Search Results (315)

Growing consumer demand for sustainable food products has amplified the use of “green” marketing claims, yet transnational agri-food supply chains face a critical “perception–reality gap” due to data fragmentation and the absence of independent verification, fostering significant greenwashing risks. This study explores how the synergistic integration of Blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) can bridge this gap. Utilizing a PRISMA-inspired qualitative systemic analysis and scenario modeling, we propose the “Converging Technologies for Sustainable Agri-Food” (CTSAF) model, formalized through a mathematical Green Claim Veracity Index (Vi) and AI-driven anomaly detection algorithms. The analysis evaluates three maturity-level scenarios against expert-calibrated Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Results demonstrate that while traditional and blockchain-only systems remain vulnerable to the “Oracle Problem”, the integrated CTSAF model (Scenario III) achieves “Very High” performance in data accuracy and audit efficiency. By transforming passive record-keeping into an autonomous governance layer, this framework provides a strategic roadmap for substantiating environmental claims in alignment with the EU Green Claims Directive and the Digital Product Passport framework. Full article

As global agriculture seeks to reconcile the dual imperatives of food security and environmental sustainability, this study examines the role of Internet access in promoting green agricultural production, specifically by reducing fertilizer and pesticide use. Using a panel dataset from 16 rural fixed observation points in Henan Province from 2009 to 2022, we find that Internet access significantly lowers per-unit farmland expenditures on fertilizers and pesticides by 6.0% and 7.3%, respectively. Mechanism analysis reveals that these positive effects operate through three main channels: improved information accessibility delivers timely agricultural data and guides input decisions; enhanced technical learning efficiency reduces barriers to adopting green technologies; and stronger market connectivity via e-commerce platforms shortens supply chains and provides price incentives. Heterogeneity analysis further identifies more pronounced effects among farmers with higher human capital (higher education, better health, younger age), higher production capital (greater mechanization, larger farmland, stronger decision-making capacity), lower livelihood capital (lower income, lower consumption, less communication expenditure), and higher spatial capital (residing in urban suburbs, poverty registration villages, and traditional villages). This study provides micro evidence for digital technology to empower sustainable agricultural development and provides policy implications for building a sustainable agri-food system. Full article

The agri-food supply chain is a relevant contributor to the Italian economy but shows a high incidence of occupational injuries and musculoskeletal disorders, such as lower back pain. Repetitive manual handling and biomechanical overload highlight the need for a prevention-oriented, system-level assessment. This protocol aims to implement a harmonized One Health approach procedure for the multidimensional evaluation of food supply chain workers in real-world settings. The protocol integrates bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA), nutritional parameters, quality-of-life and psychological measures, and assessments of systemic oxidative stress and systemic serotonin levels. Data from active workers will be compared with those from sedentary individuals. The study will evaluate whether BIVA profiles differ between these groups and examine how the additional indicators contribute to a multidimensional well-being framework. By operationalizing an integrated One Health approach that bridges nutritional, psychological, and biomarker domains, this protocol is designed to guide targeted preventive and educational strategies and inform evidence-based occupational and public health policies across the food supply chain. Trial registration: NCT06896877 (ClinicalTrials.gov), 26 March 2025. Full article

Agri-food supply chain management (ASCM) involves hierarchical structures in which actors make autonomous decisions and pursue objectives that may conflict with one another, thereby hindering coordination and limiting the understanding of how these decisions affect overall chain performance. This study proposes a decentralized bilevel mixed-integer linear programming model (BLDPP) for ASCM, solved using an interactive fuzzy decision-making approach that integrates membership functions with multi-objective programming. The model was validated through a case study conducted on an agri-food supply chain in Colombia. The results show that the interactive fuzzy approach enabled the development of a planning scheme that achieved a 94% satisfaction level among all decision-makers, demonstrating its effectiveness in harmonizing potentially conflicting interests. Additionally, the resulting planning incorporated up to 99% of the total productive capacity of small producers into the purchasing plan, supporting their inclusion in the chain. These findings indicate that both the proposed management model and its solution approach offer a robust alternative for advancing toward socially sustainable management of agri-food supply chains. Full article

Origin warehouses, positioned at the critical “first mile” of the agri-food supply chain, profoundly influence supply chain power structures and profit allocation, as well as supply chain stability and sustainable development. To explore the role of origin warehouses in the agri-food supply chain, this study develops a three-level game model comprising a “planter–origin warehouse operator–seller” framework. Notably, this study conceptualizes the dual-functional “origin warehouse” as observed in practice, proposing two theoretical modes: the Logistics Center (LC) and the Supply Chain Center (SCC). By treating quality level, service level, and selling price decisions as endogenous variables, this study further reveals the interconnected decision-making mechanisms under different operational modes. Overall, the LC mode performs better in quality-driven markets, generating higher system profits and greater social welfare, whereas the SCC mode is superior when consumers are more price-sensitive or place greater value on service. Based on these findings, this study provides decision-making guidance for origin warehouse operators aiming to select the optimal mode under varying market conditions and proposes targeted coordination strategies to promote the high-quality development and economic sustainability of the agri-food supply chain. Full article

Short food supply chains are an increasingly important topic within the academic community, as is research into the factors influencing consumers’ intention to buy at farmers’ markets. This study examines the influence of consumers’ product perception and product knowledge on purchase intention at farmers’ markets. Data were collected at farmers’ markets in Croatia. A total of 255 valid responses were analysed using exploratory factor analysis and hierarchical regression. Demographically, respondents were predominantly women aged 46–55 with higher education and middle-income levels (family annual income of EUR 20,000 to 40,000). Results indicate that both product perception and product knowledge significantly affect purchase intention at farmers’ markets. Consumers generally view farmers’ market products as superior in quality and value, and they place high trust in farmers’ expertise. The findings suggest that attributes such as freshness, safety, and authenticity, combined with product knowledge-sharing by farmers, strengthen consumer trust and increase their willingness to pay and to recommend these products to family and relatives. Full article

The contribution of members of the agri-food system to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is a key element in the global transition to sustainable development. The use of sustainable management systems supports the development of an integrated approach with a spirit of continuous improvement. Such organization is based on risk-management tools that are applied to multiple stakeholders, e.g., those responsible for product quality, occupational health and safety, and environmental impact, thus enabling better global performance. In this review, the term “ethical food systems” is used in our discussion of the concrete methods that can be used to endorse fairness and concern across the food chain. This comprises safeguarding equitable access to nutritious foods, defending animal welfare, assisting ecologically accountable production, and addressing social and labor justice within supply chains. Ethical factors also include transparency, cultural respect, and intergenerational responsibility. Consequently, the objective of this review is to address how these ethical values can be implemented within a One Health framework, predominantly by assimilating plant-based diets, developing governance tools, and resolving nutritional insecurity. Within the One Health framework, decoding ethical principles into practice necessitates a set of concrete interventions: (i) raising awareness of animal rights; (ii) distributing nutritional and environmental knowledge; (iii) endorsing plant-based food research, commercialization, and consumption; (iv) development of social inclusion and positive recognition of vegan/vegetarian identity. At the same time, it should be noted that this perspective represents only one side of the coin, as many populations continue to consume meat and rely on animal proteins for their nutritional value; thus, the role and benefits of meat and other animal-derived foods must also be recognized and discussed. This operational definition provides a foundation for asking how ethical perspectives can be applied. A case study from Africa shows the implementation of a sustainable and healthy future through the One Health approach. Full article

The purpose of this research was twofold. Firstly, it aimed to indicate factors hindering and accelerating the development of organic food as a niche innovation in Poland. Secondly, to depict a phase and a pathway of sustainability transition in the Polish agri-food sector. The analysis was performed taking advantage of the multi-level perspective on socio-technical transitions, which has not been used to analyze the sustainability transition in Poland so far. Data were collected through a systemic literature review. Organic food production is a slow-growing niche in Poland, and the sustainability transition from the current dual agri-food regime consisting of small family farms and intensive food production is at a take-off phase. Organic food production struggles to become a regime with short food supply chains and agroecology, and the number of barriers it faces outweighs the number of enablers for its development. A de-alignment and re-alignment transition pathway can be observed. Which niche innovation becomes dominant depends on changes in regulations and on the development of both local marketplaces and online sales channels. The major conclusion is that in order for the transition in the Polish agri-food sector to happen, it should be better governed. Specifically, we need new policy instruments and governance mechanisms, new financing schemes, alternative and hybrid organizational and ownership structures, and institutional and transformative change approaches. Full article

Postharvest technologies and supply chain management are critical to improving food security, reducing losses, and advancing sustainability in global agri-food systems. Nearly one-third of global food is lost after harvest, particularly in developing regions, underscoring the urgent need for efficient postharvest handling, cold chain integration, and sustainable logistics systems. This paper explores key components of effective postharvest systems, including harvesting, treatments, storage, and value-added processing. It highlights digital innovations IoT sensors, blockchain, AI, and digital twins that enhance traceability, forecasting, and operational efficiency. Case studies from South Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America emphasize region-specific solutions, highlighting low-cost technologies for smallholders and advanced systems for export chains. Sustainable practices such as renewable-powered cold chains, circular economy models, and eco-friendly packaging align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on zero hunger, responsible consumption, and climate action. This paper concludes that while technology is vital, systemic transformation requires inclusive policies and collaboration among governments, private sectors, researchers, and farming communities to build resilient, equitable food systems. Full article

The integrity of certification processes in the agrifood and fishing industries is essential for combating fraud, ensuring food safety, and meeting rising consumer expectations for transparency and sustainability. Yet, current certification systems remain fragmented, and they are vulnerable to tampering and highly dependent on manual or centralized procedures. This study addresses these gaps by providing a comprehensive survey that systematically classifies blockchain-based certification technologies and methodologies applied to the fisheries sector. The survey examines how the blockchain enhances trust through immutable record-keeping, smart contracts, and decentralized verification mechanisms, ensuring authenticity and accountability across the supply chain. Special attention is given to case studies and implementations that focus on ensuring food safety, verifying sustainability claims, and fostering consumer trust through transparent labeling. Furthermore, the paper identifies technological barriers, such as scalability and interoperability, and puts forward a collection of functional and non-functional requirements for holistic blockchain implementation. By providing a detailed overview of current trends and gaps, this study aims to guide researchers, industry stakeholders, and policymakers in adopting and optimizing blockchain technologies for certification. The findings highlight the potential of blockchain to innovate certification systems, easing the way for more resilient, sustainable, and consumer-centric agrifood and fishing industries. Full article

Indonesia’s beef cattle sector plays a central role in achieving food security, enhancing rural livelihoods, and fostering economic resilience. However, it faces fragmented governance, import dependence, and persistent challenges of low productivity levels. To capture the evolving evidence base, this study conducted a scoping review of 61 peer-reviewed publications (2019–2025) drawn from six major databases. This study employed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Scoping Review Protocol and Arksey and O’Malley’s framework. Key patterns, advances, and gaps, along with evidence and research recommendations, were identified using the PAGER analytical approach. The dominant themes include production efficiency, environmental sustainability, policy, market linkages, and technological innovation. The results show that most studies employed quantitative or system modelling designs. In the global literature, multidimensional sustainability frameworks have shifted away from production-centric ones, with regional studies highlighting different emphases, such as carbon metrics in South America and market access and livelihood resilience in Asia and Africa. Integrated crop, livestock, and forestry systems; legume-based nutrient management; genotype-specific feeding and breeding; and enabling policies within inclusive markets were revealed through the synthesis of the PAGER framework as four calculated levers for sustainable transformation. However, actors inadequately integrate feed, genetic, climate interactions, and governance mechanisms. According to this review, technological innovation must align with adaptive governance. Climate-resilient, low-carbon beef systems also require the development of inclusive institutional frameworks. Indonesia’s experience demonstrates the benefits of integrating science, policy, and the market to improve productivity, resource stewardship, and equity in tropical livestock systems, thereby enhancing a resilient agri-food supply chain in Indonesia. Full article

Short food supply chains are a typical solution for traditional food distribution systems. Geographic proximity is a key determinant of both short supply chains and regional products. Regional foods are linked to a place, both through the origin of raw materials and through their ties to traditions. The aim of the study is to identify the key features of farmers–regional food producers building short food supply chains. The research material comes from surveys conducted in July 2024. The research covered farmers–small producers of regional food in Poland. 252 questionnaires were selected for the presented research. The respondents were divided into two groups: farmers who sold only directly and farmers who used sales intermediaries. Research shows that direct sales dominate among farmers and producers of regional food in Poland. Factors of particular importance in building short regional food supply chains include connections to recipes and family traditions, in terms of knowledge and practical skills. Given the numerous advantages of short regional food supply chains, this activity is worth supporting. Institutional support should encompass not only financial assistance but also organizational support to help connect producers with consumers. Promotional activities highlighting regional food and its producers could be another pillar of support. Full article

Egg variety and storage duration are key determinants of nutritional value, market pricing, and food safety. The similar external appearance of different varieties increases the risk of mislabeling, while inevitable quality deterioration during storage further complicates reliable assessment. These factors underscore the need for non-destructive, cross-temporal detection. However, prolonged storage induces pronounced spectral drift that degrades conventional models, limiting their effectiveness in real-world quality monitoring. To address this issue, we propose the Multi-Task Cross-Temporal Squeeze-and-Excitation Network (MT-CTSE-Net), a deep learning framework that integrates Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), Squeeze-and-Excitation (SE) channel attention, and Transformer encoders to jointly perform egg variety identification across storage durations and storage period classification. The model extracts local spectral details, enhances channel-wise feature relevance, and captures long-range dependencies, while inter-task feature sharing improves generalization under temporal variation. Evaluated on near-infrared (1000–2500 nm) spectra from three commercial egg varieties (Enshi selenium-enriched, Mulanhu multigrain, Zhengda lutein), MT-CTSE-Net achieved approximately 86% accuracy (F1-score: 86.1%) in cross-temporal variety classification and about 84.2–86.4% in storage-period prediction—surpassing single-task and benchmark multi-task models. These results demonstrate that MT-CTSE-Net effectively mitigates storage-induced spectral drift and provides a robust pathway for non-destructive quality assessment and temporal monitoring in agri-food supply chains. Full article

Local agri-food markets are a key link in the sustainability and resilience of rural communities, as they merge producers and consumers, create jobs and ensure food security. This paper analyzes the state and perspectives of the development of local markets in rural regions of Russia, relying on demographic, economic, structural and innovation indicators. The results show marked regional differences: in urbanized areas the share of the rural population is low and markets are weak, while in Siberia and the Far East, local markets remain vital, albeit under pressure from depopulation. Structural shifts in favor of plant production, along with worsening price parity, indicate reduced profitability of small producers, but also open opportunities for diversification through processing and branding. Analysis of production concentration shows that sectors with more dispersed production (vegetables, milk) enable greater flexibility and resilience of local markets. Highly concentrated sectors remain vulnerable to market shocks. The findings confirm that local markets can be not only guardians of tradition, but also drivers of modernization and growth. The work thereby makes an empirical contribution to the understanding of the sustainability of rural markets and shows that, with targeted policies that link demographic stability, economic incentives, digital tools and ecological practices, local markets can become a pillar of sustainable development and a significant instrument for strengthening the resilience of the agri-food sector in Russia and beyond. Methodologically, the article applies a mixed approach: (i) quantitative analysis of several sets of statistical data (Rosstat, supplementary FAO/OECD/Eurostat) through descriptive indicators and indices (incl. input/output price parity), as well as cluster typology of regions; and (ii) qualitative mapping of findings to contemporary policies and practices. This framework allows structural trends to be directly linked to implications for local food markets. Full article

Ensuring the continuous supply and availability of food during long-term disruptions remains a critical challenge for agri-food supply chains (ASCs). Traditional resilience strategies, which focus on short-term recovery, often fall short during prolonged or systemic crises. This study examines how ASCs adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating that sustained food access was achieved through systemic adaptations that moved beyond resilience to a more enduring state of viability. Using qualitative data from interviews and focus group discussions across urban, semi-urban, and rural regions (spatial ecologies), the study explores event-level adaptations made by stakeholders within production, logistics, and consumption segments of the agri-food channels. To explain consumer decision-making when switching between ASC channels, a four-mode ASC classification (M1–M4) and a Cost–Availability–Quality (CAQ) framework were developed. Here, a channel represents a distinct route through which fresh agri-food products flow from producers to consumers. Behaviour Over Time (BOT) graphs illustrate how channel usage evolved before, during, and after disruption. Findings reveal that viability was achieved through interconnected adaptations shaped by spatial context and enabled by digital tools, community networks, and policy support. The study provides a structured foundation for understanding ASC viability through real-world adaptation and offers a basis for future systems-modelling research. Full article