Subsidy as An Economic Instrument for Environmental Protection: A Case of Global fertilizer Use

Fertilizer subsidies may constitute a key economic tool with which to provide food for the growing population. Therefore, this work aimed to (i) assess the effectiveness of subsidized chemical (NPK) fertilizer use in food production by comparing the crop output between developed and developing regions and (ii) examine the benefits of organic fertilizer and the need for its use in developing regions such as Africa. Secondary data from 2000 to 2019 on global subsidized fertilizer use, crop production, income, and other agro-environmental parameters, such as climate and soil, were collected from the international databases of the World Bank, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Forest Resources Assessment (FRA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and World Income Inequalities Database (WID), as well as countries’ national statistics. Data were analyzed using qualitative, quantitative, and geospatial software and techniques, such as SPSS, averages, multivariate analysis, and spatial analytical Geographic Information System (GIS) tools. The results reveal that the total global fertilizer use continuously increased from 79 million tonnes in 2000 to 125 million tonnes in 2019. Subsidized fertilizer use and crop production increased with countries’ economic status. For example, countries or regions with more economic resources tended to have higher fertilizer subsidies. More than 95% of North American and European countries recorded the highest total chemical fertilizer use, ranging from 855,160 to 18,224,035 kgha−1. In terms of organic fertilizer production, the percentage contribution in Africa relative to global production was only 2%, which was about 932,538 million tonnes below the production yield in North America. More organic fertilizer and less inorganic fertilizer should be encouraged instead of the total eradication of chemical fertilizers. This is especially applicable to developing countries, where food production is low due to poor soil and high food demand owing to a harsh environment and rapid population growth.

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Potensi Pengembangan Tanaman Lada (Piper nigrum L) Pada Wilayah Kecamatan Muara Badak

Agrifarm : Jurnal Ilmu Pertanian ◽

10.24903/ajip.v7i1.363 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 1

Author(s):

Akhmad Sopian ◽

Zainudin Zainudin

Keyword(s):

Crop Production ◽

Agricultural Land ◽

Soil Analysis ◽

Survey Methods ◽

Organic Fertilizer ◽

Mineral Soil ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Nutrient Loss ◽

Piper Nigrum ◽

Pepper Plants

Farmers generally plant pepper on ultisol soil. Ultisol soil is classified as acid mineral soil which has a wide distribution, but has the potential to develop agricultural land including pepper plantations. The tendency of land used for agricultural activities shows a decrease in soil fertility, indicated by the occurrence of erosion, imbalance of nutrients present in the soil and stronger soil dependence on fertilizer, as well as lower crop production. The research aims to find out the characteristics of pepper land, productivity, potential land for the development of pepper plants in Muara Badak District. This research was carried out using survey methods with stages including; overlaying land maps, interviews, secondary data inventory, in the form of data on the number of farmers, land area, production and cultivation techniques, and analysis of soil samples in the laboratory. The results showed that the population / ha of pepper plants was different for each farmer, where the spacing was 110 x 110 cm, 120 x 120 cm, 130 x 130 cm and 140 x 140 cm with a population between 1300 - 4500 staples / ha. Farmers generally use lodrin organic fertilizer, but are not carried out intensively, and the land management system does not pay attention to the aspect of soil conservation, farmers' land has been cultivated for generations without using terraces and soil cover. The tendency of nutrient loss on the land is quite high because the land is located on a hill and is quite steep at 16-40% slope. Pepper productivity in the study area is quite high, with an average of 1,437 kg / ha. The highest productivity in Salo Palai village reached 1970 kg / ha, while the lowest in Batu Batu village was 830 kg / ha. The results of soil analysis in the two study locations that the content of the element N was classified as medium, the total K was classified as high to very high. pH and CEC are low, this can affect nutrient absorption, so that lime is needed and the addition of organic matter if fertilization is carried out.

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General characteristics of food in developing regions–a situational diagnostic assessment

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1079/bjn20061691 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 96 (S1) ◽

pp. S12-S16 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Abelardo Avila-Curiel

Keyword(s):

Developing Countries ◽

Food Production ◽

Diagnostic Assessment ◽

World Food ◽

Developing Regions ◽

Food And Agriculture ◽

Food And Agriculture Organization ◽

The World ◽

Technical Solutions ◽

Constant Growth

Since the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1946, it has reported on the serious problem of hunger in the world and has undertaken various initiatives for eradicating this problem; however, they have ended in failure. The number of people suffering from hunger has increased from 500 to 800 million in a period of six decades, despite constant growth in world food production, which has been more than sufficient to cover the needs of all of humanity since the 1970s. This paper analyses FAO initiatives in the framework of the evolution of the nutritional situation in developing countries and identifies national and regional contexts in which technical solutions may be successful, as well as those requiring the implementation of economic, political and social measures.

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Effectiveness of Fertilizer Use among Arable Farmers in Yola South, North-Eastern Part of Nigeria

Asian Journal of Agricultural and Horticultural Research ◽

10.9734/ajahr/2020/v7i130085 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 14-21

Author(s):

A. A. Sadiq ◽

Salamatu Ali Shuwa ◽

Alice Daniel

Keyword(s):

Soil Type ◽

Food Production ◽

Organic Fertilizer ◽

Fertilizer Application ◽

Organic Fertilizers ◽

Fertilizer Use ◽

Intensive Training ◽

North Eastern ◽

Organic And Inorganic Fertilizers ◽

North Eastern Part

Aim: This paper aimed to assess the effectiveness of fertilizer use among arable farmers in Yola South North-eastern part of Nigeria. Place and Duration of the Study: The study was conducted at Yola South LGA of Adamawa State, Nigeria during September, 2019-July, 2020. Methodology: Four (4) areas were selected in the area (Yolde pate, Bole, Mbamaba and Wuro-chekke) where 40 farmers were randomly selected from each farm location totaling to 160 farmers. The data obtained through administered questionnaires were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics and effectiveness Test Value (ETV) method respectively. Results: The result shows that soil type, vegetation cover and soil type were the most indicators of soil fertility among farmers in the area where most farmers used organic fertilizers than the inorganic or combined except at Wuor-chekke farm location. Broadcasting method of fertilizer application was found to be mostly adopted in the area. Similarly, Organic fertilizer was assessed to be highly effective (HE) in all the farm location except at Wuro-chekke while inorganic fertilizer was HE at Bole and the combine used of organic and inorganic fertilizers appeared HE except at Mbamba farm location. Moreover, broadcasting method was HE at Yolde pate and Wuro-chekke farm locations while band placing was HE at Bole and spot method found to be moderately effective (ME) except at Mbamba appeared not effective (NE) respectively. Conclusion: Intensive training to the farmers on modern strategies and techniques on fertilizer use through extension services should be conducted and timely provision of fertilizers to the target farmers should be considered by the relevant agencies in Yola area and the environment for the sustainable and profitable food production for the growing population.

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Nutrition and Health in Relation to Food Production and Processing

Nutrition and Health ◽

10.1177/026010609400900401 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 237-253 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

K. Ghebremeskel ◽

M.A. Erawford

Keyword(s):

Chronic Diseases ◽

Food Processing ◽

Food Production ◽

Crop Production ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Designer Drugs ◽

Western Society ◽

Food And Agriculture ◽

Mediterranean Countries ◽

Low Incidence

Intensive animal rearing, manipulation of crop production and food processing have altered the qualitative and quantitative balance of nutrients of foods consumed by Western society. This change, to which the physiology and biochemistry of man may not be presently adapted to, is thought to be responsible for the chronic diseases that are rampant in the Industrialised Western Countries. Agriculture production and food processing practices, dietary habits and lifestyle of the West is being fostered without any appraisal of the health implications by most developing countries. Consequently, a rising trend in the incidences of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, dental decay and appendicitis is apparent. Mediterranean countries are adopting the agriculture and food practices of northern Europe as the result of the harmonisation of European food and agriculture policy. It is predicted that the low incidence of morbidity and mortality from coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes and breast and colon cancer of the Mediterranean countries would rise to the high northern European level in the foreseeable future. Most of these chronic diseases are lifestyle related and are preventable. This can be realised by tackling the root problem which is food production and processing practices and not by dispensing designer drugs or opening more hospital beds.

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Edible Energy Production and Energy Return on Investment—Long-Term Analysis of Global Changes

Energies ◽

10.3390/en14041011 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. 1011

Author(s):

Bartłomiej Bajan ◽

Joanna Łukasiewicz ◽

Agnieszka Poczta-Wajda ◽

Walenty Poczta

Keyword(s):

Energy Efficiency ◽

Return On Investment ◽

Food Production ◽

Energy Production ◽

Crop Production ◽

Fossil Fuels ◽

Animal Production ◽

Global Changes ◽

Energy Return On Investment

The projected increase in the world’s population requires an increase in the production of edible energy that would meet the associated increased demand for food. However, food production is strongly dependent on the use of energy, mainly from fossil fuels, the extraction of which requires increasing input due to the depletion of the most easily accessible deposits. According to numerous estimations, the world’s energy production will be dependent on fossil fuels at least to 2050. Therefore, it is vital to increase the energy efficiency of production, including food production. One method to measure energy efficiency is the energy return on investment (EROI), which is the ratio of the amount of energy produced to the amount of energy consumed in the production process. The literature lacks comparable EROI calculations concerning global food production and the existing studies only include crop production. The aim of this study was to calculate the EROI of edible crop and animal production in the long term worldwide and to indicate the relationships resulting from its changes. The research takes into account edible crop and animal production in agriculture and the direct consumption of fossil fuels and electricity. The analysis showed that although the most underdeveloped regions have the highest EROI, the production of edible energy there is usually insufficient to meet the food needs of the population. On the other hand, the lowest EROI was observed in highly developed regions, where production ensures food self-sufficiency. However, the changes that have taken place in Europe since the 1990s indicate an opportunity to simultaneously reduce the direct use of energy in agriculture and increase the production of edible energy, thus improving the EROI.

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Challenges and Solutions for Biogas Production from Agriculture Waste in the Aral Sea Basin

Processes ◽

10.3390/pr9020199 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 199

Author(s):

Olimjon Saidmamatov ◽

Inna Rudenko ◽

Urs Baier ◽

Elbek Khodjaniyazov

Keyword(s):

Crop Production ◽

Biogas Production ◽

Organic Fertilizer ◽

Modern Society ◽

Aral Sea ◽

Middle Income ◽

Current Form ◽

Aral Sea Basin ◽

Energy Needs ◽

Biomass Resources

Energy plays an essential role in the modern society and can serve as one of the vital parameters of socio-economic development. Despite developments in technology, over three billion persons living in rural parts of the low- and middle-income countries continue to cover their energy needs for cooking through traditional ways by burning biomass resources. This paper as a case study focuses on the Aral Sea region of Uzbekistan, possessing a well-developed agricultural production with high livestock numbers and intensive crop production. The manure of the livestock farms is not used efficiently and the energy supply of the farms depends primarily on centrally produced gas and electricity. Some areas are not yet connected to the gas grid. Agriculture causes huge environmental damages in its current form. The benefit of biogas production would therefore be fivefold: (1) local energy source, (2) mitigation of environmental impacts, (3) reducing CH4-emissions, (4) producing organic fertilizer as a side product and (5) additional earnings for farmers.

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Antimicrobial Use, Residues, Resistance and Governance in the Food and Agriculture Sectors, Tanzania

Antibiotics ◽

10.3390/antibiotics10040454 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 454

Author(s):

Robinson H. Mdegela ◽

Elibariki R. Mwakapeje ◽

Bachana Rubegwa ◽

Daniel T. Gebeyehu ◽

Solange Niyigena ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Antimicrobial Resistance ◽

Crop Production ◽

Growth Promotion ◽

Penicillin G ◽

Animal Origin ◽

Antimicrobial Use ◽

Food And Agriculture ◽

Food Of Animal Origin ◽

Food Animals

All infections are potentially curable as long as the etiological agents are susceptible to antimicrobials. The increased rate at which antimicrobials are becoming ineffective is a global health risk of increasing concern that threatens withdrawal of beneficial antimicrobials for disease control. The increased demand for food of animal origin, in particular eggs, meat and milk has led to intensification and commercial production systems where excessive use and misuse of antimicrobials may prevail. Antimicrobials, handled and used by farmers and animal attendants with no formal education, may be predisposed to incorrect dosages, misuse, incorrect applications and non-adherence to withdrawal periods. This study was conducted to assess the regulatory roles and governance of antimicrobials, establish the pattern and extent of their use, evaluate the antimicrobial residues and resistance in the food animals and crop agriculture value chains, and relate these findings to existing strategies in place for combating the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in Tanzania. A multimethod approach (desk review, field study and interviews) was used. Relevant establishments were also visited. High levels of resistance to penicillin G, chloramphenicol, streptomycin and oxytetracycline have been reported, especially for Actinobacter pyogenes, Staphylococcus hyicus, Staphylococcus intermedius and Staphylococcus aureus from dairy cattle with mastitis and in humans. Similar trends were found in poultry where eggs and meat are contaminated with Escherichia coli strains resistant to amoxicillin + clavulanate, sulphamethoxazole and neomycin. An increasing trend of emerging multidrug resistant E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella was also found in food animals. An increase in methicillin resistant Staphlococcus aureus (MRSA) and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) in the livestock sector in Tanzania have been reported. The pathogens isolated in animals were resistant to ampicillin, augmentin, gentamicin, co-trimoxazole, tetracycline, amoxicillin, streptomycin, nalidixic acid, azithromycin, chloramphenicol, tylosin, erythromycin, cefuroxime, norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin. An increased usage of antimicrobials for prophylaxis, and therapeutics against pathogens and for growth promotion in livestock, aquaculture and crop production were observed. A One Health strategic approach is advocated to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the food and agriculture sectors in Tanzania. Practical recommendations include (a) legislation review and implementation; (b) antimicrobial use (AMU), AMR and antimicrobial residue (AR) awareness and advocacy among stakeholders along the value chain; (c) strengthening of surveillance and monitoring programs for AMU, AMR and AR; (d) enhanced development and use of rapid and innovative diagnostic tests and the promotion of biosecurity principles; and (e) good husbandry practices. The utilization of this information to improve public health policies and reduce the burden of AMR will be beneficial.

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South Africa’s increasing climate variability and its effect on food production

Outlook on Agriculture ◽

10.1177/00307270211004970 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 003072702110049

Author(s):

Mashudu Tshikovhi ◽

Roscoe Bertrum van Wyk

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Climate Variability ◽

Food Production ◽

Fixed Effects ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Mean Annual Temperature ◽

Fixed Effects Panel Regression ◽

The Impact

This study examines the impact of increasing climate variability on food production in South Africa, focusing on maize and wheat yields. A two-way fixed effects panel regression model was used to assess the climate variability impacts, analysing secondary data for the period 2000 to 2019 for nine provinces in South Africa. The study found that increasing climate variability has a negative impact on maize and wheat production in South Africa. Specifically, the results indicated a negative correlation between mean annual temperature with both maize and wheat yields. A decrease in precipitation affected maize yields negatively, while the impact on wheat yields was positive, although insignificant. This analysis, therefore, depicted that crop yields generally increase with more annual precipitation and decrease with higher temperatures. The study recommends that funding initiatives to educate farmers on increasing climate variability and its effects on farming activities in South Africa should be prioritised.

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Income-inequality and rate of doctors per inhabitant and their influence on esophageal cancer mortality in Brazil.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2021.39.15_suppl.e16089 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. e16089-e16089

Author(s):

Jean Henri Schoueri ◽

Luis Eduardo Werneck De Carvalho ◽

Isabella Batista Martins Portugal ◽

Manuela de Almeida Roediger ◽

Edige Felipe de Sousa Santos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Esophageal Cancer ◽

Income Inequality ◽

Cancer Mortality ◽

Gini Index ◽

Economic Status ◽

Geographical Location ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Mortality Rates ◽

World Health ◽

Unified Health System

e16089 Background: There are substantial disparities in esophageal cancer mortality across different social groups, including sex, race/ethnicity, geographical location and socio-economic status. Methods: This is an ecological study with secondary data from 2016 to 2018 that evaluated the effects of income-inequality and number of doctors per inhabitant on esophageal cancer mortality in Brazil and its Federative Units. The amount of deaths and the overall number of doctors were obtained from the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System. Mortality was estimated per 100,000 individuals and age-standardized through the World Health Organization’s population, whereas the rate of doctor per inhabitant was calculated per 1,000 inhabitants. Income-Inequality was measured by the Gini index, obtained from the United Nations Development Programme. Linear regression was performed by the stepwise backward method. Results: Sex, Gini index values and oncology surgeons were all related to lower mortality rates (p < 0.05), whereas clinical oncologists and general surgeons were both associated with higher mortality (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Esophageal cancer mortality rates were influenced by both the type and amount of doctors per inhabitant of any given administrative region in Brazil, however there was no association found with regards to income inequality.[Table: see text]

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Irrigation.

10.1079/hc.34626997.20210027310 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Lynette Morgan

Keyword(s):

Fresh Water ◽

Agricultural Production ◽

Food Production ◽

Crop Production ◽

Cultivated Land ◽

Plant Life ◽

Total Food ◽

Global Issue ◽

Growing Medium ◽

Increasing Demand

Abstract Crop production in many regions has been reliant on irrigation for almost as long as man has been cultivating plant life. For 6000 years, irrigation has ranked among the most powerful tools of human advancement (Postel, 1999), and by the start of the 21st century no less than 75% of the world's fresh water was in use for agricultural production (Levy and Coleman, 2014). In 2012, twenty percent of total cultivated land was under irrigation, contributing forty percent of the total food production worldwide, this represented 275 million hectares under actual irrigation with a total of 324 million hectares equipped for irrigation (FAO, 2016). Irrigation, which can be defined as 'the artificial application of water to land, soil or other growing medium for the purposes of crop growth', has become a global issue in more recent times as the increasing demand for fresh water has seen problems develop with water scarcity, quality issues and conflict over usage.

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