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Local food security initiatives: systemic limitations in Vancouver, Canada
(Department of Organic Food Quality and Food Culture at the University of Kassel, Germany and Federation of German Scientists (VDW), 2016-04-10)
This paper approaches the topic of urban/community gardening not through the lens of urban theory per se but in light of basic farming realities such as growing season and land availability. Food security comprises availability and affordability. In the context of North American and Western European societies, only food affordability normally merits public discourse. In practice, governments have little or no means to change food affordability, in view of prevailing capitalistic free-market structures. In the current ...
Aufsatz
Soil-less systems vs. soil-based systems for cultivating edible plants on buildings in relation to the contribution towards sustainable cities
(Department of Organic Food Quality and Food Culture at the University of Kassel, Germany and Federation of German Scientists (VDW), 2016-08-29)
Food production and consumption for cities has become a global concern due to increasing numbers of people living in urban areas, threatening food security. There is the contention that people living in cities have become disconnected with food production, leading to reduced nutrition in diets and increased food waste. Integrating food production into cities (urban agriculture) can help alleviate some of these issues. Lack of space at ground level in high-density urban areas has accelerated the idea of using spare ...
Aufsatz
Ecosystem services and adaptation for agriculture and food security: analysis of two decades (1991–2011) of financing by the Global Environment Facility
(Department of Organic Food Quality and Food Culture at the University of Kassel, Germany and Federation of German Scientists (VDW), 2016-04-10)
Investing in global environmental and adaptation benefits in the context of agriculture and food security initiatives can play an important role in promoting sustainable intensification. This is a priority for the Global Environment Facility (GEF), created in 1992 with a mandate to serve as financial mechanism of several multilateral environmental agreements. To demonstrate the nature and extent of GEF financing, we conducted an assessment of the entire portfolio over a period of two decades (1991–2011) to identify ...
Aufsatz
The role of organic farming for food security: local nexus with a global view
(Department of Organic Food Quality and Food Culture at the University of Kassel, Germany and Federation of German Scientists (VDW), 2016-04-10)
A convergence of factors has made food security one of the most important global issues. It has been the core concept of the Milan Expo 2015, whose title, Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life, embodied the challenge to provide the world’s growing population with a sustainable, secure supply of safe, nutritious, and affordable high-quality food using less land with lower inputs. Meeting the food security agenda using current agricultural production techniques cannot be achieved without serious degradation to the ...
Aufsatz
Family agriculture for bottom-up rural development: a case study of the indigenous Mayan population in the Mexican Peninsula
(Department of Organic Food Quality and Food Culture at the University of Kassel, Germany and Federation of German Scientists (VDW), 2016-04-10)
Since pre-colonial times the indigenous communities of Mayan origin in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico, widely practice home gardens on a sustainable basis as the principal form of family agriculture. This study analyzes the structural complexity, functional diversity and management strategy of these indigenous home gardens in order to attempt to propose recommendations for improved family farming. The Mayan home gardens are structured into three or more vertical layers of multiple plant species of herbs, shrubs ...
Aufsatz
Influence of pre-plant densities of Meloidogyne incognita on growth and root infestation of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) (Amaranthaceae) – an important dimension towards enhancing crop production
(Department of Organic Food Quality and Food Culture at the University of Kassel, Germany and Federation of German Scientists (VDW), 2015-12-16)
Vegetables represent a main source of micro-nutrients which can improve the health status of malnourished poor in the world. Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) is a popular leafy vegetable in many countries which is rich with several important micro-nutrients. Thus, consuming Spinach helps to overcome micro-nutrient deficiencies. Pests and pathogens act as major yield constraints in food production. Root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne species, constitute a large group of highly destructive plant pests. Spinach is found to ...
Aufsatz
Linking sustainable diets to the concept of food system sustainability
(Section Specialized Partnerships in Sustainable Food Systems and Food Sovereignty at the University of Kassel, Germany and Federation of German Scientists (VDW), 2018-10-09)
Based on insights from an ongoing research project on food sustainability, we argue that discussing sustainable diets in isolation from food systems poses risks. Among these risks are making healthy diets exclusive, or ignoring externalities like biodiversity loss, land concentration, and encroachment on commons. Case studies from Bolivia and Kenya show how marked shifts from traditional to more uniform diets rich in sugar, salt, and fatty acids come with a radical transformation of food systems. Systems formerly ...
Aufsatz
Seaweed farming as a sustainable livelihood option for northern coastal communities in Sri Lanka
(Section Specialized Partnerships in Sustainable Food Systems and Food Sovereignty at the University of Kassel, Germany and Federation of German Scientists (VDW), 2018-10-09)
Sri Lanka has recently contributed to the growing significance of seaweed farming in the globe. This study attempted to assess the financial feasibility, employment generation, perceived importance, social acceptability and major constraints associated with seaweed farming in the Northern part of Sri Lanka. The study sample included 160 seaweed farmers from the area. A questionnaire survey, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted to collect data and information. Descriptive analytical, investment ...
Aufsatz
Adoption of an improved bean seed variety and consumption of beans in rural Madagascar: Evidence from a randomised control trial
(Kassel University Press, 2017-10-20)
This paper studies access to, and adoption of improved seed, as well as the diffusion of improved seed information in a remote area of central Madagascar. The analysis is based on panel data gathered from 2012 to 2014 from 390 households in three villages. In 2013, a randomised control trial was applied. Half of the 390 households were randomly assigned to receive improved lima bean seed (Phaseolus lunatus), which were specifically bred for dry regions. Of the seed-receiving households, 50 % were randomly assigned ...
Aufsatz
Typological characterisation of farms in a smallholder food-cash crop production system in Zimbabwe – opportunities for livelihood sustainability
(Kassel University Press, 2018-09-11)
The diversity of smallholder farms in space, resource endowment, production and consumption decisions are often a hindrance to the design, targeting, implementation and scaling out of agricultural development projects. Understanding farm heterogeneity is crucial in targeting interventions that can potentially contribute to improved crop productivity, food security and livelihood sustainability. The study sought to define and understand farm typology in a resettlement smallholder food-cash crop production area in ...