Physical and Nutritional Properties of Local Hawm Gra Dang Ngah Rice Varieties

Information on the local rice varieties grown in each Tambon (subdistrict), community or part of Thailand is still outdated. The present pilot work aimed to determine physical characteristics (grain dimensions, 1000-grain weight and color parameters) of paddy and dehusked rice in order to enhance the nutritional quality of these varieties. Moreover, it further supports cultivation of local Hawm Gra Dang Ngah (HGDN) rice in Narathiwat to ultimately develop to commercial premium quality. The nutritional values of dehusked rice were also compared among Tambons, as well as between the dehusked rice of local HGDN versus pure line selection HGDN PTNC09002-59. The study analysed rice samples grown locally in 4 Tambons: Bangkhunthong, Phron, Praiwan and Salamai in Takbai Amphoe (district), Narathiwat, Thailand. The main findings in this study revealed that medium and long types of both paddy and dehusked rice were all found in each Tambon. Moreover, local dehusked HGDN grain was darker red-brown color. All Tambons were found to contain comparable nutrient levels. High levels of dietary fiber were detected in all Tambons. Overall, the dehusked HGDN rice grown in Bangkhunthong showed the highest levels of vitamin B2 and calcium. The dehusked HGDN (100 g/dry weight) in Bangkhunthong, Phron, Praiwan and Salamai contains protein; 8.73±0.01, 7.65±0.00, 8.22±0.03 and 6.83±0.03, iron; 8.73±0.01, 7.65±0.00, 8.22±0.03 and 6.83±0.03, ash; 1.19±0.00, 0.75±0.00, 1.10±0.00 and 1.34±0.00. These findings provide new information about local HGDN, and may be utilized to support the agricultural community in Takbai, enabling the selection of optimal HGDN varieties for local commercial use, as well as in breeding programs, to facilitate the promotion of local HGDN in the national Thai rice market.

Comparison of EO4Agri Recommendations With In-Depth Literature Review

Copernicus is Europe's space-based Earth monitoring asset, which consists of a complex set of systems that collect data from different sources: remote sensing satellites (RS) and in-situ sensors such as ground stations, airborne and marine sensors. This study was originally prepared for the needs of the Czech agricultural community, where we provided an in-depth analysis of articles related to Earth observation in precision agriculture. At a later stage, we extended this study by comparing the recommendations of the European EO4Agri project and scientific articles published in MDPI. We had two important objectives, one was to validate the results of the EO4Agri project and the other was to look for gaps in current research and community needs. To recognize the importance of using Sentinel 1 data, we also added a specific analysis of methods for data fusion of Sentinel 1 and Sentinel 2 data.

Frameworks for developing an Agro-Prosumer Community Group platform

Background The involvement of prosumers in the form of agricultural community groups has been acknowledged, and interest in it is increasing due to local food demand and quality of food. How to create a prosumer group? The definition of agro-prosumers and analysis of their behaviour, engaging new members to the existing groups, managing members and their goals are important factors to consider. Hence, to overcome this barrier and to improve the participation of prosumers, in this paper three key frameworks are presented to develop an Agro-Prosumer Community Group (APCGs) platform. Methods A conceptual process that consist of strict multiple stages i.e., requirement analysis, design logic, theoretical fundamentals, implementation of prototype and verification, is used to build the frameworks for APCG. Different methods and approaches are used to design and develop framework’s prototype. For instance, clustering algorithms are used to define and group agro-prosumer concept, an approach is developed that evaluates real-time production behaviour of new prosumers while engaging them to APCG. Finally, the goal-ranking techniques i.e., MCGP are used to build a goal management framework that effectively reaches a compromise between diverse goals of APCGs. Results Results for each framework is shown while verifying the prototype using prosumers data. Conclusion An Agro-Prosumer Community Group addresses three key issues relevant to the development of an agro-prosumer community-based approach to manage the prosumers in local food- and carbon-sharing networks. The key contributions are (1) APCG concept, (2) Prosumer engagement framework, and (3) Goal management framework. Thus APCG platform provides a seamless structure for carbon and produce sharing network.

Animal Welfare and Farmers' Satisfaction in Small-Scale Dairy Farms in the Eastern Alps: A “One Welfare” Approach

The multidimensional concept of animal welfare includes physical health, good emotional state, and appropriate behavior of the animals. The most recent methods for its assessment are inspired by the Welfare Quality, a project compiling animal-, resource-, and management-based measures. Recently, animal welfare assessment has also considered the human factor in a so-called “One Welfare” approach. The One Welfare framework highlights the interconnections between animal welfare, human well-being, and the environment. The concept seems to fit particularly well to mountain areas where the relationship between human, animals, and the environment is stronger. In such disadvantaged areas, farmers' well-being plays a key role in maintaining livestock farming profitably and sustainably. This study aims to investigate the relationship between farmers' satisfaction, animal welfare outcomes, and overall farm performance in 69 small-scale dairy farms in the Eastern Alps. Animal welfare assessment consisted of animal-based measures and was performed using the methodology proposed by the European Food Safety Authority for this type of farm. Moreover, the farmers were interviewed to retrieve data on farm characteristics and on their level of satisfaction toward workload, land organization, relationship with the agricultural/non-agricultural community, and the future of local agriculture. The results show that good animal welfare can be obtained in a mountain farming system. Clinical indicators show a low prevalence of diseases and of very lean cows as opposed to integument alterations. The workload is not perceived as a problem in traditional farms (i.e., tie-stall and with no participation in quality-certification schemes). Animal welfare is higher in those farms where farmers have a positive engagement with both the agricultural and non-agricultural community and where farmers are satisfied with their land organization. A One Welfare approach could be applied on a larger scale to fully understand the links between animal and human well-being in mountain areas.

THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON INCOME AND EMPLOYMENT IN THE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SUPPLY INDUSTRY

This article discusses the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on income and employment in the agricultural and food supply industries. Based on the background of the inaugural research method, this paper lays the research lens on a selection of contemporary issues including (i) the country’s dependence on imported rice supply, (ii) the impact of Covid-19 on the Malaysian palm oil and rubber sector, (iii) private involvement in improving the economy of the agricultural sector, (iv) the rise of agricultural e-commerce and the food industry, and (v) the industrial revolution of the concept of Internet of Things (IoT). Reflections on the discussion focused on the impact of the Movement Control Order implementation on the agricultural community consisting of smallholders and rural communities who generate income by selling agricultural produce were unable to market their agricultural produce as well as facing the risk of job loss. However, Covid-19 also has a positive impact, namely the increase in online agricultural trade (E-commerce) under the control of the Electronic Commerce Act 2006 and the Consumer Protection Act 1999. The direction of research and development in the agricultural sector with the collaboration of the private sector is very important as a factor in developing the country’s agricultural industry where the reduction of dependence on labour and instead increase the use of technology-intensive systems and environmentally friendly innovation.

Design and Build a Multilevel Mace Nutmeg Dryer to Improve the People's Economy

Nutmeg is a source of income for some people in South Aceh, and some types of nutmeg, like mace nutmeg, are of better quality. Mace nutmeg is also an agricultural community with great economic value and benefits for humans, as it can be processed into spices and herbs. A range of products includes nutmeg oil and medicines. The harvesting and drying of mace nutmeg, which is still considered a problem by nutmeg growers, cannot be isolated from the processing of the basic ingredients. The natural process of drying mace nutmeg involves the use of sunshine, which necessitates a considerable drying time. Therefore nutmeg farmers frequently complain of erratic weather, especially during the wet season. The constant rain can cause the mace to rot, causing the nutmeg farming community's revenue to become unstable. Methods and steps of research work starting from the study of literature, determination of design specifications, hardware design, software design, toolmaking, tool testing.Good results were reached with the dryness of the mace nutmeg, which can be adjusted, and without putting into account the weather in the drying process, which is usually done with the heat of the sun, per the results of the testing of the designed tools.The average dryness of mace nutmeg is at a temperature of 45 percent with a time of 4 hours and a capacity of 100 grams; according to the test results of the automatic mace drying machine, it produces 50 grams of dry mace.

Histopathological Effects and Micronucleus Assay of Glyphosate-Based Herbicides on Cultured African Catfish (Clarias Gariepinus, Burchell 1822)

Background: Glyphosate, a brand of agricultural herbicides which intensive use has led to widespread contamination of different ecosystems. This study was designed to determine both organotoxicity and genotoxicity of glyphosate on African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) exposed to different concentrations for 96 hours.Methods: Questionnaires were administered (physically and online) to determine the type of glyphosate-based herbicides mostly used by fish farmers. Seventy-five apparently healthy adult Clarias gariepinus (300g) were sourced from a local farmer, transported in a plastic keg to Fish and Wildlife Laboratory at the Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive medicine for two (2) weeks of acclimatization. After acclimatization, they were further divided into four (4) groups (T0 (Control), T1 (0.003ml/L), T2 (0.0045ml/L) and T3 (0.006ml/L)) by simple randomization and each group replicated into three (3) treatments. At the expiration of 96 hours of exposure, blood samples and organs (Gills, Kidney, and Liver) were collected for mononuclear assay and histopathological lesions respectively.Results: Exposed groups showed erratic swimming, splashing, and restlessness. Mortalities rate was dose-dependent (two (2) mortalities at 0.0045ml/L concentration (T2) and five (5) mortalities 0.006ml/L concentration (T3)). Observed histopathological lesions occurred at higher dose treatment (0.0045ml/L (T2) and (0.006ml/L) T3)) concentrations. The gills showed diffuse stunted and eroded secondary lamellae and severe congestion of the blood channel at the core of the primary lamellae. Lesions in the Liver include severe diffuse vacuolation of the hepatocytes, moderate to severe portal congestion and mild diffuse vacuolation of hepatocytes and moderate diffuse vacuolation of hepatocytes, and severe portal congestion. In the kidney, there was mild to moderate congestion of the interstitium and focus of interstitial oedema within the parenchyma. There was presence of micronucleus in the fish nucleated red blood cells at higher dose concentrations.Conclusion: This study showed that Glyphosate-based herbicides are highly toxic to Clarias gariepinus, therefore their use near the fish farm or in areas close to the aquatic environment should be discouraged. The agricultural community should also be conscious of the potentially adverse effects of pesticides. This is to prevent the water body from the residue of herbicides that would have washed down to the water.