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In the context of the ongoing process of high-quality development in the new era, which is focused on improving total factor productivity, it is of great importance to explore the spatial and temporal variations of total factor productivity growth and its driving factors in China's county regions' grain cultivation industry. This paper employs a three-stage DEA-Malmquist productivity method, the Gini coefficient method, and a panel fixed-effects model to analyze data from Chinese counties between 2009 and 2019. The analysis indicates that the growth of county food total factor productivity (FTFP) exhibits a fluctuating upward trend during the examination period, with an average annual growth rate of 2.43%. This is primarily driven by technological progress, yet the core driving role of technological efficiency is not effectively played. The average annual growth rate of county FTFP varies across different regions. The highest average annual growth rate of county FTFP in the eastern region and the primary grain-producing area is 2.75 and 3.04%, respectively. The lowest growth rates were observed in the western region and the main grain marketing area, at 1.44 and 1.23%, respectively. Secondly, the Gini coefficient of county FTFP continues to demonstrate a persistent upward trend during the examination period, with an average annual growth rate of 14.729%. The primary factor contributing to the observed variation in total factor productivity growth of the food sector at the regional level is the existence of disparate technological progress. Thirdly, there is a notable positive correlation between county financial deepening and financial self-sufficiency rates and county FTFP growth, with impact coefficients of 0.0503 and 0.0924, respectively. Conversely, county population density, degree of economic development, farmers' income level, and industrial structure exert a significant negative influence on county FTFP growth and technological progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food delivery applications have grown rapidly in recent years, fueled by increasing consumer demand for convenience and prepared foods. Previous studies on what factors encourage consumers to use delivery platforms rely largely on survey data, likely due to the lack of availability of restaurant or industry level data. Utilizing web-scraping techniques to collect restaurant level data from one of the biggest delivery applications in South Korea, Yogiyo, this study conducts an analysis on spatial market structure of the restaurant business. Through restaurant level data, market expansion, changes in the number of restaurants to order from, and changes in prices across regions with delivery application are considered. Analysis suggests that the average number of orderable restaurants increased from a nearby 2.3 restaurants to distant 13.5 restaurants with customers willingly paying for delivery fees according to distance via the delivery application. As the restaurant delivery market becomes spatially more competitive with an additional 13.5 restaurants, it is found that aggregate prices totaled with food prices and delivery fees from two restaurants in different locations converge to serve the customers between the two restaurants. In addition, the increased degree of competition due to increased number of restaurants leads the aggregate prices to decrease by between 5.13 and 7.56%, depending on regional characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Economics & Environment / Ekonomia i Środowisko is the property of Fundacja Ekonomistow Srodowiska i Zasobow Naturalnych and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Annals of the Polish Association of Agricultural & Agribusiness Economists is the property of Polish Association of Agricultural & Agribusiness Economists and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The demand for food has been increasing throughout the years, with notable preferences for animal-based foods. Considering the impact of the excessive animal-based consumption on the environment and public health, international organisations and the scientific literature have advised for a large-scale transition towards healthier and more sustainable food consumptions, i.e., a systematic decrease in animal-based consumption followed by an increase in plant-based consumption. However, to effectively promote healthier and more sustainable food choices such as plant-based ones, it is crucial to understand what motivates consumers' food choices. Based on primary data (N = 1040), representative of the Portuguese population, it was possible to assess the potential motivators behind food choices, allowing to provide guidelines for policy decision. The impact of different socioeconomic characteristics, food consumption orientations, and food-related behaviours on food choices was estimated. In general, most of the drivers of plant-based meals were also motivators for reducing animal-based meals. The main findings demonstrate that the more environmentally conscious and informed the consumer, the more likely they are to choose more plant-based and less animal-based meals on a weekly basis; not only informed consumers, but consumers who actively look for information before buying choose more plant-based meals. Thus, not only information, but, more importantly, education regarding food characteristics and its impact on society should be the focus of policymakers. Understanding the drivers and barriers of food choices is vital for informing future food policy to promote healthier and more sustainable choices rich in plant-based foods, both for Portugal as well as for other European countries, particularly the southern ones with similar culture and where the Mediterranean diet is highly promoted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant-based diets are often promoted as healthier and more sustainable and thus as a mechanism to achieve the targets proposed to mitigate climate change and noncommunicable diseases. However, plant-based diets can be perceived as more expensive than the common omnivorous diets, when considering the expensive novel meat substitutes and also the higher costs of fruits and vegetables, whose consumption is perceived to increase. Therefore, the present study assesses the question: Do plant-based consumers spend more on food compared to omnivorous consumers? Based on primary data (n = 1040) collected through an online survey, representative of the Portuguese population, through logistic regressions, it was possible to conclude that plant-based consumers, particularly vegan, are associated with lower food expenditures compared to omnivorous consumers. In fact, plant-based consumers are shown to spend less than all other consumers assessed. Food policies aligning healthiness and sustainability with affordability can deliver a major boost for the promotion of plant-based diets and help achieve the mitigation targets proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article summarizes the substantial contribution of federal women agricultural economists in producing unique research reliant on restricted federal data; the female economist‐led expansion of Economic Research Service (ERS) and other research programs into new, contemporary areas beyond production agriculture; the development of data on contemporary issues; and the widely distributed explosion of new work in those new areas enabled by access to ERS data and resources to researchers outside the agency. Important facilitation by ascendant female leadership in ERS and other government agencies is emphasized. Related Content: Contributions of women at the intersection of agricultural economics and environmental and natural resource economics Related Content: How women in agricultural economics expanded the profession's role in food safety and nutrition Related Content: How women saved agricultural economics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Food Science & Technology & Economy is the property of Grain Science & Technology & Economy Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate a hydroponic farm (through nutrient film technique) while considering uncertainty, sustainability and the system's utility in the dominant desert geography. The idea of the hydroponic farm is to allow individuals/businesses to grow plants. Given the geographical condition, the hydroponic system may be useful in the Gulf context and may lead to food security and sustainability. Additionally, the UAE government has initiated several support schemes that can be availed for investing in such businesses that can contribute to the nation's food security. Design/methodology/approach: The hydroponic farm is evaluated using the net present value and real options approach. The authors studied five scenarios: 1. business as usual, 2. 50% subsidy on initial investment through Khalifa funding, 3. 4% premium, 4. Subsidy plus premium and 5. solar panel installation with bore well. Findings: As per the assumptions and data usage, all the scenarios shows a positive net present value (NPV); Nevertheless, scenarios 4 and 5 report the significant highest net present and delay value. Research limitations/implications: This study has environmental, economic and social implications. Lower imports indirectly lead to lower carbon footprints. The local production of food ensures higher employability in the sector and increase in local consumption. Additionally, fresh food consumption is directly associated to good health. Practical implications: Supportive policies such as subsidies through Khalifa funding may accelerate the expansion of such projects through domestic and foreign investments. One of the important takeaway from the study is to invest in the training of the workforce. Social implications: Given the geographical condition, the UAE usually depends on food imports. If the hydroponic farms become popular, the residents will have access to fresh vegetables and fruits. Higher engagement in agriculture activities also ensures a significant increase in agriculture-related businesses and higher employability. Originality/value: The study adds novelty to the literature because the effect of Khalifa funding and investment analysis on solar (wells) has not been evaluated in any hydroponic studies. We presented the results with tornado graphs using NPV risk and real options approach in the Gulf context. The study represents functional scenarios that were previously not found in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the growing population and increasing purchasing power, the sustainability of the food sector is questioned as environmental externalities derive from consumption, mainly the emission of greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change. Academic literature has suggested strategies to efficiently manage food consumption, but one of the main implications is to reduce meat consumption. Such a reduction would mitigate climate change and other environmental externalities as well as reduce health-related problems. However, the livestock sector is also a relevant economic sector for the subsistence of any economy. Therefore, this reduction could threaten economic growth. Following a sample of 14 European high-income countries over more than four decades, the impact of food consumption on economic growth is assessed. Results suggest that both meat and plant-based consumption contribute positively to economic growth. Consequently, a reduction in meat consumption could have a negative impact on the economy. However, strategies to both reduce meat consumption and promote economic growth are discussed in line with the results, with plant-based foods as an efficient option to solve the dilemma. Furthermore, specific strategies for both the supply and the demand side, education on food production and consumption are recommended, particularly in primary schools. Children could learn about healthy and sustainable dietary habits that would not hamper economic growth, as these should be the seeds of future consumption habits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of culture in connection with the development of food and bioeconomy issues has gained growing importance in recent years. In this editorial we provide background information on the three key topics addressed by the papers published in this special issue: cultural ecosystem services, cultural issues in the organisation of food chains, culture and food characteristics. In a way, the common denominator of these papers is the link between culture, food and territory, taken from different angles. More research and methodological advances are needed for a better consideration of culture in economic research accounting for the current needs of more systemic and holistic vision of the topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista CES Salud Pública is the property of Universidad CES and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Mother & Child Health (BJMCH) / Revista Brasileira de Saude Materno Infantil (RBSMI) is the property of Instituto de Medicina Integral and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The objective of the study is to analyze if there is a relationship between health and environmental sustainability concerns in food choices. We used data of 300 Italian consumers collected through a vis-à-vis survey. We performed cross-tabulations and chi-square tests for a selected set of variables measuring both types of concerns, segmenting the sample by age, gender and education. Our results suggest that the association between health and environmental concerns is often statistically significant, though we observe a high variable specificity of the associations. Socio-demographic conditions seem to play a role in determining the association between the two concerns, with middle-aged and/or highly-educated respondents showing a stronger association between health and environmental concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Future food production will be constrained by the scarcity of fossil fuel and fresh water as well as increasing intensity and unpredictability of weather events and climate changes. The assurance of food security and equity for many consumers is complicated by concentration of ownership of land and other production resources, as well as a global corporate food systems model that is driven by profit at the expense of people and the environment. To assess potential alternatives to the contemporary global food chain, well focused research is needed on local food production and food webs where small- and midscale family farms provide economic viability for rural communities and their regions. We suggest multiple and integrative research priorities in production, enterprise, and farm economics, environmental impacts of farming at different scales, and social and community consequences of value adding and economic multipliers in local food webs and systems as well as the structure of agriculture. Research into key questions on food security and how it relates to increased food sovereignty is clearly needed to assess creative food system alternatives for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nutrient-cost concept is important in food and nutrition planning and applied nutrition programs. There is a need to develop a simple and quick method of calculating nutrientcost values. A nomogram, which provides a new technology, has been devised to do this. The use of the nomogram and its theoretical basis are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]