Search Results (1,068)

Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious viral disease of small ruminants and remains a major threat to food security and rural livelihoods across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. In the Mediterranean, uneven outbreak reporting and intense spatial clustering hinder the identification of regions where environmental and anthropogenic conditions favor disease occurrence. This study applied an interpretable machine-learning ecological niche modeling framework to characterize PPR spatial suitability in North Africa. A merged outbreak dataset (n = 744) was compiled from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) EMPRES-i and the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS) databases for 2005–2026. Outbreak locations were linked to environmental and anthropogenic predictors, spatially thinned, and paired with randomly sampled pseudo-absences at a 1:1 ratio. After correlation-based screening and Boruta feature selection, four classifiers were compared under five-fold spatial block cross-validation: a generalized linear model (GLM), a support vector machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF), and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost). All models showed good discriminatory performance. Random Forest (RF) and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) yielded the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value (AUC = 0.94). Random Forest achieved the highest specificity, XGBoost achieved the highest sensitivity, and the support vector machine showed the most even sensitivity–specificity tradeoff among the machine-learning classifiers. Sheep density, mean diurnal temperature range, temperature seasonality, and human population density were consistently the dominant drivers. Predicted PPR suitability based on reported outbreaks was concentrated along the North African coastal belt and low across most arid inland regions. These findings suggest that passive surveillance is likely to be most informative in coastal production systems where host density, environmental suitability, and reporting opportunity overlap. At the same time, areas of lower reported-outbreak suitability should not be interpreted as disease-free and may require complementary active surveillance approaches. Full article

South Africa’s food system reflects a growing imbalance between nutritionally rich indigenous foods and the increasing dominance of commercially processed alternatives. Despite well documented health, cultural, and environmental benefits, indigenous leafy vegetables and edible insects remain marginal within formal markets and everyday diets. This systematic review synthesised 141 empirical and theoretical studies to examine how household attitudes, consumption behaviours, and market structures interact to shape the role of indigenous foods in South Africa. The review identifies a consistent pattern in which positive perceptions of indigenous foods do not translate into regular consumption. Rural households continue to utilise these foods as part of seasonal and livelihood strategies, while uptake in urban areas remains uneven and context specific. Emerging interest among certain consumer segments highlights potential for product diversification and market development, particularly where indigenous foods are adapted to align with modern preferences. However, this potential is constrained by weak value chain integration, limited standardisation, and the absence of reliable consumption data. These structural limitations restrict both market participation and consumer access, reinforcing the peripheral position of indigenous foods within the broader food system. The findings suggest improving availability, strengthening markets, and enhancing positioning critical for inclusion of indigenous foods in diets. Full article

Sri Lanka provides a home for a significant number of fruit species, and yet most of them are underutilised due to a lack of awareness regarding their therapeutic potential. Different plant parts from these fruits have been used for centuries to cure various diseases in traditional medicine, as fodder and to overcome hunger. Despite having remarkable health benefits and being resistant to extreme environmental conditions, these fruits are still confined to home gardens and forests, while some commercially cultivated major fruits remain dominant in the market. Hence, gathering information on the nutritional and health benefits of these fruit species will enhance people’s awareness, ensure food security through value-added food product development, facilitate livelihoods for rural farmers and also establish long-term sustainability. The main objective of this review is to highlight the phytochemical potential of some underutilised fruit varieties in Sri Lanka while exploring their health-promoting aspects, including antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective properties. Many research studies have been conducted on commonly available major fruits. However, there is a notable gap in research that explores pharmacological aspects of these fruits. Further research is warranted in developing methods for sustainable harvesting and postharvest practices for underutilised fruits from Sri Lanka. Characterisation of health benefits associated with underutilised fruits will help to develop awareness about their potential and possibly foster commercial interest. Developing nutraceuticals or functional foods from these fruits will help us to focus on enhancing their sustainable production. Full article

Ecological civilization construction (ECC) represents a critical pathway for improving public health and advancing sustainable social development, exerting a positive and profound influence on population health. This study treats the establishment of national ecological civilization pilot zones as a quasi-natural experiment. Drawing on microdata from the 2014–2020 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) and applying a difference-in-differences (DID) model, it investigates the impact of ECC on residents’ physical and mental health. The results reveal that (1) ECC significantly improves residents’ physical and mental health, and this finding remains robust after a series of validation tests; (2) mechanism analysis shows that ECC enhances health primarily through three channels: environmental, livelihood, and economic effects; (3) heterogeneity analysis demonstrates that ECC can effectively mitigate health inequalities associated with gender, urban–rural divides, and social status differences. In summary, the study provides valid empirical evidence that ECC can contribute to improvements in population health, reductions in health disparities, and the sustainable development of a healthy society. Full article

The dominant agri-food system’s well-documented failures—biodiversity loss, deepening rural inequalities, and the erosion of small-scale farming livelihoods—have elevated SSE initiatives and social innovation in the agri-food sector and bioeconomy from a niche policy concern to a structural priority. This paper examines how SSE arrangements drive meaningful transformation in agri-food chains while advancing sustainable development at local and regional scales. Through a narrative review of interdisciplinary peer-reviewed literature and key institutional sources, the paper synthesizes evidence that SSE initiatives generate transformation through three interconnected mechanisms: (a) the reconfiguration of governance structures; (b) the deepening of producer–consumer relationships through spatial proximity and relational transparency; and (c) the more equitable redistribution of value across agri-food territories. These findings suggest that place-based SSE models occupy a central—rather than peripheral—role in sustainability transitions and local development. The paper presents a structured analytical framework linking SSE practices to agri-food chain transformation and develops nine concrete policy implications for scaling and sustaining SSE innovations through coordinated collaboration among public, private, and social economy stakeholders. The findings contribute to a sharper understanding of the conditions under which SSE-driven models can foster sustainable, socially inclusive, and community-oriented agri-food systems and of why the solidarity dimension, rather than organisational form alone, is the decisive criterion for identifying genuinely transformative initiatives. Full article

Climate change poses a significant threat to the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in South Africa, particularly in rural areas where dependence on rain-fed agriculture and limited institutional support heighten vulnerability. This study investigates how different forms of social capital (bonding, bridging, and linking) influence climate change adaptation strategies among smallholder farmers in Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal. A mixed-methods design was employed, combining a household survey (n = 150), focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. Households engaged in smallholder farming were purposively identified and randomly selected within the study ward. To accommodate varying literacy levels, structured questionnaires were administered through interviewer-led surveys. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and a probit regression model, while qualitative data were thematically analysed to contextualise adaptation decisions and social dynamics. The findings show that trust in peer information, farmer group membership, collective action, and access to extension services significantly increase the likelihood of adopting climate adaptation practices (p < 0.05). While bonding social capital supports short-term coping, limited bridging and linking social capital constrain access to institutional resources and climate information. By explicitly operationalising and empirically distinguishing these dimensions of social capital, the study provides context-specific evidence on how uneven social networks shape adaptation outcomes. Strengthening inclusive institutional linkages and extension services is essential for promoting long-term climate resilience among smallholder farmers in rural South Africa. This study contributes to the international literature by providing empirical evidence on the differentiated roles of social capital dimensions in shaping adaptation outcomes in resource-constrained rural contexts. The findings highlight the need for policy interventions that strengthen institutional linkages, improve extension service delivery, and promote inclusive access to adaptation resources to enhance long-term climate resilience. Full article

As rural residents face the dual challenges of transforming dietary structures and addressing nutritional health burdens, establishing a resilient food consumption system for rural households has become an urgent priority. Drawing on micro-level data from the China Land Economic Survey (CLES) for the period 2020–2022, this study employs two-way fixed effects models, an instrumental variable (IV) approach, and seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) techniques to examine the impact of agricultural production diversity on household food expenditure and dietary diversity, as well as the underlying mechanisms. The results reveal that agricultural production diversity yields a significant and robust dual-dividend effect within household food consumption systems: it not only reduces per capital food expenditure but also enhances dietary diversity. Mechanism analysis indicates that diversified production increases food self-sufficiency, thereby reducing cash outflows for essential food items, while simultaneously improving dietary diversity through increased agricultural income and greater agricultural commercialization. Heterogeneity analysis further shows that these effects are more pronounced in villages lacking rural industrial support and among non-ageing households. These findings suggest that, in contexts where market mechanisms remain underdeveloped, the uncritical pursuit of absolute agricultural specialization may not align with the livelihood and nutritional needs of rural residents. From the perspective of fostering a healthy and resilient food system, China should adopt differentiated agricultural support policies, encourage rural households to maintain an appropriate degree of production diversity, and strengthen local agricultural market infrastructure. Full article

Managers of protected areas (PAs) face growing challenges to conserve biodiversity while responding to multiple land uses such as recreation, tourism, and resource extraction. These pressures are intensified by the impacts of climate change on ecosystems. This highlights the need for planning approaches that support decision-making in the short, medium, and long term. This article profiles Wells Gray Provincial Park as a case study to demonstrate how an ecosystem-based planning approach can be incorporated into PAs planning. Wells Gray is situated in a unique ecosystem in the interior of British Columbia (Canada). We present an innovative model that integrates land cover types, ecosystem mapping, and Biogeoclimatic (BGC) zones derived from the Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification (BEC) system using GIS tools to identify ecosystems and their associated services as Critical Decision Factors (CDFs). By explicitly linking ecosystems, land cover, and spatial patterns, this approach supports the systemic inclusion of ecosystems in management decisions. To account for future uncertainty, BGC zones were projected under climate change scenarios to inform interpretations of potential ecosystem impacts. The results indicate that this integrated analysis can initiate strategic thinking and facilitate dialogue to collaboratively plan with stakeholders. This approach can improve ecosystem-based planning processes in PAs across Canada. Full article

Demand for camel milk products is growing in Morocco and worldwide, creating opportunities to strengthen the livelihoods of populations living in arid regions through the development of camel-based dairy value chains. In addition to their economic potential, such value chains may contribute to sustainability by supporting food systems adapted to arid environments, promoting the use of locally resilient livestock species, and enhancing the socio-economic viability of vulnerable rural communities. This exploratory qualitative study investigates urban consumer behavior related to dairy consumption with a specific focus on the potential integration of camel milk products into local dietary habits. To capture nuanced consumer perspectives, gender-segregated focus-group discussions were conducted in three Moroccan cities using a semi-structured questionnaire on dairy consumption habits. Key factors examined included milk types, product preferences, purchasing locations, consumption frequency and willingness to include camel products in the household diet. The results indicate that camel milk is rarely consumed outside areas where camels are raised. Nevertheless, participants expressed interest in several camel milk-based products, particularly fermented milk and spreadable cheeses. This interest was primarily driven by perceptions of camel milk as a healthy product and by its association with traditional food practices. These findings suggest that expanding camel milk consumption in urban markets could support more sustainable and territorially rooted dairy systems by linking consumer demand with production models suited to dryland conditions. This study indicates promising market opportunities for the development of camel milk products in urban areas, particularly if challenges related to pricing strategies, distribution network, and region-specific supply chains are strategically managed. Full article

Smallholder poultry farming contributes enormously to rural livelihoods, food security, and nutrition in South Africa, yet the poultry industry remains constrained by limited participation and low ICT utilisation. This study investigated the socioeconomic and demographic factors influencing decisions and choices of smallholder poultry farmers towards the adoption of ICT and market engagement in Jozini Local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal. A cross-sectional research design was used to collect primary data from respondents. Data were collected through face-to-face surveys from 162 participants, who were randomly selected. Descriptive statistics were employed to profile the use and extent of ICT, while the multivariate probit model was used to analyse the determinants of ICT adoption and market engagement. The findings revealed that most farmers own ICT tools such as mobile phones (98.15%), which they mainly use for communication purposes (98.77%) rather than for accessing production and market related information. Smallholder characteristics like age, faming experience, marital status, and household size significantly influenced farmers decisions and choices to adopt ICT and participate in markets. The study recommends improving the traditional extension through digital integration and farmer support by means of training on ICT and formal market linkages. These interventions can significantly market participation and profitability in smallholder poultry farming, stabilising rural economic development. Full article

This study analyzes the evolution of rural welfare vulnerability among agricultural households in Peru under the influence of extreme climate events, particularly those associated with the El Niño–Southern Oscillation. The research employs a Socio-Climatic Vulnerability Index (SCVI) constructed from microdata of the National Household Survey (ENAHO) covering the period 2000–2018. Using a longitudinal and territorial perspective, the study evaluates how climate shocks affect household welfare dynamics across Peru’s major geographic regions. The results show that extreme weather events systematically increase rural vulnerability in the years they occur, followed by partial recovery in subsequent periods, indicating temporary but recurrent welfare disruptions. Significant regional heterogeneity is observed. Coastal departments exhibit increasing vulnerability linked to hydro-meteorological exposure and rapid territorial expansion. The Andean region shows the highest and most volatile vulnerability levels due to geographic isolation, infrastructure constraints, and persistent socioeconomic inequalities. Amazonian regions present relatively lower initial vulnerability but display gradual increases associated with climate variability and limited connectivity. Decomposition of the SCVI reveals that improvements in demographic and educational conditions contribute positively to resilience, whereas the productive-economic dimension remains highly sensitive to climatic shocks. Although agricultural households demonstrate adaptive responses and coping strategies, structural gaps hinder full welfare recovery. These findings highlight the need for territorially differentiated climate adaptation policies that strengthen human capital, diversify rural livelihoods, and improve institutional support to enhance long-term resilience in vulnerable rural communities. Full article

Small ruminant production is vital for rural livelihoods and food security in Saudi Arabia but faces persistent constraints, including high feed costs, limited veterinary access, low reproductive efficiency, and weak extension services. To address these gaps, a Farm Service Delivery Model (FSDM) was piloted, which involved embedding trained livestock technicians into communities to deliver integrated on-farm services. This study evaluated the impact of the FSDM on 47 farms across three regions over 6–12 months. The key results showed significant improvements: flock size increased by 28%, the lambing rate per ewe doubled from 0.39 to 0.80, twin births tripled, mortality declined from 23.8% to 8.0%, and milk production more than doubled. Economic analysis revealed a benefit–cost ratio of 3.02, indicating high return on investment. Scaling the FSDM nationally could generate up to USD 4.8 billion in added meat and milk value over five years while reducing meat imports by 48%. The model aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 and offers a scalable and sustainable pathway to enhance productivity, resilience, and rural income. Policy recommendations include institutional integration, digital innovation, blended financing, and strengthened breeding programs. Full article

Peri-urban areas (PUAs), as transitional zones between urban and rural regions, play a critical role in supporting food systems and agricultural livelihoods, yet they are increasingly pressured by rapid urban expansion. Reliable spatial delineation of PUAs remains challenging, as administrative boundaries often fail to capture their functional and spatial heterogeneity. This study proposes a multi-dimensional, spatially explicit framework to delineate peri-urban areas using Indonesia as a case study. Eighteen indicators representing six analytical dimensions—land use/land cover, economic, demographic, infrastructural, spatial accessibility, and landscape structure—were derived from remote sensing and GIS-based data sources and integrated into a composite scoring system using equal-weighted and AHP-weighted approaches. The framework was applied to four major cities on Java Island (Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, and Yogyakarta) to generate continuous peri-urban probability surfaces, which were validated using expert surveys across 25 districts in the Jakarta and Bandung metropolitan areas. The results show that the framework effectively captures the spatial heterogeneity and gradients of peri-urban areas, with the equal-weighted approach exhibiting statistically significant agreement with expert assessments (Pearson’s r = 0.517, p = 0.008; Spearman’s ρ = 0.522, p = 0.008; Kendall’s τ = 0.387, p = 0.008), consistently outperforming the AHP-weighted model across all validation metrics. The proposed approach provides a transferable spatial mapping framework for monitoring peri-urban dynamics in rapidly urbanizing regions using remote sensing and GIS. Full article

Agricultural soil contamination increasingly threatens food security, environmental health, and rural livelihoods in Rwanda. However, the country’s laws and regulations remain largely ineffective and reactive to issues. Existing environmental legislation broadly addresses pollution but lacks a clear, risk-based framework for the protection, monitoring, and remediation of soil. This study assesses the adequacy of Rwanda’s current legal and institutional frameworks for managing soil pollution and develops a governance structure to enhance agricultural sustainability. It employs a qualitative desk-based methodology that combines doctrinal legal analysis, comparative environmental governance review, and interdisciplinary literature synthesis to evaluate Rwanda’s regulatory frameworks alongside established models from China, Brazil, and Kenya. The analysis highlights critical gaps, including the absence of soil-specific standards, poor institutional coordination, and inadequate systems for early risk detection and liability enforcement. The research proposes a legally mandated, multi-phase soil risk management process that includes inquiry, monitoring, assessment, mitigation, and adaptive oversight, drawing on insights from previous studies. The findings suggest that incorporating preventive, risk-based measures into national legislation can improve environmental governance, lower long-term remediation costs, and promote sustainable agricultural practices. Conducted from mid-2024 to late 2025, this study advances environmental law and sustainability by providing a context-specific framework for regulating soil pollution applicable to Rwanda and other developing economies. It also contributes to the global dialogue on risk-based environmental governance and provides a model for improving soil protection laws in emerging regulatory settings. Full article

The issues of income inequality and poverty are intrinsically linked and represent persistent global governance challenges. China faced significant hurdles, including absolute rural poverty and a widening urban–rural development gap. The “Targeted Poverty Alleviation” policy (TPA), implemented from 2014 onward, employed comprehensive measures, including household registration, industrial support, and skills training. By the end of 2020, this policy successfully eradicated absolute rural poverty under the prevailing standard, contributing a Chinese solution to global poverty reduction. Beyond addressing absolute deprivation, whether this policy has impacted relative rural poverty and urban–rural inequality remains a subject of debate in existing literature. Utilizing microdata from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) from 2014 to 2020, this study employs the Kakwani measure to measure relative deprivation levels, thereby identifying income disparities both within rural areas and between urban and rural regions. Combining empirical tools, including a Difference-in-Differences (DID) framework, Propensity Score Matching (PSM), and Entropy Balancing method, the analysis finds that the Targeted Poverty Alleviation policy significantly curbs income inequality both within rural areas and across the urban–rural divide. Further investigation reveals that this effect operates through three primary mechanisms: promoting diversified rural livelihoods, improving incomes for impoverished households, and bridging knowledge and information gaps. Heterogeneity analysis indicates that the inequality-reducing effect of the policy is more pronounced in non-major grain-producing regions, low-income provinces, and among vulnerable groups such as the elderly, low-income individuals, and women. This study addresses the lack of detailed micro-level measurement, deepens the explanatory analysis of mechanisms and heterogeneity, and provides a basis for formulating differentiated policies in line with the vision of common prosperity. Full article