Search Results (406)

The temperate Himalayan states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Ladakh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh in India face unique agro-ecological challenges across agriculture and allied sectors, including pest and disease pressures, inefficient resource use, post-harvest losses, and fragmented supply chains. This review systematically examines 21 critical problem areas, with three key challenges identified per sector across agriculture, agricultural engineering, fisheries, forestry, horticulture, sericulture, and animal husbandry. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) interventions, including computer vision, predictive modeling, Internet of Things (IoT)-based monitoring, robotics, and blockchain-enabled traceability, are evaluated for their regional applicability, pilot-level outcomes, and operational limitations under temperate Himalayan conditions. The analysis highlights that AI-enabled solutions demonstrate strong potential for early pest and disease detection, improved resource-use efficiency, ecosystem monitoring, and market integration. However, large-scale adoption remains constrained by limited digital infrastructure, data scarcity, high capital costs, low digital literacy, and fragmented institutional frameworks. The novelty of this review lies in its cross-sectoral synthesis of AI/ML applications tailored to the Himalayan context, combined with a sector-wise revenue-loss assessment to quantify economic impacts and guide prioritization. Based on the identified gaps, the review proposes feasible, context-aware strategies, including lightweight edge-AI models, localized data platforms, capacity-building initiatives, and policy-aligned implementation pathways. Collectively, these recommendations aim to enhance sustainability, resilience, and livelihood security across agriculture and allied sectors in the temperate Himalayan region. Full article

Livestock production in the high Andes is vital for rural livelihoods and food security but is limited by poor pasture quality, environmental variability, and restricted resources. Pasture improvement, achieved through management practices and particularly through fertilization, may enhance productivity and sustainability in high-Andean livestock systems. This study aimed to characterize mixed herds composed of domestic sheep (Ovis aries), alpacas (Vicugna pacos), llamas (Lama glama), and domestic cattle (Bos taurus) and to evaluate the role of pasture fertilization on herd composition and livestock size. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to 88 randomly selected livestock producers, complemented by direct field observations of grazing areas, corrals, shelters, and water sources. The survey documented herd structure, grazing management, pasture conservation, fertilization practices, and farm infrastructure. Data from multiple farms were analyzed using a clustering approach to group production units with similar characteristics, and statistical models were applied to assess the effects of fertilization, pasture area, and water sources. Three distinct clusters were identified: one dominated by alpacas, another by sheep, and a third by llamas with the most uniform stocking density. Pasture fertilization was most common in the sheep-dominated cluster and was significantly associated with higher sheep numbers, while no significant effects were detected for alpacas, llamas, or cattle. Farms without fertilization showed slightly higher overall livestock size; however, a strong negative interaction between pasture area and lack of fertilization indicated that expanding grazing land alone could not offset low forage quality. These findings suggest that targeted fertilization, when combined with sustainable grazing practices, may contribute to improved herd performance and long-term resilience in heterogeneous Andean livestock systems. Full article

The Dal Lake ecosystem is a vital freshwater body situated in the heart of Srinagar, Kashmir, India. It is not only a natural asset but also a cornerstone of environmental health, economic vitality, cultural heritage, and urban sustainability. In the last few decades, the condition of the lake ecosystem and water quality has deteriorated significantly owing to the intensification of the eutrophication process. Effective integrated management of the lake is crucial for the long-term sustainable development of the region and the communities that rely on it for their livelihoods. The main reasons for eutrophication are the substantial quantity of anthropogenic pollution, especially nutrients, discharged from the catchment area of the lake and the overexploitation of the lake space and its biological resources. The research presented in this paper aimed to diagnose the state of the lake by analysing trends in eutrophication development and its long-term changes related to the catchment area and lake ecosystem relationships. The research period was 25 years, from 1997 to 2023. Land use and land cover data and water quality monitoring data, which are the basis for trophic state assessment, allowed us to analyze the long-term dynamics of eutrophication in the reservoir. For these purposes, GIS-generated thematic maps were created by using QGIS software version 3.44.1, and an appropriate methodology for quantifying eutrophication was chosen and adapted to the specifics of Dal Lake. The obtained results provide a foundation for a eutrophication management strategy that considers the specificity of the Dal Lake ecosystem and the impact of the catchment area. The outcomes highlighted the varied trophic conditions in different lake basins and the dominance of eutrophic conditions during the study period. The research highlights the complexity of the problem and underscores the need for a comprehensive lake management system. Full article

Smallholder rice farmers in sub-Saharan Africa face persistent livelihood challenges due to declining returns from monocropping, limited diversification opportunities, and vulnerability to climate and market shocks. This study integrated the Drivers–Pressures–State–Impact–Response (DPSIR) framework with the sustainable livelihood approach to evaluate how the transition from rice monocropping to integrated rice–fish farming influences productivity, profitability, and household welfare in Nigeria’s leading rice-producing region. Using a mixed-methods, three-year panel (2021–2023) of 228 households across three communities in Kebbi State, descriptive statistics, regression models, and thematic analyses were combined to assess changes in livelihood capitals, system pressures, and response mechanisms. Adoption of rice–fish systems was associated with substantial improvements: 96.1% of farmers reported increased income, 56.3% improved food security, and 30.6% greater dietary diversity. Regression analyses confirmed that access to more land (p < 0.001 for healthcare and education; p = 0.011 for social status), labor affordability (p < 0.001), and farm size (p < 0.05) were consistent predictors of gains in healthcare, education, and social status, while pesticide and herbicide use negatively affected food access and wellbeing (p < 0.05). The DPSIR assessment revealed that rice–fish integration altered the state of rice production systems through reductions in input-related pressures and generated positive livelihood impacts. The results align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to poverty reduction, food and nutrition security, sustainable production, and biodiversity conservation, and provide the first large-scale, longitudinal evidence from West Africa that integrated rice–fish systems support food security, income diversification, and sustainable resource management. Full article

The methodological frameworks applied in the Colombian Amazon to study emerging agri-food systems are insufficient, as they often employ linear models that fail to recognize the importance of small-scale producer networks that depend on the integration and cooperation of other actors to form part of a value chain. In this study, the value network (VN) perspective was applied to characterize four Amazonian fruits identified as emerging agricultural economies in rural communities: Seje (Oenocarpus bataua), Asaí (Euterpe precatoria), Moriche (Mauritia flexuosa), and Peach palm (Bactris gasipaes). The research was conducted in the Amazonian department of Guaviare, where economic momentum around value networks of Amazonian fruits has emerged in recent years. The framework proposed by Sprinzer-Heinze was adapted, using the social, economic, institutional, and environmental dimensions instead of linear chains to analyze the value networks (VNs). Data collection combined participatory workshops, surveys, and interviews with key actors involved throughout the value network, and an index was constructed to compare the networks and identify their strengths and weaknesses. The study was complemented with social network analyses to assess the levels of cooperation among key actors across each product’s value network. The findings reveal that value networks have emerged as an institutional attempt to implement a strategy aimed at enhancing rural livelihoods and promoting economic initiatives with a lower impact on deforestation. Nevertheless, further actions are required to strengthen such networks, as their performance remains weak in aspects such as environmental sustainability, technological upgrading, innovation, and institutional and social support. Social network analysis revealed a common structure characterized by interconnections among producers, associations, and institutions across all value networks. However, these actors need to develop a more robust network culture to better coordinate their actions and ensure long-term sustainability. Full article

This study aimed to assess various social–ecological traps of hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha) fisheries and to investigate the factors that significantly impact livelihood adaptation strategies during the ban period, based on fieldwork in coastal fishing communities. To collect empirical data, a total of 247 in-depth interviews were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire along with six focus group discussions, oral history, and ten key informant interviews in the Chattogram and Patuakhali districts of Bangladesh. A conceptual framework derived from a strategy for reducing poverty, known as the Sustainable Livelihood Approach (SLA), is applied to determine the livelihood outcomes of hilsa fishers. The results showed that low income (<5000 BDT/month), high interest in loans from dadondar (lender) (10–12%) and aratdar (lessor of the vessel) (5%), high harvesting costs, an increasing number of hilsa fishermen, and intergenerational traps (81.78%) are creating social–ecological traps (SETs) in the hilsa fishery. The significant factors affecting the choice of adaptation strategies include family members, training facilities, home ownership, and belonging to a formal society. Apart from fighting against some extreme climate events, negative feedback comes from the absence of cold storage facilities, illegal use of fishing nets, frequent ban seasons, ignorance of conservation laws, limited opportunities for alternative occupations, and poor supply of drinking water. Hilsa fishermen in these regions depended on aratdar and dadondar for their financial support, which resulted in lower prices than the prevailing market prices. To escape from the SETs, this study identifies potential alternatives, such as government–community finance schemes, the promotion of alternative livelihoods, opportunities for technical education of their children, improvement of the local framework, and strong cooperation between local stakeholders and management authorities that are necessary to maintain the sustainability of hilsa fisheries. Full article

The sustainability of reservoir resettlement depends on the synergistic development of resettlers’ livelihoods and host regions; however, existing studies lack an integrated analytical framework. Combining the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework with synergistic development theory, this study establishes a dual-system evaluation model comprising the Regional Development Support (RDS) and Resettlers’ Livelihood Development (RLD) indices. Using survey data from 289 households across 10 counties in Zhejiang’s QC Reservoir project, we apply composite weighting, coupling coordination modeling, and spatial analysis to evaluate the levels of synergistic development and examine spatial patterns. The findings reveal that (1) there is significant gradient differentiation in the Synergistic Development Index (SDI), with scores ranging from 0.134 to 0.738; (2) spatial autocorrelation is weak (Moran’s I = −0.089), reflecting industrial heterogeneity; and (3) four distinct coordination types are identified, with employment–industry mismatch and ecological constraints being the primary limiting factors. This study provides a diagnostic framework for assessing resettlement outcomes and offers guidance for formulating differentiated policy interventions. Full article

Evaluating rural households’ subjective well-being (SWB) and identifying its determinants is crucial for rural sustainable development. This study takes Diqing Prefecture in the Tibetan region of China as a case, aiming to address two key research questions: (1) How do livelihood assets affect subjective well-being (SWB)—directly or indirectly—through the mediating role of the agricultural-income proportion? (2) Do these effects vary across different livelihood strategies? A questionnaire survey was administered to 489 randomly selected rural households in mid-2022. Two index systems were constructed: one for livelihood assets based on the Sustainable Livelihood Framework and another for SWB based on the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. A subgroup Tobit regression model was utilized to analyze the heterogeneous effects. The results revealed deficiencies in SWB regarding basic material for a good life and health. Human, financial, and social assets are positively associated with SWB. However, natural assets directly negatively impact SWB across dimensions of basic material, security, and freedom, although the negative effect is masked by the mediating effect of farming livelihood strategies. Notably, human assets’ positive influence significantly strengthens with the agricultural income proportion rising. Whether physical, financial, and social assets positively affect SWB depends on farm work participation. These evidence-based findings contribute to a better understanding of the heterogeneous role of sustainable livelihoods in affecting rural households’ subjective well-being and highlight the need for policymakers to design diverse, targeted policies to support rural development. Full article

Sustainable tourism is increasingly important for local sustainable livelihoods; however, its development is often hindered by financial limitations. To address this critical constraint, this study investigates the relationship between tourist satisfaction and their Willingness to Pay (WTP) for Community-Based Tourism (CBT) service improvements. Employing a novel Culture Tower/KHUC Tower-based approach, Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling with the Bayesian Mindsponge Framework (CPBM), we analyze data from 275 young respondents collected in mid-December 2024 and mid-August 2025. Our empirical results demonstrate that tourist satisfaction is a strong predictor of WTP, alongside financial status, environmental concerns, and environmental quality assessment. Additionally, we identify food quality, service delivery, and infrastructure as the primary determinants of satisfaction in CBT contexts. The findings reveal that satisfaction-driven financing mechanisms can unlock sustainable revenue streams for CBT destinations, provided that strategic investments address key service quality dimensions. Our results have important implications for tourism managers and policymakers seeking to enhance financial sustainability through coordinated stakeholder engagement, targeted infrastructure improvements, and transparent fund management systems in Lac Village and beyond. Full article

Taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) is a nutritionally important and climate-resilient crop with high potential for enhancing food security. Despite its significance, taro remains underutilized and excluded from major agricultural policies in Rwanda, resulting in low national yields. This gap hinders evidence-based planning and limits the crop contribution to resilience amidst population growth and climate change. By taking Rwanda as an example, a worldwide top 10 taro-producing country but still facing food insecurity issues, this study conducted a nationwide land suitability assessment to identify optimal areas for taro cultivation and quantify the production gap. The Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) model was integrated with GIS, where climatic, topographic, and a remotely sensed soil dataset were weighted and combined to generate a composite suitability index. Results revealed that 22.8% of Rwanda’s land is highly suitable (S1) and 55.7% is moderately suitable (S2) for taro cultivation. Within agricultural land, 30.2% is highly suitable, of which a significant portion (28.7%) remains largely underutilized, especially in the Eastern province. The national production gap was estimated at 32.4%, with over half of the districts exceeding 30%. The study highlights the importance of aligning taro cultivation with biophysical suitability and integrating spatial planning into national agricultural policies. The developed suitability map provides a critical decision-support tool for policymakers, agricultural planners, and extension services. By promoting sustainable taro production, improving farmer livelihoods and food security in Rwanda, it provides a global model for sustainable development for developing countries and advances research on orphan crops such as taro. The methodology offers a replicable framework for evaluating underutilized crops globally, contributing to sustainable agricultural diversification and food security. Full article

Community-managed forests within agroforestry landscapes are vital for both carbon sequestration and agricultural sustainability. This study assesses the Hariyali Community Forest (HCF) in western Nepal, emphasizing its role in carbon storage within a Sal (Shorea robusta)-dominated lowland forest containing diverse native and medicinal species. Stratified field inventories combined with satellite-derived biomass and land-use/land-cover data were used to quantify carbon stocks and spatial trends. In 2022, the mean aboveground carbon density was 165 tC ha⁻¹, totaling approximately 101,640 tC (~373,017 tCO₂e), which closely matches satellite-based trends and indicates consistent carbon accumulation. Remote sensing from 2015–2022 showed a net tree cover gain of 427 ha compared to a 2000 baseline of 188 ha, evidencing effective community-led regeneration. The 615 ha Sal-dominated landscape also sustains agroforestry, small-scale horticulture, and subsistence crops, integrating livelihoods with conservation. Temporary carbon declines between 2020 and 2022, linked to localized harvesting and management shifts, highlight the need for stronger governance and local capacity. This study, among the first integrated carbon assessments in Nepal’s lowland Sal forests, demonstrates how community forestry advances REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries) objectives while enhancing rural resilience. Linking field inventories with satellite-derived biomass and land-cover data situates community forestry within regional environmental change and SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) targets (13, 15, and 1) through measurable ecosystem restoration and livelihood gains. Full article

With the growing global reliance on marine resources, issues pertaining to the marine environment and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)-integrated development of the marine economy have gained worldwide attention. This study employs the synthetic control method (SCM) and difference-in-differences (DID) approach to assess the impact of three heterogeneous types of marine environmental regulations—market incentives, command-and-control, and public participation—on the SDGs-integrated development of the marine economy. Special focus is placed on the detailed mechanisms through which these regulatory approaches influence five key dimensions of the SDGs-integrated development of the marine economy. Overall, the results show that market incentive regulation has a significant positive effect on the SDGs-integrated development of the marine economy. In contrast, command-and-control and public participation regulations demonstrate varying degrees of inhibitory influence. Examining the five dimensions of SDGs-integrated development, innovation-driven development, industrial coordination, green construction, open cooperation, and the sharing of livelihoods, market incentive regulation promotes innovation-driven and open cooperation dimensions while inhibiting industrial coordination, green construction, and the sharing of livelihoods. command-and-control regulation positively promotes people’s sharing of livelihoods but negatively impacts the other four dimensions, with the strongest inhibitory effect on the innovation-driven dimension. Public participation regulations inhibit innovation-driven development and the sharing of livelihoods, with the most pronounced suppression observed in innovation-driven development. Conversely, they promote industrial coordination, green construction, and open cooperation. Based on these findings, this paper proposes a series of policy recommendations aimed at achieving coordinated integration between marine ecological governance and SDGs-integrated development of the marine economy. Full article

Edible underground storage organ (EUO) plants, including tubers, rhizomes, corms, and root tubers, play a crucial role in food security, nutrition, traditional medicine, and local livelihoods, yet many regions of northeastern Thailand, including Maha Sarakham Province, remain underexplored in ethnobotanical research. This study aimed to document the diversity, traditional uses, and economic importance of EUO plants in the province. Field surveys, local market assessments, and ethnobotanical interviews were conducted, and voucher specimens were collected. Quantitative indices, including the Cultural Food Significance Index (CFSI), Fidelity Level (%FL), and economic value (EV), were applied to evaluate the cultural, medicinal, and economic significance of each species. A total of 53 EUO taxa from 22 families were recorded, representing both wild-harvested and cultivated resources. Dioscoreaceae and Zingiberaceae were among the most species-rich families. Among the EUO plants, Allium ascalonicum L. stood out for its cultural significance, Gloriosa superba L. for its medicinal importance, and Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp.) H.Rob. for its economic value. Several other EUO plants exhibited high cultural consensus and consistent use patterns, underscoring their integration into local diets, traditional healthcare, and rural economies. The study demonstrates that EUO plants contribute not only to dietary diversity and cultural identity but also to rural economies. These findings highlight the importance of conserving biological and traditional knowledge and promote sustainable cultivation and horticultural development of priority EUO species to strengthen local food system resilience. Full article

The Fabaceae family plays a vital role in tropical ecosystems and human livelihoods due to its ecological, nutritional, and medicinal significance. This study provides a comprehensive ethnobotanical assessment of Fabaceae in Maha Sarakham Province, Northeastern Thailand. A total of 83 taxa representing 52 genera were recorded, reflecting the family’s high species richness and cultural importance in local communities. Field surveys and semi-structured interviews were conducted across diverse habitats, including homegardens, community forests, markets, and agricultural areas. Quantitative ethnobotanical indices—Species Use Value (SUV), Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), Fidelity Level (FL), and Informant Consensus Factor (F_ic)—were used to evaluate species importance and cultural consensus. The highest SUV and RFC values were observed for Arachis hypogaea L., Glycine max (L.) Merr., Sesbania grandiflora (L.) Poir., and Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis (L.) Verdc., indicating their central roles in local diets and livelihoods. Medicinally significant taxa, including Abrus precatorius and Albizia lebbeck, exhibited high FL and Fic values, reflecting strong community agreement on their therapeutic uses. Diverse applications—spanning food, medicine, fodder, fuelwood, dye, ornamental, and construction materials—highlight the multifunctionality of Fabaceae in rural livelihoods. The documentation of 44 new provincial records further emphasizes the value of integrating Indigenous and local knowledge into biodiversity assessments. These findings provide essential insights for sustainable utilization, conservation planning, and the integration of traditional knowledge with modern scientific approaches. Full article

Enhancing herders’ livelihoods is essential in balancing human–land interactions and promoting inclusive, sustainable development within protected area management. Using a household survey (N = 3539; March–June 2025) and a mixed-methods quantitative approach (weighted TOPSIS, obstacle degree, Spatial Durbin Model, and hierarchical regression), we assessed household livelihood resilience in the Lancang River source area of Sanjiangyuan National Park. Key findings included the following. Overall livelihood resilience was moderate, with a mean score of 0.411. This was characterized by a marked weakness in learning capacity (0.358) and relative strength in self-organization (0.431). Major barriers to resilience included cooperative participation (obstacle degree: 8.14%), education levels (7.58%), skills training (7.18%), household savings (6.40%), and information acquisition abilities (5.97%). The spatial analysis revealed a core-periphery pattern of resilience, evidenced by significant negative spatial autocorrelation (W×HLR coefficient = −0.787, p = 0.001), suggesting competitive interactions among villages. Within this pattern, cooperative participation induced significant positive spatial spillovers (W×X₈ coefficient = 0.147, p < 0.001), while benefits derived from information acquisition abilities remained localized (Direct Effect = 0.061, p < 0.001). The pathways to resilience were associated with household heterogeneity. Associations between key factors and resilience varied across demographic groups, with women and youth benefiting more from skills training and education. Livelihood strategies were linked to information utilization, with cordyceps-dependent households exhibiting greater sensitivity to information acquisition abilities (interaction coefficient = 0.009, p = 0.009). The institutional environment shaped organizational benefits; the positive association with cooperative participation diminished in the core protected zone (interaction coefficient = −0.011, p = 0.036). These findings highlight household heterogeneity as a key factor influencing diverse resilience pathways. They also emphasize the need for targeted, spatially specific, and group-oriented governance strategies. Full article