scholarly journals Socio-economic impact of Jatropha-based biofuel promotion on rural livelihoods in northern Tanzania

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moses Olotu
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Rural Livelihoods ◽  
Cash Crop ◽  
Biofuel Crops

Abstract Background In recent years, there have been global concerns regarding the continuous use of non-renewable fossil fuels as the major source of energy. The utilization of non-renewable fossil fuels has negative effects on global warming and climate change. So far, efforts to curb the situations have tended to focus on promoting alternative renewable energy sources such as the use of biofuels to cut down emissions of green house gases. However, the production of biofuel crops has become an issue of concern in many developing countries. This is because the expansion of land for biofuel crops cultivation is directly linked to food security and the livelihoods of rural communities. The present study, therefore, aimed to evaluate the contribution of non-food biofuel crops (Jatropha curcas) to the improvement of rural household livelihoods and its impacts on food security. A survey was conducted in 84 households in Arumeru and Siha Districts in the northern Tanzania.Results The results revealed that the introduction of Jatropha as a cash crop had no significant impact on the rural livelihoods since the five capitals of the framework have not optimally been utilised despite their presence. It was further revealed that Jatropha cultivation has not affected food security. This is contrary to fears that biofuels could generally have a negative impact on food security especially in developing countries. The crop had not been regarded as a cash crop or a biofuel; thus, a very little percentage of land owned by the respondents had been allocated for its cultivation. The importance of Jatropha in the study area has yet to be recognised and given the special attention it requires.Conclusions It can be concluded that, the current situation does not indicate any significant impact of Jatropha cultivation on food security. However, it has little contribution to livelihood improvement of the smallholder farmers. Therefore, research on the improvement of Jatropha productivity under optimum conditions and pricing should be further undertaken in different areas of the country.

scholarly journals Digital Transformations in Agri-Food Systems: Innovation Drivers and New Threats to Sustainable Rural Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 100 ◽  
pp. 03002
Author(s):  
Olena Borodina ◽  
Oksana Rykovska ◽  
Oksana Mykhailenko ◽  
Oleksii Fraier
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Rural Livelihoods ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Sustainable Rural Development ◽  
Development Goals

The paper proves that sweeping digital transformations are a global trend in agri-food development. Significantly improved economic efficiency, rational use of natural resources, operational exchange of relevant information, new markets, and economic opportunities under modern climate change are possible owing to digital transformations. It is grounded that the elimination of world hunger based on the provided internal food security and secured rural communities should be the primary goal of the digital innovations in agri-food systems within Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The paper states that along with the significant benefits of digital technologies, the great destructive impact on the overall societal development is possible due to the corporate monopolization of digital processes. Thus, there is the risk of the development of food systems, which are characterized by decreasing in the food supply, loss of biodiversity and rural livelihoods. Proposals to mitigate the threats of digitalization, strengthen internal food security and enhance the development of rural communities through information and communication technologies (ICT) are substantiated. The specific of the agri-food digitalization in Ukraine is outlined, which is determined by the duality of the organizational structure of agriculture (corporate and individual sector) with a tendency to the concentration of land, power, and financial resources in favor of corporations expanding opportunities for digitalization. Appropriate safety measures to mitigate the negative impact on the development of small producers, rural areas, and Ukrainian society are identified.

Food Security and Rural Livelihoods in the Doldrums: Exploring Alternatives for Sanyati through Sustainable Development Goals

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tinashe Mitchell Mashizha ◽  
Munyaradzi Admire Dzvimbo
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Rural Livelihoods ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Food Security And Nutrition

The topical issue of sustainable development has received significant attention from scholars, social commentators and decision-makers, yet it seems there is a gap with regard to the examination of alternatives and sustainable methods of combating food insecurity. This article makes a number of observations that point to a deepening food insecurity, and it makes recommendations to avert further catastrophes. Findings from the study indicate that the Sanyati district in Zimbabwe faces perennial food shortages and relies on government food handouts, drought relief and donor food aid. The study found that command agriculture (a government initiative) is perceived as a catalyst for ensuring food security and nutrition and enhancing self-sufficiency among smallholder farmers in rural communities. Knowledge of sustainable development goals can lead to an expanded understanding of food security in general and the manifestations of alternative rural livelihoods strategies in particular. In this article, we recommend the implementation of climate-smart agriculture at local and national levels to help farmers adapt to the changing climatic conditions. However, there is a need to make subsidised inputs available in time so as to increase household adaptive capacity and improve livelihoods.

scholarly journals Impact of Crystallography on Design of Cathode Materials for Li-ion Batteries

2014 ◽  
Vol 70 (a1) ◽  
pp. C20-C20
Author(s):  
Evgeny Antipov ◽  
Nellie Khasanova
Keyword(s):  
Transition Metal ◽  
Cathode Materials ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Li Ion Batteries ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Storage Devices ◽  
Li Ion

Ninety percent of the energy produced today come from fossil fuels, making dramatically negative impact on our future due to rapid consumption of these energy sources, ecological damage and climate change. This justifies development of the renewable energy sources and concurrently efficient large storage devices capable to replace fossil fuels. Li-ion batteries have originally been developed for portable electronic devices, but nowadays new application niches are envisaged in electric vehicles and stationary energy storages. However, to satisfy the needs of these rapidly growing applications, Li-ion batteries require further significant improvement of their properties: capacity and power, cyclability, safety and cost. Cathode is the key part of the Li-ion batteries largely determining their performance. Severe requirements are imposed on a cathode material, which should provide fast reversible intercalation of Li-ions at redox potential close to the upper boundary of electrolyte stability window, possess relatively low molecular weight and exhibit small volume variation upon changing Li-concentration. First generation of the cathode materials for the Li-ion batteries based on the spinel (LiM2O4, M – transition metal) or rock-salt derivatives (LiMO2) has already been widely commercialised. However, the potential to further improve the performance of these materials is almost exhausted. The compounds, containing lithium and transition metal cations together with different polyanions (XmOn)p- (X=B, P, S, Si), are now considered as the most promising cathode materials for the next generation of the Li-ion batteries. Covalently-bonded structural frameworks in these compounds offer long-term structural stability, which is essential for good cyclability and safety. Further advantages are expected from combining different anions (such as (XO4)p- and F- ) in the anion sublattice, with the hope to enhance the specific energy and power of these materials. Various fluoride-phosphates and fluoride-sulphates have been recently discovered, and some of them exhibit attractive electrochemical performance. An overview of the research on the cathode materials for the Li-ion batteries will be presented with special emphasis on crystallography as a guide towards improved properties important for practical applications.

scholarly journals The Market Channel Preference Among Smallholder Cocoyam Farmers in South Africa: A Food Security Perspective

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Nwafor
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Information Provision ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Channel Choice ◽  
Bargaining Position ◽  
Channel Preference ◽  
Logit Regression Model ◽  
Market Channel

Market channel choice makes important contributions to the incomes and other livelihood attributes among smallholder farmers in developing countries. Often considered from a number of perspectives, the dominant view articulated suggests an advantageous integration into formal market channels. This position is questioned as it has implications for smallholder farmers’ food security and rural incomes. Using a mixed methods approach, the study collected primary data from 174 smallholder farmers and applied both a descriptive and multinomial logit regression model to analyze factors contributing to cocoyam production and market channel choices among respondents in the study area. Findings indicate that financial returns and available markets were key factors in cocoyam production, while amount received was a driver of market channel choice among 89% of respondents who sold directly at farm-gate. Farmers’ age (p=0.044), household size (p=0.043), distance to market (p=0.021), additional income (p=0.017) and amount received (p=0.014) were significant variables (p<.05) in the determinants of market channel choice. The study recommended improving market information provision and strengthening farmer associations which will enable smallholder farmers in rural communities to make informed choices with respect to produce price, access other markets and consolidate their collective market bargaining position.

Food security though public stockholdings and trade distortions

2018 ◽  
Vol 120 (5) ◽  
pp. 1089-1105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tekuni Nakuja ◽  
William A. Kerr
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Security Risk ◽  
High Food ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Empirical Estimates ◽  
Trade Model ◽  
Potential Impact

Purpose The issue of subsidized acquisition of food stocks for food security purposes has become a contentious issue at the World Trade Organization (WTO) due to their potential impact on international trade. The purpose of this paper is to provide estimates of the effects on trade of stockholding programs designed specifically to meet a food security objective. Design/methodology/approach A spatial-temporal trade model is developed and then the effects of stockholding policies which satisfy food security goals are simulated and compared to the case where stockholdings are not allowed. Findings The results suggest that if stockholding policies that satisfy food security goals are allowed in the case of all importing countries and all G-33 developing countries trade will increase significantly during the stock acquisition phase but will have a negative impact on trade during stock disposal. If stockholding policies are restricted to small high food security risk countries, however, the impacts on trade would not be large enough to be of international concern. Originality/value The results suggests that a permanent solution at the WTO might lie in exemptions for small high food security risk countries rather than a one size fits all rule applied to all developing countries. Trade policy makers have been charged with finding a permanent solution to the issue of subsidized public stockholdings for food security purposes but have been hampered, in part, by a dearth of empirical estimates of the effect of such stockholdings on trade. This paper informs the negotiations.

scholarly journals Risks of switching to renewable energy sources

2021 ◽  
Vol 101 ◽  
pp. 01010
Author(s):  
E.S. Romanova ◽  
A.A. Masalkova
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
International Treaties ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Co2

This research work is devoted to the issue of studying the key risks of switching to renewable energy sources. The relevance of the topic of work is determined by the fact that, according to climatologists [5], climate change, which has a negative impact on the environment, is caused by the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2). For this reason, measures to prevent or reduce greenhouse gas emissions are at the heart of the energy transition. International treaties such as the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement lay the foundations for global action to combat climate change and implement a fourth energy transition. The energy transition is characterized by a number of incentives and barriers. Despite the fact that there are many scenarios for the development of the global energy sector by 2050, the expected transformations of the energy market lead to a significant redistribution of the ratio of the shares of hydrocarbon sources and renewable energy sources [16]. The trend towards fossil fuels is on the rise. These transformations in the market are determined not only by the climate agenda, but also by the concept of sustainable economic development.

scholarly journals Perception analysis of climate change and adaptations by smallholder farmers in Nepal

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 104-110
Author(s):  
NP Ghimire ◽  
M Aryal ◽  
PP Regmi ◽  
RB Thapa ◽  
KR Pande ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Response Strategies ◽  
Negative Impacts

Climate change is posturing warning on present and future food security in low income countries. But, the actual effect of the climate change is still unknown. This study examined the farmer’s perception on climate change and strategies employed to adapt using primary and secondary data collected through household survey and reported by government. Statistical analysis is used for exploring the adaptations by farmers for the negative impact of climate change on domestic production of major cereals crops. The results are discussed at district level empirically and major variables are found statistically significant. This study conclude that there is a need for adaptations strategy by government authority in environmental management and agricultural sustainability in Nepal to come to terms with negative impacts of climate change and likely positive and beneficial response strategies to global warming. The paper suggests some policy measures for improving adaptations and food security situation in the country and open up some areas for further research.

scholarly journals Support for smallholder farmers through Islamic instruments

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 154-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ishrat Hossain ◽  
Aliyu Dahiru Muhammad ◽  
Binta Tijjani Jibril ◽  
Simeon Kaitibie
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Fair Price ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Income Uncertainty ◽  
Institutional Demand

Purpose In societies with strong presence of Islam, Islamic instruments with more scope for fairness and equity can be innovatively harnessed to play an increasing role in the development process and poverty alleviation schemes. Poor smallholder farmers dominate agricultural production in many developing countries and contribute a significant portion of global food production. This paper aims to develop a scheme to improve poor smallholder farmers’ vulnerable financial situation through the application of Zakah and Salam contract, using Bangladesh as a case study. Secondary goals are to show the effect of the scheme on food security and relevance to Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach The authors explore the existing traditional modes of financing available to poor smallholders, identify their challenges and propose an appropriate Islamic financing scheme. Findings With the Zakah-based Salam forward contract, the proposed scheme would procure food through Institutional Demand to offer interest free financing, fair price and access to new marketing channels and reduce income uncertainty for the rural smallholders. The discussions indicate that the local food security will be enhanced through incentivized farming activities and disbursement of food from the food bank to the Zakah-eligible food insecure local people. Research limitations/implications This proposal brings forth a potentially powerful idea that needs further empirical validation. Originality/value The religion-based Institutional Demand initiative to promote smallholder agricultural development and social protection is a novel one. The attempt to apply the framework to Nigeria context shows the potential of the framework to generalize for other Muslim developing countries with similar characteristics, especially the poorer agriculture-based countries.

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