefore, explores the contextual interrelation among the challenges to adopting Agriculture 4.0-based smart technologies in the agricultural production system from a developing country's perspective and prioritizes the identified challenges. A case study was conducted in Bangladesh, an emerging economy, where data was collected through interviews and focus group discussion sessions. A total of 21 challenges were finalized as relevant to the country's context. The Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) technique was deployed to develop a hierarchical structure depicting the challenges' interrelations. The challenges were later ranked based on their relevant weight using the Best-Worst Method (BWM). This study finds technological complexity, lack of collaboration among different stakeholders, inadequate support from the government, and lack of action plans to have very high driving power. Challenges such as high initial investment and operational costs, lack of skilled workforce, and farmers' resistance were found to be dependent challenges. This study is expected to contribute by providing a deeper insight into the challenges of adopting Agriculture 4.0 in emerging economies so that practitioners can take effective mitigating measures to streamline the plant-based agricultural production systems to promote food security and sustainability.

Governance, institutions and human development: Rethinking government flagship projects and initiatives in Ghana

AbstractMotivationThis study examines the intricate relationship between governance, institutions, and human development in the context of Ghana's flagship projects and initiatives; One Village, One Dam (1V1D) and Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ). The aim is to provide a better understanding of how government interventions based on development state theory can achieve sustainable economic growth and the well‐being of the people of Ghana.PurposeThe study seeks to understand the feasibility, challenges, and effectiveness of these projects in promoting food security, job creation, and skills development.Approach and MethodsA qualitative approach using a multiple case study design was used for the research. In‐depth interviews and focus group discussions with 64 purposively selected participants provided the data, which was subsequently subjected to content analysis.FindingsThe study finds that while certain aspects of the projects, such as well‐defined objectives and scope, worked well, problems relating to risk management and stakeholder engagement proved a hindrance. Additionally, although the projects were facilitated by a network of well‐organized governance structures and institutions, ineffective co‐ordination often led to delays and miscommunication. Nevertheless, the PFJ project was successful in promoting food security, job creation, and skills development for farmers.Policy ImplicationsThe study underscores the need for Ghana's policy‐makers to improve risk management and stakeholder engagement within such initiatives. The One Village, One Dam initiative needs to be reinvigorated through the adoption by policy‐makers of a culture of open dialogue, inclusivity, and adaptive governance.

Promoting food security and sustainability with a transportable indirect evaporative solar pre-cooler

Perhaps one of the most important goals of sustainable development for developing countries is to enhance the utilization of renewable energy sources in all sectors in general and the agricultural sector in particular. The pre-cooling process helps to maintain quality and extend the shelf life of the fruits and vegetables. The aim of this study was to fabricate an indirect evaporative solar precooler (IESP) to reduce post-harvest loss for agricultural products. Tomato crop was chosen to be pre-cooled as an example of agricultural value chains. Experimental variables included three temperatures of cooling water (15, 10 and 5 °C) and two air velocities that passed through the cooling cabinet (1.5 and 2.5 m s-1). The results showed that at 1.5 m s-1 air velocity, the actual coefficient of performance was 19.4, 25.5 and 34.7% at cooling water temperatures 15, 10 and 5 °C, respectively. At 2.5 m s-1 air velocity, the actual coefficient of performance was 23.1, 28.8 and 37.2% at cooling water temperatures 15, 10 and 5 °C, respectively. The performance of the IESP under these conditions was 15.4 °C, 91.5% RH, 0.338 TR refrigeration load and 37.2% COPcyc. Total energy consumption was 6.4 kWh day-1. The solar pre-cooler performance proved a very feasible solution to the demands of small and medium horticultural holdings, especially in cities with a very hot climate to keep vegetables and fruits from deteriorating after harvest.

The Role of Organic Farming for Climate Change Mitigation and Sustainable Development: A Review

Climate Change, exacerbated by human activities such as fossil fuel combustion and greenhouse gas emissions like carbon dioxide (CO2), is a pressing global crisis that disrupts long-term weather patterns, ecosystems, and human well-being. Organic agriculture offers a viable solution to mitigate these effects. By lowering greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing soil carbon sequestration, organic farming strengthens ecosystem resilience. Practices such as eliminating synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, rotating crops, and utilizing organic waste foster robust agricultural systems capable of enduring extreme weather and water scarcity. This paper provides an in-depth analysis of how organic farming contributes to climate change mitigation, detailing practices that support soil carbon sequestration, reduce nitrogen oxide (N2O) emissions, and boost biodiversity. It also addresses challenges such as emissions measurement and consumer behaviour, emphasizing the need for further research and supportive policies. Organic agriculture not only advances sustainable development but also promotes food security and environmental sustainability in the face of climate change.

Research on Lightweight Rice False Smut Disease Identification Method Based on Improved YOLOv8n Model

In order to detect rice false smut quickly and accurately, a lightweight false smut detection model, YOLOv8n-MBS, was proposed in this study. The model introduces the C2f_MSEC module to replace C2f in the backbone network for better extraction of key features of false smut, enhances the feature fusion capability of the neck network for different sizes of false smut by using a weighted bidirectional feature pyramid network, and designs a group-normalized shared convolution lightweight detection head to reduce the number of parameters in the model head to achieve model lightweight. The experimental results show that YOLOv8n-MBS has an average accuracy of 93.9%, a parameter count of 1.4 M, and a model size of 3.3 MB. Compared with the SSD model, the average accuracy of the model in this study increased by 4%, the number of parameters decreased by 89.8%, and the model size decreased by 86.9%; compared with the YOLO series of YOLOv7-tiny, YOLOv5n, YOLOv5s, and YOLOv8n models, the YOLOv8n-MBS model showed outstanding performance in terms of model accuracy and model performance detection; compared to the latest YOLOv9t and YOLOv10n models, the average model accuracy increased by 2.8% and 2.2%, the number of model parameters decreased by 30% and 39.1%, and the model size decreased by 29.8% and 43.1%, respectively. This method enables more accurate and lighter-weight detection of false smut, which provides the basis for intelligent management of rice blast disease in the field and thus promotes food security.

Evaluation of Inhibitory Substance- Producing Bacteria Isolated from Palm Wine (Elaeis Guineenis) Sold in Elele Market, Rivers State, Nigeria

The increase in the number of antimicrobial-resistant food-borne pathogens has become a cause for concern. There is a need to find novel strategies to combat these pathogens, in order to reduce food poisoning and even promote food security. Probiotic bacteria, including lactic acid bacteria, were isolated from palm wine (Elaeis guineensis) to evaluate antimicrobial effects on some selected spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms (Escherichia sp, Pseudomonas sp and Staphylococcus sp). They were identified by gram staining, catalase test, spore staining tests, sugar fermentation test and molecular analysis. These isolates were tested against pathogens to determine if they were capable of inhibiting their growth, and the isolates that exhibited antimicrobial properties were Bacillus cereus, Lactobacillus sp 1 and Lactobacillus sp 2. Bacillus cereus showed 18 mm against both Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Lactobacillus sp 1 showed 20 mm against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, while Lactobacillus sp 2 showed 21 mm against Staphylococcus aureus. The quantitative analysis of the molecular results shows the absorbance ratio (A260/A280) for Lactobacillus sp 1 as 1.49, Bacillus cereus as 1.69 and Lactobacillus sp 2 as 1.29. The results indicated that Bacillus cereus, Lactobacillus sp 1 and Lactobacillus sp 2 exhibited probiotic potential.

Evaluation of Genetic Diversity in Sorghum Genotypes for Drought Tolerance Using Mahalanobis’ D2 Analysis

Genetic diversity is vital in plant breeding and crop improvement, enabling the development of varieties resilient to biotic and abiotic stresses. Mahalanobis' D² analysis is a robust multivariate statistical method for assessing genetic diversity, offering precise measures of genetic divergence. This study aimed to evaluate the genetic diversity of twenty sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) genotypes under rainfed and irrigated conditions using Mahalanobis’ D² statistics. The experiment was conducted at the Main Agricultural Research Station (MARS), Dharwad, involving twenty genotypes sourced from the AICRP sorghum, Dharwad, India. The genotypes were sown in medium black soil under two moisture levels: rainfed and irrigated. Morphological, physiological, phenological, and yield-related traits were recorded to identify drought-tolerant genotypes. Genetic divergence was estimated using D² statistics, and genotypes were grouped into clusters using Tocher’s method. Under rainfed conditions, the genotypes were classified into six clusters, while under irrigated conditions, they were grouped into three clusters. The intra-cluster distances ranged from 7.79 to 12.14 under rainfed conditions and from 8.14 to 15.74 under irrigated conditions. The inter-cluster distances revealed significant genetic variation, with the highest divergence observed between Clusters III and V under rainfed conditions and Clusters II and III under irrigated conditions. These findings highlight the presence of substantial genetic diversity among sorghum genotypes, facilitating the selection of diverse parental lines for breeding programs aimed at enhancing drought tolerance. The insights gained from this study contribute to the development of resilient sorghum varieties capable of withstanding water scarcity, ensuring sustainable agriculture, and promoting food security in drought-prone regions.

Governance of family food security and sustainable planning. The case of the municipality of Santiago de Cuba

Governance is a process that enables communication and cooperation between the government, other public institutions, social organizations, and families. In Cuba, the recent approval in 2020 of the Food Sovereignty and Nutrition Education Plan implies strengthening governance as a catalyst for family food security (SAF). However, incorporating sustainable planning to promote food security from dimensions that describe eating practices in Cuban homes still needs to be improved. This research aims to assess the links between governance and sustainable planning, to strengthen the dimensions of access, use, social capital, and cultural food capital, among others (SAF) in the Santiago de Cuba municipality. For this, the interview and survey methods are used. The first, to 20 families in a situation of social food vulnerability, and the second, to a sample of 300 households whose coexistence is not marked exclusively by the exposure mentioned earlier. The results point to poor communication among the social actors, generating food-destructuring practices. It is also visible the scarce insertion of these dimensions in planning to achieve greater family food sustainability. It is concluded that to achieve SAF, it is necessary to strengthen the interconnection of governance and sustainable planning from a relational perspective of the food field.

RESOURCE PROCUREMENT AND CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURE IN LAIKIPIA COUNTY, KENYA

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine how resource procurement influences climate-smart agriculture projects in Laikipia County, Kenya. Theoretical Framework: This study is anchored on Transaction Cost Economics Theory, which states that a project will attract transaction costs all through the procurement process. This study anchors on this theory as small-scale farmers need to be innovative to reduce procurement costs and have bargaining power over exploitive stockists. Method: A concurrent mixed method approach that adopted the descriptive cross-sectional survey and correlational design was employed to study two World Bank-sponsored Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture projects. Stratified and Simple random sampling were employed to get a sample of 225 small-scale farmers and purposeful sampling identified four key informants. Data was collected using questionnaires and an interview guide and analyzed using descriptive, inferential, and content data analysis techniques. Results and Discussion: The composite mean and standard deviation of 3.25 and 1.163 respectively. The relationship between resource procurement and the performance of climate-smart agriculture projects had a fairly strong linear coefficient of correlation (r= 0.524) and p-value of (p=0.000<0.05) indicating a fairly strong and significant relationship. Therefore, effective procurement of inputs, machinery, and other resources is critical in sustainable agriculture. Research Implications: Consequently, it is critical to have policies that promote effective procurement and safeguard small-scale farmers from exploitive stockists. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by providing reliable and triangulated empirical data through authentic methodology enhancing suitability for data generalisability and replicability. The relevance and value of this research is evidenced by the need to promote food security in a healthy ecology

RESOURCE ALLOCATION AND CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURE IN LAIKIPIA COUNTY, KENYA

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine how resource allocation influences climate-smart agriculture projects in Laikipia County, Kenya. Theoretical Framework: Pareto Efficiency Theory states that at a certain level, it is not possible to utilize more resources to improve one party, without jeopardizing the other party. The study sought to heighten the level of food production to guarantee food security without threatening the environment. Method: A concurrent mixed method approach that adopted the descriptive cross-sectional survey and correlational design was employed to study two World Bank-sponsored Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture projects. Stratified and Simple random sampling were employed to get a sample of 225 small-scale farmers and purposeful sampling identified four key informants. Data was collected using questionnaires and an interview guide and analyzed using descriptive, inferential, and content data analysis techniques. Results and Discussion: The composite mean and standard deviation of the respondents' opinions on resource allocation were 3.52 and 1.143, respectively. The correlation coefficient of resource allocation and the performance of climate-smart agriculture projects was weak, with r=-0.220 and p-value p=0.000<0.05. Therefore, though resource allocation is a crucial factor in food production, judicious and effective resource allocation is critical to realizing the full potential of the projects. Research Implications: Consequently, it is critical to have policies that promote the effective allocation of public and private goods to promote food production coupled with enhanced healthy ecology. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by providing reliable and triangulated empirical data through authentic methodology enhancing suitability for data generalisability and replicability. The relevance and value of this research is evidenced by the need to promote food security in a healthy ecology.

RESOURCE STEWARDSHIP AND CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURE IN LAIKIPIA COUNTY, KENYA

Objective: To examine the extent to which resource stewardship influences the performance of climate-smart agriculture projects in Laikipia County, Kenya. Theoretical Framework: The study was anchored on the Stewardship theory that envisages that unsupervised managers, will derive their satisfaction from the organization's success hence, remain accountable stewards. Judicious stewardship is the only way to achieve food security in a healthy ecology. Method: A concurrent mixed method approach that adopted the descriptive cross-sectional survey and correlational design was employed to study two World Bank-sponsored Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture projects. Stratified and Simple random sampling were employed to get a sample of 225 small-scale farmers and purposeful sampling identified four key informants. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview guide and analyzed using descriptive, inferential, and content data analysis techniques. Results and Discussion: The respondents’ opinions on resource stewardship had a composite mean and standard deviation of 3.47 and 1.138 respectively. The relationship between resource stewardship and the performance of climate-smart projects had a weak linear correlation of (r= -0.007) and p-value (p=0.923>0.05) indicating a weak and insignificant relationship. Despite the portrayed confidence in resource stewardship, stewardship is not a quick-fix approach hence, detested in the use of resources. Research Implications: Consequently, it is vital to have policies that enforce, promote, and subsidize activities that stimulates stewardship in food production. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by providing reliable and triangulated empirical data through authentic methodology enhancing suitability for data generalisability and replicability. The relevance and value of this research are evidenced by the need to promote food security in pursuance of the achievement of sustainable development goals.

RESOURCE CAPACITY PLANNING AND CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURE IN LAIKIPIA COUNTY, KENYA

Objective: The purpose of this study was to establish the extent to which capacity planning influences the performance of climate-smart agriculture projects in Laikipia County. Theoretical Framework: The study was anchored on the theory of change whose pillars are planning, participation, and evaluation. These factors are critical in capacity planning of scarce resources and evaluating the effectiveness of the process. Method: A concurrent mixed method approach that adopted the descriptive cross-sectional survey and correlational design was employed to study two World Bank-sponsored Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture projects. Stratified and Simple random sampling were employed to get a sample of 225 small-scale farmers and purposeful sampling identified four key informants. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview guide and analyzed using descriptive, inferential, and content data analysis techniques. Results and Discussion: The respondent’s opinion on capacity planning had a composite mean and standard deviation of 2.88 and 1.219 respectively. Capacity planning and the performance of climate-smart agriculture projects had a strong correlation coefficient of r=0.644 and p-value p=0.000<0.05. Therefore, resource capacity planning is fundamental in enhancing climate-smart projects, through proactive decisions, risk management, and cost reduction. Research Implications: Consequently, it is imperative to have policies that prioritize and promote capacity planning of the scarce public and private goods to enhance their allocation. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by providing reliable and triangulated empirical data through authentic methodology enhancing suitability for data generalisability and replicability. The relevance and value of this research was evidenced by the need to promote food security in pursuance of the achievement of sustainable development goals.

Agroecology, slow food and sustainable development goals (SDGs): resilience of agro-food systems, combat hunger, and local governance

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), transcending their prescribed targets and actions, propose a critical reflection on global food production and consumption patterns. These inquiries foster the promotion of resilient agri-food systems, with Agroecology identified as a pragmatically viable alternative for achieving the advocated goals. The scope of this article is to discuss these intersections, demonstrating that simple actions such as valuing local products, as advocated by Slow Food, can strengthen relationships and networks around food, promoting food security, preservation of knowledge, practices, traditions, and biodiversity, as well as the sense of belonging, improvement of quality of life, sustainable development, and local governance. Methodologically, this research is qualitative, adopting a bibliographical approach and employing a literature review to contextualize and reflect the problem, anchored in the Agroecology domains, SDGs, and the paradigm proposed by the Slow Food movement. This study substantially contributes to understanding the intricate relationships between the SDGs, agri-food systems, and Agroecology. By emphasizing the importance of seemingly simple practices, such as valuing local products, the article highlights the imperative of holistic and sustainable approaches to achieve broader sustainable development goals guided by the principles of “well-being.”

Role of indirect groundwater recharge using recycled water in promoting food security in semi-arid regions

Role of indirect groundwater recharge using recycled water in promoting food security in semi-arid regions

Effect of Plant Based Pesticides in Grain Storage Management

The utilization of plant-based pesticides in grain storage management presents a promising avenue for sustainable pest control. This review paper examines the efficacy, mechanisms of action, and challenges associated with the adoption of botanical alternatives in grain storage facilities. Highlighted are the diverse phytochemical compositions of plant-based pesticides, their low toxicity to non-target organisms, and their compatibility with integrated pest management strategies. Despite their potential benefits, obstacles such as formulation complexities, limited chemical data, and regulatory hurdles hinder their widespread use. Addressing these challenges through collaborative research efforts and regulatory support is crucial to realizing the full potential of plant-based pesticides in grain storage management. By integrating these natural solutions into storage practices, we can promote food security while mitigating environmental and health risks associated with synthetic pesticides.

Exploring the Physiological Traits of Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) Cultivated in a Sandponics Growing System

Sandponics is an advanced system that promotes food security. It involves growing plants and fish together in a recycled ecosystem that uses natural bacterial cycles to use fish waste as plant nutrition. Eggplant is considered one of the most important crops known for its nutritional benefits. Eggplant (French Flomorin species), were grown in Sandponics panels and regular ground, where five plants were randomly selected from each experimental unit in the vegetative growth stage, physiological indicators and antioxidant were recorded. The results showed that there was a significant difference for water quality in total chlorophyll content, showing higher levels in plants irrigated with fish-free water than those with fish water, and there were no significant differences for water quality in chlorophyll A concentration and chlorophyll B concentration. The results also indicate that there is a significant difference between water quality for the concentration of glutathione, as the highest concentration was recorded in fruits irrigated with fish water compared to fruits irrigated with fish-free water. While there is a significant difference between the quality of water for the concentration of proline, as the highest concentration was recorded in fruits irrigated with fish-free water compared to fruits irrigated with fish wat. There are significant differences in water quality for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and iron. The average concentrations are higher when watered with fish water, compared to the average concentrations when irrigated with fish-free water. ‏

Unleashing the Power of Fungi: Utilizing the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Rhizophagus clarus to Mitigate Salinity Stress and Boost Cowpea Bean Productivity for Food Security

The increasing demands for food, driven by shrinking arable land areas and a growing population, underscore the need for innovative agricultural practices to mitigate the effects of soil degradation due to salinity and promote food security, particularly in regions heavily impacted by salinity. In this study, we investigated the effects of inoculating the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) Rhizophagus clarus on the productivity of Vigna unguiculata cv. BRS Imponente plants in response to salinity (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 mM). We found that NaCl concentrations ≥ 50 mM were phytotoxic, reducing plant growth and productivity. However, inoculation with AMF reduced plant oxidative stress (hydrogen peroxide concentration and lipid peroxidation) and ionic stress (Na+/K+ ratio). Inoculated plants exhibited increased antioxidant enzyme activity (ascorbate peroxidase and catalase), higher P and K concentrations, and lower Na concentrations in their leaves. As a result, salt did not interfere with grain production in the AMF-inoculated plants. For the first time, we demonstrate that inoculation with R. clarus can counteract the harmful effects of NaCl in V. unguiculata plants, ensuring their grain yields. Therefore, amid the escalating soil salinization globally, the AMF R. clarus emerges as a practical approach to ensure cowpea yields and enhance production in deteriorating agricultural lands, especially in saline areas. This can significantly contribute to promoting food security.

Role of industry 4.0 technologies and human-machine interaction for de-carbonization of food supply chains

A decarbonized food supply chain ensures that we have access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food with a reduced carbon footprint. It not only helps in reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also enhances food security by making the supply chain more resilient to climate-related disruptions, ensuring stable food production for a growing global population. Further, there is an increasing consumer demand for sustainably produced food, and meeting this demand is crucial for maintaining relevance and competitiveness in the global market. Without a well-functioning decarbonized supply chain, it would be much harder for farmers, processors, distributors, and retailers to promote food security and improve public health. Decarbonization in the food supply chain is a complex process that requires a multifaceted approach, with the entire supply chain from farm to fork being examined. Technological advances such as Industry 4.0, with a human-centric solution, could be an answer. By combining the power of Industry 4.0 with decarbonization efforts, the creation of a more sustainable and efficient food supply chain can be promised. Hence, this study utilizes a mixed-method approach to examine the Indian food supply chain, and analyses the factors that motivate stakeholders to implement decarbonized technologies. It uses opinions from industry as well as from academic experts for employing integrated Analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and Interpretive structural modelling (ISM). AHP revealed that “International community pressure” is the most critical factor. Further, ISM is used to explain the interrelationships among the identified factors, providing a hierarchical model. These key findings can assist policymakers to develop and refine regulations. Further, it can also help stakeholders to make an informed decision while allocating resources towards new technologies.

Exploring the Role of Urban Community Gardens in Promoting Food Security and Social Cohesion in Danao City

Exploring the Role of Urban Community Gardens in Promoting Food Security and Social Cohesion in Danao City

Threat of Fusarium pallidoroseum on Post-Harvest Kola Nut (Cola spp.) in Nigeria: A Review

Fusarium pallidoroseum poses a significant risk to Kola nut production, impacting both quality and quantity. This review explores the pressing threat of Fusarium pallidoroseum on post-harvest Kola nut (Cola spp.) in Nigeria. By identifying knowledge gaps and challenges in current management approaches, this review underscores the necessity for further research and collaboration among stakeholders to develop sustainable and effective control measures. Addressing the menace of Fusarium pallidoroseum on post-harvest Kola nut is crucial for safeguarding agricultural sustainability, promoting food security, and protecting the livelihoods of farmers in Nigeria.