Food Supply Research Articles

OPTIMAL HARVEST CONTROL OF PREDATOR–PREY SYSTEMS IN FISHERIES WITH STAGE STRUCTURE AND ADDITIONAL FOOD SUPPLY

In this paper, we consider a fishery predator–prey system with stage structure and additional food incorporating fluctuations in resource prices influenced by supply and demand. The fishery system can be regarded as a slow–fast system under some suitable assumptions. Through variable aggregation methods, we derive a simplified four-dimensional model governing the density of prey fish, the juvenile and adult predator densities, and fishing effort in the fishery. We perform a stability analysis of the simplified system and give the optimal harvesting policy by using Pontryagin’s maximum principle. In our analysis, we find that the catastrophe equilibrium point corresponding to overfishing leading to fish extinction is unstable, which indicates that the predator stage structure has an impact on the stability of the system. Moreover, we find that due to the additional food item the system appears to have prey-free equilibrium points, which indicates that the system does not collapse due to the extinction of one prey item. We also give thresholds for the amount of additional food needed to maintain the balance of the system under different circumstances.

Point‐of‐Care Health Diagnostics and Food Quality Monitoring by Molecularly Imprinted Polymers‐Based Histamine Sensors

AbstractHistamine, a biogenic amine (BA), plays a significant role in various pathophysiological processes and is present in food supplies, serving as an indicator of freshness and microbial degradation. It is a major cause of food poisoning outbreaks, triggering allergic inflammatory responses. Detecting histamine in food is crucial because its toxic threshold does not affect the food's taste, making contaminated items appear normal. To address this challenge, label‐free and bioactive‐free electrochemical sensors utilizing molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) offer the desired selectivity, scalability, and efficiency. MIPs are synthetic materials designed to mimic biological receptors. This paper reviews a decade of research on MIP‐assisted electrochemical sensors for histamine detection, focusing on their scalability, robustness, speed, and selectivity. The review critically analyzes the performance of these sensors in detecting histamine in food, beverages, human serum, and body diagnostics. Additionally, the current understanding of the physiological effects of endogenous and ingested histamine is reviewed, highlighting both established and emerging methods for its quantification in food and health management. The potential for transforming healthcare delivery through personalized Point‐of‐Care (POC) systems, integrated with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet‐of‐Medical Things (IoMT) technologies, is also discussed.

COVID-19, food insecurity and panic buying behavior: Evidence from rural Bangladesh

AbstractThe uncertainties, such as the pandemic (COVID-19), natural calamities, and war, disrupt agricultural production and supply chains, leading to concerns about food access in developing countries. Therefore, this study uses panel data collected through three survey rounds in June and September 2020 and January 2021 to analyze changes in household food expenditure and consumption behaviors and to investigate the association between household characteristics and food insecurity. The results show that households with diverse income sources, including multiple farm products, non-farm businesses, and remittances from absent members, are less likely to reduce food consumption quality and quantity, and be in the lower tail of food expenditure distribution. -However, households in the upper tail of the food expenditure distribution aggressively stock up on food in the second quarter of the year, fearing that lockdown measures would interrupt the food supply. These households tend to have an urban way of living characterized by salaried jobs, small family size, high educational attainment, and proximity to the capital city. The levels of food expenditure remain high even after the lifting of lockdown and movement restrictions, and the reason might be possible uncertainty about crop harvests, despite the eventual good harvests in the year. Overall, these findings suggest that diversification of income sources for rural households in developing countries can help households cope with disruptions to food production and supply chains. The findings also suggest that policies to ensure food access during the pandemic should target households with limited income sources and those in the lower tail of the food expenditure distribution.

Millet Cultivation in North-east Hill Region of India: A Review

The millets are climate resilient, most efficient in use of water, adopted to grown in marginal and sub marginal area, suitably grown in hilly and rainfed area, nutrient dense and having low carbon and water footprint. Considering their significance in present context of agriculture, it is important to know about their region-specific cultivation practices and intervention in it. The North East Hill (NEH) region is known for its diversity in terms of soil and climatic condition as well as crop and plant diversity. The marginal and sub-marginal area with different slope, topography and soil related constraints for production, the millets will be one of the important options for arable crop cultivation. The production practices followed by the farmers and recommended practices were highly diverse due to different agro-climatic condition. At the same time, in several locations production practices were even not developed due to cultivation on very less area with less economic impact at regional or state agriculture. Hence it is informative and knowledge impacting exercise to review the production practices followed and interventions made at institutional and stakeholders level for millets cultivation in NEH region. The present review summarizes the interventions in production practices such as seed and sowing requirement, nutrient, water and weed management as well as insect-pest and disease management in context of NEH region. Besides that, interventions from NEH region at post-harvest and value addition were also discussed in this review. The cost effective and high enumerative interventions in production processes such as substitution of low yielding upland rice cultivation partly or completely with millets, transplanting, fertilization, micronutrient foliar feeding, use of herbicide for weed management and promotion/ up gradation of millets cultivation in new areas (North-East Hill region) are important at production level. The interventions at policy level such as promotion for incorporation of millets in public distribution system, inclusion of millets in school age children diet and different schemes related with supply of nutritious food to children and adolescence are important for NEH region. Increase in diversity of product prepared from millets, initiation of organic seed production of millets, exploring export potential of traditional products prepared from millets to different domestic and international market are important interventions at policy level. At research level, the standardization of production practices for different states in NEH region was initiated and need to be further emphasized rather than using recommendation as it is from other part of India.

Sustainability and its influence on the complexity of the food supply chain: a survey study

PurposeTo explore the relationship between sustainability and the complexity of the food supply chain (FSC) and to promote adopting a sustainable approach that balances financial growth, environmental preservation and social well-being.Design/methodology/approachAquantitative method approach was employed using a survey of 379 respondents. Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to evaluate the factors contributing to sustainability and their impact on the complexity of the FSC.FindingsSustainability amplifies the complexity of the FSC. Several factors that influence the complexity attributes were identified, including clean technologies, stakeholder engagement and supply chain coordination.Research limitations/implicationsHighlights the importance of adopting a sustainable approach that balances financial growth, environmental preservation and social well-being in FSCs. It also suggests the need for further research to improve understanding of the factors influencing the complexity of the FSC.Practical implicationsCompanies operating in the FSC should invest in control measures, risk identification and prevention, employee training and awareness and policies and procedures for waste management and environmental sustainability.Social implicationsHighlights the importance of social responsibility in the FSC, including all stakeholders. It also emphasizes the need to minimize negative impacts on the environment and ensure the preservation of natural resources.Originality/valueProvides a comprehensive analysis of the complexity attributes of the FSC and their relationship with sustainability factors. It offers practical and theoretical insights for companies to sustainably manage the FSC.

Factors affecting the adoption of blockchain technologies in the food supply chain

With the rise in food insecurity, one of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals is to end hunger, achieve food security, and promote sustainable agriculture. This can be achieved through the strengthening and development of existing food systems. Integrating emerging technologies such as blockchain technology can help develop sustainable food systems. Blockchain technology allows the tracking and tracing of food items as they move through the supply chain. Blockchain technology also allows for low transactional costs at almost instantaneous applications. There is however a low adoption rate of blockchain technology amongst organisations in the food supply chain. The objective of the study was to explore factors that affect the adoption of blockchain technology in the food supply chain. The study adopted a quantitative research method that was guided by the technology, organisation, and environment Framework (TOE) to explore factors affecting blockchain technology adoption in the food supply chain. A systematic literature review was used for the study. Quantitative content analysis was used to analyse peer-reviewed articles. Results showed that TOE factors affect the adoption of blockchain technology in the food supply chain. Factors such as cost, scalability, firm size, and IT policy were noted as important factors affecting the adoption of blockchain technology in the food supply chain. The study contributes to the body of knowledge on factors that affect the adoption of blockchain technology in the food supply chain.

The Russian mission in Istanbul in the mid-1740s: everyday life

In the article, the author examines the daily activities of the Russian embassy in Istanbul during the mid-18th century. The eastern orientation of Russian diplomatic efforts during the era of Peter the Great and his successors represents a relatively understudied aspect of the foreign policy of the Russian Empire. Furthermore, the focus of researchers is understandably on political issues, while the everyday reality of embassy staff – including the actual number of personnel, their individual personalities, maintenance costs, material culture and food – is overlooked. The Archive of the Foreign Policy of the Russian Empire contains a wealth of hitherto unpublished documents that shed light on a number of subjects from the late summer and autumn of 1745. Following the unexpected passing of the Russian resident (the head of the embassy), Alexey Veshniakov, on 29 July 1745, his deputies, who had assumed the role of senior representatives of the Russian Mission, were concerned about the potential allegations of misappropriation of state-owned assets. It compelled them to meticulously catalogue all items stored within the mission, in addition to maintaining comprehensive records of the daily expenditure incurred for food supplies for a total staff complement of 42 individuals, including the family and domestic personnel of the late resident (16 persons). It would be fair to say that such matters are rarely addressed in diplomatic missives. However, the exceptional circumstances following the demise of Alexey Veshniakov provided scholars with the opportunity to reconstruct certain aspects of the daily life of the Russian colony in Istanbul.

Can crop production agglomeration reduce carbon emissions?—empirical evidence from China

Reducing carbon emissions is crucial for environmental protection and the survival of humankind, particularly in agricultural growth, as it ensures the sustainability of the food supply. This study examines the import of the crop production agglomeration on carbon emissions across several areas of China. It employs panel data spanning from 2012 to 2022. The crop production agglomeration was assessed using the average industrial agglomeration rate, whereas the carbon emissions were evaluated using the IPCC carbon emission factors. Empirical analyses were conducted using the panel fixed effects model and the Spatial Durbin Model . The results indicate that crop production agglomeration directly reduces carbon emissions. Moreover, the concentration of crop production has a geographical demonstration effect on carbon emissions, where greater levels of crop production agglomeration result in a more efficient decrease of carbon emissions in nearby regions. An analysis of heterogeneity indicates that the impact of crop production agglomeration on carbon emissions is more pronounced in the eastern and northeastern regions of China compared to the central and western areas. The study advocates for the formulation of tailored carbon reduction methods that align with the distinct attributes of crops in various locations. It promotes variety and low-carbon development in crop production to drive industrial advancement. The study advocates for enhancing cooperation among crop production enterprises across various areas to provide platforms for information exchange and technical innovation. Furthermore, it advocates for governments to design efficient methods and regulations to reduce carbon emissions in crop production.

Ecological Network Construction Based on Ecosystem Services and Landscape Pattern Indices in the Tabu River Basin

Unsustainable human activities threaten the ecological security of arid and semi-arid watersheds. However, improving the connectivity of ecological networks can enhance ecosystem services and preserve biodiversity in these fragile environments. In this study, we aimed to identify ecological sources of the Tabu River Basin by quantifying five key ecosystem services and using a morphological spatial pattern analysis model. We further optimized resistance surfaces using landscape pattern indices, constructed an ecological network, and provided recommendations for sustainable management. The results obtained were as follows: (1) Ecosystem services in the Tabu River Basin exhibit clear spatial heterogeneity, with significant increases in water yield, food supply, and carbon sequestration over the past two decades. (2) Landscape pattern indices, such as the aggregation index, patch cohesion index, and Shannon’s diversity index, showed declines, indicating heightened landscape fragmentation and reduced connectivity. (3) Over the study period, the number of ecological sources increased from 6 to 17, although the total area of these sources decreased. The number of corridors expanded from 9 to 36, with a total length increase of 362.47 km, whereas pinch points increased from 27 to 40. (4) After optimization, one additional corridor and 24 new pinch points were identified, alongside a marked reduction in resistance in the northern and central-western regions. These results provide a robust scientific basis for optimizing land-use planning and reinforcing ecological security in the Tabu River Basin.

Undisciplining the Science and Religion Discourse on the Holy War on Obesity

Contemporary science and religion discourse (SRD) is a large field encompassing various topics, from creationism against evolution to theological anthropology and artificial intelligence, though historically, what is meant by “science” is Western science, and what is meant by “religion” is usually Christianity. Moreover, SRD has been driven mainly from the North American context. The scope of this paper will thus be more focused on Western science and North American Protestant Evangelical Christianity, which hereafter will be referred to as simply Christianity or religion. In this article, I argue that SRD often arises from conflict or intersections where such interdisciplinary dialogue is needed to better understand the topic. However, this also means that topics that seem to agree between religion and science are not discussed in SRD. It is as if the goal of SRD, consciously or unconsciously, is to attain some consensus. Topics that have achieved consensus are not worth interrogating using the interdisciplinary approach of SRD. In this article, I will raise the topic of the holy war on obesity as a case example. From the medical and scientific perspective, obesity is a significant epidemic and problem. Similarly, Christians also see obesity as a problem that their churches can help by reinforcing the need for self-control as a virtue. The alignment of the two fields leaves this subject primarily out of the radar of the academic SRD. Yet I argue here that this unholy alliance needs to be questioned because locating the solution to obesity simply on willpower to lose weight and battle gluttony is short-sighted at best, misleading perhaps, and harmful at worst. This paper calls for a transdisciplinary approach to the SRD on obesity, emphasizing the need to address the multifaceted nature of the problem, which spans physiology, psychology, sociology, economics, culture, and theology. In overlooking the complexity of the problem with its various intersectionalities, both science and religion in SRD have colonized bodies and health. Inherent within this transdisciplinary approach is the exercise of undisciplining SRD and decolonizing bodies. The concept of “undisciplining” involves re-evaluating the problem beyond mere weight loss, addressing interconnected issues such as food supply, government regulations, capitalism, discrimination, and mental health care. The narrative of gluttony as sin, the war metaphor, and the methodologies employed by both religious and scientific communities need to be deconstructed. In conclusion, recognizing the entangled system in which all are complicit, the paper advocates for a more nuanced and comprehensive approach, free from the constraints of traditional disciplinary boundaries and influenced narratives.

Direct Contact Membrane Distillation of Hydroponic Solutions for Recycling of Phosphate and Potassium

A critical issue facing extraterrestrial expansion has always been long-term life support capabilities. The large energy requirements to move even small amounts of material from Earth necessitate the ability to reuse and recycle as much as possible, particularly waste. The weight of food supplies eventually starts to limit the length of the expedition. Hydroponic growth systems offer the ability to grow plants, and with them, a miniature ecosystem. This offers the ability to repurpose both carbon dioxide and waste salts such as ammonia and other compounds, such as those found in urine. A major issue facing hydroponic systems is the need to provide a stable water-based nutrient stream. Direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) was tested for viability as a method of re-concentrating and stabilizing the nutrient-rich water stream. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)- and polyvinylidene (PVDF)-based polymer hydrophobic membranes were used to separate solutes from water. The DCMD method was tested with the feed stream operating at temperatures of 50 °C, 65 °C, and 80 °C. The results were analyzed using UV-Visible spectroscopy to determine concentrations. The benefits and limitations of the PTFE and PVDF membranes in DCMD were compared. The larger-pore PTFE membranes concentrated solutions effectively at 80 °C, while the PVDF membranes removed more water at lower temperatures, but permitted detectable phosphate ion leakage. Adjusting temperature and flow rates can help maintain stable ion and water transfer, benefiting hydroponic systems in achieving reliable nutrient levels.

Blockchain and Traceability of Geographical Indication Products

Traceability plays a significant role in food supply chains by ensuring food safety through piloting risks and quality. It helps to ensure that all production steps meet specification and quality requirements. It is also a very important tool for geographical indication products as it proves the authenticity of products, indicates their origin and, consequently, prevents counterfeiting. The system must be efficient and have anti-tampering features. Using blockchain technology can render these systems nearly perfect

FACTORS AFFECTING HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY IN NON-FOOD-CENTER AREAS

Objective: This study aims to determine the factors that affect household food security in non-food center areas in West Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan Province. Theoretical Framework: In accordance with sustainability theory. Households that have good livelihood assets can increase household food security, strengthen household livelihood assets, not only increase their resilience to various shocks, but also support overall sustainability goals. Method: The approach used is quantitative method with data collection through questionnaires and processed using Smart PLS 3.0 software to answer research problems and hypotheses. The population in this study were all people in 81 villages and 13 sub-districts in West Kotawaringin Regency total 246,214 people. Result and Conclusion: Based on quantitative analysis that has been done, it can be concluded that Human assets, Natural assets, Financial assets, Social assets, Physical assets, food distribution affect household food security in West Kotawaringin Regency. Government support strengthens household food security in West Kotawaringin Regency. Implication of research: The research implication is to strengthen the government's role in ensuring food security. Novelty which is a research finding is the variable role of village government in moderating household food security. Originality/Value: This research is expected to contribute to sustainable theory where society tries to prioritize social responses to environmental and economic problems. It is hoped that this social response will provide food supplies, as well as identifying factors that influence increasing food security.

Minimization of losses in postharvest of fresh produce supply chain

PurposeGlobalization and population explosion have worsened postharvest losses (PHL) in developing countries. This study looks to identify numerous controllable variables to reduce these losses and make the fresh produce supply chain more efficient.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs the interpretive structural modelling (ISM) technique to develop a hierarchical model to comprehend the intricate relationships between the variables influencing PHL. These variables are further classified based on the relative levels of importance in terms of their driving and dependence powers.FindingsThe findings of this research provide variables for enterprises operating in fresh food supply chains to understand the specific risks that that supply chain faces and how these risks interact within the system. The fuzzy MICMAC analysis also classifies and highlights critical risk factors in the supply chain to aid implementation of PHL mitigation measures. The study highlights the importance of devising policies, legislation and efforts to regulate and curtail PHL across the global food supply chain.Research limitations/implicationsThe efficiency of the food supply chain contributes not only to economic sustainability but also to broader goals such as food security, better utilisation of global resources and sustainability in the supply chain.Social implicationsIt also highlights the significance of well-informed government policies, laws and regulations in successfully controlling and reducing PHL.Originality/valueThis study compares factors contributing to PHL in the fresh produce supply chain and emphasises the stakeholders’ critical role in alleviating these losses. It also highlights the significance of well-informed government policies, laws and regulations in successfully controlling and reducing PHL.

Development of an Autonomous Drone-Based Irrigation Decision Support System Utilizing Image Processing and Machine Learning Techniques

Efficient management of water resources is essential for sustaining the global food supply amidst growing populations and climate change. Traditional irrigation methods are often plagued by inefficiencies, leading to significant water wastage. This paper presents the development and validation of an autonomous drone-based irrigation system that leverages advanced image processing and machine learning techniques to optimize water usage in agriculture. The system employs standard low-cost cameras to capture high-resolution aerial images, which are processed to accurately predict the water needs of the plants and inform irrigation decisions in real-time also it can do autonomous watering by controlling the electrical water valve in the specified irrigation areas. Comprehensive field tests conducted on pepper crops demonstrate the system's ability to enhance water use efficiency and improve crop yields. By integrating state-of-the-art technologies such as TensorFlow techniques for machine lear-nig, image analysis and autonomous navigation capabilities, the proposed solution represents a significant advancement in precision agriculture. The results indicate that the autonomous drone-based irrigation system can substantially reduce water consumption while maintaining or enhancing crop productivity, thereby promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Identifying Critical Paths and Drivers of Carbon Emissions From Tourism: An Integrated Analysis Toward Sustainable Tourism

ABSTRACTGiven the highly fragmented structure and strong industrial linkages of the tourism industry, exploring the flow and drivers of carbon transfer is critical for sustainable tourism. This study combines the environmentally extended input–output (EEIO) model with structural decomposition analysis (SDA) and structural path analysis (SPA) to identify the key sectors, paths, and drivers of carbon emissions from tourism. Taking China as a case, the results show that: (1) China's tourism carbon emissions grew from 34.68 Mt. in 2002 to 137.87 Mt. in 2019, with road transport (22.58%), food and beverage services (21.10%), shopping (20.52%), and air transport (14.91%) constituting the primary emitters. (2) Critical supply chain path “source sector → tourism‐related sectors → final demand” spurring carbon growth of tourism primarily centers on the tourism‐related sectors associated with road transport, air transport, food and beverage services, and shopping, where the source sectors mainly come from energy and food supply, manufacturing, transportation, and logistics sectors. (3) Despite considerable sectoral and path‐level heterogeneity, the key driver for inhibiting tourism carbon emissions is direct energy intensity, while final demand remains the main obstacle to low‐carbon tourism. In addition to the limited effect of energy restructuring, the promising role of optimizing the supply of intermediate goods in cubing tourism carbon emissions is revealed. Finally, relevant theoretical and policy implications are discussed.

Synergistic Matching and Influencing Factors of Grain Production and Cropland Net Primary Productivity in the Black Soil Region of Northeast China

Exploring the spatiotemporal dynamics, spatial mismatch, and complex influencing mechanism of grain production and cropland productivity in the black soil region of northeast China (BSRNC) is essential for the synergistic protection and utilization of black soil cropland and sustainable grain production. The BSRNC has realized cropland expansion and grain production increases in the past decades. This implied a substantial investment has been made in the region’s agriculture. However, at present, knowledge on the spatial mismatch and influencing factors of grain production and cropland productivity is still unclear. This study analyzed the spatial–temporal mismatch characteristics of grain production and cropland net primary productivity (CNPP) using the gravity center model, spatial autocorrelation analysis, and spatial mismatch index (SMI), and identified the spatial heterogeneity and prediction–response relationships of influencing factors based on a geographically and temporally weighted regression (GTWR) model and boosted regression tree (BRT) machine learning algorithm. The findings indicated that grain production and CNPP have been increasing, but the overall spatial pattern of cold hotspots has not changed obviously in the BSRNC from 2000 to 2020. The SMI has shown a decreasing trend, indicating that the synergistic development of grain production and CNPP has been obvious, which plays an important role in sustainable food supply capacity. Agricultural production and the natural environment have always been critical factors influencing the spatial mismatch. Specifically, the marginal impact of fertilizer application has undergone a shift. This study may provide new clues for the formulation of regional strategies for sustainable food supply and black soil cropland system protection.

Global impact of seawater intrusion on coastal agriculture

Abstract Coastal agriculture faces escalating threats from seawater intrusion (SWI), jeopardizing global food security through freshwater scarcity, soil salinization and crop damage. However, research on SWI often fails to consider its impact on coastal agriculture. Linking georeferenced SWI data with cropland presence, this review examines SWI's global distribution and primary drivers. Major attested hotspots include the Mediterranean, South and South-East Asia, and the Bohai Sea region in China. Approximately 87 Mha of cropland globally are vulnerable due to low elevation and coastal proximity, including regions where little to no literature has documented SWI. Main drivers include sea-level rise, drought, groundwater depletion, river modifications, tidal flooding and subsidence. Projections of sea-level rise indicate cropland of North America, the Indian Subcontinent, and South-East Asia as high-risk for SWI. Additionally, regions like South-East Asia and the Indian Subcontinent are expected to experience significant demographic growth in coastal areas. Understanding present and future SWI dynamics is crucial for designing effective mitigation and adaptation strategies in coastal agriculture to support food supply.

Advancements in Detection Methods for Salmonella in Food: A Comprehensive Review

Non-typhoidal Salmonella species are one of the leading causes of gastrointestinal disease in North America, leading to a significant burden on the healthcare system resulting in a huge economic impact. Consequently, early detection of Salmonella species in the food supply, in accordance with food safety regulations, is crucial for protecting public health, preventing outbreaks, and avoiding serious economic losses. A variety of techniques have been employed to detect the presence of this pathogen in the food supply, including culture-based, immunological, and molecular methods. The present review summarizes these methods and highlights recent updates on promising emerging technologies, including aptasensors, Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR), and Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS).

Taphonomy and labour at the Indus Valley site of Harappa (3700–1300 BC)

The emergence of early cities required new agricultural practices and archaeobotanical crop-processing models have been used to investigate the social and economic organisation of urban ‘consumer’ and non-urban ‘producer’ sites. Archaeobotanical work on the Indus Valley has previously identified various interpretations of labour and subsistence practices. Here, the authors analyse a large archaeobotanical assemblage from Harappa, Pakistan (3700–1300 BC), questioning some of the assumptions of traditional crop-processing models. The ubiquity of small weed seeds, typically removed during the early stages of crop processing, is argued to result from dung burning. This additional taphonomic consideration adds nuance to the understanding of Harappa's labour organisation and food supply with implications for crop-processing models in other contexts.