2026-04-02
K. M. Prasannakumaran, Jatindra K. Sahu, Vijayaraghavan M. Chariar
Feed scarcity in ruminant production systems, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions, necessitates the exploration of alternative and sustainable fodder resources. This review evaluates the potential of areca sheath waste (ASW), an abundant by-product of areca nut cultivation, as a viable ruminant feed resource. India alone generates approximately 4.5–5.4 million tons of ASW annually, with global production exceeding 10 million tons. Nutritionally, ASW exhibits a fiber-rich composition with moderate mineral content and metabolizable energy values comparable to conventional roughages such as paddy straw. Studies indicate that processed ASW can be incorporated into total mixed rations (TMR) without adverse effects on animal health, feed intake, or productivity, while also reducing feeding costs in regions dependent on transported fodder. Furthermore, ASW contains moderate levels of phenolics and tannins, which contribute to rumen modulation and methane mitigation when included in balanced diets. The valorization of ASW as livestock feed offers a dual benefit of addressing fodder shortages and reducing environmental pollution associated with biomass burning. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the nutritional, processing, and practical aspects of ASW utilization and highlights its role in supporting circular bioeconomy-based livestock systems.
DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2026.17927842026-04-02
Yao Xiaoying, Dayu Cao, Yan Zheng, Geng Liu, Qi Tian
Green production practices are important for improving the sustainability of smallholder farming systems, yet less is known about how information literacy, ecological cognition, and training jointly shape their adoption. This study examines the effects of these factors on the adoption of green production practices among rice farmers. Survey data were collected from 594 farmers in Jiangxi Province, China, and analyzed using binary logistic regression and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). The results show that information acquisition and information cognition are positively associated with the adoption of green production practices, and that these effects are mediated, to a large extent, by ecological cognition. Training plays a dual role: it strengthens the effect of ecological cognition on adoption while attenuating the direct effects of some dimensions of information literacy. The fsQCA results identify two pathways leading to high adoption, both of which include training as a core condition. One pathway combines training with strong ecological cognition, whereas the other shows that structured training and information cognition can promote adoption even when analytical ability is limited. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of training in supporting farmers’ adoption of green production practices. Policies and extension programs should therefore integrate training with measures that strengthen farmers’ information literacy and ecological awareness to promote sustainable rice production.
DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2026.17690452026-04-02
Asif Mahmud, Panam Parikh, Jasim Uddin Ahmed, Mohammad Jahangir Alam, Rahman Md. Mostafizur, Ding Shijun, Ismat Ara Begum, Fahmida Akhtar, Sumaiya Siddika, Andrew M. McKenzie
IntroductionFish value chains (FVC) are crucial for enhancing global fisheries through increased profitability, sustainability and equitable benefits for all stakeholders. However, little is known about how contemporary research trends address problems in the global FVC.MethodsThis study seeks to ascertain recent insights regarding FVC by analyzing literature from 2010 to 2022, including research trends, geographic focuses, methodological advancements, and future research prospects. We use PRISMA-guided scoping review methods and extract 86 articles from major databases, yielding three main results.Results and discussionFirst, aquaculture development, small-scale fisheries, and supply chain networks of South Asian countries have been prioritized as key focus areas in recent decades. Second, FVC research transitions from a focus on less technical optimization and market dynamics to an enhanced emphasis on resilience, sustainability, and advanced digital transformation, employing mostly survey-based and descriptive approaches. Third, stakeholders face multidimensional challenges such as post-harvest loss, infrastructure gaps, less technology adoption and limited market access. Overall, this study offers recommendations for future research grounded in the findings and assessment of prevailing research trends and themes.
DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2026.16734532026-04-01
Devanushi Dutta, Pranab Dutta
Khasi mandarin (Citrus reticulata, Blanco) is a widely cultivated commercial fruit crop in Meghalaya, India. The present research aims to assess the potential for synthesizing and characterizing gluconate-stabilized silver nanoparticles (Glu-Ag NPs) to enhance the shelf-life of Khasi mandarin by inhibiting Penicillium italicum. Glu-Ag NPs showed the highest (58.23%) mycelial growth inhibition at 250 ppm. The lowest diseases severity index (DSI) of 13.9% was recorded in Khasi mandarins that were nanocoated for 120 s, followed by wax-coated mandarins (30.5%). The highest DSI (66.7%) was recorded in uncoated mandarins. On studying different biochemical parameters of the juice extracted from treated and untreated mandarins, the highest titratable acidity (0.061 g/100 g) was found in the juice extracted from uncoated mandarins. Similarly, the highest browning index (0.975) was recorded in the juice stored at ambient conditions (22 ± 2 °C) compared to the juice stored under refrigerated conditions (4 °C) (0.476). Nanocoated mandarins exhibited the lowest fruit weight loss at 3.008%. Thus, the antimicrobial activity of Glu-Ag NPs and their coating properties significantly enhance the shelf life of Khasi mandarin by reducing the DSI.
DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2026.17117222026-03-31
Wael Z. El-sayad
Food spoilage and inefficient storage remain major challenges in modern food supply chains, where sustainability, resource optimization, and energy efficiency are critical. This study proposes an AI-based smart food packaging and storage system using Reinforcement Learning (RL) to support real-time preservation decisions. The RL agent monitors packaging performance, estimates spoilage risk, optimizes energy use, and selects appropriate control actions to maintain product quality and sustainability. In the present implementation, spoilage risk is represented through a synthetic state-transition function to demonstrate decision-making capability, however, the framework is designed to incorporate sensory and microbiological data for future data-driven prediction. The methodology is implemented in Python using standard libraries such as TensorFlow and NumPy for simulation and real-time control. System performance is evaluated using key indicators, including energy efficiency, waste reduction, sustainability, and inventory management, showing marked improvement over conventional strategies. The RL-optimized system achieves an overall performance score of 94% compared with traditional approaches. The proposed framework integrates adaptive RL-based decision-making with sustainable packaging material selection, creating a dynamic and environmentally responsible storage ecosystem beyond traditional static control methods. Its novelty lies in combining real-time learning, smart material selection, and multi-objective optimization within a unified architecture. Results indicate that AI-enabled packaging and storage can significantly reduce waste and energy consumption while supporting environmental sustainability and food security. Beyond storage optimization, the framework offers scalability for broader sustainable supply chain management and real-time waste control. Future work will prioritize the integration of IoT-enabled sensing for real-time, data-driven storage management systems globally.
DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2026.18125932026-03-31
Aerdake Zaopan, Feng Deng
IntroductionDigital trade rules, which have become a core component of regional trade agreements (RTAs), have created new opportunities for the greening of international trade.MethodsAn extended gravity model is employed using China’s green-product export data to 19 RTA partner countries over 2003–2021 to empirically examine the effects and mechanisms of digital trade rule depth on China’s green-product and agricultural product exports.ResultsThe results indicate that greater depth of digital trade rules is associated with a significant increase in China’s green-product exports. The heterogeneous effects are found to decline in the following order: data-management provisions, privacy-protection provisions, and trade-facilitation provisions. The export-promoting effect is shown to be stronger for partners with higher income levels, greater network centrality, and a smaller digital divide relative to China. Mechanism analysis indicates that the depth of digital trade rules promotes China’s green product exports through two mediating effects: cost effects and technology effects. Further analysis reveals significant structural differences and country-specific heterogeneity in the deepening effect of digital trade rules on China’s agricultural exports. By product category, the strongest effects are observed for time-sensitive products (e.g., aquatic products, vegetables, and fruits). By factor intensity, larger effects are identified for labor-intensive agricultural products than for land-intensive ones. Regarding country differences, deepening digital trade rules is found to significantly increase exports to RCEP members but to reduce exports to non-members, consistent with regional synergies and trade-diversion forces. When partners are grouped by food-safety standards, stronger effects are observed in countries with lower food-safety levels, whereas gains are attenuated in high-standard markets due to higher certification costs.DiscussionThis study provides policy-relevant evidence for China’s participation in international digital trade rule-making and for accelerating the green transformation of trade.
DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2026.17999332026-03-30
Jabulani Nyengere, Frank Tchuwa, Harineck Mayamiko Tholo, Allena Laura Njala, Lucius Malalu, Chikondi Chisenga, Patson Nalivata, Weston Mwase, Msaiwale Kathewera, Brenda Matewere, Lackson Jamu, Jones Kanjira, Macdonald Chabwera, Daud Jones Kachamba, Andrew Jamali, Takudzwa Musekiwa, Clement Nyirenda, Adele Barker, Precious Masuku, Agness Mwangwela
IntroductionIn central Malawi, the conversion of forests and grazing land into cropland and settlements is increasingly shaping the limits of smallholder production and household food security. This study assessed the effects of land use and land cover change on maize productivity, household dietary diversity, and food insecurity among smallholder farmers surrounding Lilongwe City.MethodsThe study integrated multi-temporal Landsat imagery (2004, 2014, and 2024) with cross-sectional household survey data collected from 279 households in Mpingu and Malingunde Extension Planning Areas. Land use change was quantified using proportional changes in key land cover classes, alongside household-level exposure indicators capturing forest loss and grazing land loss in the surrounding landscape.ResultsCropland expanded by more than 450% between 2004 and 2024, while forest and grazing land declined by up to 70%, coinciding with a 61% reduction in average household farm size. Econometric analysis shows that forest loss exposure significantly reduces dietary diversity and increases the likelihood of moderate-to-severe food insecurity by 63% for each 10-percentage point increase. Grazing land loss is associated with livestock decline and reduced manure availability, contributing to lower maize yields and increasing soil fertility constraints. Dietary diversity emerged as the strongest protective factor, reducing the probability of food insecurity by 42% per additional food group consumed.DiscussionThe findings demonstrate that peri-urban land conversion creates interacting land-livestock-soil-nutrition feedbacks that undermine agrifood resilience in land-scarce smallholder systems. Policy responses should integrate land governance, protection of forest and grazing resources, nutrition-sensitive agricultural diversification, and peri-urban planning to reduce the risk of persistent food insecurity in low-income agrarian economies.
DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2026.17893672026-03-27
Xizhe Wang, Zehao Wang, Wenxiu Zhang
This study examines the coupling coordination between energy consumption and carbon emissions in China’s agricultural sector and explores its implications for the low carbon transition. Using a coupling coordination model and provincial panel data from 2012 to 2021, the study assesses the level of energy carbon coordination in China’s agricultural sector and analyzes its key determinants. Fixed effects models evaluate the impact of terminal energy structure, while mediation analysis tests whether agricultural carbon emission intensity transmits these effects. Additionally, out of sample validation and short term scenario projections are used to examine temporal stability. The results show that energy carbon coordination in China’s agricultural sector is generally at a moderate to good level, indicating progress toward green transformation, although substantial regional disparities remain. Terminal energy structure is a key determinant, higher coal and diesel shares significantly reduce coordination, whereas a higher natural gas share improves it. Mediation analysis further shows that agricultural carbon emission intensity partly transmits these effects. Regional heterogeneity is observed, low GDP provinces are mainly constrained by coal dependence, while high GDP provinces face stronger diesel and electricity related emission pressures. The out of sample validation and short term scenario projections provide additional support for the temporal stability of these findings. These findings highlight the need for region specific decarbonization strategies in China’s agricultural sector, including accelerated clean energy substitution, power sector decarbonization, stronger carbon monitoring, and improved cross sector policy coordination.
DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2026.17669232026-03-27
Wang Juan, Yunhua Wu, Fang Ju
IntroductionThe Ecological Compensation Policy (ECP) is an essential policy instrument designed to improve China’s grassland ecosystems and herders’ livelihoods. Under the constraint background of the dual vulnerability of the grassland ecosystem and herders’ livelihood system, the comparative analysis of the synergistic mechanisms between ecological protection incentives and herders’ interest demands in grazing ban zones (GBZs) and grassland-livestock balance zones (GLBZs) is helpful to optimize ECP and achieve the incentive compatibility goal of grassland ecological protection and herders’ livelihoods improvement.MethodsBased on field survey data from 740 herder households in GBZs and GLBZs of Inner Mongolia during the third phase of ECP, this study used Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to investigate the impacts and underlying mechanisms of herders’ environmental value perception and income effect perception on ecological compensation satisfaction.ResultsThe principal findings are as follows: (1) Both in GBZs and GLBZs, herders’ environmental value perception and income effect perception exert significant positive effects on their satisfaction with ecological compensation; (2) In GBZs, herders’ cognition level regarding ecological compensation positively and significantly influences their satisfaction through both direct and partial indirect pathways, while expectation perception influences satisfaction only through indirect pathways; (3) In GLBZs, herders’ cognition level regarding ecological compensation influences satisfaction only through indirect pathways, whereas expectation perception exerts a positive and significant influence on satisfaction through both direct and indirect pathways.DiscussionIn the future, policy formulations should optimize ECP by zoning and grading, improve the subsidy standard of basic grassland ecological benefits, improve the cognition level of herders, and help the sustainable development of grassland ecology.
DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2026.1695746