Agriculture and Food Studies

Maize with specific traits, such as sweet maize, is widely used in the human diet, especially due to its sweetness and flavor. Tocopherols, subgroup of vitamin E, are biologically active compounds. Herbicides in maize crop are used for weed control in order to create and ensure optimal conditions for the plant growth. The aim of this study was to examine the herbicides effects on the nutritive quality, i.e. tocopherols content in sweet maize kernel. This study included three different sweet maize hybrids (ZP1, ZP2 and ZP3) and two herbicides, belonging to the different groups, applied in the recommended doses. The application of herbicides has shown different reduction in content of tocopherols (α-, β + γ-, δ-) in kernel samples compared to the control (no herbicide application).

The utilization of irrigation water contaminated with antibiotics can potentially affect the growth and production of metabolites in crops. Thus, the effect of Ciprofloxacin (CIP) in irrigation water on the morphological characteristics and polyphenol content in the Pasakalla variety of quinoa was evaluated. Quinoa seeds were sown and irrigated twice weekly with different CIP doses (1, 10, and 100 µg/L). The plant was divided into roots, leaves, panicles, and grain to measure their morphological characteristics and antioxidant properties (the content of total polyphenols, antioxidant capacity, and polyphenolic profile). Root length and biomass of the plant were not affected by the dosage of CIP during physiological maturity. On the contrary, plant growth was reduced (16%) when 10 ug/L of CIP was used. On the other hand, the presence of high CIP concentrations (100 ug/L) improved the biosynthesis of polyphenols and antioxidant capacity by 52 and 59% compared to the control. Profile polyphenols show that vanillic acid and procyanidins A2 and B2 were significantly increased. Thus, the use of CIP could promote a higher enzymatic activity to produce specific polyphenols in order to inhibit the presence of ROS. Finally, under CIP-controlled conditions, the production of polyphenols could be improved without altering the plant's expected growth.

Background: The present study was conducted on costs and returns involved in cultivation of groundnut in Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh pertaining to 2020-21. Methods: The data were elicited from 104 groundnut farmers from 8 villages and 4 mandals of Kadapa district, by using cost concept and returns results were drawn. Result: The study revealed that total cost of cultivation per hectare incurred by large farmers recorded the lowest of Rs. 61570.97 and it was increased by increase in size of the farms. Similarly, the gross farm income/net income recorded highest among the large farm size farmers and it was declined with the decline of farm size. B-C ratio also recorded highest (1.51) among the large farm size farmers.

Strawberry (Fragaria sp.) is a subtropical fruit from Chile, South America. Strawberries are liked because of their uniqueness, attractive colors and shapes, distinctive aroma, and fresh taste. Strawberries are a non-climacteric fruit that has a relatively short shelf life. Damage to horticultural products can be caused mechanically, physiologically, and microbiologically. The edible coating has been a popular preservation method in recent years because it effectively extends the post-harvest shelf life of fresh products such as soft-textured fruits. This research was conducted to determine the effect of the concentration of Siam Pontianak tangerine peel (Citrus suhuinensis cv Pontianak) essential oil which was incorporated into an edible coating based on sodium alginate on the quality of strawberries in terms of physical characteristics (colors, hardness, total dissolved solids, weight loss). The edible coating based on sodium alginate with different concentrations of Siam Pontianak tangerine peel essential oil significantly affected the quality of strawberries on all parameters, including color, hardness, total dissolved solids, and weight loss during refrigeration temperature storage.

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a non-parametric research technique based on a mathematical optimization method. Since was first developed in '78, the method is used in various sectors of economy and at different levels (companies, counties, regions, etc.). Our purpose is to apply DEA at regional level by using various inputs and outputs to analyse the performance of agriculture practiced in plain, hill and mountain areas. Thirty-six counties were classified into three categories based on their geographical main characteristics, respectively: group I-with 50-100% plain areas (20 counties); group II-with 50-80% hill areas (8 counties); group III-with 50-80% mountain areas (8 counties). For these groups were computed, under input-oriented option, CRS and VRS technical scores from which we calculated scale efficiencies. This empirical research shows that exists clear differences of performance between areas with similar geographical characteristics in terms of production factors (work, land and mechanization) allocation and outputs. Our results show that there are only 14 counties (5 in plain areas, 5 in hill areas and 4 in mountain areas) completely achieving DEA efficiency and operate at their optimal scale. In conclusion, in majority of areas the overall efficiency of agriculture is not reached, these regions needing to decrease the input levels (especially work hours that are too high compared with productivity) or to increase the output levels (production value) through a better use of fix capital and higher yields.

The oil and gas sector is characterized by a high level of polluting emissions, which confirms the need for the development of a management mechanism in the field of automation and greening of technological processes. Thus, in the conditions of the fourth industrial revolution, digital transformation is an integral element of sustainable development. The purpose of the study is to develop a methodology for assessing the sustainable development of the oil and gas sector of the Russian economy, taking into account aspects of digitalization. The methodological base covers the method of systematization of the collected information, which made it possible to track the dynamics of changes in the environmental and economic indicators of the oil and gas sector and in the mining industry as a whole; modeling method (including the correlation-regression method and the method of principal components), which determined the mathematical relationships between indicators of sustainable development and digital transformation of the oil and gas sector; forecasting method, which presents scenarios of changes in the level of environmental friendliness of the oil and gas sector. As a result, a linear regression model is proposed that reflects the dependence of emissions of harmful substances by mining enterprises on the financial leverage ratio and determines the necessitates to increase the ratio in order to reduce harmful emissions; alternatives options of forecasting the level of harmful emissions by the mining industry of the Russian economy are developed; to assess the sustainable development of the oil and gas sector of the Russian economy in the context of digitalization, an integrated sustainable development index is elaborated through the use of the factor analysis tool. The factors identified by the principal component analysis enable to evaluate the influence of digitalization on the sustainable development of the oil and gas sector of the Russian economy. In addition, correlation coefficients between each selected factor and each variable were pairwise estimated. Based on the simulation results, interdependencies of two key aspects of the study-the sustainable development of the oil and gas sector and its digital transformation are observed. The practical significance of the obtained model lies in the possibility of its application in order to predict the sustainable development of the oil and gas sector in Russia, taking into account the industry digitalization trend. The results of this study can be taken into account in strategic documents and programs for the development of the oil and gas sector and digital transformation of the industrial complex of the Russian Federation.

Eggplants (Solanum melongena) are extremely predisposed to injury during haulage, which considerably diminishes fruit value. The study aimed to develop packaging systems to maintain the market quality of ‘Morena’ eggplant during transport along the market continuum. A 6 × 2 factorial in completely randomized design was laid out using freshly harvested eggplant. Fruits with uniform maturity and size and were damage free were procured from Brgy. Butigan, Baybay, Leyte. Fruits were packed using six types of containers, namely, rattan basket, plastic crate, polyethylene plastic bag, and styrofoam cooler in which both rattan basket and plastic crates were with and without banana leaves as liners. Fruits were arranged together following the conventional practice of product loading by the traders. After transport, fruits from the different containers were stored in ambient (25–30 °C) or refrigerated (8– 10 °C) conditions at a postharvest technology laboratory wherein storage behavior was m...

Being a basic need for people all over the world, access to healthy and adequate food is indispensable for the survival of human kind. Yet there is a considerable inequality with regard to the access to food, as is the case with many other crucial resources. The global food policies purporting to address this inequality are in fact further exacerbating the problem towards becoming a chronic one. This paper will investigate the concept of food security and neoliberal food policies from a critical perspective. To this end, it will first touch upon the definition of human security concept and the relevance of food security within this context. Secondly, the policy proposals of institutions established under the United Nations for food security will be listed. Moreover, the global trade regime laid down by the World Trade Organization, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund, and its implications on the food security will be analyzed. Finally, the problems emerging from the global food policies, and the opposition movements that have developed as a reaction to these will be investigated.

Drawing on one year of fieldwork in Egypt, this research explores rooftop rearing practices among lower-middle class families in Egypt. Lacking access to trusted meat proteins, many families raise nonhuman animals, including chickens, goats, and sheep, for nutritional sustenance. Nurtured with love and nourished with household leftovers among other ingredients, rooftop animals are valued for their carefully controlled gastronomic histories. Drawing on zafara as a gastronomic sensibility to differentiate between rooftop-reared animals and store-bought ones, I argue that eating with nonhuman animals-through feeding rooftop animals household leftovers and foods that families eat everyday-provides a methodological opportunity to conduct nuanced participant observation and speak to some of the challenges in multispecies ethnography. Reflecting on fieldwork meals and scholarly discussions in multispecies ethnography, this is an invitation to take eating seriously, as one way through which the human-nonhuman boundary can be revisited and further complicated.

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp) of the District of West Southeast Maluku (MTB) needs to be evaluated in the region of its origin. The objectives this research was to study the growth patterns of cowpea, to obtain local cowpea accessions with agronomic traits as expected, as well as high production potential. This research was conducted at Watidal village, MTB District, Maluku using a randomized completely block design (RCBD) with three replications. Factors to be tested was 15 accessions of cowpea. The observed variables were some vegetative characters, yield component and yield. Measured data were analyzed of its variance, and if the effects of treatments were highly significant then it is followed by Duncan difference test. The results showed differences in plant growth patterns, number of leaves, and number of internodes between accessions at 8 weeks after planting, and apparent at week 16. At week 16, most accessions showed a slowdown in growth rates including improved varie...

Free trade agreements (FTAs) have become an essential part of the corporate effort to establish a global infrastructure suitable to its contemporary accumulation dynamics. Because they establish and reinforce patterns of economic activity that are destructive of majority interests, they should be opposed. This article scrutinizes one agreement: the Korea-U.S. FTA. It examines the motivations that led to its negotiation, the content of the agreement, and the arguments U.S. government officials and institutions have made in support of its ratification. It concludes with a critical evaluation of the efforts of U.S. and Korean opponents of its ratification and a call for a new organizing strategy.

AGBIR Vol.36 No.5 December-2020 Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Pakistan Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Pakistan Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Pakistan Durum Wheat Technologist Wheat Research Institute, AARI, Faisalabad, Pakistan Department of Management Sciences, Bahria University Islamabad, Pakistan

Life support programs and policies are quite complex and varied. Does the program or policy work? Is it worth the cost? Can and should it be implemented elsewhere? It is the reputed purpose of evaluation to provide answers to these and related questions. Unfortunately, program/policy evaluation has not lived up to expectations. The field of evaluation is littered with efforts that do not adequately address the important issues or objectives, that do not employ valid controls for comparison purposes, that rely on inadequate measures or include expensive collections of data on measures that are in fact never used in the evaluation, that rely on inappropriate measurement methods, or that employ inadequate analytic techniques.

Background: Agriculture is the most vital sector of the Indian economy. In 2020, India's population was 1.38 billion, with a projected growth of 1.80 billion by 2050. As a result, more food must be produced to meet the demands. Mechanization is recognized as an important input for increasing agricultural production. It assures timely field operations, improves product quality and quantity, improves input-use efficiency and reducing labour costs and drudgery. Methods: Randomly, 5 Mandals are selected; within each Mandal, 5 villages are chosen randomly; and from each village, 20 farmers are chosen at random. For the survey, a sample of 500 farmers from 25 villages was selected to examine the mechanization index and farm power availability by considering factors such as social status, landholding and economic status of farmers. Result: According to the study's findings, that the average mechanization index and average farm power availability were 68% and 1.64-kW ha-1 , respectively. The influencing factors that observed from the study was lack of knowledge about how to use farm machines and implements, lower annual income of farmers and marginal farmers who cannot afford to buy expensive machinery and implements. The mechanization index and farm power availability increase linearly with the farmer's economic status.

A pesar de todos los cambios económicos y sociales, la tierra sigue siendo un elemento central de la economía y las identidades campesinas.

A partir del estudio detallado de la historia y el presente de las comunidades de Amantaní (Puno) y Cotacachi (Ecuador), Gascón se pregunta por qué la tierra tiene esa centralidad, incluso en lugares donde parecen existir otras oportunidades mucho más rentables para la generación de ingresos.

La respuesta, señala, implica adentrarnos en la intersección entre elementos políticos, simbólicos y económicos. En sociedades como las andinas, sujetas a intensas presiones y procesos de cambio, la tierra permite aprovechar eficientemente la mano de obra familiar y ofrece cierto margen de seguridad frente a las fluctuaciones y trastornos del mercado.

El resultado es una pluriactividad particular, que facilita a las familias combinar aprovechamiento de oportunidades, arraigo y autonomía.

The present farming systems of the world are under pressure to meet multiple demands, and it is clear that addressing these challenges requires a collective effort. This includes supporting the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, conserving biodiversity, offsetting emissions, and adapting to climate change to feed the ever-growing population. In the coming decades, agricultural systems must address significant challenges to produce sustainable bio-energy, adapt and mitigate global climate change, improve water quality and availability, ensure food security, and enhance resource use efficiency and ecosystem services. However, conventional agricultural practices have resulted in loss of diversity, soil degradation, atmospheric emissions of greenhouse gases, and water quality problems. On a more positive note, organic bio-intensive and agro-ecological farming systems offer a beacon of hope, supporting more significant natural resource conservation, improved rural livelihoods, greater diversity of farm income and farm-sector stability, and national security interests. In this context, the principles of conversion of conventional farming systems to these promising organic bio-intensive and agro-ecological farming systems, including the distinct transition periods and their roles toward sustainable and resilient food systems, were analyzed and contrasted.

Farmers are at risk of GMO genetic trespass wherever genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are allowed. An 'apartheid' between GM crops and non-GM crops is doomed to fail. The consequence is that GM crops contaminate non-GM crops. GM crops sell at a discount (currently 15%). So, a farmer's crop that is So, a farmer’s crop that is contaminated by GMOs (e.g. from a neighbouring farm) will be downgraded from non-GMO to GMO, or from Certified Organic to GMO. This will result in an economic loss which is borne by the harmed farmer (rather than by the GMO farmer). The premium for non-GMO, or for Certified Organic, will be forfeited in the downgrade. Two case studies are provided (one from Canada, one from Australia) where non-GMO farmers with GMO contaminated crops have sought a legal remedy. These farmers found no remedy for GMO genetic trespass (and BigGMO multinational corporations have deep pockets for winning litigation against ‘Farmer Joe’). The Gene Technology Bill in its current iteration offers no protection to non- GMO farmers against the inevitable genetic trespass by GMOs (were GMOs to be approved for NZ agriculture). In the absence of a pre-emptive solution to the economic harms of GMO genetic trespass to the well being of NZ farmers, the Gene Technology Bill 2024 deserves to be rejected.

Western knowledge, when complemented by other sources of knowledge, can more effectively
address the global environmental crisis. Indigenous knowledge provides enriching perspectives
from societies that have lived sustainably with their environments for centuries. A transdisciplinary
knowledge system is crucial to achieve a safe space for life on the Earth. Several conceptual
frameworks have contributed to transdisciplinary knowledge co-production, but concrete
methodologies are needed. Here, we present a novel and decolonial methodology, TAPARA:
Transdisciplinary Adaptive Participatory Action Research, for knowledge co-production with
Indigenous Peoples. Originally stemming from a case study on indigenous agriculture, it is
grounded on 6 principles in 3 layers (ontological, epistemological, and methodological) articulated
in clear-cut but flexible steps for transdisciplinary research. TAPARA is developed within an agreed
commitment framework in 4 dimensions (ethical, directional, methodological, and logistic). Its main
strength comes from contributions from Indigenous researchers in their communities, using
Indigenous language and according to Indigenous customs and time concept. Navigating across
cultural, geographical, and cognitive dimensions, TAPARA embraces complexity. It makes significant
progress in transdisciplinary knowledge co-production, but challenges remain.

Ключові слова: поверхневий шар, зносостійкість, вібраційне зміцнення, ступінь зміцнення, довговічність А.А. Дудников, В.В. Дудник, О.В. Канивец, О.У. Дрожчаная Полтавская государственная аграрная академия УПРОЧНЕНИЕ ДЕТАЛЕЙ ВИБРАЦИОННЫМ ПЛАСТИЧЕСКИМ ДЕФОРМИРОВАНИЕМ Рассмотрены способы повышения износостойкости дисков сошников зерновых сеялок за счет упрочнения их материала вибрационным деформированием. Ключевые слова: поверхностный слой, износостойкость, вибрационное упрочнение, степень упрочнения, долговечность.

There are several idle lots and spaces in cities and towns in Ghana due to poor land use and physical planning as well as pressure for privately-built, low density residential houses. This project tested the idea of using idle, unmanaged urban spaces in Cape Coast to produce multiple ecosystem services in the context of multifunctional land use: food, landscape beautification, income, and environmental protection. Two sites which were bushy and seemingly used for nefarious activities were transformed into greenhouse vegetable production. The greenhouse project generated short term jobs for eight young people of equal gender distribution, and one additional person produced vegetables on a portion of vacant, backyard residential lot in an urban residential area. Premium quality tomatoes were harvested from the greenhouse production, while garden eggs and pepper were harvested from the outdoor production. Production outputs were either sold to nearby eateries and residents, or used by ...

This paper focusses on the variation of a significant parameter of climate, Temperature. To study the variation of this parameter, various zones of Assam has been consideredsince it is expected to be highlyprone to consequences to climate change because of its sensitive geo-ecological setup and strategic location. This paper gives not only the idea about how temperature is changing but also explains aberration from one station to other stations in four selected zones of Assam by calculating Growth rate from 1985-2022 season wise. To extract specific information about the temperature of Assam during the period 1985-2022, monthly mean maximum temperature and monthly mean minimum temperature is considered. Growth rate of temperature indicates that the percentage rate of change in maximum temperature is least in Dhubri station and highest in Dibrugarh station for all season. But in case of minimum temperature, variation rate is least in Dibrugarh station for all season except post-monsoon season and shows highest in Dhubri station for all seasons. Along these, this paper tries to elaborate the statistical frame of temperature during the period 1985-2022. Besides these, the statistical time series models are considered for projection; the extreme value analysis is done to assure the significance of extreme events.

The current study was conducted to evaluate biomass yield and quality of Buffel grass and Silver leaf desmodium grown in pure stand and in mixture at different harvesting times in Gozamen district. The study was conducted in a 3 x3 factorial arrangement of treatments in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The factors were forage species (Buffel grass, Silver leaf desmodium and Buffel grass/Silver leaf desmodium mixture) and three times of harvesting (HT1, HT2, and HT3). Pure-stand legume and their mixture with grass had a higher crude protein contents compared to pure-stand grass, whereas, pure-stand grass had higher fiber fraction contents compared to pure-stand legume and their mixture with grass. Harvesting time and forage species had significant effect (P<0.05) on CP, NDF, ADF, ADL and ash. However, the interaction effect was significant on ADF and ADL. As harvesting time increase, NDF, ADF, and ADL increased, whereas, CP and ash decreased. The CP content of the grass, legume and their mixture were 15.79%, 17.49% and 20.46% respectively, which are above the minimum level 7% required for optimum rumen function and could also satisfy the minimum CP content of 15% required for lactation and growth. Generally pure legume and grass-legume mixture produced forage with higher CP and lower fiber concentrations compared to pure stand grass. Therefore, grass/legume mixture could play crucial role to alleviate feed shortage problems by increasing the quantity and quality of forage.

Labor migration is a significant demographic and politico-economic phenomenon in Mali, as in neighboring Sahelian countries. Yet in contrast to migration in Senegal and especially in Burkina Faso, labor migration in Mali has attracted little attention on the part of researchers. As a result, available data are largely restricted to aggregate statistics and fail to provide an appreciation of the long and complex history of migration in the country. Although several -Women in Development‖ survey-based studies of women migrants in the major urban centers of Mali 1 have recently started to improve our understanding of migration in Mali, these studies do not examine the rural context or origins of the migrants. This chapter builds on recent theoretical developments which help us rethink connections between the rural and urban, the local and global, and thus present an opportunity to take a fresh look at migration. My own interest in labor migration stems from long-term research in an area east of Segu locally known as Sana, which coincides with the administrative subdivision of the Arrondissement de Sansanding. The majority of Sana inhabitants speak the Bamana language as their mother tongue, although most of the citizens of Sinsanni and Shibla, 2 the two largest towns, identify as Maraka rather than as Bamana. There are also Bozo speakers settled in villages along the Niger River and a small population of semi-sedentary Fulbe dispersed throughout the province. Sana is densely populated so that villages are within easy reach of each other. My research has concentrated on Bamana cultivators who engage in rain-fed production of millet and, to a lesser extent, peanuts and fonio. In addition, most households cultivate 1-3 ha of

Food security remains a critical challenge in West Africa, exacerbated by population growth, climate change, and inefficiencies in agricultural practices. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO, 2020), approximately 21% of the sub-Saharan African population is undernourished, with food insecurity affecting nearly 73 million people in West Africa alone. This study explores the role of Agri-Tech innovations-including precision farming, digital marketplaces, and improved seed varieties-in enhancing food production, increasing agricultural efficiency, and ensuring food availability. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data analysis. Primary data is collected through surveys and interviews with smallholder farmers, Agri-Tech startups, and policymakers across Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal. Secondary data sources include reports from FAO, the World Bank, and the African Development Bank, as well as peer-reviewed journal articles. A preliminary empirical review highlights a 20-30% increase in crop yields due to Agri-Tech adoption (Gebbers & Adamchuk, 2010) and a 15% reduction in post-harvest losses through digital marketplaces (Aker & Ksoll, 2020). Using descriptive and inferential statistical methods, the study presents trends in Agri-Tech adoption and its correlation with food security indicators such as agricultural productivity, market access, and farmer income. Early findings indicate a positive correlation (r = 0.65, p < 0.05) between Agri-Tech adoption and food security improvements. However, challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, limited financial support, and low digital literacy hinder widespread implementation. This paper concludes that while Agri-Tech has significant potential to transform West Africa's agricultural sector, targeted investments, policy support, and capacity-building programs are necessary to maximize its impact. Recommendations include increased public-private partnerships, farmer education initiatives, and infrastructure development to enhance Agri-Tech accessibility and adoption.

la sostenibilità ambientale interessa la tutela dell'ecosistema e responsabilità nell'utilizzo delle risorse, nel rinnovamento delle risorse naturali; La sostenibilità sociale è la capacità di garantire che le condizioni di qualità della vita e benessere umano, legate a sicurezza, salute, istruzione, democrazia, partecipazione, gius zia, ricchezza siano equamente distribuite per classi e genere; La sostenibilità economica riguarda la capacità di un sistema economico di produrre reddito e lavoro in maniera duratura. La ges one responsabile delle risorse naturali, il rispe o degli standard e ci e delle norma ve ambientali e il coinvolgimento delle comunità locali sono aspe che possono contribuire alla sostenibilità complessiva di una stalla da la e. Il se ore dell'allevamento bovino è ogge o oggi di una profonda trasformazione, che vede una progressiva introduzione di tecnologie digitali a supporto dell'allevatore, tale da favorire lo sviluppo di modelli produ vi più efficien e sostenibili da un punto di vista economico, ambientale e sociale che sappiano rispondere ai mutamen non solo quan ta vi, ma anche qualita vi della domanda alimentare (Istat, 2021). Ad esempio, l'adozione di moderne tecnologie digitali afferen alla zootecnia di precisione cos tuisce un'opportunità, non solo per il miglioramento dell'efficienza produ va dell'azienda e per la riduzione dei cos , ma anche per la valorizzazione del benessere animale e della qualità del lavoro, così come per la limitazione dell'impa o totale dell'allevamento sull'ambiente (Segerkvist et al., 2020). La sostenibilità ambientale è un aspe o fondamentale da considerare durante la ristru urazione di una stalla da la e per la produzione di Parmigiano Reggiano.

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), a rich source of vital minerals and bioactive components with many health-improving effects, was utilized as an ingredient for the development of popular frozen treat ice cream. The ice cream was prepared by incorporating stinging nettle juice in five treatments at a concentration of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%. Among these treatments, ice cream containing 10% stinging nettle extract was adjudged best based on organoleptic evaluation. The analysis revealed that stinging nettle ice cream was rich in bioactive components like phenols 22.12% and antioxidant activity 49.44%. Among minerals stinging nettle ice cream contains a good amount of calcium (2,172.71 mg/kg) and sodium (1,473.18 mg/kg) and it also contains iron (0.10 mg/kg) and magnesium (210.22 mg/kg) but in less quantities. Stinging nettle fortification offers a chance to improve the nutritional profile of ice cream without jeopardizing its pleasant qualities.

This editorial addresses the critical role of post-harvest solutions in advancing global food security by minimizing food waste and preserving nutritional value. Post-harvest losses, especially in developing regions, significantly impact food availability and quality. With nutrient loss in harvested crops due to exposure to heat, light, and other environmental factors, methods such as cold storage, biofortification, and smart packaging prove essential for retaining nutrient density. Additionally, supportive policy frameworks and international collaboration are necessary to scale these technologies and empower farmers. By enhancing post-harvest practices, sustainable food systems can be achieved to meet the dietary needs of a growing population.

Perennial grain production will likely present unique challenges for managing diseases that affect the productivity and longevity of crops being considered. Typical cultural practices effective at reducing soil-and residue-borne pathogens, such as annual crop rotations, delayed fall planting, and tillage, are not feasible in perennial systems. Consequently, soil-and residue-borne pathogens, and pathogens such as root colonizers and viruses that survive in live tissue, may increase in importance in a perennial grain crop. Resistance genes will undeniably be important defenses against disease. However, it is seldom, if ever, possible to incorporate within a single cultivar resistance to all existing and future important diseases. Furthermore, genes vulnerable to 'boom and bust' cycles are generally short-lived when deployed in monocultures. For these reasons, the use of mixtures of crop cultivars or species that vary in resistance functions will likely be an important strategy for managing diseases and pests of perennial grains. Burning of plant residue, a natural phenomenon in native perennial grass systems, may also be an effective disease management strategy. The successful implementation of these management tools may reduce or eliminate the risk that perennial grain crops will become pathogen refugia that affect neighboring annual plantings and the productivity of perennial plants.

Full-text view-only version: https://rdcu.be/efgH9 
At the crossroads between food studies and science and technology studies, this paper analyzes the role of laboratories located within traditional cheese territories in the ecologization of cheese microbiology in France at the turn of the twentieth century. The paper argues that their connectedness with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) raw-milk cheese organizations advocating for a strong understanding of terroir played a key role in challenging the modern strain-by-strain approach and fostering a shift towards a new research object: microbial communities in their ecologies. Modernization and standardization in cheese production from the 1950s onwards laid indeed on the improvement of hygiene to get “cleaner” milks, and on lab research on microbial strains to develop selected starter cultures. This led to a dramatic loss of microbial abundance within raw milks, which progressively provoked milk processing issues, as well as a loss of cheese typicality, an issue for place-based cheeses. To face it, the modernist approach promoted more laboratorial research on microbial strains to develop new starter cultures and the diversification of microbial collections, within an ex-situ conservation framework. In contrast, microbiologists conducting applied research for raw-milk terroir cheeses investigated environmental microbial reservoirs, microbial fluxes, as well as farming practices that favor “natural seeding” and enrich milk native microflora. A new approach emerged, namely “practice-driven microbial ecology” (écologie microbienne dirigée), which enacts the dynamic and ubiquitous properties of microbial life. The paper offers a situated account on the “microbial (ecology) turn” described by other authors, highlighting the ecological approach developed in the 1990s-2000s by French microbiologists in search of “the microbial path to terroir”. 

This study investigates the moisture content for Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea)-SB4-4C ("Ashemkungu" or "Shangedubu"), SB9-1A ("Mumuye"), and SB1-1 ("Soyabin")varetes,to enhance post-harvest management and processing practices. Recognized for their nutritional value and adaptability to arid conditions, Bambara groundnuts are underutilized despite their potential to improve food security. Moisture content is a critical factor influencing seed quality, shelf life, and susceptibility to spoilage. Using a standardized oven drying method, moisture content was determined for each variety, revealing SB9-1A had the highest moisture content (5.25 g), followed closely by SB1-1 (5.16 g) and SB4-4C (5.15 g). Statistical analysis indicated significant differences among the varieties, emphasizing the need for tailored post-harvest handling practices. The findings underscore the importance of moisture management in optimizing the quality and marketability of Bambara groundnuts, thereby contributing to sustainable agricultural practices and food security. Recommendations include the development of standardized handling protocols, further research on moisture dynamics, and the promotion of Bambara groundnut cultivation to enhance its utilization in food systems.

This study investigates the optimal shelling efficiency, speed, and moisture content for three varieties of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea)—SB1-1 “Mumuye,” “Ashemkungu” or “Shangedubu,” and “Soyabin”—using a mechanical shelling machine. Given the crop's nutritional value and adaptability to sub-Saharan Africa's challenging agro-ecological conditions, efficient post-harvest processing is crucial for maximizing its economic potential. The research systematically evaluates the impact of varying moisture levels (8-10%, 12-14%, and 16-18%) and machine speeds (250, 275, and 300 RPM) on shelling performance. Results indicate that the best shelling efficiency for the Ashemkungu variety was achieved at 250 RPM with 5% moisture content, while the Soyabin variety performed optimally at 275 RPM with 7% moisture content. The Mumuye variety also showed high efficiency at 275 RPM with 7% moisture content. The findings highlight the critical role of moisture content in shelling efficiency, with higher moisture levels leading to increased seed damage. This study provides valuable insights for optimizing mechanical shelling practices, ultimately enhancing the economic viability of Bambara groundnut production and contributing to food security in the region. Recommendations include tailored shelling practices, effective moisture management, training for farmers, further research on additional variables, and policy support for mechanical shelling technologies.

This article analyzes urban change and food consumption in revolutionary Managua and during economic transition up to 1993. The Sandinista revolutionaries tried to establish new consumer ideals, ensure equal access to food for all Nicaraguans, and slow down urbanization. However, economic crises, the Contra war, conflicts over agrarian reform, and stagnating food production undermined their political project. This article demonstrates that the supply problems and internal contradictions of Sandinista food policy eroded support for the revolution. Social crisis and hunger combined with luxury consumption of some Sandinista leaders led to disillusion by the late 1980s. During transition, consumption became a time-consuming, frustrating experience. The urban poor had to rely on old survival mechanisms while the new elites revived US consumer ideals as a model.

Lignes directrices pour les essais en laboratoire et sur le terrain de molluscicides destinés à la lutte contre la schistosomiase [Guidelines for laboratory and field testing of molluscicides for control of schistosomiasis] ISBN 978-92-4-000046-9 (version électronique) ISBN 978-92-4-000844-1 (version imprimée) © Organisation mondiale de la Santé 2020 Certains droits réservés. La présente publication est disponible sous la licence Creative Commons Attribution -Pas d'utilisation commerciale -Partage dans les mêmes conditions 3.

Low oil fertility was one of the major limiting factors for wheat yield reduction. As a result, inorganic fertilizers are commonly supplied to the crop. However, continuous and sole use of inorganic fertilizers may lead to; deterioration in soil chemical, physical and biological properties. Therefore, the study aimed at investigation of integrated use of organic and inorganic fertilizers on crop yield and yield components, which was conducted in a field experiment in Lume district, East Shoa Zone Ethiopia during 2018 cropping season. The organic sources used were compost and vermincompost and urea and NPS were used as an inorganic source of fertilizers. These treatments consist of: T1= 5.64t/ha compost, T2= 5.68t/haVC, T3=100% recommended NP inorganic fertilizers, T4=50% recommended NP inorganic fertilizers + 2.82t/ha compost, T5=50% recommended inorganic fertilizers + 2.84t/havermincompost, T6=No fertilizers application (control). The experiment was laid out as a randomized complete block design replicated three times per treatment. Data were collected on wheat grain yield and yield components. Economic analysis was also performed by estimating the costs of alternative uses of organic and inorganic fertilizers as well as grain and straw prices. The results showed that the application of organic fertilizer in combination with recommended rates of inorganic NP significantly increased the grain yield of food wheat over the application of 100% mineral NP alone and the control. The application of 2.84t/ha vermicompost in combination with 50% recommended rates of NPS+urea fertilizers increases 0.58t/ha wheat yield difference over the application of 100% recommended rate of inorganic NPS alone. It can be concluded that the application of 2.84t/ha vermicompost with 50% recommended rate of inorganic NPS fertilizers has maximum rate of return and can improve soil fertility status and increase the yield of wheat than other treatments. This experiment has to be repeated over seasons and locations to make conclusive recommendations for the study area.

Low oil fertility was one of the major limiting factors for wheat yield reduction. As a result, inorganic fertilizers are commonly supplied to the crop. However, continuous and sole use of inorganic fertilizers may lead to; deterioration in soil chemical, physical and biological properties. Therefore, the study aimed at investigation of integrated use of organic and inorganic fertilizers on crop yield and yield components, which was conducted in a field experiment in Lume district, East Shoa Zone Ethiopia during 2018 cropping season. The organic sources used were compost and vermincompost and urea and NPS were used as an inorganic source of fertilizers. These treatments consist of: T1= 5.64t/ha compost, T2= 5.68t/haVC, T3=100% recommended NP inorganic fertilizers, T4=50% recommended NP inorganic fertilizers + 2.82t/ha compost, T5=50% recommended inorganic fertilizers + 2.84t/havermincompost, T6=No fertilizers application (control). The experiment was laid out as a randomized complete block design replicated three times per treatment. Data were collected on wheat grain yield and yield components. Economic analysis was also performed by estimating the costs of alternative uses of organic and inorganic fertilizers as well as grain and straw prices. The results showed that the application of organic fertilizer in combination with recommended rates of inorganic NP significantly increased the grain yield of food wheat over the application of 100% mineral NP alone and the control. The application of 2.84t/ha vermicompost in combination with 50% recommended rates of NPS+urea fertilizers increases 0.58t/ha wheat yield difference over the application of 100% recommended rate of inorganic NPS alone. It can be concluded that the application of 2.84t/ha vermicompost with 50% recommended rate of inorganic NPS fertilizers has maximum rate of return and can improve soil fertility status and increase the yield of wheat than other treatments. This experiment has to be repeated over seasons and locations to make conclusive recommendations for the study area.

The  aim  of  our  study  was  to  research  of  the  current  state  of  goat  milk  production  in  Ukraine  and the  world  and  outlined  the  main  factors,  including  genetic,  that  determine  its  quality  and, accordingly,  the  quality  of  cheese.    It  has  been  established  that  the  general  global  trends  in  the development of goat breeding indicate the growing role of this field in the nutrition of the population. Thus,  according  to  the  Food  and Agriculture  Organization  of  the  United  Nations  (FAO),  there  is  a steady  increase  in  both  the  number  and  gross  goat  milk  production. According  to  the  research conducted  from  2015  to  2019,  the  number  of  dairy  goats  in  the  world  increased  by  6.8% –to  more than  215  million  heads.  The  stable  growth  of  them  took  place  in  Europe  (+30.0%)  and  Africa (+10.3%). The largest number of dairy goats was kept in 2019 in Asia (50.8%) and Africa (40.0%). Gross  production  of  goat  milk  in  the  world  by  4.9%  from  2015  to2019  increased. In  Ukraine,  the situation  in  dairy  goat  breeding  is  still  significantly  different  from  global  trends –during  the  period under study, the number of goats decreased by 6.8%, gross milk production decreased by 14.5%. The analytical material has been presented as to the dependence of the chemical composition of goat milk on genotypic and paratypic factors, such as: breed, age, yean season, lactation stages, duration of dry period  and  pregnancy,  feeding,  housing  conditions,  influence  of  the  environment  (temperature, humidity),  body  weight  and  etc.  It  has  been  noted  that  European  breeds  of  dairy  goats  tend  to  have much  greater  potential  for  milk  production  than  the  local  breeds  that  have  not  undergone  selection changes.At  the  same  time,  many  indigenous  breeds  of  goats  have  higher  dry  matter  content  in  milk and are better adapted to local housing and feeding conditions, especially under climate change. The global demand on goat milk products is predicted to increase as consumers become more demanding as  to  the  quality  of  animal  products,  which  are  important  in  the  daily  diet  owing  to  the  optimal content of macro-and micronutrients.

Milk and dairy production is vital across several sectors, including maintaining supply-demand equilibrium, providing nutrition, facilitating national and international trade, and fostering rural development. Therefore, accurately forecasting production is crucial for the sustainability and progress of the milk and dairy products industry. This study utilizes seasonal ARIMA modeling to forecast milk and dairy production in Turkey for the upcoming 12 months of 2024, utilizing 156 months of production data from 2010-2023. Rigorous model selection processes, guided by fundamental assumptions and methodological steps, identify the most suitable model for interpreting monthly production data. The reliability and consistency of this model are validated through assessments based on various statistical criteria such as MAPE, MAE, RMSE, BIC, among others. The findings indicate that despite anticipated seasonal fluctuations in 2024, the upward trend in milk and dairy production, excluding cream, is expected to continue. Comparative analysis with long-term monthly averages reveals potential increases of 18-24% in collected cow milk and 12-24% in drinking milk production. Additionally, long-term projections foresee a rise of 27-50% in ayran production and 9-17% in yogurt production. Butter production is anticipated to surge by 52-71%, while cream production is expected to decline by approximately 5- 29%. Despite projections for 2024 indicating a growth trend surpassing global averages in milk and dairy production, informalities pose significant obstacles to sectoral development. Thus, the formulation of policies encouraging investments in the dairy industry emerges as a critical strategy for sectoral advancement.

he food price crisis of 2008 has led to the reemergence of debates about global food security and its impact on prospects for achieving the first millennium development goal (MDG): to end poverty and hunger. On top of a number of shorter term triggers leading to volatile food prices, the longer term negative impacts of climate change need to be taken very seriously. Smallholder farmers (including herders and fishers) make up the majority of the world's poor people. The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) estimates that there are 1.2 billion people who cannot meet their most basic needs for sufficient food every day (IFAD, n.d.). Of these, the largest segment comprises the 800 million poor women, men and children, often belonging to indigenous populations, who live in rural environments and try to make a living as subsistence farmers and herders, fishers, migrant workers, or artisans. They often occupy marginal lands and depend heavily on rainfed production systems that are particularly susceptible to droughts, floods, and shifts in markets and prices. Hence, strategies to reduce rural poverty will depend largely on improved water management in agriculture. For both rainfed and irrigated agriculture, the spatial and temporal variation of precipitation is key. The

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is primarily grown for and used in animal feed, but in recent years it started to be used more often for human nutrition, as it is a rich source of easily assimilated proteins, minerals (calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper, selenium, organic silicon, manganese), vitamins (C, K, D, E, U, provitamin A, B1, B2, B6, B12, folic acid/B9, biotin, niacin), as well as β-carotene and eight essential amino acids (alanine, lysine, arginine, histidine, cysteine, proline, methionine, tyrosine). The aim of the study herein was to evaluate the chemical composition of the alfalfa concentrate, a byproduct obtained at the end of the production process for the dietary supplement &quot;Alfalfa Complex&quot;. Alfalfa concentrate was found to be a rich source of dietary minerals (K, Ca, Mg, Fe) and dietary fibers. The amino acid composition recorded was: Threonine (0,66%); Lysine (0,71%); Leucine (1,26%); Isoleucine (0,67%); Valine (0,89%); Methionine...

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a rich source of ingredients, such as aminoacids, fatty acids, minerals, and phytochemicals exhibiting nutraceutical effects on human health. In this work, partially defatted milk thistle seed flour, a by-product obtained during the manufacture of milk thistle seed oil, was studied as an additive for common wheat flour. The influence of the addition of partially defatted milk thistle seed flour was studied by analyzing the colour, mineral content and rheological properties of dough in order to further exploit the functionality of partially defatted milk thistle seed in bakery products. Mixtures containing 5%, 10% and 15% partially defatted milk thistle added to wheat flour maintained rheological parameters within recommended limits for a good technological behaviour and, consequently, a good quality of bakery products. Mineral contents, especially calcium, magnesium, iron and potassium, were also significantly increased.

The sustainability assessment of the tea industry in Tanzania reveals pressing challenges and opportunities within its socioeconomic and environmental frameworks. Despite being a vital cash crop and source of livelihood for over 50,000 smallholder families, Tanzania's tea production lags significantly behind competitors such as Kenya, with only 5.1% of Kenya's production metrics. The study evaluates key factors influencing the industry's sustainability, including social conditions, economic viability, environmental health, and agronomic practices. A purposive sampling technique was used to select key participants with direct involvement and expertise in the tea industry including Estate workers (50); Smallholder farmers (100); and Industry Stakeholders (15) complemented with FGDs (2), in-depth interviews with key institutions, and documentary reviews. The findings highlight systemic issues such as low worker wages, inadequate access to social services, and poor investment in modern agricultural technologies. Environmental concerns, including biodiversity loss, monoculture practices, and insufficient water management, pose further risks to the industry's future. The research concludes with recommendations for interventions that promote economic viability, social equity, and environmental stewardship, underscoring the need for strategic reforms to unlock the sector's full potential and ensure a sustainable future for Tanzanian tea production.

Keywords: Sustainability assessment, Tea industry, Tanzania, Socio-economic factors, Agricultural practices, Environmental challenges, and Smallholder farmers.

In a time of extremely high population growth, loss of arable land and climate change effects, food security issue is becoming more and more important. Thus, improving the food security of smallholder farmer is a major concern particularly in developing country. In this regard potato is one of the important cash crops which contributes for food security and reduce poverty among smallholder farmers in the developing countries like Ethiopia. However, the productivity of the crops is constrained by the limitation of soil macronutrient. Therefore, this research was conducted with the aim to improve potato productivity through intensive and economical uses of soil macronutrients. A factorial combination of four soil macro nutrients and three potato varieties were used in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The result revealed that soil macronutrients and potato variety had signi cantly in uenced on phenology and growth components. Interaction effects of soil macro-nutrients and variety had also signi cantly affected total and marketable tuber yield of potato. The marginal rate of return of 7,370% was obtained from the Wabi variety with the application of 200 kg ha - 1 soil macro-nutrients (NPS fertilizer). Therefore, growing the Wabi variety of potato at 200 kg/ha of soil macro-nutrients resulted in a high productivity and economic returns of the crop.

Pear fruits contain diverse sources of phenolic compounds such as Chlorogenic acid (CGA), flavonoids, and stilbene. CGA is one the most important and biologically active compounds among phenolic compounds which can be naturally found in pear. Recent studies demonstrated that CGA plays an important role in maintaining human health, offering antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer benefits, and free radicals scavenger. This review discusses the potential use of pears by products as nutraceuticals and highlights polyphenol composition in pear fruit, particularly the bioavailability and potential mechanism of CGA in mitigating chronic diseases and antioxidative role as a free radicals scavenger. The present study will help to deepen our understanding of the application of CGA and their dietary supplement in the prevention of different biological disorders such as lipid and glucose-impaired metabolism, diabetes, cardiac disease, anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neurological disorders. Moreover, the findings of the studies highlight the vast literature gap concerning the bioavailability of CGA in pears and their possible therapeutic action in human health. Overall, CGA from pear may be particularly use as a functional food, dietary supplement, and pharmaceutical for the management and prevention of chronic disease and antioxidant activity.