World Food Security Research Articles

Drought-tolerant wheat for enhancing global food security.

Wheat is among the most produced grain crops of the world and alone provides a fifth of the world's calories and protein. Wheat has played a key role in food security since the crop served as a Neolithic founder crop for the establishment of world agriculture. Projections showing a decline in global wheat yields in changing climates imply that food security targets could be jeopardized. Increased frequency and intensity of drought occurrence is evident in major wheat-producing regions worldwide, and notably, the wheat-producing area under drought is projected to swell globally by 60% by the end of the 21st century. Wheat yields are significantly reduced due to changes in plant morphological, physiological, biochemical, and molecular activities in response to drought stress. Advances in wheat genetics, multi-omics technologies and plant phenotyping have enhanced the understanding of crop responses to drought conditions. Research has elucidated key genomic regions, candidate genes, signalling molecules and associated networks that orchestrate tolerance mechanisms under drought stress. Robust and low-cost selection tools are now available in wheat for screening genetic variations for drought tolerance traits. New breeding techniques and selection tools open a unique opportunity to tailor future wheat crop with optimal trait combinations that help withstand extreme drought. Adoption of the new wheat varieties will increase crop diversity in rain-fed agriculture and ensure sustainable improvements in crop yields to safeguard the world's food security in drier environments.

Local Wisdom about Food Sustainment in the Bima Community

Global climate change has a direct impact on world food security, including in Indonesia. In fact, previous generations have local wisdom in the context of food preservation. The people of Bima Regency, West Nusa Tenggara Province also have local wisdom about how to maintain food that has long been inherited from their ancestors. This study aims to identify how the Bima people with their local wisdom can maintain food values ??in their area. This study was conducted using a qualitative method with an ethnographic strategy. The data sources were informants including traditional leaders, local communities, traditional ceremony implementers, and the procession of traditional ceremonies and their equipment. Sampling was carried out using purposive sampling and snowball sampling. Data collection was carried out through in-depth interviews and field observations of traditional ceremony processions. Data validity testing was carried out by triangulation of sources and methods. Data analysis techniques with interactive models. The results of the study showed that the value of local wisdom about food preservation was presented through folklore, traditional ceremony processions and traditional ceremony offerings. The folktale entitled fare ma lingi conveys the message that we must maintain agricultural activities in accordance with the teachings of our ancestors. The procession of the ampa fare traditional ceremony conveys the message of a frugal lifestyle and managing food

Transcriptomic Profile of Tef (Eragrostis tef) in Response to Drought.

The threat to world food security posed by drought is ever increasing. Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] is an allotetraploid cereal crop that is a staple food for a large population in the Horn of Africa. While the grain of tef provides quality food for humans, its straw is the most palatable and nutritious feed for livestock. In addition, the tef plant is resilient to several biotic and abiotic stresses, especially to drought, making it an ideal candidate to study the molecular mechanisms conferring these properties. The transcriptome expression of tef leaf collected from plants grown under drought conditions was profiled using RNA-Seq and key genes were verified using RT-qPCR. This study revealed that tef exhibits a complex molecular network involving membrane receptors and transcription factors that regulate drought responses. We identified target genes related to hormones like ABA, auxin, and brassinosteroids and genes involved in antioxidant activity. The findings were compared to physiological measurements such as changes in stomatal conductance and contents of proline, chlorophyll and carotenoid. The insights gained from this work could play vital role in enhancing drought tolerance in other economically important cereals such as maize and rice.

Protecting nutrition in a food crisis.

Food insecurity and malnutrition are rising worldwide due to disruptions in food systems related to interconnected health-, climate- and conflict-related crises. Although governments globally are committed to addressing nutritional challenges, policy responses have increasingly focused on food security and, particularly, on food affordability. However, these short-term measures often overlook the necessity of integrating nutritious foods into the food system to ensure improved long-term nutrition. By drawing on the United Nations Committee on World Food Security's Voluntary guidelines on food systems and nutrition, this article outlines opportunities for policy-makers to integrate nutrition into key elements of the crisis response. Key policy areas where nutrition could be further integrated include social protection, agricultural investment, trade policy and urban planning. Strengthening the focus of nutrition in these measures will be essential to establish long-term incentives that support food systems transformation for improved nutrition. Drawing on theories of the policy process, I propose that stronger governance and cross-sectoral dialogue will be critical to achieve sustained nutritional outcomes. Health policy-makers can play a leadership role in supporting cross-sectoral policy change by carefully framing the policy issues, advocating for institutional structures that promote collaboration across sectors to prioritize nutrition, and strengthening the management of conflicts of interest in food system policy-making.

Integrating Machine Learning for Enhanced Agricultural Productivity: A Focus on Bananas and Arecanut in the Context of India’s Economic Growth

AbstractAgriculture is one of the sectors that has an important impact, taking into account the problem of sufficient food supply on a global level. The process of predicting the yield of crops is among the most challenging undertakings in the agricultural industry. Agriculture is the main source of income for most developing nations. The purpose of the study is to investigate the significant role that agriculture plays in boosting India's economic growth. Additionally, the research considers the challenges posed by a growing population and a changing environment in terms of agricultural production and food security. The research focuses on analysing the complex characteristics of the agricultural industry, with a particular emphasis on the nutritional importance of tropical fruits, notably bananas and arecanut. These fruits are well-known for their vital nutrients and their role in ensuring world food security. This study acknowledges the importance of sustainable agriculture practices and incorporates sophisticated machine learning algorithms as dynamic tools to forecast crop yields and enhance decision-making processes throughout the crop development cycle. The main aim of this study is to create strong machine learning models and statistical techniques that can accurately predict crop yield by combining a variety of environmental parameters, then assess which models outperform each other. Assist yield projections may provide governments and policymakers with valuable information to make well-informed choices about food security, import–export policies, and resource allocation. It facilitates national- and regional-level food supply planning. The validation method utilises important metrics like R square (R2), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), and Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE). This present research adds to the continuing discussion on using creative methods to promote sustainable agricultural growth and ensure food security.

Demand Potential for Agricultural Trade between China and Countries along the "Belt and Road".

International agricultural markets are an important part of the global food resource chain. Tapping into the potential of agricultural trade between China and countries along the "Belt and Road" (B&R) is conducive to safeguarding China's and the world's food security, but there is less literature on the potential of bilateral trade demand. This paper ranks the B&R countries according to the scale of imports and exports, and calculates the elasticity of demand for imports, the elasticity of substitution for exports, and, finally, the potential of elasticity of demand for trade between China and the major B&R countries. The results show that China's agricultural export potential to major B&R countries is ranked as follows: Indonesia, Thailand, Russia, Poland, Turkey, Vietnam, Malaysia, Ukraine, India, and Singapore. The major B&R countries are also ranked in terms of their export potential to China: Vietnam, India, Ukraine, Russia, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Poland, Singapore, and Turkey. The findings of this paper provide a decision-making basis for promoting agricultural trade between China and B&R countries.

Research Progress of Bacillus subtilis in Wheat Growth Promotion and Disease Control

Wheat is one of the main food crops in the world, and its output is related to the world food security. In recent years, with the change of climate conditions and the overuse of chemical pesticides, the growing environment of wheat is facing severe challenges, and wheat diseases occur frequently, which seriously affects the growth and yield of wheat. As a new type of green growth promotion and control measures, biological control provides a more sustainable and environmentally friendly way for crops to cope with the challenges of the growing environment. Bacillus subtilis is a kind of PGPR widely found in plant rhizosphere soil. It has strong broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and resistance to stress. In this paper, the mechanism of Bacillus subtilis in promoting wheat growth and the control principle and effect of pathogenic bacteria in wheat were reviewed, and the existing problems were analyzed and prospected in order to provide reference for the application of Bacillus subtilis in agricultural field.

The Re-Emergence of Food Security in the Western World: Short Supply Chains in Portuguese Territorial Contexts

In the context of growing concerns surrounding food security and sustainability, this paper examines the emergence of short food supply chains (SFSCs) as alternative food systems. Focusing on box schemes in Portugal, the study investigates the socioeconomic factors influencing the presence of SFSC actors, utilizing a quantitative approach. Drawing on data from 420 producers offering food boxes and secondary data on municipality-level variables, the analysis reveals nuanced relationships between factors such as average income, urbanization, education levels, gender composition, and the proliferation of SFSCs. Notably, the study uncovers differential patterns in the determinants of SFSC presence between metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas, highlighting the significance of territorial contexts. The findings contribute empirical insights to the evolving literature on SFSCs, informing strategies for fostering resilient and equitable food systems in diverse geographic settings.

Generic Workflow of a Highly Effective and Easy Anther Culture Method for Both Japonica and Indica Rice.

As one of the most important staple crops in the world, rice plays a pivotal role in world food security. The creation of doubled haploids based on anther culture is an important technology for rice breeding. However, at present, rice anther culture technology still faces many problems, such as genotype dependency, especially genotypes of indica rice. In this study, fifteen rice genotypes, including twelve japonica rice genotypes and three indica rice genotypes, were randomly selected and used to study anther culture by using a modified M8 medium. The results showed that the total callus induction rates of these different rice genotypes ranged from 0.81 to 13.95%, with an average of 6.64%, while the callus induction rates calculated for the top ten highest callus inductions for each rice genotype ranged from 2.75 to 17.00%, with an average of 10.56%. There were varying gaps between the total callus induction rates and the callus induction rates in these different rice genotypes. The fact that the gaps for some rice genotypes were relatively large indicated that standard tiller or anther collection was not applicable to all rice genotypes and that there was still a lot of room for improvement in the callus induction rate of some rice genotypes through optimization of the sampling method. The plantlet regeneration rates ranged from 12.55 to 456.54%, with an average of 200.10%. Although there were many albinos from anther culture for some rice genotypes, these would still meet the requirement if the rice genotypes had higher callus induction rates or regeneration rates. The percentages of seed setting of regenerated green seedlings ranged from 14% to 84%, with an average of 48.73%. Genetic diversity analysis showed that the genetic background of these different rice genotypes was representative, and the phylogenetic tree and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) divided them into indica and japonica types. Therefore, in this study, an anther culture method suitable for both indica and japonica rice genotypes was established, which could improve doubled haploid breeding in rice.

Technology Development with Zero Tillage and Stubble Residue Management for Sustainable Soil Health and System Productivity in Wheat-maize Cropping Pattern

Conventional farm operations comprising traditional soil tillage and burning stubble residues become the cause of concern for soil sickness threatening sustainable system productivity. Wheat and maize constituting one of the predominant cropping systems strive with the commitment of substantial contribution to the world food security front. A better understanding of these alarming issues insisted on us to explore ‘Conservation Agriculture’ practices designing a field experiment with tillage and crop residue management. The study from 2019 to 2022 derived phenomenal achievement with Zero Tillage (ZT) and Minimal Tillage (MT) in compliance with crop residue retention (+ R); while, the eventuality of stubble burning (- R) deteriorated soil health, especially with Conventional Tillage (CT). Results illustrated significantly higher system productivity (11.60 - 12.0 t ha-1) in terms of wheat equivalent yield at (ZT+R) stands followed by those (11.34-11.64 t ha-1) at (MT + R), significantly higher than those (10.52 - 10.59 t ha-1) at conventional (CT-R) stands and those (10.63-10.78 t ha-1) at (CT+R) stands. Soil health also significantly improved at (ZT + R) stands accounting for higher soil porosity (39.45%), pH (7.64), electrical conductivity (0.370 dS m-1), hydraulic conductivity (10.56 mm h-1), soil organic carbon (0.458%), and N, P and K contents (272.5, 18.36 and 254.8 kg ha-1) than at conventional (CT -R) stands. Therefore, the study could develop a viable cutting-edge agro-technology fostering sustainable maize-wheat production in a system perspective mode. Nonetheless, the stewardship of zero tillage along with stubble residues could also be envisaged for the mitigation of soil sickness, too.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Benzamide Compounds as Insecticides Agents Against Spodoptera Frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Due to its severe damage, Spodoptera frugiperda is receiving attention as one of the biggest dangers to world food security. Although there are numerous insecticides that are widely and successfully used to control S. frugiperda, they do not have an immediate effect. In our work focusing for synthesized twelve novel benzamide derivatives and examined their insecticidal effectiveness against S. frugiperda larvae in their second & fourth larvae instars, with the aim of further improving the insecticidal activity based on combination principles. Several spectroscopic methods, including elemental analysis, NMR & infrared spectroscopy, were employed for confirming the structure of the newly designed products. It has been discovered that most compounds show good of promising efficacy. With an LC50 of 24.8 mg/L for larvae in the second instar & 56.2 mg/L for larvae in the fourth instar, compound 23 was the most active. Among all compounds 11, 22 and 20 exhibited excellent results. Furthermore, a number of biological and histopathological properties of the demonstration compounds of the produced goods under laboratory conditions were also examined. This work further demonstrates the anti-proliferation of S. frugiperda and offers fresh ideas for the manufacture of benzamide derivatives.

Role of Horticultural Crops in Food and Nutritional Security: A Review

Horticultural crops perform a very important role in both food and nutritional security more especially in developing countries. Fruit and vegetables have high content of both nutritional and health promoting compounds which consist mostly of essential vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidant that is not present in major staple food crops. Fruits and vegetables supply a large constituent of human nutrition, as they are vital sources of minerals, vitamins, nutrients, dietary fiber, ant-oxidant and phytochemicals that are easy to produce and have short production cycle. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help in reducing high blood pressure, lower the risk of heart disease and stroke, provide protection against most types of cancer, reduce the risk of eye and digestive problems, and have a significant effect controlling blood sugar levels which serve as appetite booster. The higher the amount of daily intake of fruits and vegetables, the lower the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Fruits and vegetables also contain fiber that assist in bowel movements and can relieve or prevent constipation. Eating fruits and vegetables can also keep eyes healthy and may help prevent two common eye diseases like cataracts and macular degeneration. The FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO report on state of World food and nutrition security for the year 2021 painted a gloomier picture. The report estimated that between 720 and 811 million people in the world faced hunger in 2020 with close to 2.37 billion people did not have access to adequate food in 2020. Thus the need to encourage the production of horticultural crops can help in enhancing food and nutritional security since it is an enterprise that maximizes small space in terms of value and health benefits.

The Ukrainian-Russian war and its economic effects on food security in the Arab world

The Ukrainian-Russian war and its economic effects on food security in the Arab world

Exploring crop genomics: role of molecular markers in identifying genetic diversity and characterization

and facilitating germplasm characterization for crop improvement. Understanding and harnessing crop genetic diversity are paramount with the escalating demand for sustainable agricultural practices and the need to address global food security challenges. Molecular markers have emerged as powerful tools enabling precise identification, characterization, and utilization of genetic resources for crop enhancement. The paper provides an in-depth analysis of various molecular marker techniques, encompassing DNA-based markers such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), simple sequence repeats (SSRs), and amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs), as well as RNA-based markers like expression sequence tags (ESTs) and microRNAs. By elucidating genetic relationships, population structure, and phylogenetic analysis, these markers facilitate the conservation and utilization of crop germplasm. Moreover, the review highlights recent advancements in high-throughput genotyping technologies and bioinformatics tools, which have revolutionized crop genomic research. These advancements enable comprehensive genome-wide analyses, accelerating breeding efforts for the development of improved crop varieties with enhanced traits such as yield, quality, and stress tolerance. Integration of molecular marker-assisted selection (MAS) into breeding programs further enhances the efficiency and precision of crop improvement strategies. Despite the significant contributions of molecular markers to crop genomics, challenges persist. The review addresses these challenges and discusses potential solutions, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts, data sharing, and interdisciplinary research endeavors. By overcoming these hurdles, the agricultural community can fully harness the potential of genomics for sustainable crop improvement, thus addressing global food security challenges in the face of changing environmental conditions and population growth. In conclusion, understanding the role of molecular markers in crop genomics is crucial for optimizing breeding strategies, conserving genetic resources, and developing resilient crop varieties to meet the demands of a growing population and ensure food security in a changing world.

Ideal phenotypic characteristics and parental lines for hybrid rice breeding to cope with global dimming

The global food crisis has intensified with climate change, and hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L.) is expected to play a crucial role in ensuring world food security. This study analyzed the parental origins and variety characteristics of 930 hybrid rice varieties bred in Sichuan Province, a typical low-light region and one of the main production areas for hybrid rice, from 2002 to 2022. The results indicate that these varieties were hybridized using 329 direct female and 539 direct male parents. Notably, the female parent Peiai 64 and the male parents Yuehesimiao and Fenghuazhan demonstrated a higher probability of breeding rice varieties with high yield and good quality. An ideal panicle type should possess more grains, a lower 1000-grain weight, a higher seed setting percentage, and greater grain density. It is recommended to increase the utilization of excellent parents in Sichuan Province, such as parents with ideal panicle type to improve resistance to climate change, particularly global dimming.

Global Challenges Facing Plant Pathology: A Review on Multidisciplinary Approaches to Meet the Food Security

Plant disease outbreaks cause a decline in primary productivity and biodiversity, which negatively impacts the socioeconomic and environmental circumstances in the afflicted areas. They also pose significant threats to the environment's sustainability and the world's food security. Climate change increases the risk of outbreaks by altering host-pathogen interactions, altering the development of pathogens, and encouraging the emergence of new pathogenic strains. Changes in the range of pathogens can cause plant diseases to spread more quickly in new areas. In this review, we examine the potential effects of future climatic scenarios on plant disease pressures and the resulting effects on plant productivity in agricultural and wild environments. We study the effects of climate change, both now and in the future, on disease incidence and severity, pathogen biogeography, natural ecosystems, agriculture, and food production. To mitigate future disease outbreaks, we propose modifying the current conceptual framework and integrating eco-evolutionary theories into studies to improve our mechanistic comprehension and prediction of pathogen spread in future climates. We stress the need of an interface between science and policy that works closely with relevant intergovernmental organisations to provide effective monitoring and management of plant disease under future climate scenarios. This will be necessary to ensure long-term food and nutrient security as well as the sustainability of natural ecosystems.

Mechanism of synergy between public health, food safety and consumer behavior: the role of neuromarketing

Methods. The results of the study were obtained by using the following methods: comparison – when studying the dynamics of the global hunger index and the GTI in Ukraine to determine Ukraine's place in the world food security ranking; general and specific – when establishing the relationship between food security and the public health system; standard methods of sociological research – when studying the behavior of food consumers as a result of the use of various neuromarketing methods; structural and logical analysis – when justifying the use of neuromarketing methods to improve the country's food security and directly affect the development of the public health system. Results. The role of positive changes in the regulatory and legal support for the functioning of the integrated public health system in Ukraine in the context of European integration processes is shown. The position of Ukraine in the world food security ranking among the indicators of 125 countries is investigated. The dynamics of the factors influencing the formation of the GHI is analyzed. It is proved that food security is one of the components of the public health system. The reasons for the food problem in the world and in Ukraine in particular are considered. Examples of the application of neuromarketing methods as a tool for influencing food security and the public health system in general are given. Positive and negative factors of influence of neuromarketing methods on the public health system are systematized. The necessity of further scientific research on the synergy of neuromarketing, food security and the public health system as factors influencing the overall well-being of the population is emphasized. Novelty. The article is the first to investigate the aspects of synergy between public health, food security and neuromarketing in Ukraine in the current conditions of ecosystem disruption during the period of military aggression. Practical value. The application of neuromarketing methods to improve the promotion of food products on the market aimed at ensuring food security of the country, improving public welfare and further development of the public health system is proposed.

Genotyping-by-sequencing and weighted gene co-expression network analysis of genes responsive against Potato virus Y in commercial potato cultivars.

Potato is considered a key component of the global food system and plays a vital role in strengthening world food security. A major constraint to potato production worldwide is the Potato Virus Y (PVY), belonging to the genus Potyvirus in the family of Potyviridae. Selective breeding of potato with resistance to PVY pathogens remains the best method to limit the impact of viral infections. Understanding the genetic diversity and population structure of potato germplasm is important for breeders to improve new cultivars for the sustainable use of genetic materials in potato breeding to PVY pathogens. While, genetic diversity improvement in modern potato breeding is facing increasingly narrow genetic basis and the decline of the genetic diversity. In this research, we performed genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS)-based diversity analysis on 10 commercial potato cultivars and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to identify candidate genes related to PVY-resistance. WGCNA is a system biology technique that uses the WGCNA R software package to describe the correlation patterns between genes in multiple samples. In terms of consumption, these cultivars are a high rate among Iranian people. Using population structure analysis, the 10 cultivars were clustered into three groups based on the 118343 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) generated by GBS. Read depth ranged between 5 and 18. The average data size and Q30 of the reads were 145.98 Mb and 93.63%, respectively. Based on the WGCNA and gene expression analysis, the StDUF538, StGTF3C5, and StTMEM161A genes were associated with PVY resistance in the potato genome. Further, these three hub genes were significantly involved in defense mechanism where the StTMEM161A was involved in the regulation of alkalization apoplast, the StDUF538 was activated in the chloroplast degradation program, and the StGTF3C5 regulated the proteins increase related to defense in the PVY infected cells. In addition, in the genetic improvement programs, these hub genes can be used as genetic markers for screening commercial cultivars for PVY resistance. Our survey demonstrated that the combination of GBS-based genetic diversity germplasm analysis and WGCNA can assist breeders to select cultivars resistant to PVY as well as help design proper crossing schemes in potato breeding.

The Construction of a Crop Flood Damage Assessment Index to Rapidly Assess the Extent of Postdisaster Impact

Floods are among the most serious natural disasters worldwide; they cause enormous crop losses every year and threaten world food security. Many studies have focused on flood impact assessments for administrative districts, but fewer have focused on postdisaster impact assessments for specific crops. Therefore, this study used remote sensing data, including the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), elevation data, slope data, and precipitation data, combined with crop growth period data to construct a crop flood damage assessment index (CFAI). First, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used to assign weights to the impact parameters; then, the Weighted Composite Score Method was used to calculate the CFAI; and finally, the impact was classified as sub-slight, slight, moderate, sub-severe, or severe based on the magnitude of the CFAI. This method was used for the Missouri River floods of 2019 in the United States and the Henan flood of 2021 in China. Due to the lack of measured data, the disaster vegetation damage index (DVDI) was used to compare the results. Compared with the DVDI, the CFAI underestimated the evaluation results. The CFAI can respond well to the degree of crop impact after flooding, providing new ideas and reference standards for agriculture-related departments.

Revolutionizing Agriculture IoT and Random Forest Algorithm for Crop Monitoring and Disease Prediction

This research about presents a groundbreaking approach to revolutionize farming through the integration of Web of Things (IoT) innovation and progressed machine learning calculations. Centering on the improvement and execution of an IoT-based edit checking framework coupled with the Random Forest calculation for malady expectation, the ponder points to improve agrarian hones and relieve trim misfortunes caused by infections and natural components. Real-time information collection from IoT sensors sent in rural areas empowers comprehensive checking of vital natural parameters such as temperature, mugginess, soil dampness, and light concentrated. The Random Forest calculation analyzes this information to precisely foresee trim maladies, giving ranchers with significant bits of knowledge for proactive illness administration. Test comes about illustrate the adequacy of the proposed approach, with the Random Forest show accomplishing an exactness of 92%, exactness of 93%, review of 91%, and F1-score of 92%. These comes almost defeat customary methodologies and existing explore works, highlighting the potential of IoT and machine learning for optimizing alter proficiency and ensuring around the world food security.