Articles tagged with Agricultural Policy
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture's annual report highlights the challenges faced by Tennessee's farmers and foresters in 2024, including drought, agricultural land loss, and decreasing foreign market demand. The outlook for 2025 is clouded due to trade policy uncertainty, low crop prices, and high input costs.
A $75 million consortium, including the Pulte Institute, aims to inform USAID's activities with detailed evidence on poverty alleviation programs. The Promoting Impact and Learning with Cost-Effectiveness Evidence (PILCEE) partnership will guide USAID's work by evaluating program impact and synthesizing findings.
A new survey highlights the need to revive England's hedgerows to meet national restoration targets. While agri-environment schemes have improved hedge condition, overall length remains unchanged. Experts call for increased participation and better incentives among farmers and landowners to rejuvenate the network.
A new study warns that Colorado's West Slope basins, supporting a $5 billion agriculture economy, face a potential tipping point due to drought vulnerability. The research suggests that even moderate climate change and streamflow declines can threaten water storage, agriculture, and municipal supplies.
A University of Groningen scientist argues that it's possible to live sustainably on Earth without destroying it, but requires policies based on scientific evidence. A study reveals that shifting consumer habits could reduce environmental impact by 25-53%.
A circular bioeconomy aims to reduce waste, transform industries, and regenerate natural systems for environmentally sustainable food and energy production. The concept needs a values-based economic lens with the right policies and incentives to persuade consumers and producers.
The study reveals that farmers' decisions to adopt smart livestock technologies are driven by their understanding of the technology's benefits, ease of use, and financial resources. A generational divide is also identified, with younger farmers being more open to adopting new technologies.
Researchers in human nutrition developed an innovative tool to assign a healthy hydration recommendation score to governments, promoting water and discouraging sugary beverages. The study analyzed 93 countries with dietary guidelines, finding that 48 had complementary messages encouraging water and reducing sugary beverage intake.
Researchers found that stock assessments have often been overly optimistic, with a third of sustainably fished stocks classified as overfished. They call for simpler models and greater use of the precautionary principle to protect fish stocks.
The study finds that agricultural expansion could lead to a 26% decline in biodiversity and emit almost half of current annual global CO2 emissions. Conservation policies can also have economic benefits, with minimal impact on GDP and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers warn of rapid global changes and geo-political instability due to climate change. International cooperation is needed to rethink mobility and cultural integration to ensure a benign transition.
African national adaptation policy documents reveal inadequate information on adaptation investments and tracking progress, limiting investment channeling and tracking effectiveness. However, some countries have robust plans, such as Benin and South Africa, which hold lessons for future climate negotiations.
The US food system is dominated by industrial agriculture, which perpetuates global challenges like food insecurity and biodiversity loss. Agroecology offers a solution, prioritizing ecological and social sustainability without sacrificing one for the other.
A major new study finds that climate-vulnerable countries with the highest hunger rates are significantly under-represented in agrifood research. The report highlights the need for urgent action and increased investments to redress this imbalance, calling for greater focus on regions with disproportionately lower research output.
Researchers found that 240 Chinese cities benefit from carbon mitigation efforts of other cities, with weak beneficiaries having stronger connections to upstream heavy industry cities. Effective emission reduction requires policies addressing distinct city challenges and opportunities.
A new study emphasizes the need to balance water conservation with food security, finding that ending groundwater depletion would lead to significant declines in food production, particularly for rice and wheat. The study warns that such efforts could push up international prices, making food less affordable for the poor.
A new study by Dr. Allan Hassaniyan argues Iran's water policy is discriminatory, leading to socioecological deterioration in peripheral regions and causing devastating effects on agriculture, health, and the environment.
A Virginia Tech researcher is helping implement the Food is Medicine concept across the US. Her studies found that electronic medical record functionality, provider support, and leadership alignment are key factors for successful implementation of these programs. The research team developed an implementation checklist to support health...
A new method discovered by researchers has the potential to reduce agricultural nitrous oxide emissions in Europe by one-third. The solution involves growing special bacteria that can convert harmful nitrous oxide into harmless nitrogen gas, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study published in Nature Food emphasizes the necessity of incorporating diverse knowledge systems into decision-making processes to address blind spots in current food system policies. The authors advocate for participatory and transdisciplinary approaches that integrate scientific, Indigenous, and traditional understandings.
Research suggests mainstreaming biodiversity targets into policies and plans across sectors has been ineffective due to non-binding commitments and insufficient resources. The study highlights the need for top-down regulation and incentives to encourage greater commitment to nature recovery.
A new study found that low-intensity grazing systems offer benefits for local biodiversity protection, but struggle due to inflexible regulations and a lack of workforce. Land users face economic constraints and restrictive policies, leading to declining participation in sustainable practices.
A Curtin University study found that breeding less-flatulent cows and restoring agricultural land can significantly reduce methane emissions from Australia's beef and dairy sectors. Researchers identified several strategies to lower emissions, including altering breeding objectives and improving wastewater management.
Researchers analyzed EU agricultural imports to identify areas of high environmental impact. Trade with MERCOSUR countries, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea contributes significantly to deforestation and land degradation. The EU can reduce its relevance by regulating demand for sustainable livestock farming or promoting low-me...
A new international study reveals that fluctuating coffee prices have a significant negative effect on the mental well-being of Vietnamese farmers. The study found that price volatility leads to increased stress, anxiety, and reduced social capital among farmers.
The WVU Institute for Community and Rural Health is leading a five-year, $8.5 million cooperative agreement grant to support underserved farmers in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and North Carolina. The project aims to increase agricultural production, provide working capital, and create farm-to-institution markets.
A new study found that rotating crops, conserving soil nutrients, and deploying diversification strategies can yield major benefits for the environment and people. The research discovered that farmers can achieve more benefits if they employ several agricultural solutions in tandem.
The Colorado River's water is mostly consumed by agriculture, with over 70% used for irrigation and 32% for cattle feed crops. The river's water budget reveals the need for significant reductions in water use to avoid future shortages.
A database containing over 6,000 agri-environmental policies from 200 countries has been published by the University of Bonn and ETH Zurich researchers. The study found that richer countries tend to implement more eco-friendly measures, while national policies play a significant role in reducing soil erosion.
Agricultural occupations have one of the highest rates of workplace injuries and fatalities in the U.S. Two studies from the University of Illinois found that vehicles and machinery are the leading causes of injuries, with men being twice as likely to be victims. Understanding the nature and source of injuries is crucial for developing...
A recent study suggests that IMF lending policies, especially structural loans, lead to significant increases in greenhouse gas emissions in Global South countries. This effect is most pronounced with second or subsequent loans, which can result in immediate spikes in emissions.
A Brazilian study developed a method using AI to identify crop-livestock integration areas from satellite images. The approach can benefit agriculture by optimizing land use, diversifying farming activities, and encouraging sustainable practices.
The study's findings highlight serious failures in animal welfare protection during transportation, with all countries falling short of guaranteeing adequate protection. The researchers propose updating the regulations to address major risk factors such as excessively long journeys and hot weather, drawing key future directions for new...
A new UK research hub aims to bridge the gap between science and policy to achieve Net Zero. The 'Land Use for Net Zero' Hub will provide evidence on land use and agriculture, helping to drive transformations needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
A major research study argues that diversifying away from maize and switching to crops like cassava, millet, and sorghum will improve nutrition security in sub-Saharan Africa. The study highlights the need for policymakers to prioritize nutritional quality in agricultural policy.
The EU's Nature Restoration Law (NRL) sets ambitious targets to restore 20% of Europe's land and marine areas by 2030, with the goal of increasing pollinator populations and rewetting peatlands. National implementation will be crucial for its success, requiring cooperation with economic sectors such as agriculture.
Research finds national parks and protected areas in Thailand are more prone to forest fires when located far from indigenous communities. Collaborative work with local communities reduces forest fires and air pollution, highlighting the importance of indigenous practices.
A new hotspot map reveals where women working in agri-food systems face the highest climate risk, with central, east, and southern Africa, as well as west and south Asia, being among the most vulnerable regions. Women's exposure to climate hazards and systemic gender inequalities converge to increase their vulnerability.
The publication provides comprehensive guidance on evaluating and using water safely in agriculture, with a focus on health and environmental protection. It offers technical solutions and good agricultural practices to mitigate risks from crop and livestock farming, fish farming, and wastewater use.
Recent state-sponsored infrastructure projects in Angola and Mozambique have been linked to climate-related humanitarian disasters. Research by Ruy Blanes highlights the need for local consideration in planning, as neglect can lead to devastating consequences.
Deforestation contributes to climate change, producing 6-17% of global greenhouse gas emissions. New satellite-based technology tracks forest change globally, enabling policymakers to understand the problem and develop solutions.
A new study suggests that substituting 50% of meat and dairy products with plant-based alternatives by 2050 can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture by 31%, save forests, and improve nutrition for millions of people. The study also found that restoring land spared from livestock production could contribute up to 25% of glob...
Replacing meat and milk with plant-based alternatives can significantly reduce agriculture's impact on the environment. By 2050, this shift could halve future declines in ecosystem integrity and contribute up to 25% of global land restoration needs. The study suggests that a 50% substitution scenario would substantially reduce environm...
A Stanford study reveals how the meat and dairy industry lobbies governments to resist competition from alternative animal products, such as plant-based and lab-grown meat alternatives. The research found that governments consistently devote more funding to traditional livestock systems than sustainable alternatives.
A study by researchers at Tufts University found that the majority of forced labor risks come from animal-based proteins, processed fruits and vegetables, and discretionary foods. The study aims to provide policymakers with information to create a just and sustainable food supply.
A recent study finds that most phosphorus stakeholders have significant doubts about the sustainability of existing systems, citing concerns over environmental impact. To advance phosphorus sustainability, stakeholders emphasize the need for new regulations, improved management practices, and innovative technologies.
A new study from the University of Illinois shows that carbon mitigation payments can increase net returns and reduce income risk for farmers growing bioenergy crops. The researchers found that higher biomass prices and targeted carbon credits can make these crops more appealing to farmers, regardless of their risk preference.
A study from the University of Illinois analyzed 7,839 US meat processing plants to identify factors associated with plant survival. Small and medium-sized plants were more likely to fail than large plants, while business diversification played a critical role in small plant survival.
A Japanese-led team used mapping techniques to quantify the impact of agriculture on high-priority conservation areas. The study found that commodities like beef, rice, and soybeans are often produced in high-conservation priority areas, while others like barley and wheat are sourced from low-priority areas.
The study found that about one-third of all farming occurs in high conservation priority areas, with certain staples like beef and soybeans tending to be produced there. Changing sourcing practices can help reduce the impact on biodiversity, according to researchers.
Current measures to protect grasslands in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau are damaging the ecosystem and should be stopped. Small burrowing mammals, like the plateau pika and zokor, play crucial ecological roles in maintaining ecosystem health and biodiversity.
Current global methane emissions policies are inadequate, covering only 13% of emissions, and are often based on inaccurate data. Stronger social support and political consensus are needed for effective methane mitigation to slow down climate change and improve air quality.
Only 13% of global methane emissions are regulated, despite causing at least 25% of current global warming. The lack of regulation and clarity must be urgently addressed to meet global climate targets, with a consistent approach worldwide needed to drastically reduce global warming levels.
Agricultural economist Charles Towe found that non-resident owners, mainly from NYC, are buying up farmland in Columbia County, leading to idle land and low-value farming practices. This trend has significant economic implications for the local community.
Soil microbiology research increasingly relies on big data, with experiments moving from labs to fields. Discrepancies between lab and field studies impact policies due to inconsistent results. Bridging the gap requires interdisciplinary collaboration to improve upscaling of soil microbiology research.
A study found that establishing fallow land can increase the populations of farmland birds and improve biodiversity. The benefits depend on landscape complexity, particularly in regions with a moderate density of boundary lines between fields and woody structures.
A study found that some of the world's largest slaughterhouses reduced cattle-driven deforestation in the Amazon by 15% through their zero-deforestation policies. If fully implemented, these policies could halve cattle-driven deforestation in Brazil by sparing over 24,000km2 of forest.
A new study reveals that Indigenous groups in the western US are struggling to turn their legal right to water into actual water use, despite having settled their water-rights claims. The findings show that tribes are likely using only a fraction of their entitled water rights, resulting in significant revenue losses.
Researchers found that seed systems are often disrupted by conflict, social inequality, and poor policies. Emerging initiatives like participatory plant breeding help farmers secure food supplies by developing crop varieties tailored to their needs.
A new strategy balances disease control with resistance management by balancing resistance to both fungicides until it increases enough to fail. The approach is robust to variations in parameters and could influence policy recommendations.