Sufficient Food Research Articles

Analysis of community food consumption patterns in the stunting locus area, Dondo District, Tolitoli Regency, Central Sulawesi

Improved diet is one of the factors that need attention in preventing stunting. This is because food is a source of energy for the human body, where consuming good, nutritious and sufficient food intake will improve the quality of the body’s health. The research objective was to analyze household consumption patterns in stunting locus areas. The research location was deliberately chosen in Tolitoli Regency with the consideration that, one of the 320 districts in Indonesia, it is included in the locus of handling problems of toddler growth and development disorders due to nutritional intake or stunting. Dondo sub-district was chosen as the locus of stunting sub-district with the highest stunting prevalence rate in Tolitoli district and 130 sample respondents were obtained using a probability technique that is proportional to the size of the cluster. Data analysis used household food consumption and household consumption patterns. The results obtained by respondents were in the food insecure category in terms of energy adequacy absorption and it was known that the food pattern of household expectations in terms of food consumption did not vary.

Biogenic polymer nanoparticles to remove hydrophobic organic contaminants from water.

Soil and water pollution is of significant concern worldwide because of the consequences of environmental degradation and harmful effects on human health. Water bodies are very much polluted by various organic and inorganic pollutants by different human activities, including industrial wastes. Environmental pollution remains high because of urbanization-induced industrial developments and human lifestyle. It accumulates pollutants in the environment including plants and living organisms. Even mothers' milk is poisoned because of the uncontrolled, widespread increase in pollution. The discharge levels of organic hydrophobic contaminants in the water and soil are increasing rapidly. This severe pollution must be remediated to upgrade the environment and ensure the safety of human beings. It is vital to eradicate soil and water pollution to guarantee sufficient food and water. Different techniques available to remove the pollutants vary according to the type of pollutants. Hydrophobic contaminants are more dangerous than heavy metals and other pollutants; they cannot be easily removed, requiring special care. Hydrophobic organoxenobiotics released in the environment pose severe contamination in soil and water. Therefore, developing efficient and cost-effective processes is necessary to remove hydrophobic contaminants from soil and water. With nanoparticle-mediated remediation techniques, the green-synthesized nanoparticles exhibit improved performance. This review consolidates reports on the remediation techniques of hydrophobic contaminants, focusing on green-synthesized remediation agents. The very limited works on green synthesis of polymeric nanoparticles, particularly polyurethane-based materials for organic contaminants removal demand more attention in this area. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Consolidated the effects of hydrophobic organic and plastic contaminants on environment degradation. Summarized the advantages of green synthesized polymer nanoparticles for efficient removal of hydrophobic contaminants. Discussed the different sources of pollution and remediation techniques referring 112 research works.

Monthly variation in group size of cheetal deer (Axis axis Erxleben, 1777) in Jim Corbett National Park Uttarakhand, India

Cheetal deer (Axis axis Erxleben, 1777) is the most abundance species of deer found in Corbett National Park. The Bijrani and Jhirna, two zones of Corbett Park (with abundance of wildlife) are selected for the study of Cheetal. The primary data for this study is mainly based on direct observation by field visits in the study area. The largest group of Cheetal deer was 252 and the highest mean group size was 79.6 found in March 2019 in Jhirna zone. While in Bijrani zone the largest group of Cheetal deer was 172 individual and the highest mean group size was 56.4 found in March 2019. According to this study there is a variation in monthly group size of Cheetal deer and number of groups in both Bijrani and Jhirna zone of Corbett National Park. The group aggregation of Cheetal deer depends upon maximum and minimum temperature, food availability, visibility in park and number of more babies in group (fawning season). In March (spring) there is sufficient food available in the grassland and shrub area (new sprouting grass) so the population of Cheetal deer is found highest and also group size is found largest in Corbett National Park.

The trends and effects of food price inflation on the cost and affordability of nutritionally adequate diets in Malawi

Background Global challenges of hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition persist, with nearly one in three people lacking sufficient food access. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these issues, particularly in Africa, where 59.6% of the population grapples with food insecurity. Malawi faces high stunting and anaemia rates in children, driven by poverty, inadequate health services, and improper diet. Despite progress, the prevalence remains above regional averages. Research reveals imbalanced diets in Malawi, primarily reliant on maize, risking micronutrient deficiencies. This study examines diet affordability in the context of rising costs and low incomes, aiming to influence policy in addressing undernutrition in Malawi and highlighting the overlooked role of affordability in nutrition access. Objectives This assessment aimed to estimate the minimum cost of a nutritious diet using locally available and culturally acceptable food items in Malawi. The objective was to explore how economic constraints affect Malawian households, particularly the poor and ultra-poor, in accessing such diets. Additionally, it sought answers to questions about cost changes over 12 months and affordability among different wealth groups in the country. Methods This study involved secondary data analysis by employing the Cost of the Diet (CotD) research method and software. The World Food Programme’s Minimum Expenditure Basket (MEB) provided monthly food prices for 28 items from April 2021 to March 2022. Comparing the cost of a nutritious diet with per capita income from the Malawi Poverty Report, we estimated the affordability gap. Food price data was from 77 markets in 25 districts, ensuring national representation. Results The annual cost of a culturally acceptable nutritious diet for a five-person household from April 2021 to March 2022 was MWK 84,658/month (≈$103). The diet’s cost increased by 25% during the period, from MWK 2,519 to MWK 3,140 per day. Only average urban households had sufficient income to afford the diet, with a 9.7% surplus. Ultra-poor, poor, rural, and average Malawian households faced affordability gaps of 139.5%, 61.4%, 48.5%, and 32%, respectively. Closing the affordability gap would require additional monthly income of 29,134 kwacha (≈$35.5) for an average Malawian household, 37,481 kwacha for a typical rural household, 42,452 kwacha for a poor household, and 58,885 kwacha for an ultra-poor household. Conclusion The CotD assessment revealed a significant increase in the cost of a nutritious diet over the past 12 months. Most of the population cannot afford the cheapest nutritious diet. The recent currency devaluation may worsen the situation. Cash, voucher or food distribution could help close the affordability gap for poor and ultra-poor households. Regular monitoring and ongoing updates of the CotD results are necessary for informed decision-making.

FINANCING THE AGRICULTURAL POLICY IN SERBIA AND HARMONIZATION WITH THE COMMON AGRICULTURAL POLICY OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

Agriculture is one of the most important economic branches. Previously, the aim of the agricultural policy was to provide sufficient food for all inhabitants. However, today, thanks to the application of innovations in agriculture, there is enough food for everyone, but it is not properly distributed in all parts of the world. Many people still do not have the basic conditions for a healthy life. The goal of modern agricultural policy is to provide high-quality, health-safe food to everyone in the world, and to reduce food waste while preserving biodiversity and protecting the environment. The importance of agriculture as an economic branch in Serbia is extremely large, considering the geopolitical position of Serbia, favorable climatic conditions, and quality arable land. Serbia is still not a member of the European Union, and to become one, it is necessary to harmonize all laws and regulations. The largest part of the work is precisely around agricultural policy, given that more than a third of all laws and regulations are related to the Common Agricultural Policy [CAP]. Serbian agriculture, as well as other economic branches, have not yet reached the standards defined by the European Union. Therefore, it is very important that the Serbian regulations are harmonized with the European Union regulations, because only in this way there can be faster development of agriculture and other economic branches. The topic of this paper will be the financing of the agricultural policy in Serbia in relation to the financing of the agricultural policy of the countries of the European Union. There will be more talk about how and from which sources Serbian agriculture is financed, but also about the help that the European Union provides to Serbia and other countries that are candidates for membership in the European Union. Given that the financing of the European Union's agricultural policy is based on two pillars - direct payments and market interventions and financing of rural development, this paper will show to what extent the financing of Serbian agriculture is in line with the financing of agriculture in the European Union. It will be pointed out how funds in the agricultural budget are allocated to measures related to market interventions, but also to rural development measures. As the imperatives of modern agricultural policy are the preservation of biodiversity, environmental protection, better living standards of the agricultural population, development of infrastructure in rural areas, the conclusion is that more attention is paid to the second pillar of the agricultural policy of the European Union, which is the financing of rural development. However, even in the European Union, more than 50% of the agricultural budget is directed to the financing of the first pillar, market interventions. In Serbia, this trend is even more pronounced, so more attention should be paid to the financing of rural development.

A redistribution of nitrogen fertiliser across global croplands can help achieve food security within environmental boundaries

A major societal challenge is to produce sufficient food for a growing global population while simultaneously reducing agricultural nitrogen pollution to within safe environmental boundaries. Here we use spatially-resolved, process-based simulations of cereal cropping systems (at 0.5° resolution) to show how redistribution of nitrogen fertiliser usage could meet this challenge on a global scale. Focusing on major cereals (maize, wheat and rice), we find that current production could be (i) maintained with a 32% reduction in total global fertiliser use, or (ii) increased by 15% with current nitrogen fertiliser levels. This would come with substantial reductions in environmental nitrogen losses, allowing cereal production to stay within environmental boundaries for nitrogen pollution. The more equal distribution of nitrogen fertiliser across global croplands would reduce reliance on current breadbasket areas, allow regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa to move towards self-sufficiency and alleviate nitrogen pollution in East Asia and other highly fertilised regions.

Stable habitat supports long-term persistence of critically endangered western black crested gibbon

Stable habitat provides sufficient food to sustain large species populations, and becomes a refuge under increasing environmental stress. Stable habitat also becomes a population source and re-expand hotspot once the stress decreases. Thus, identifying and protecting stable habitat is key to species’ long-term persistence. We identified the stable habitat for critically endangered western black crested gibbon (Nomascus concolor) in Mt. Wuliang, where one of two largest populations of this species lives in. We collected gibbon historical distribution data, and modeled the potential habitat in Mt. Wuliang during 2000, 2010, and 2020. We identified the stable habitat by overlaying the potential habitat layers from the three time periods and excluded habitat patches smaller than the species’ home range. Gibbon habitats continuously expanded from 2000 to 2010 (+13%), and from 2010 to 2020 (+6%), indicating that gibbon habitats are recovering at Mt. Wuliang. Stable habitat was 304 km2, mainly located at mid-elevation (2 100 – 2 600 m). Nearly all (99%) gibbon groups occupied stable habitat in each period at a mean density of 0.34 groups/ km2. Gibbon population density in the Wuliangshan National Nature Reserve (WNNR, 0.44 groups/ km2) was 83% greater than that density outside WNNR (0.24 groups/ km2). However, only 50% of stable habitat was within WNNR. Thirteen stable habitat patches located outside WNNR require urgent conservation interventions. Stable habitat in protected area is sufficient to ensure the persistence of these gibbons, but we still need to involve stable habitat outside protected area to sustain population recovery in the future.

Addressing food insecurity: what is the role of healthcare?

Food insecurity - when individuals or households have difficulty accessing sufficient, safe, culturally appropriate and nutritious food due to lack of money or other resources - is a global public health concern. Levels of food insecurity have increased across the UK in recent years, due in part to a decade of austerity, widespread loss of income during the COVID-19 pandemic and the more recent cost-of-living crisis, leading to rising use of food banks. The stress of living with uncertain access to food and going periods without food is damaging to physical and mental health. Food insecurity is linked to both obesity and malnutrition, as often the most readily available foods are processed, high in fats, sugars and salt, but low in essential nutrients for health. While recognising that many of the drivers of food insecurity, and health inequalities more broadly (i.e. the social determinants of health) lie outside the health service, it is increasingly acknowledged that the National Health Service - and primary care in particular - has a key role to play in mitigating health inequalities. This review considers the potential role of healthcare in mitigating food insecurity, with a focus on primary care settings. Recent initiatives in Scotland, such as community links workers and general practitioner practice-attached financial advice workers, have shown promise as part of a more community-oriented approach to primary care, which can mitigate the effects of food insecurity. However, a more 'upstream' response is required, including 'cash first' interventions as part of broader national strategies to end the need for food banks.

A dynamic energy budget model for black rockfish Sebastes schlegelii: Parameterization and application in marine ranching areas, Yellow Sea, China

Marine ranching has become a powerful tool for coastal habitat restoration, ecosystem conservation and stock enhancement. With increasing development of marine ranching in recent years, it has attracted wide attentions for fishery management and sustainability. The stock of black rockfish Sebastes schlegelii has undergone a serious decline due to overfishing in the past few decades, but has considerably recovered recently in marine ranching areas along the coasts of the Northwest Pacific. Appropriate management of the species is essential for marine ranching development. In this study, a dynamic energy budget (DEB) model of S. schlegelii was developed and applied in the Xixiakou, Changdao and Qiansandao marine ranching areas, Yellow Sea, China. The effects of food availability and water temperature on its growth and reproduction were quantified. The model was parameterised following the AmP procedure, which resulted in mean relative error of 0.123 and symmetric mean square errors of 0.134. The application of the model has showed that the model could reproduce the growth trajectories of both length and weight at each of the three marine ranching areas without site-specific calibration. The growth rates of S. schlegelii showed that Qiansandao > Changdao > Xixiakou in both length and weight. Temperature and food availability are the main contribution to the variations of growth amongst sites. In Qiansandao, the fast growth and maturation of the species correspond to relative high water temperature and sufficient food availability. Food availability limited growth and reproduction of S. schlegelii in Xixiakou, which indicated that the stock density in the areas might be close to the carrying capacity. The earlier maturation was a result of higher temperature and more food supply in Qiansandao than in Changdao and Xixiakou. Fishing and recapture in marine ranching areas should be adjusted to flexibly avoid spawning periods. The presented model is applicable to other marine ranching areas and coastal habitats. It provides an important component of ecosystem management approaches to estimate the ecological carrying capacities. This study provides information about the stock enhancement potential of coastal environments and a powerful tool for sustainable coastal fisheries management.

What’s next for computational systems biology?

Largely unknown just a few decades ago, computational systems biology is now a central methodology for biological and medical research. This amazing ascent raises the question of what the community should do next. The article outlines our personal vision for the future of computational systems biology, suggesting the need to address both mindsets and methodologies. We present this vision by focusing on current and anticipated research goals, the development of strong computational tools, likely prominent applications, education of the next-generation of scientists, and outreach to the public. In our opinion, two classes of broad research goals have emerged in recent years and will guide future efforts. The first goal targets computational models of increasing size and complexity, aimed at solving emerging health-related challenges, such as realistic whole-cell and organ models, disease simulators and digital twins, in silico clinical trials, and clinically translational applications in the context of therapeutic drug development. Such large models will also lead us toward solutions to pressing issues in agriculture and environmental sustainability, including sufficient food availability and life in changing habitats. The second goal is a deep understanding of the essence of system designs and strategies with which nature solves problems. This understanding will help us explain observed biological structures and guide forays into synthetic biological systems. Regarding effective methodologies, we suggest efforts toward automated data pipelines from raw biomedical data all the way to spatiotemporal mechanistic model. These will be supported by dynamic methods of statistics, machine learning, artificial intelligence and streamlined strategies of dynamic model design, striking a fine balance between modeling realistic complexity and abstracted simplicity. Finally, we suggest the need for a concerted, community-wide emphasis on effective education in systems biology, implemented as a combination of formal instruction and hands-on mentoring. The educational efforts should furthermore be extended toward the public through books, blogs, social media, and interactive networking opportunities, with the ultimate goal of training in state-of-the-art technology while recapturing the lost art of synthesis.

Perpetuation of household food insecurity during COVID-19 in South Africa

BackgroundPerpetual food insecurity has long-term health and development effects on populations. The global pandemic created sub-populations that were newly food insecure, but there exists sub-populations were food insecure, and COVID-19 held that situation. This study seeks to identify the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the perpetually food insecure in South Africa in order to obtain specific evidence of populations to be prioritised in the post-pandemic era.MethodsSecondary data from the South African National Income Dynamics CRAM Survey for rounds (Waves) 1 and 5 are analysed. The study population are those respondents who reported a household member not having enough food to eat in the early stages of the pandemic (1st round) and remained without sufficient food a year later (5th round). The study controls for the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the population but also changes to employment status, social grant access and willingness to be vaccinated. Descriptive and analytical statistical tests are used.ResultsA total of 26.15% of respondents were food insecure at the start of the pandemic. Of these, 41.09% remained food insecure a year later. The drivers of perpetual food insecurity during the pandemic include unemployment (OR = 2.09; CI 1.335293–3.265678), still being unemployed (OR = 1.86; CI 1.308032–2.636252), seven or more (≥ 7) household members (OR = 1.24; CI 1.1611329–1.610126), those with only a primary education (OR = 1.11; CI 1.5051066–2.434695), participants between the ages of 45 and 64 years old (ORs = 1.03 and 1.20; CIs 1.0171956–1.0171956 and 1.1733304–2.144875, respectively) and women (OR = 1.09; CI 1.0745444–1.406035).ConclusionsSouth Africa needs to address socioeconomic challenges and inequalities to assist the perpetually food insecure and to ensure that, should there be a pandemic resurgence, or a new pandemic, individuals and households in the country are in a better financial situation and appropriately supported to avoid food insecurity at all costs.

Food security's broken link: The misalignment of stakeholder priorities in agriculture and nutrition in Vihiga County, Kenya

Global food security will exist when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. Today, about 2 billion of the 7.96 billion people on Earth are food insecure. Food insecurity is still a challenge in Kenya despite different sectors' interventions in nutrition and agriculture. This study sought to identify programs and stakeholders who are influential on food security by analyzing farmers' participation in programs, the link between agriculture and nutrition goals, factors that influence the success of programs, and the impact of policy on food security. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design using mixed methods of data collection. Qualitative data were obtained from thirty purposively selected stakeholders through focus group discussions and key informant interviews. The themes formed from the qualitative data were analyzed manually, and verbatim quotes were used to explain the findings. Additionally, two hundred and seventy-three structured questionnaires were administered to farmers to collect quantitative data. The data revealed that (75%) of farmers were beneficiaries of key programs. Pearson's chi-square test gave x^2(4, n=273)>=91.045, with a p-value of 0.000 which is less than 0.05, indicates a strong relationship between education level and farmers' awareness of key agricultural programs. The primary motivation in agriculture production was income generation, but the nutritional value of the food was overlooked. Poor collaboration among stakeholders was shown to not only result in unequal program coverage but also pose an obstacle in aligning agricultural programs with local nutrition demands. Moreover, although food and agriculture policies are in place, gaps exist in implementing and adhering to these policies. It was revealed that budget allocation to the agriculture sector is at (2.4 %) which is still a quarter way to the international commitment of (10%). Lastly, land ownership limitations hinder smallholder farmers' ability to meet income and nutrition needs, as approximately a third of those surveyed (n=136, 35.5%) reported owning less than 0.5 acres of land. It is, therefore, necessary to build the capacity to support smart agriculture, using technological methods to increase productivity on small land. Additionally, stakeholders must create policy strategies, collaboration and program distribution mechanisms to promote nutrition and agriculture to improve food security. Key words: Agriculture, Food Security, Influence, Linkage, Nutrition, Program, Policy, Stakeholders

Extreme environments as sources of fungal endophytes mitigating climate change impacts on crops in Mediterranean‐type ecosystems

Societal Impact StatementClimate change is predicted to increase drought and soil salinity in Mediterranean‐type ecosystems (MTEs), posing a significant threat to global food security. Genetic modification of crops to counteract this threat is expensive and has not met with universal support, and alternatives are hence needed to enhance crop production in MTEs. Here, fungal endophytes from the Atacama Desert, High Andes and Antarctica inoculated onto three crops were found to alleviate the negative effects of drought and salinity on plant performance. The study concludes that extremophile endophytes might be used to enhance crop performance as the climate of MTEs changes over future decades.Summary Climate change will curtail the ability to provide sufficient food for our rapidly expanding population. Improvements to crop production in changing environments, particularly Mediterranean‐type ecosystems (MTEs), which are increasingly subjected to drought and salinisation, are hence urgently needed. Here, we explored the possibility that fungal endophytes from extreme environments can be used to enhance crop yield, survival and tolerance to environmental stresses. Plants of lettuce, tomato and bell pepper were inoculated with up to six species of endophytic fungi isolated from the Atacama Desert, the High Andes and Antarctica. They were then exposed in the field for up to 120 days in each of three summers to current climatic conditions or to a future climate scenario simulating increased drought and soil salinisation. Compared with uninoculated plants, the yield and survival of inoculated crops were increased by up to two‐fold under the future climate scenario. These effects were in part attributable to the improved water balance of inoculated crops exposed to drought and salinisation. The inocula also increased the concentrations of total phenols and proline in leaves and decreased lipid peroxidation when plants were subjected to increased aridity and salinity. A mixed inoculum of six endophytes from the extreme environments conferred the most beneficial effects on crop performance, with a commercially available inoculum having fewer positive effects on crops. We conclude that the inoculation of crops with endophytes from extreme environments may be a viable solution to sustaining crop production in MTEs exposed to rapid climate change.

Technological Advancements in Food Processing and Packaging

The global challenge of providing sufficient, safe, and sustainable food to a growing population requires continuous food processing and packaging technology advancements [...]

Angefleht und dann beopfert: Zur Beziehung von Mythos und Festritual in hethitischen Texten

Abstract This article considers the relationship of Hittite festival rituals and mythical accounts, based on the mythical narrative of the feast of the sun god, in which the invited deities are not satiated despite sufficient food and drink. It is shown that the myths of the disappearing and returning deities were originally invocations or supplications (mugawar) incorporated into ritual acts that were intended to summon a deity. From the Middle Hittite period onward, rituals for invoking deities (mukeššar) seem to have been distinguished from ritual offerings to deities, which could then be called festival rituals (EZEN₄). In the process, an occasion-bound invocation of a deity due owing to some emergency situation may have been reinterpreted as an invocation to guarantee the deity’s presence, which in the further course lost its significance for being written down while the ritual descriptions gained in importance. At the same time, the invocations may have been literarily processed and expanded, e.g., by southeast Anatolian descriptions of rites of evocation.

Food insecurity in adults with severe mental illness: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

Food insecurity in adults living with Severe Mental Illness (SMI) is an underresearched area worldwide. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify and collate evidence on food insecurity in adults with SMI, in high- and upper-middle income countries. A comprehensive electronic search was completed up to August 2022. Random effects meta-analysis was undertaken to determine the prevalence and the odds ratio for food insecurity in adults with SMI. Narrative synthesis explored the data further. Sixteen publications were included (13 in the meta-analysis). The prevalence estimate of food insecurity in adults with SMI was 41% (95% CI: 29% to 53%, I2 = 99.9%, n = 13). Adults with SMI were 3.31 (95% CI: 2.03 to 5.41) times more likely to experience food insecurity than comparators without SMI (z = 6.29, p < .001, I2 = 98.9%, n = 6). Food insecurity appears to be a risk factor for developing SMI. This review suggests adults with SMI living in high- or upper-middle income countries are more likely to experience food insecurity than the general population and that this relationship may be inverse. Mental health practitioners should be aware of food insecurity and support individuals with SMI to access sufficient food.

PREDIKSI HARGA PANGAN KOTA BANDUNG MENGGUNAKAN METODE GATED RECURRENT UNIT

Food problems often occur among the community, this occurs due to a lack of predictions made to determine future food prices. Food prices can be achieved if the government can provide sufficient food supplies both in terms of quality and quantity. The availability of sufficient food is an important factor in maintaining the health and welfare of the community. However, the high price fluctuations of staple foods in traditional markets have a negative impact on the availability and quality of food for the community, especially those with low incomes. This was caused by various factors such as rising raw material prices, the influence of weather factors, and changes in people's consumption patterns. In addition, the process of distribution and marketing of staple foods in traditional markets in Bandung City, which still relies on manual processes and is less structured, can also cause high price fluctuations. Therefore we need an application to predict staple food needs for the future accurately and effectively. This study uses the Gated Recurrent Unit method. This method is used because the Gated Recurrent Unit method has good performance in making predictions and fits the data used for this study. In this study, there were 5 types of commodities used, namely rice, chicken meat, chicken eggs, shallots, and garlic. All datasets used were taken from the website of the National Strategic Food Price Information (PIHPSNasional, https://www.bi.go.id/hargapangan). Predictive results by evaluating MAE and MAPE for rice 12.8, and 0.10, for chicken meat 12.8 , and 0.10, for chicken egg 244.5, and 0.64, for onion 296.9, and 1.05, for garlic 602.8, and 1.32.

Technology driven livestock farming for food security and sustainability

Advent of industrialization increased the human population significantly and it expanded very rapidly from nineteen sixties. Introduction of mechanization, chemical fertilization and genetic selection in agriculture increased the food production, reduced pestilence and thus improved life expectancy. However, in doing so the natural resources were over utilized, degraded and polluted. The greenhouse gas emissions from anthropogenic activities increased several folds that resulted into global warming, the consequences of which are being observed in the form of floods, draughts, cloud bursts, melting of glaciers, rising of sea level and loss of species. The soil fertility &amp; water table is decreasing, resistance to pesticides, drugs, antibiotics is increasing and immergence &amp; reemergence of diseases are common. Since the world population by 2050 is anticipated to touch 9 billion that means an increase of 30%. Obviously, the demand for food to feed such a huge population would require 70% increase in the food. With limited resources, depleted soil, polluted atmosphere, disturbed ecosystems and exhausted natural resources, the challenges for food security have amplified. Urbanization, improved incomes and dietary changes will increase the demand for food of animal origin in coming years. Globally animal products provide 67% of the protein and the requirement for meat and milk by 2050 is expected to increase by 73% and 58% respectively. Therefore, to ensure food and nutritional security in coming years, livestock production has to be augmented efficiently, smartly and sustainably. As such, precision, smart livestock farming is inevitable that must integrate all the techniques, skills, knowledge and innovations to produce safe, sufficient, affordable, accessible and sustainable animal food with minimum environmental impacts. With the advancement in robotics, biosensors, artificial intelligence, internet of things and information technology, the farming practices should now be technology driven, smart, need based, automated, productive and integrated.

The impact of climate change on insect pest biology and ecology: Implications for pest management strategies, crop production, and food security

The explosive expansion of the global population and technological progress has greatly influenced agriculture and food production. However, this progress is threatened by climate change, which unleashes a slew of issues like carbon dioxide (CO2) increases, frequent droughts, and temperature shifts that present a substantial obstacle to crop yields and food security. The ramifications of these climatic factors on insect pest biology and ecology are profound, given that these pests depend heavily on these factors. Since crop productivity is tightly connected to both insect pests and these climate variables, changes in these factors can significantly impact crop yields. Therefore, it is imperative to comprehend the impact of climate change on insect pests to manage them effectively and ensure sufficient food production. This review examines the climate change effect on insect pest biology and ecology and explores the potential use of modern pest monitoring technologies and prediction tools to devise effective pest management strategies to improve crop production and food security.

Analisa Metode Backpropagation Pada Prediksi Rata-rata Harga Beras Bulanan Di Tingkat Penggilingan Menurut Kualitas

Rice is a staple food in Indonesia and plays a crucial role in the food structure as a source of nutrition. The diverse population of Indonesia, spread across various islands, makes rice availability highly important. The government continues to strive for food security, particularly by increasing domestic production. These considerations become even more significant for Indonesia due to its growing population and extensive geographical distribution. To meet the population's food needs, Indonesia needs sufficient food supply and distribution to fulfill consumption and maintain adequate reserves for extensive logistical operations. Rice shortage can be seen as a threat to economic and political stability. The significance of rice as a food commodity means that it is constantly in demand by people from all walks of life. Price fluctuations over time due to imbalances between supply and demand have a significant impact on the middle class and working class. The instability of rice prices greatly affects both the general public and farmers. Generally, prices are determined by the interaction of supply and demand. If supply is high and demand is low, prices will decrease. Conversely, if supply is low and demand is high, prices will increase. Prediction is an important tool to anticipate future events by recognizing patterns from the past. Backpropagation can be used as a method to predict rice prices. The data used in this study are the average monthly rice prices at the milling level according to the quality of large-scale traders from January 2023 to December 2023, in Indonesian Rupiah per kilogram. This research utilizes data obtained from the website of the Indonesian Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) from 2013 to 2022. The study employed 5 different architectures for data testing, namely the 15-15-1 architecture with a testing mean square error (MSE) of 0.00644604, the 15-19-1 architecture with a testing MSE of 0.01005532, the 15-30-1 architecture with a testing MSE of 0.02119922, the 15-31-1 architecture with a testing MSE of 0.00009938. The best architecture in this study was the 15-17-1 model with 5206 iterations and a runtime of 18 seconds, achieving the smallest testing MSE of 0.00000105 and the highest accuracy of 100%. From the obtained architectures, it is evident that backpropagation can perform with a high level of precision. This research can serve as a guideline for the government to determine rice availability and establish average rice prices based on quality, thus preventing future rice shortages.