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Qiu Z, Paul H, Wang Z, Hirai S, Kawamura S. An Evaluation System of Robotic End-Effectors for Food Handling. Foods 2023; 12:4062. [PMID: 38002120 PMCID: PMC10670141 DOI: 10.3390/foods12224062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Owing to Japan's aging society and labor shortages, the food and agricultural industries are facing a significant demand for robotic food handling technologies. Considering the large variety of food products, available robotic end-effectors are limited. Our primary goal is to maximize the applicability of existing end-effectors and efficiently develop novel ones, and therefore, it is necessary to categorize food products and end-effectors from the viewpoint of robotic handling and establish their relationships through an effective evaluation approach. This study proposes a system for evaluating robotic end-effectors to identify appropriate ones and develop new ones. The evaluation system consists of food categorization based on food properties related to robotic handling, categorization of robotic end-effectors based on their grasping principles, a robotic system with visual recognition based on Robot Operating System 2 (ROS 2) to conduct handling tests, a scoring system for performance evaluation, and a visualization approach for presenting the results and comparisons. Based on food categorization, 14 real food items and their corresponding samples were chosen for handling tests. Seven robotic end-effectors, both commercialized and under development, were selected for evaluation. Using the proposed evaluation system, we quantitatively compared the performance of different end-effectors in handling different food items. We also observed differences in the handling of real food items and samples. The overall performance of an end-effector can be visualized and quantitatively evaluated to demonstrate its versatility in handling various food items.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Qiu
- Research Organization of Science and Technology, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu 525-0058, Japan; (Z.Q.); (H.P.)
| | - Hannibal Paul
- Research Organization of Science and Technology, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu 525-0058, Japan; (Z.Q.); (H.P.)
| | - Zhongkui Wang
- Department of Robotics, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu 525-0058, Japan;
| | - Shinichi Hirai
- Department of Robotics, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu 525-0058, Japan;
| | - Sadao Kawamura
- Ritsumeikan Global Innovation Research Organization, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu 525-0058, Japan;
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2
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Hafezalkotob A, Nersesian L, Fardi K. A policy-making model for evolutionary SME behavior during a pandemic recession supported on game theory approach. COMPUTERS & INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING 2023; 177:108975. [PMID: 36619005 PMCID: PMC9805953 DOI: 10.1016/j.cie.2022.108975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The global economy has experienced a tremendous shock caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and its effects on the normal activities of SMEs, which provide essential driving economic force. Considering that there is currently no precise prediction about the end of this pandemic, many SMEs must make critical decisions about whether to remain in the market during the pandemic or to leave it, investing their assets in a more secure sector of the economy. However, in order to convince SMEs to remain in the market, thus maintaining the damaged economy, governments may variously apply punitive or supportive measures. In this regard, the interaction between SMEs strategies and government measures can be considered as an evolutionary game, in which the governments impose various policies after observing the evolutionary behaviors of SMEs. An evolutionary stable strategy (ESS) is derived through a replicator dynamic system, and the available payoff of each player is calculated by Nash equilibrium (NA). Finally, a numerical example is presented, and related managerial insights are proposed at the end of the current study. For instance, contrary to general belief, it can be inferred from investigating possible scenarios that punitive policies are more effective than supportive measures in convincing SMEs to remain in the market.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lia Nersesian
- College of Industrial Engineering, Islamic Azad University, South Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | - Keyvan Fardi
- Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Urmia University of Technology (UUT), Urmia, Iran
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3
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Agostoni C, Baglioni M, La Vecchia A, Molari G, Berti C. Interlinkages between Climate Change and Food Systems: The Impact on Child Malnutrition-Narrative Review. Nutrients 2023; 15:416. [PMID: 36678287 PMCID: PMC9865989 DOI: 10.3390/nu15020416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The pandemics of obesity, undernutrition, and climate change represent severe threats to child health. They co-occur; interact with each other to produce sequelae at biological, psychological, or social levels; and share common underlying drivers. In this paper, we review the key issues concerning child diet and nutritional status, focusing on the interactions with climate and food systems. Inadequate infant and young child feeding practices, food insecurity, poverty, and limited access to health services are the leading causes of malnutrition across generations. Food system industrialization and globalization lead to a double burden of malnutrition, whereby undernutrition (i.e., stunting, wasting, and deficiencies in micronutrients) coexists with overweight and obesity, as well as to harmful effects on climate. Climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic are worsening child malnutrition, impacting the main underlying causes (i.e., household food security, dietary diversity, nutrient quality, and access to maternal and child health), as well as the social, economic, and political factors determining food security and nutrition (livelihoods, income, infrastructure resources, and political context). Existing interventions have the potential to be further scaled-up to concurrently address undernutrition, overnutrition, and climate change by cross-cutting education, agriculture, food systems, and social safety nets. Several stakeholders must work co-operatively to improve global sustainable nutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Agostoni
- Pediatric Area, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Mattia Baglioni
- Action Contre la Faim (ACF-France), CEDEX, 93558 Montreuil, France
| | - Adriano La Vecchia
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Molari
- Pediatric Area, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Cristiana Berti
- Pediatric Area, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
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4
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Shokati Amghani M, Savari M, Choobchian S. Vulnerability assessment of Iran's rural-farmer households during COVID-19 pandemic. Front Public Health 2022; 10:994922. [PMID: 36187625 PMCID: PMC9516311 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.994922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused an emergency around the world, especially in rural communities, and imposed great disasters on human societies, so it's devastating effects on mental health indicators, economy, environment, and social relations are known to everyone. But the accurate assessment of its damage to human societies can help to manage this phenomenon during and post-COVID-19 pandemic. To that end, the present study was conducted for vulnerability assessment of wheat farmers to the COVID-19 pandemic in northwest Iran. The main data collection tool in this study was a questionnaire that was designed based on the Me-bar model, but for the accurate vulnerability assessment, new parameters were added based on the theoretical research literature and the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample size was selected from 420 wheat farmers living in East Azerbaijan Province, the northwest of Iran, using the Kerjcie and Morgan's table. The results showed that for economic vulnerability, the rural poverty was the most important cause of vulnerability of the studied rural households and access to information was most important cause of social vulnerability. Also, the results showed that for psychological vulnerability, the self-efficacy was the most important cause of vulnerability. In other results, irrigation parameters of agricultural lands were the most important cause of environmental vulnerability. The study results showed that the studied farmers have experienced high levels of vulnerability and were strongly affected by economic, social, psychological, and environmental damages. Moreover, the results showed that the farmers of Shabestar and Maragheh had the highest level of vulnerability. In general, the study results can provide policymakers with new insights into the field of COVID-19 pandemic management because the vulnerability of farmers has been identified using 39 parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Shokati Amghani
- Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, College of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University (TMU), Tehran, Iran
| | - Moslem Savari
- Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan, Mollasani, Iran
| | - Shahla Choobchian
- Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, College of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University (TMU), Tehran, Iran
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5
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Haque MK, Zaman MRU, Rahman MA, Hossain MY, Shurid TI, Rimi TA, Arby H, Rabbany MG. A review on impacts of COVID-19 on global agricultural system and Scope for Bangladesh after pandemic. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:54060-54071. [PMID: 35655010 PMCID: PMC9162110 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-21016-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on the global food production system. Large-scale food producing countries restricted exports for food sovereignty, while small and import-dependent countries are at risk. After COVID-19 pandemic, integrated and planned action is necessary to overcome this global stalemate. In this review paper, we have tried to show the damage caused to global agriculture as well as in Bangladesh due to COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, the prospects and tasks of Bangladesh in the post-pandemic global economy have also been discussed. Due to the middlemen-based marketing system in Bangladesh, farmers have been deprived of their profits from the early period. The government should move forward with a long-term planning to find alternative food market such as processing and export alongside the one-way marketing system. On the other hand, it will benefit the farmers' community of Bangladesh, as well as ensure global food security after this pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md. Kamrul Haque
- Institute of Bangabandhu War of Liberation Bangladesh Studies (IBLBS), Dhaka, 1209 Bangladesh
| | | | - Md. Ashekur Rahman
- Department of Fisheries, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205 Bangladesh
| | - Md. Yeamin Hossain
- Department of Fisheries, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205 Bangladesh
| | | | | | - Hafiza Arby
- Department of Business Administration and Management, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Patuakhali, 8602 Bangladesh
| | - Md. Ghulam Rabbany
- Department of Agribusiness & Marketing, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, 1207 Bangladesh
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6
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Szente V, Fertő I, Benedek Z. Growing couch potatoes? The impact of COVID-19 in the light of personal values in Hungary. AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD ECONOMICS 2022; 10:11. [PMID: 35378974 PMCID: PMC8968773 DOI: 10.1186/s40100-022-00217-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has unprecedentedly affected consumer behaviour. This paper reflects on changes in food consumption, buying, and training (working out) habits using a representative sample of 1000 Hungarian consumers and identifies consumer segments with unique needs based on personal sources of motivation. The widely known Schwartz Portrait Value Questionnaire was used to characterize individual value profiles. Employing k-medians clustering, three clusters were identified. "Business-as-usual People" managed to maintain their daily routines. The frequency of buying local food decreased the least among them. The sedentary lifestyle of the next cluster, "Inactive savers", appears to have been accompanied by a lower level of food intake. Accordingly, this group was possibly less subject to the negative impacts of obesity, but more in need of psychological support to avoid devastating mental health outcomes. The third cluster initially appeared to encompass "Couch Potatoes" based on their COVID-induced lifestyles. However, the analysis of the value portraits of the latter showed that they were not couch potatoes at all, but rather active and proactive "Stay-at-home Businesspeople" who may benefit from guidance regarding how to manage the increase in housekeeping and childcare, and how to become more physically active in the home environment. The results are valuable from both a scientific and practical perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktória Szente
- Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kaposvár, 7400 Hungary
| | - Imre Fertő
- Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kaposvár, 7400 Hungary
- Centre for Economic and Regional Studies, Budapest, 1097 Hungary
| | - Zsófia Benedek
- Centre for Economic and Regional Studies, Budapest, 1097 Hungary
- John von Neumann University, Hungarian National Bank—Research Center, Kecskemét, 6000 Hungary
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Pham A, García Martínez JB, Brynych V, Stormbjorne R, Pearce JM, Denkenberger DC. Nutrition in Abrupt Sunlight Reduction Scenarios: Envisioning Feasible Balanced Diets on Resilient Foods. Nutrients 2022; 14:492. [PMID: 35276851 PMCID: PMC8839908 DOI: 10.3390/nu14030492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Abrupt sunlight reduction scenarios (ASRS) following catastrophic events, such as a nuclear war, a large volcanic eruption or an asteroid strike, could prompt global agricultural collapse. There are low-cost foods that could be made available in an ASRS: resilient foods. Nutritionally adequate combinations of these resilient foods are investigated for different stages of a scenario with an effective response, based on existing technology. While macro- and micronutrient requirements were overall met, some-potentially chronic-deficiencies were identified (e.g., vitamins D, E and K). Resilient sources of micronutrients for mitigating these and other potential deficiencies are presented. The results of this analysis suggest that no life-threatening micronutrient deficiencies or excesses would necessarily be present given preparation to deploy resilient foods and an effective response. Careful preparedness and planning-such as stock management and resilient food production ramp-up-is indispensable for an effective response that not only allows for fulfilling people's energy requirements, but also prevents severe malnutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alix Pham
- Alliance to Feed the Earth in Disasters (ALLFED), Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA; (J.B.G.M.); (V.B.); (R.S.); (J.M.P.); (D.C.D.)
| | - Juan B. García Martínez
- Alliance to Feed the Earth in Disasters (ALLFED), Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA; (J.B.G.M.); (V.B.); (R.S.); (J.M.P.); (D.C.D.)
| | - Vojtech Brynych
- Alliance to Feed the Earth in Disasters (ALLFED), Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA; (J.B.G.M.); (V.B.); (R.S.); (J.M.P.); (D.C.D.)
| | - Ratheka Stormbjorne
- Alliance to Feed the Earth in Disasters (ALLFED), Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA; (J.B.G.M.); (V.B.); (R.S.); (J.M.P.); (D.C.D.)
| | - Joshua M. Pearce
- Alliance to Feed the Earth in Disasters (ALLFED), Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA; (J.B.G.M.); (V.B.); (R.S.); (J.M.P.); (D.C.D.)
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Western University, London, ON N6A 5B9, Canada
| | - David C. Denkenberger
- Alliance to Feed the Earth in Disasters (ALLFED), Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA; (J.B.G.M.); (V.B.); (R.S.); (J.M.P.); (D.C.D.)
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
- Alaska Center for Energy and Power, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
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8
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Wang Z, Hirai S, Kawamura S. Challenges and Opportunities in Robotic Food Handling: A Review. Front Robot AI 2022; 8:789107. [PMID: 35096983 PMCID: PMC8794010 DOI: 10.3389/frobt.2021.789107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite developments in robotics and automation technologies, several challenges need to be addressed to fulfill the high demand for automating various manufacturing processes in the food industry. In our opinion, these challenges can be classified as: the development of robotic end-effectors to cope with large variations of food products with high practicality and low cost, recognition of food products and materials in 3D scenario, better understanding of fundamental information of food products including food categorization and physical properties from the viewpoint of robotic handling. In this review, we first introduce the challenges in robotic food handling and then highlight the advances in robotic end-effectors, food recognition, and fundamental information of food products related to robotic food handling. Finally, future research directions and opportunities are discussed based on an analysis of the challenges and state-of-the-art developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongkui Wang
- Research Organization of Science and Technology, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Japan
- *Correspondence: Zhongkui Wang,
| | - Shinichi Hirai
- Department of Robotics, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Japan
| | - Sadao Kawamura
- Department of Robotics, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Japan
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9
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Panghal A, Mor RS, Kamble SS, Khan SAR, Kumar D, Soni G. Global food security post COVID-19: Dearth or dwell in the developing world? AGRONOMY JOURNAL 2022. [PMID: 34898672 DOI: 10.1002/agj2.20515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Today, global food systems are highly susceptible to food safety risks, economic shocks, price volatility, and natural disasters and pandemics, such as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). This paper draws from research on food and nutritional security, food fraud and associated economic ecosystem, and the disruptions due to COVID-19 for socio-economic inequality globally. It is concluded that the safety risks have pushed enforcement of measures to reduce food supplies, adversely impacting food availability. Also, COVID-19 is likely to raise fleeting food security and nutritional concerns across the globe, resulting in rises in poverty and food fraud, limiting food supply and access. Accelerated investments intended to develop more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient food systems will help shrink the effect of the pandemic and, hence, offer a way to control the foreseen food security crisis and economic growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anupama Panghal
- National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) Kundli, Sonepat 131028 India
| | - Rahul S Mor
- National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) Kundli, Sonepat 131028 India
| | | | - Syed Abdul Rehman Khan
- School of Management and Engineering Xuzhou Univ. of Technology Xuzhou China
- Dep. of Business Administration ILMA Univ. Karachi Pakistan
| | - Dinesh Kumar
- National Institute of Technology Jamshedpur 831014 India
| | - Gunjan Soni
- Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur 302017 India
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10
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Panghal A, Mor RS, Kamble SS, Khan SAR, Kumar D, Soni G. Global food security post COVID-19: Dearth or dwell in the developing world? AGRONOMY JOURNAL 2022; 114:878-884. [PMID: 34898672 PMCID: PMC8652706 DOI: 10.1002/agj2.20932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Today, global food systems are highly susceptible to food safety risks, economic shocks, price volatility, and natural disasters and pandemics, such as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). This paper draws from research on food and nutritional security, food fraud and associated economic ecosystem, and the disruptions due to COVID-19 for socio-economic inequality globally. It is concluded that the safety risks have pushed enforcement of measures to reduce food supplies, adversely impacting food availability. Also, COVID-19 is likely to raise fleeting food security and nutritional concerns across the globe, resulting in rises in poverty and food fraud, limiting food supply and access. Accelerated investments intended to develop more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient food systems will help shrink the effect of the pandemic and, hence, offer a way to control the foreseen food security crisis and economic growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anupama Panghal
- National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM)Kundli, Sonepat131028India
| | - Rahul S Mor
- National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM)Kundli, Sonepat131028India
| | | | - Syed Abdul Rehman Khan
- School of Management and EngineeringXuzhou Univ. of TechnologyXuzhouChina
- Dep. of Business AdministrationILMA Univ.KarachiPakistan
| | - Dinesh Kumar
- National Institute of TechnologyJamshedpur831014India
| | - Gunjan Soni
- Malaviya National Institute of TechnologyJaipur302017India
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Kakaei H, Nourmoradi H, Bakhtiyari S, Jalilian M, Mirzaei A. Effect of COVID-19 on food security, hunger, and food crisis. COVID-19 AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS 2022. [PMCID: PMC9335023 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-91307-2.00005-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 affected the world’s socioeconomic and food security more than other infectious diseases. In many countries, food industries’ workers were moderated because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused food factories to reduce or slow down their production. Airline closures, national and international restrictions, and lockdowns have severely disrupted the food supply chain. These, along with structural weaknesses in the world food system such as production, distribution, access, and stability in the food chain, have exposed more people to the food crisis and acute hunger in the world. Therefore it is necessary to use proper planning by governmental organizations and charities in the field of food supply in critical situations.
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13
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Policies for Rapid Mitigation of the Crisis’ Effects on Agricultural Supply Chains: A Multi-Criteria Decision Support System with Monte Carlo Simulation. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su132111899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
This paper proposes an integrated approach towards rapid decision-making in the agricultural sector aimed at improvement of its resilience. Methodologically, we seek to devise a framework that is able to take the uncertainty regarding policy preferences into account. Empirically, we focus on the effects of COVID-19 on agriculture. First, we propose a multi-criteria decision-making framework following the Pugh matrix approach for group decision-making. The Monte Carlo simulation is used to check the effects of the perturbations in the criteria weights. Then, we identify the factors behind agricultural resilience and organize them into the three groups (food security, agricultural viability, decent jobs). The expert survey is carried out to elicit the ratings in regard to the expected effects of the policy measures with respect to dimensions of agricultural resilience. The case of Lithuania is considered in the empirical analysis. The existing and newly proposed agricultural policy measures are taken into account. The measures related to alleviation of the financial burden (e.g., credit payment deferral) appear to be the most effective in accordance with the expert ratings.
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14
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Varyvoda Y, Cederstrom T, Borberg J, Taren D. Enabling Food Safety Entrepreneurship: Exploratory Case Studies From Nepal, Senegal, and Ethiopia. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2021.742908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Today, formal and informal enterprises are increasingly contributing to the safety and nutritional ramifications of their food business activities. Enabling entrepreneurship in a sustainable manner means making profits, striving to prevent ingress of harmful substances, and increasing the efficiency of using local natural resources and thus mitigating food hazardous footprints. Using examples from Nepal, Senegal and Ethiopia, this review provides information on microbial and chemical contamination and food adulteration that lead to having unsafe food in the market and on factors that are limiting growing food businesses. Four examples for how to accelerate food safety entrepreneurship are presented that include safely diversifying markets with animal sourced foods, sustainably using neglected and underutilized animal sources, expanding, and integrating innovative technologies with traditional practice and using digital technology to improving monitoring and safety along the food supply chain.
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Abstract
This article investigates the impact of information and communication technologies (ICTs), human capital, institutional settings, socio-economic, and environmental parameters on sustainable innovation (SI) using archival data for 127 economies from 2008 to 2017. We developed an econometrics research framework for investigating factors influencing SI on a global scale. We found that ICT variables, such as ICT access and ICT broadband network, positively influence sustainable innovation in conjunction with the socio-economic and political parameters. Despite differences among economies in terms of ICTs, socio-economic development, and educational attainment, ICTs are the significant drivers of sustainable innovation and economic growth. We observed a growing digital divide among nations within the context of the knowledge-based economy and the expansion of digital commerce, particularly in the least developed countries and Africa, a phenomenon impeding sustainable innovation growth. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that empirically investigates the global digital divide from sustainable innovation perspectives. The results of this study suggest that to tackle the digital divide issues, policymakers and educational institutes need to perform constructive educational reform in higher education curricula, particularly concerning STEM programs, which should reflect the necessary skills and competencies for deploying emergent technologies. In addition, ICT should be considered part of a country’s critical infrastructure, particularly investment in the broadband networks regarded as the backbone of today’s innovation.
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Agyemang P, Kwofie EM. Response-to-Failure Analysis of Global Food System Initiatives: A Resilience Perspective. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2021.676997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
International food system initiatives have led the efforts to combat the threats to global food security resulting from the failure of the current food systems. This study set out to investigate and assess the contributions of global food system initiatives in tackling the food system challenges. In assessing the food system initiatives, we develop a three-step methodology for Food System Initiative (FSI) selection and then conduct a qualitative evaluation using relevant indicators based on food system failure narratives. Furthermore, the authors synthesize present literature in the context of the extent to which coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has compounded food system challenges and, together with the response-to-failure analysis, recreate a resilient transformational framework, which will be an invaluable tool to FSI during and after the COVID-19 era, and guarantee we build back better. The findings show that while considerable effort is being made in addressing food system failures, the current COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the challenges and would require a paradigm shift not only in the implementation of conventional food system initiatives but also in the role of food system actors. The food system resilience framework presented provides useful pathway in expanding the understanding of the role of all key stakeholders and in identifying tipping points for building the desired resilience moving forward.
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Razzaq A, Kaur P, Akhter N, Wani SH, Saleem F. Next-Generation Breeding Strategies for Climate-Ready Crops. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:620420. [PMID: 34367194 PMCID: PMC8336580 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.620420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is a threat to global food security due to the reduction of crop productivity around the globe. Food security is a matter of concern for stakeholders and policymakers as the global population is predicted to bypass 10 billion in the coming years. Crop improvement via modern breeding techniques along with efficient agronomic practices innovations in microbiome applications, and exploiting the natural variations in underutilized crops is an excellent way forward to fulfill future food requirements. In this review, we describe the next-generation breeding tools that can be used to increase crop production by developing climate-resilient superior genotypes to cope with the future challenges of global food security. Recent innovations in genomic-assisted breeding (GAB) strategies allow the construction of highly annotated crop pan-genomes to give a snapshot of the full landscape of genetic diversity (GD) and recapture the lost gene repertoire of a species. Pan-genomes provide new platforms to exploit these unique genes or genetic variation for optimizing breeding programs. The advent of next-generation clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat/CRISPR-associated (CRISPR/Cas) systems, such as prime editing, base editing, and de nova domestication, has institutionalized the idea that genome editing is revamped for crop improvement. Also, the availability of versatile Cas orthologs, including Cas9, Cas12, Cas13, and Cas14, improved the editing efficiency. Now, the CRISPR/Cas systems have numerous applications in crop research and successfully edit the major crop to develop resistance against abiotic and biotic stress. By adopting high-throughput phenotyping approaches and big data analytics tools like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), agriculture is heading toward automation or digitalization. The integration of speed breeding with genomic and phenomic tools can allow rapid gene identifications and ultimately accelerate crop improvement programs. In addition, the integration of next-generation multidisciplinary breeding platforms can open exciting avenues to develop climate-ready crops toward global food security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Razzaq
- Centre of Agricultural Biochemistry and Biotechnology (CABB), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Parwinder Kaur
- UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Naheed Akhter
- College of Allied Health Professional, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Shabir Hussain Wani
- Mountain Research Center for Field Crops, Khudwani, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Srinagar, India
| | - Fozia Saleem
- Centre of Agricultural Biochemistry and Biotechnology (CABB), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
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18
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Rasul G. A Framework for Addressing the Twin Challenges of COVID-19 and Climate Change for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in South Asia. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2021.679037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate change has begun to ravage agriculture and threaten food security in many parts of the world. The novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has further disrupted agricultural activities and supply chains and has become a serious threat for public health. Like in many developing countries, South Asian farmers are now facing the double challenge of addressing the impacts of a changing climate and managing the disruptions caused by COVID-19. Despite growing concern, there is limited understanding of how climate change, public health, and COVID-19 interact, and of the possible pathways to achieving a climate-friendly recovery from COVID-19 to achieve food and nutrition security. In view of this, this paper explores the multifaceted challenges that farmers are now facing in South Asia due to climate change and the disruption caused by COVID-19 from the agricultural and food security lens. The analysis reveals that the complex interactions of COVID-19 and climate change have impacted all dimensions of food security. These interlinkages demand an integrated approach in dealing with food, public health, and climate change to harness synergies and minimize trade-offs between food production, public health, and climate mitigation. I present a framework to address the immediate challenge of COVID-19 and the longer-term challenge of anthropogenic climate change. Key elements of the framework include the strengthening health sector response capacities, strengthening of local and regional food systems, making agriculture resilient to pandemics, adopting flexible and smart approaches—including the implementation of climate-smart agricultural interventions on different scales, promotion of appropriate research and innovation, and the integration of short-term support to address the challenges of COVID-19 to build long-term productivity, and resilience of food systems by investing on natural capital. This framework would enable policy makers to choose the appropriate policy responses at different scales, to address these twin challenges of COVID-19 and climate change.
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Pirasteh-Anosheh H, Parnian A, Spasiano D, Race M, Ashraf M. Haloculture: A system to mitigate the negative impacts of pandemics on the environment, society and economy, emphasizing COVID-19. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 198:111228. [PMID: 33971127 PMCID: PMC8110177 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) is a global pandemic that started in China in 2019 and has negatively affected all economic sectors of the world, including agriculture. However, according to estimates in different countries, agriculture has suffered less than other sectors such as construction, industry and tourism, so agricultural development can be a good option to compensate for the economic damage caused to other sectors. The quality of available water and soil resources for agricultural development is not only limited, but is also decreasing incrementally, so the use of saline and unconventional soil and water resources is inevitable. Biosaline agriculture or haloculture is a system in which highly saline water and soil resources are used sustainably for the economic production of agricultural crops. It seems that in the current situation of the world (with COVID-19's impact on agriculture on the one hand and the quantitative and qualitative decline of freshwater and soil on the other), haloculture with a re-reading of territorial capabilities has good potential to provide a part of human food supply. In this review article, the potential of haloculture to offset the adverse impacts of the pandemic is analyzed from five perspectives: increasing the area under cultivation, using unconventional water, stabilizing dust centers, increasing the body's immune resistance, and reducing losses in agribusiness due to the coronavirus. Overall, haloculture is an essential system, which COVID-19 has accelerated in the agricultural sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadi Pirasteh-Anosheh
- National Salinity Research Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Yazd, 8917357676, Iran.
| | - Amir Parnian
- National Salinity Research Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Yazd, 8917357676, Iran
| | - Danilo Spasiano
- Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building Engineering and Chemistry, Polytechnic University of Bari, Bari, 70125, Italy
| | - Marco Race
- Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Cassino, 03043, Italy.
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20
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Need for a balance between short food supply chains and integrated food processing sectors: COVID-19 takeaways from India. Journal of Food Science and Technology 2021; 58:3667-3675. [PMID: 33424033 PMCID: PMC7786880 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-020-04942-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
India is an agrarian country with a long history of traditional food processing practices and Short food supply chains (SFSC). However, last few decades saw a huge investment and steady increase in large scale integrated food processing units to combat globalization, food security and India’s export demands. Recent outbreak of COVID-19 has manifested the drawbacks in the existing production and supply chain system with a wide range of issues and enforces the need for a more balanced approach. This scenario can be commonly observed in many other agrarian developing nations. This article discusses various issues concerning the existing integrated food processing sectors such as high energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and food insecurity during disasters and pandemic outbreaks. Moreover, we emphasise a more sustainable approach with a better balance and understanding between SFSC and integrated food processing. A potential solution in this scenario would be, rejuvenating SFSC and traditional food processing approaches along with integrated food processing units. An approach of this kind, opens up new possibilities for a next generation process-supply system.
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21
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Food Security during the Pandemic and the Importance of the Bioeconomy in the New Era. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su13010150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
One of the biggest challenges in managing the food sector during a pandemic crisis is sustaining a robust food security system and adopting the right strategies in correlating the consumers’ needs and requirements with those of food safety, the producers, the distribution chain, the economic environment, and waste management. The restrictions on people’s global movement, commodities, and services and the measures taken to reduce the spread of COVID-19 have disrupted food environments around the world and forced us to collectively redesign and optimize our systems using existing resources from a more sustainable perspective. This paper offers an overview of the implications of COVID-19 for the food supply chain and discusses several potential strategies for tackling short- and long-term adverse effects resulting from the pandemic.
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22
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Henry RJ, Furtado A, Rangan P. Pathways of Photosynthesis in Non-Leaf Tissues. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:E438. [PMID: 33276443 PMCID: PMC7760132 DOI: 10.3390/biology9120438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Plants have leaves as specialised organs that capture light energy by photosynthesis. However, photosynthesis is also found in other plant organs. Photosynthesis may be found in the petiole, stems, flowers, fruits, and seeds. All photosynthesis can contribute to the capture of carbon and growth of the plant. The benefit to the plant of photosynthesis in these other tissues or organs may often be associated with the need to re-capture carbon especially in storage organs that have high respiration rates. Some plants that conduct C3 photosynthesis in the leaves have been reported to use C4 photosynthesis in petioles, stems, flowers, fruits, or seeds. These pathways of non-leaf photosynthesis may be especially important in supporting plant growth under stress and may be a key contributor to plant growth and survival. Pathways of photosynthesis have directionally evolved many times in different plant lineages in response to environmental selection and may also have differentiated in specific parts of the plant. This consideration may be useful in the breeding of crop plants with enhanced performance in response to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. Henry
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (A.F.); (P.R.)
| | - Agnelo Furtado
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (A.F.); (P.R.)
| | - Parimalan Rangan
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (A.F.); (P.R.)
- Division of Genomic Resources, ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi 110012, India
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23
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Abstract
COVID-19 and the restrictive measures towards containing the spread of its infections have seriously affected the agricultural workforce and jeopardized food security. The present study aims at assessing the COVID-19 pandemic impacts on agricultural labor and suggesting strategies to mitigate them. To this end, after an introduction to the pandemic background, the negative consequences on agriculture and the existing mitigation policies, risks to the agricultural workers were benchmarked across the United States’ Standard Occupational Classification system. The individual tasks associated with each occupation in agricultural production were evaluated on the basis of potential COVID-19 infection risk. As criteria, the most prevalent virus transmission mechanisms were considered, namely the possibility of touching contaminated surfaces and the close proximity of workers. The higher risk occupations within the sector were identified, which facilitates the allocation of worker protection resources to the occupations where they are most needed. In particular, the results demonstrated that 50% of the agricultural workforce and 54% of the workers’ annual income are at moderate to high risk. As a consequence, a series of control measures need to be adopted so as to enhance the resilience and sustainability of the sector as well as protect farmers including physical distancing, hygiene practices, and personal protection equipment.
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