Search Results (193)

Cropland is a critical resource for safeguarding food security. Ensuring both the quantity and quality of cropland is essential for achieving zero hunger and promoting sustainable agriculture. However, whether urbanization-induced cropland loss poses a substantial threat to regional food security remains a key concern. This study examines the central region of the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) in China, integrating CLCD (China Land Cover Dataset) land use/cover data (2001–2023), MOD17A2H net primary productivity (NPP) data, and statistical records to evaluate the impacts of urban expansion on grain yield. The analysis focuses on three components: (1) grain yield loss due to cropland conversion, (2) compensatory yield from newly added cropland under the requisition–compensation policy, (3) yield increases from stable cropland driven by agricultural enhancement strategies. Using Sen’s slope analysis, the Mann–Kendall trend test, and hot/coldspot analysis, we revealed that urban expansion converted approximately 14,598 km² of cropland, leading to a grain production loss of around 3.49 million tons, primarily in the economically developed cities of Yancheng, Nantong, Suzhou, and Shanghai. Meanwhile, 8278 km² of new cropland was added through land reclamation, contributing only 1.43 million tons of grain—offsetting just 41% of the loss. In contrast, stable cropland (102,188 km²) contributed an increase of approximately 9.84 million tons, largely attributed to policy-driven productivity gains in areas such as Chuzhou, Hefei, and Ma’anshan. These findings suggest that while compensatory cropland alone is insufficient to mitigate the food security risks from urbanization, the combined strategy of “Safeguarding Grain in the Land and in Technology” can more than compensate for production losses. This study underscores the importance of optimizing land use policy, strengthening technological interventions, and promoting high-efficiency land management. It provides both theoretical insight and policy guidance for balancing urban development with regional food security and sustainable land use governance. Full article

Food security constitutes a fundamental pillar of future sustainable development. A systematic evaluation of the impact of urban expansion on food security is critical to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly “Zero Hunger” (SDG 2). Drawing on bibliographic data from the Web of Science Core Collection, this study employs the bibliometrix package in R to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the literature on the “urban expansion–food security” nexus spanning from 1982 to 2024. The analysis focuses on knowledge production, collaborative structures, and thematic research trends. The results indicate the following: (1) The publication trajectory in this field exhibits a generally increasing trend with three distinct phases: an incubation period (1982–2000), a development phase (2001–2014), and a phase of rapid growth (2015–2024). Land Use Policy stands out as the most influential journal in the domain, with an average citation rate of 43.5 per article. (2) China and the United States are the leading contributors in terms of publication output, with 3491 and 1359 articles, respectively. However, their international collaboration rates remain relatively modest (0.19 and 0.35) and considerably lower than those observed for the United Kingdom (0.84) and Germany (0.76), suggesting significant potential for enhanced global research cooperation. (3) The major research hotspots cluster around four core areas: urban expansion and land use dynamics, agricultural systems and food security, environmental and climate change, and socio-economic and policy drivers. These focal areas reflect a high degree of interdisciplinary integration, particularly involving land system science, agroecology, and socio-economic studies. Collectively, the field has established a relatively robust academic network and coherent knowledge framework. Nonetheless, it still confronts several limitations, including geographical imbalances, fragmented research scales, and methodological heterogeneity. Future efforts should emphasize cross-regional, interdisciplinary, and multi-scalar integration to strengthen the systematic understanding of urban expansion–food security interactions, thereby informing global strategies for sustainable development. Full article

Medicinal mushroom production utilising rural cultivation (solid state fermentation) requires approximately six months compared to culinary mushroom production (7 days). Urban cultivation (submerged liquid fermentation) can be used as a sustainable method of producing medicinal mushroom biomass. In this study, chicken patties were fortified with liquid-fermented Ganoderma lucidum flour (GLF) and Pleurotus djamor mushroom biomass flour (PDF) at concentrations of 3%, 6%, and 9%. These were compared to a negative control (0% mushroom flour chicken patty) and a commercial patty. Chicken patties fortified with 3% PDF and 9% GLF recorded the lowest cooking loss, at 5.55% and 10.3%, respectively. Mushroom chicken patties exhibited lower cooking losses and significant changes in colour and texture compared to control samples. Notably, 3% GLF chicken patty achieved the highest overall acceptability score of 6.55 followed by 9% PDF chicken patty (6.08) (p < 0.05). Biomass flour of liquid-fermented Ganoderma lucidum (ENS-GL) and Pleurotus djamor (ENS-PD) were extracted for their endopolysaccharide and analysed for their functional properties. All elemental, FT-IR, and NMR spectroscopy analyses revealed the existence of a comparable beta-glucan polymer structure, linkages, and absorptions when compared to the Laminarin standard. In addition, ENS-GL also proved to possess higher antimicrobial activities and significant antioxidant levels (DPPH-scavenging activity, ferric reduction potential and total phenolic content) compared to ENS-PD. Overall, this study revealed that sustainable liquid-fermented Ganoderma lucidum, a medicinal mushroom, outperformed Pleurotus djamor, a culinary mushroom, as a potential alternative flour for combating hunger in the future. Full article

North Africa faces significant challenges of food insecurity and environmental degradation, driven by rapid population growth, ongoing droughts, severe water stress, and increasing rates of undernourishment. Achieving food security and environmental sustainability requires a balanced evaluation of agricultural productivity, resource efficiency, ecosystem health, and climate resilience. Therefore, this study develops a composite food security and environmental sustainability index (FSESI) that encompasses complex relationships via multidimensional indicators. Data analysis was conducted for Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Sudan, and Mauritania, covering the period from 2010 to 2022. A comprehensive methodology employing data envelopment analysis (DEA) for objective weighting and geometric mean aggregation was implemented. The findings indicate notable disparities; Sudan presented the highest undernourishment rate (21.8% in 2010, 11.4% in 2022), whereas Libya faced severe water stress (783.12% to 817.14%). Morocco recorded the highest FSESI score of 0.78, reflecting strong performance in both the food security and environmental dimensions, whereas Algeria and Libya each had scores of 0.48, indicating relatively modest outcomes. Finally, sensitivity analysis was employed to check the robustness of the results. This research highlights the need for immediate policy actions focused on equitable resource management, enhanced agricultural methods, and reinforced food security initiatives. This study directly supports Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2, Zero Hunger; SDG 6, Clean Water and Sanitation; SDG 13, Climate Action; and SDG 15, Life on Land, by addressing integrated challenges in food security and environmental sustainability in North Africa. The originality of this work lies in its thorough integration of environmental and food security dimensions through innovative aggregation methods, offering a replicable framework that policymakers and researchers can use to address complex environmental and food security issues in North Africa sustainably. Full article

The subtropics are affected by severe climate change, which may induce heat stress in animals. Moreover, the region is significantly seasonal; hence, mitigating climate risks and implementing climate adaptation measures are necessary. Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, and 13 call for no poverty, zero hunger, and climate action. These are the most severe problems affecting food security in the modern world. Food security refers to a situation in which all people have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, proper, and healthy food that satisfies their dietary requirements. Nevertheless, the projected increase in the human population implies a greater demand for employment opportunities; hence, developing countries are building more industrial areas. The burning of fossil fuels in various industries potentiates climate change and environmental pollution. It is predicted that the ecological temperature will increase by almost 2.3–4.8 °C by 2100 due to climate change. Agriculture and animal products remain vital in Africa as drivers of the economy and transformation for sustainable livelihood and development. Sheep production has long been used as a source of income and livelihood and provides jobs for people who live in rural areas. It is also sometimes used for ritual ceremonies and to pay penalties to local authorities. Nevertheless, sheep have been identified to be sensitive to heat stress, characterized by low reproductive performance, low microbiota quantities, and poor general health. There are different strategies for mitigating heat stress; however, many smallholder farmers have limited access to education and lack the financial support required to incorporate artificial shade and plant trees for shade to limit heat stress. In this review, we aim to understand the effects of environmental heat stress on sheep production and reproductive performance. Based on this review, it can be concluded that heat stress can threaten food security if not addressed, especially for farmers who depend on sheep rearing. As a result, future studies are recommended to understand different adaptation methods that can be used to mitigate the heat stress effect on sheep productivity, reproductivity, and general health. Full article

Automation in agricultural machinery, underpinned by the integration of advanced technologies, is revolutionizing sustainable farming practices. Key enabling technologies include multi-source positioning fusion (e.g., RTK-GNSS/LiDAR), intelligent perception systems utilizing multispectral imaging and deep learning algorithms, adaptive control through modular robotic systems and bio-inspired algorithms, and AI-driven data analytics for resource optimization. These technological advancements manifest in significant applications: autonomous field machinery achieving lateral navigation errors below 6 cm, UAVs enabling targeted agrochemical application, reducing pesticide usage by 40%, and smart greenhouses regulating microclimates with ±0.1 °C precision. Collectively, these innovations enhance productivity, optimize resource utilization (water, fertilizers, energy), and mitigate critical labor shortages. However, persistent challenges include technological heterogeneity across diverse agricultural environments, high implementation costs, limitations in adaptability to dynamic field conditions, and adoption barriers, particularly in developing regions. Future progress necessitates prioritizing the development of lightweight edge computing solutions, multi-energy complementary systems (integrating solar, wind, hydropower), distributed collaborative control frameworks, and AI-optimized swarm operations. To democratize these technologies globally, this review synthesizes the evolution of technology and interdisciplinary synergies, concluding with prioritized strategies for advancing agricultural intelligence to align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for zero hunger and responsible production. Full article

The sole function of cultivated land of agricultural production is insufficient to meet the diverse demands of modern agriculture. To address land-use conflicts and achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of zero hunger and reduced carbon emissions by 2030, this study introduces the theory of land sparing and sharing, uses landscape indices to identify spatially fragmented areas, employs a four-quadrant model to assess the matching status of functional supply and demand, and applies correlation analysis to determine the trade-off/synergy relationships between functions. The results indicate the following: (1) Zhengzhou’s farmland landscape exhibits characteristics of low density, low continuity, and high aggregation, with separation zones and sharing zones accounting for 77% and 23% of the total farmland area, respectively. (2) The multifunctional supply (high in the northeast, low in the southwest) and demand (high in the west, low in the east) of farmland show significant mismatches, with PF and EF exhibiting the most pronounced supply–demand mismatches. The “LS-LD and HS-LD” types of farmland account for the largest proportions, at 39% and 35%, respectively. (3) The study area is divided into four primary types: “PCZ, RLZ, BDZ, and MAZ” to optimize supply–demand relationships and utilization patterns. This study enriches the application of land sparing and sharing in related fields, providing important references for policymakers in optimizing land-use allocation and balancing food and ecological security. Full article

Sustainable cropland management is essential in maintaining national food security. In the black soil regions of China, which are key areas for commercial grain production, sustainable land use must be achieved urgently. To address the absence of integrated, large-scale, remote sensing-based sustainability frameworks in China’s black soil zones, we developed a comprehensive evaluation system with 13 indicators from four dimensions: the soil capacity, the natural capacity, the management level, and crop productivity. With this system and the entropy weight method, we systematically analyzed the spatiotemporal patterns of cropland sustainability in the selected black soil regions from 2010 to 2020. Additionally, a diagnostic model was applied to identify the key limiting factors constraining improvements in cropland sustainability. The results revealed that cropland sustainability in Heilongjiang Province has increased by 7% over the past decade, largely in the central and northeastern regions of the study area, with notable gains in soil capacity (+15.6%), crop productivity (+22.4%), and the management level (+4.8%). While the natural geographical characteristics show no obvious improvement in the overall score, they display significant spatial heterogeneity (with better conditions in the central/eastern regions than in the west). Sustainability increased the most in sloping dry farmland and paddy fields, followed by plain dry farmland and arid windy farmland areas. The soil organic carbon content and effective irrigation amount were the main obstacles affecting improvements in cropland sustainability in black soil regions. Promoting the implementation of technical models, strengthening investment in cropland infrastructure, and enhancing farmer engagement in black soil conservation are essential in ensuring long-term cropland sustainability. These findings provide a solid foundation for sustainable agricultural development, contributing to global food security and aligning with SDG 2 (zero hunger). Full article

Systematic assessment of heavy metal contamination in agricultural soils is critical for addressing ecological and public health risks in industrial-intensive cities like Lanzhou, with direct implications for achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2 (Zero Hunger), 15 (Life on Land), and 3 (Good Health). The present study evaluates farmland soils around six industrial sectors: waste disposal (WDZ), pharmaceutical manufacturing (PMZ), chemical manufacturing (CMZ), petrochemical industry (PIZ), metal smelting (MSZ), mining (MZ) and one sewage-irrigated zone (SIZ) using geo-accumulation index, Nemerow composite pollution index, potential ecological risk index, and health risk models. The following are the major findings: (1) SIZ and PMZ emerged as primary contamination clusters, with Hg (I_geo = 1.89) and Cd (I_geo = 0.61) showing marked accumulation. Chronic wastewater irrigation caused severe Hg contamination (0.97 mg·kg⁻¹) in SIZ, where 100% of the samples reached strong polluted levels according to the Nemerow composite pollution index; (2) Hg and Cd dominated the ecological risks, with 41.32% of the samples exhibiting critical Hg risks (100% in PMZ and SIZ) and 32.63% showing strong Cd risks; and (3) oral ingestion constituted the dominant exposure pathway. Children faced carcinogenic risks (CR = 1.33 × 10⁻⁴) exceeding safety thresholds, while adult risks remained acceptable. Notably, high Hg and Cd levels did not translate to proportionally higher health risks due to differential toxicological parameters. The study recommends prioritizing Hg and Cd control in PMZ and SIZ, with targeted exposure prevention measures for children. Full article

Broiler meat remains an important source of food with immense potential for ending hunger as well as achieving food and nutrition security (SDG 2). We apply the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model to time-series data spanning from 2010 to 2021 to ascertain the response of South Africa’s broiler meat supply to changes in imports, exports, and inflation. The results show that broiler supply from local producers is negatively affected by the quantity of broiler meat imported. For every unit increase in broiler meat imports, domestic broiler supply decreases by −0.12% in the long run. However, in the short run, for every 1% increase in the broiler imports, there is an increase of 0.07% in domestic broiler supply. The supply of domestic broiler meat increases by 0.37% for every 1% increase in the consumer price index in the long run, while the unit increase in the consumer price index is associated with a decrease of 2.12 in domestic broiler supply in the short run. In the short run, broiler exports have a positive relationship with domestic broiler supply. A unit increase in broiler exports is associated with a 0.04 increase in the domestic broiler supply. The earlier finding could allow for greater development of the local broiler industry through South Africa’s Poultry Masterplan, by increasing domestic broiler meat supply to discourage imports and to increase broiler exports contributing to the pressing need for job creation and food security, but the latter can exact an inhibiting effect on the accessibility of broiler meat. We concluded that the attainment of SDG 2 in South Africa is possible if policy strikes a balance between food availability and accessibility, particularly when it comes to broiler meat as it is the cheapest source of protein. This could be achieved through increased investment towards expanding domestic broiler production and promoting strategies for reasonable pricing of poultry, while giving priority to consumer health concerns. Full article

Climate change significantly impacts agricultural infrastructure, particularly in communal land farming systems, where socio-economic vulnerabilities intersect with environmental stressors. This study examined the effects of extreme weather events (floods, droughts, strong winds, frost, and hail) on various agricultural infrastructures—including bridges, arable land, soil erosion control structures, dipping tanks, roads, and fences—using an ordered probit model. A survey was conducted using structured questionnaires between August and September 2023, collecting data from communal farmers (n = 60) in oKhahlamba Municipality, Bergville. Key results from respondents showed that roads (87%), bridges (85%), and both arable land and erosion structures were reported as highly affected by extreme weather events, especially flooding and frost. Gender, the type of farmer, access to climate information, and exposure to extreme weather significantly influenced perceived impact severity. The ordered probit regression model results reveal that drought (p = 0.05), floods (p = 0.1), strong winds (p = 0.05), and frost (p = 0.1) significantly influence the perceived impacts on infrastructure. Extreme weather events, including flooding (p = 0.012) and frost (p = 0.018), are critical drivers of infrastructure damage, particularly for smallholder farmers. Cumulative impacts—such as repeated infrastructure failure, access disruptions, and increased repair burdens—compound over time, further weakening resilience. The results underscore the urgent need for investments in flood-resilient roads and bridges, improved erosion control systems, and livestock water infrastructure. Support should also include gender-sensitive adaptation strategies, education on climate risk, and dedicated financial mechanisms for smallholder farmers. These findings contribute to global policy discourses on climate adaptation, aligning with SDGs 2 (Zero Hunger), 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and 13 (Climate Action), and offer actionable insights for building infrastructure resilience in vulnerable rural contexts. Full article

Regional vulnerability manifests in various ways, one of which is food insecurity. Food insecurity is a global challenge and a key focus of Sustainable Development Goal 2, which aims to achieve zero hunger. This study aims to assess the level of regional vulnerability to food insecurity for 34 provinces in Indonesia. The components of vulnerability are defined by exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity, while the dimensions of food insecurity are assessed through availability and access-utility. This study employed the composite index method to assess regional vulnerability to food insecurity in Indonesia for the year 2021. The analysis involved three calculation steps and utilized a subjective direct technique for indicator weighting. The findings emphasize the significant role of exposure in a region’s susceptibility to food insecurity. Mapping the conditions of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity indicates that 11.7% of Indonesian provinces are extremely vulnerable, with high exposure and sensitivity, and low adaptive capacity. To address these issues, these provinces should focus on diversifying food sources, improving market access for farmers, investing in essential agricultural infrastructure, and enhancing the agricultural sector through human resource development. Full article

Climate variability and land-use changes are critical challenges impacting agriculture globally, with Zimbabwe’s Gwayi catchment area experiencing noticeable effects. This study investigated how smallholder farmers in the region perceive these changes and their influence on agricultural productivity and livelihoods. The research addresses the gap in understanding local farmer experiences with climate change and land-use modifications in the context of food security. A cross-sectional survey (n = 483) was conducted using self-administered questionnaires to capture demographic information, perceptions of climate variability, land-use changes, and their impacts on agriculture. The results indicate a trend of increasing droughts, dry spells, and heatwaves, alongside altered rainfall patterns and rising temperatures, corroborating the observed climate data. Environmental degradation, including deforestation, gully formation, and land expansion, exacerbates these changes. Consequently, farmers reported substantial reductions in crop yields, with 84.05% experiencing significant-to-very negative impacts, alongside declining livestock health (32.51% reporting very negative impacts), increased water scarcity (43.3% reporting drying water sources), and more frequent disease outbreaks. These challenges collectively contributed to heightened food insecurity, with 74.12% of households reporting negative impacts on their food supply. The study underscores the synergistic impacts of climate variability and land-use changes, highlighting the urgent need for climate-smart agricultural practices and sustainable land management to enhance resilience and ensure long-term food security for smallholder farmers in the Gwayi catchment. Full article

Goats are primarily raised in marginal, arid, and semi-arid production systems and exhibit a seasonal reproductive pattern. Extending their reproductive season would enhance food security and improve the economic viability of goat production. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the effects of SeVE supplementation during the anestrus season on ovarian activity in anestrous goats subjected to an estrus synchronization protocol. The response variables included estrus induction (EI), ovulatory rate (OR), corpus luteum diameter (CLD), left and right ovary diameters (LOD and ROD), embryo implantation (EMBRYO), and pregnancy rates (PREG). Adult, anestrous, crossbred dairy goats (n = 32) from northern semi-arid Mexico (i.e., Comarca Lagunera, 26° N) were randomly assigned to two homogeneous groups based on age, live weight (LW), and body condition score (BCS): (1) the supplemented group (SeVE; n = 16), received 5 mg selenium plus 350 IU vitamin E, and (2) the control group (CONT; n = 16), received physiological saline. Estrus was induced using a combination of progesterone (P4, 20 mg), equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG, 400 IU), and exposure to the male effect. While no differences (p > 0.05) were observed between the groups for LW and BCS, the variables EI, OR, EMBRYO, and PREG rates were higher (p < 0.05) in the SeVE group than the CONT group. No differences (p > 0.05) were observed between the groups for CLD, LOD, or ROD. Thus, SeVE-targeted supplementation improved reproductive outcomes without affecting ovarian structure size (i.e., a non-dimensional ovarian SeVE action), suggesting that this precision supplementation strategy certainly enhances reproductive efficiency. This was possibly related to selenium-induced increases in P4 synthesis, and the antioxidant effects on follicular development correlate with improved endometrial development, conceptus survival, embryo growth, and pregnancy maintenance. Such improvements could contribute to the sustainability of marginal production systems in the semi-arid regions of northern Mexico, supporting food security and increasing economic returns for goat producers and their families. Full article

Millets, often known as “nutri-cereals”, have garnered renewed global interest due to their numerous health benefits, rich nutritional composition, resilience to extreme climatic conditions, and minimal environmental footprint. The advent of rice and wheat as staple foods in the 1960s led to drastic decline in millet cultivation worldwide. Recognizing the importance of millet, the United Nations (UN) declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets in an effort to accomplish Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG-2), i.e., zero hunger, by increasing millet production and fostering research and development to improve the integration of these grains into mainstream food systems. In recent years, global production of millets has surged, with India leading as the top producer. Millets are nutritionally advantageous, consisting of carbohydrates, antioxidants, and biologically active compounds such as flavonoids, carotenoids, phenolic acids, minerals, and vitamins. Incorporating millets into a balanced diet can help control and prevent diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, inflammation, and malnutrition due to their enriched vital nutrients, low glycemic index, and gluten-free nature. This indicates a transition of millets from an “orphan crop” to being used as ingredients for products (with or without fermentation) that are nutrient-rich, climate-resilient, sustainable, and health-promoting. Full article