Search results for "Food Security"
showing 10 items of 80 documents
Agricultural Insurances and Food Security. The New Climate Change Challenges
2015
Abstract Food security is one of the highest problems that the governments have to face in the third millennium. The complexity of this problem justifies the performance of researches, in view of finding viable solutions, not only in agriculture, but in other branches of activity too. Among them, the field of insurances is to be noted by its struggles to adapt to the new challenges. This paper tries to clarify the way in which insurances may become a key factor for the food security and addresses the following issues: food security factors; factors impacting on the development of agricultural insurances, risks connected to the agricultural activities and the way in which the insurance prote…
The land grabbing in the international scenario: the role of the EU in land grabbing
2016
The worldwide increase in population and consumption has produced a growing demand for food and energy in the rich and developing Countries. The resulting intensification of land investments, to cope with this need, has in many cases produced investments without transparency rules and it hasn't created real development for local people. The aim of this paper is to identify, through a cluster analysis, homogeneous groups of investor Countries in order to understand the role of the EU Member States in the context of land grabbing. The results show that the strategies adopted by the investors are driven by the need to achieve energy security and reduce CO2 emissions in order to cope with the p…
The interdisciplinary nature of <i>SOIL</i>
2015
Abstract. The holistic study of soils requires an interdisciplinary approach involving biologists, chemists, geologists, and physicists, amongst others, something that has been true from the earliest days of the field. In more recent years this list has grown to include anthropologists, economists, engineers, medical professionals, military professionals, sociologists, and even artists. This approach has been strengthened and reinforced as current research continues to use experts trained in both soil science and related fields and by the wide array of issues impacting the world that require an in-depth understanding of soils. Of fundamental importance amongst these issues are biodiversity,…
Human Security versus Human Development - Behavioristic Approach
2016
Abstract Recent terrorist attacks in Brussels, Paris and Istanbul, are shaking a world bewildered of daily fear of violence, while the contemporary consumer has to deal with the “new wars” emerging in the context of the current socio-economic and political context. The issue is especially thorny since, most of the times, the “enemy” the citizens must face is unknown, not only when it comes to terrorist attacks, but also when dealing with the question of the “enemy” in foods purchased for consumption (food security) or the security of personal data when accessing and using the Internet (cyber security). Consequently, this paper attempts to highlight the way in which the safety and security n…
Assessing the Finance and Economics of Resource Recovery and Reuse Solutions Across Scales
2015
The recovery and reuse of wastewater can contribute to reducing poverty, improving food security, improving nutrition and health, and managing natural resources more sustainability to protect ecosystems and build climate resilient communities. Reusing wastewater generates both private and public benefits, yet care must be taken to minimize environmental harm and risks to human health. Assessing the costs and benefits of wastewater use is challenging for decision making. Financial analysis of wastewater and other reuse options can underpin decision making from a business standpoint, and economic analysis provides the information needed to support public policy decisions. In this chapter, we …
Towards a more sustainable food Supply chain: opening up invisible waste in food service
2016
Future challenges to the global food supply chain are complex. In order to embrace sustainability, companies should change their management practices towards more efficient resource use. Food waste being a misuse of resources, we identify its causes and possible ways of minimising it. To achieve this goal, we conducted explorative research with qualitative and quantitative data through in-depth semi-structured interviews and an open questionnaire with top Spanish food service companies. Results show that most businesses mainly tend to minimise food waste according to economic criteria, without taking into account the social, ethical or environmental factors. As a consequence, just “visible”…
Agricultural Value Chain for Food Security: Challenges and Opportunities from SDG2
2019
The objective of this text is to provide non-economists with an analytical tool by which to understand various aspects of how contemporary agriculture and agribusiness systems function. It will begin by outlining Porter’s value chain paradigm and Porter’s value system. Thereafter, there will follow an overview of the meaning of agricultural value chain (AVC) and its main features.
The Cereal Market and the Role of Fermentation in Cereal-Based Food Production in Africa
2014
Cereals represent the main crop in Africa (45% of arable land) and make an important contribution to the human diet in this continent. Cereals for humans are not consumed raw. Fermentation technology is widely used in Africa to transform cereals into edible products as well as to preserve and enhance the nutritional and safety aspects of cereals. In general, in Africa, this process is not controlled and is devoid of good manufacturing practices (GMPs). Spoilage and/or pathogenic microorganisms may compromise the final quality when the fermentation is not controlled. This article focuses on the role that the fermentation process could play in creating safe food conditions in Africa. Taking i…
Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in food safety.
2010
Abstract The use of powerful mass spectrometric detectors in combination with liquid chromatography has played a vital role to solve many problems related to food safety. Since this technique is especially well suited for, but not restricted to the analysis of food contaminants within the food safety area, this review is focused on providing an insight into this field. The basic legislation in different parts of the world is discussed with a focus on the situation within the European Union (EU) and why it favors the use of liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS). Main attention in this review is on the achievements that have been possible because of the latest advances and novelties…
Special issue on Trends and challenges of sustainable irrigated agriculture
2014
In the twenty-first century, the shortage of freshwater is one of the most important environmental concerns facing several regions of the world because of the growing demand of increasing population, agricultural intensification, and economic growth. Global climate change will contribute to exacerbate the problem, generating new drought-prone areas and increasing those already characterized by severe aridity. Worldwide it is estimated that, on average, agriculture accounts for 70% of the total water consumption, compared with 10% for domestic consume and the remaining used by industry. Moreover, according to FAO estimates, by 2050 agricultural production has to increase by 60% to satisfy th…