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China’s leadership, under Xi Jinping, has initiated a significant strategic shift toward a "fortress economy" designed to bolster national self-sufficiency and resilience against external shocks, and ultimately allow the nation to withstand “extreme situations” including protracted armed conflict. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the evolution of China’s fortress economy policy, tracing its roots from early warnings about international instability to its formalization in China’s 14th Five-Year Plan and subsequent policy actions. By examining official speeches, policy documents, and strategic initiatives, the paper explains how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is operationalizing this strategy through key domains such as food security, energy independence, and critical supply-chain resilience. The analysis highlights the CCP’s perception of an increasingly hostile international environment, prompting a paradigm shift that prioritizes national security and economic self-reliance. This research contributes to understanding China’s strategic intentions and provides a foundation for further exploration of the implications of China’s fortress economy on global economic and geopolitical dynamics.

Social exclusion and individuals’ self-sufficiency have been on the public agenda in Sweden recently. One reason is the large influx of immigrants to Sweden in 2016. This paper aims to measure self-sufficiency over time, across the life cycle, depending on geographical origin, and time spent in Sweden to provide information about how self-sufficiency has developed over time and across the life cycle. To address the potential problem of lack of self-sufficiency knowledge about its extent and predominance in certain groups is essential. Detailed register data on the entire population in Sweden are used to study the ability to support oneself. Results show that the self-sufficiency rate has improved since 2016, the year Sweden received many immigrants. However, among those who are not self-sufficient, the dependence on the public has increased. There are signs that the welfare state’s redistributive role over the life cycle has decreased over time, both in younger and older ages. Furthermore, the self-sufficiency rate is lower for individuals born outside of Sweden but increases the longer they have resided in Sweden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Active customers play a critical role in the successful implementation of support schemes, paving the way for the emergence of an energy community. This analysis explores the cooperation among active customers and the implications for developing energy communities. Furthermore, the motivations for consumers becoming active customers in the context of Latvia are illuminated, while also exploring the broader context of navigating the complex regulatory landscape to promote self-consumption. In contrast to prior studies, which often focus on individual or homogenous group participation, this analysis uniquely examines collaborative frameworks that incorporate varied customer categories and profiles. This approach not only underscores the role of tailored regulatory structures in fostering self-consumption, but also presents practical policy insights for incentivizing community-based energy models. The findings reveal that individual participation of active customers in support schemes only achieves the minimal self-consumption threshold in 47% of cases. In contrast, membership in an energy community significantly increases this rate, reaching 84%. These encouraging results underscore the importance of promoting energy community membership among active customers, which subsequently demonstrates substantial potential when promoted across diverse load profile categories. Additionally, the integration of photovoltaic and wind turbine technologies consistently improves self-consumption values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study was to determine how the loss of dates affected food security in Saudi Arabia from 2000 to 2021. The researchers achieved this by using food security indicators, economic equations to quantify agricultural resource losses, and econometric analyses to develop a partial adjustment model. The results show that dates are considered a self-sufficient crop as well as an export crop, as the state resorts to exporting the surplus instead of storing it for local consumption. During the study period, there was an increase in the period of sufficiency in date production for local consumption and the period of coverage of imports for local consumption. In 2000, the volume of dates lost increased by approximately 131.22%. The total loss of land and water resources reached 31,918.4 hectares and 324.759 million cubic meters, respectively. The value of the partial adjustment coefficient (λ) indicates that about 81.1% of the imbalance in the equilibrium between the actual and equilibrium levels is adjusted within one year. Loss is considered one of the most important factors that determine food security for dates, in addition to the total value of loans financed to date factories, the total population, and the level of technological progress in the marketing and storage of dates. It was found that a change of 10% in these variables leads to a change in food security for dates of (−2.37%), 0.07, (−15.33%), and 0.58%, respectively, and the adjusted coefficient of determination was estimated at 0.93. This study recommends the following: (1) expanding the use of modern technologies for date post-harvest transportation and storage, and (2) increasing support and loans allocated to date factories to increase warehouses for cooling and storage to accommodate the increase in production and surplus consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Jordan faces significant food security challenges due to population growth, climate change, and urbanization, straining limited water resources. Water supply expansion is constrained by economic and environmental factors, leading to a critical impact on agriculture, which stands as the largest consumer of water. The study emphasizes the crucial importance of regional water sources in ensuring food security, as the quantity and quality of irrigation water have a direct influence on crop yield and productivity. Managing irrigation is crucial for sustainability and livelihoods, given Jordan's reliance on food imports and climate change-induced production variability. This study delves into potato cultivation, examining the interconnections among irrigation water availability, crop yield, and self-relianceMETHODS: Irrigation with freshwater and blended treated wastewater in the middle and northern Jordan Valley is compared, using stepwise regression analysis and assuming other agricultural inputs to be optimal. Food security indicators, which include agricultural and socio-economic factors, along with water scarcity indicators, encompassing both water quantity and quality, were methodically chosen and examined.FINDINGS: Regression analysis of potato production in Jordan revealed that increased blended water positively impacts yields, while higher water requirements and chloride levels negatively affect them. The negative implications of effective rainfall in combined water irrigation were evident, emphasizing the necessity for precise control over the levels of water quality and quantity. The study found that higher local potato production enhances self-sufficiency, crucial for food security. Enhanced water management techniques and advancements in agricultural practices have led to an increase in potato self-sufficiency, even in the face of dwindling water resources. Challenges from stable water requirements and decreasing rainfall can be addressed with advanced irrigation techniques and adaptive practices.CONCLUSION: Improved water and crop management contribute to enhanced potato self-sufficiency in Jordan, despite varying water quality parameters. Furthermore, the results of research offer important information regarding the adjustment of potato cultivation to evolving climate patterns, including changes in precipitation temperature. These adaptation strategies can be shared and implemented in other countries facing similar climatic challenges.

The study addressed the mechanism of state regulation of the production, resource and export potential of the Kyrgyz Republic. The study aimed to improve the system of state regulation of the agricultural sector to increase national food security. The analysis revealed a steady increase in production of the main types of agricultural products over the period 2014-2024: cereals by 11.6%, potatoes by 12.5%, vegetables by 18.2%, meat by 24.5% and milk by 17.1%. However, the study also showed uneven levels of self-sufficiency across different types of products: the high levels of self-sufficiency in potatoes (167.4%), vegetables (164.5%) and milk (116.5%) contrast with the low levels of self-sufficiency in fruit and berries (18.2%), vegetable oil (44%) and sugar (69%). An analysis of the existing state regulatory mechanisms revealed a comprehensive legal framework, including the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic No. 320 “On Food Security” and the “Food Security and Nutrition Programme for 2019-2023”, but their implementation is limited by insufficient funding and administrative barriers. Based on the analysis, recommendations were developed to optimise the state regulatory mechanism, including the introduction of a differentiated subsidy system, optimisation of the structure of exports and imports of agricultural products, increasing the efficiency of agricultural production, development of agricultural processing and improving the food quality control system. Proposed measures include the creation of the brand “Ecologically clean products of Kyrgyzstan”, the introduction of the Global G.A.P. certification system, the creation of a network of regional agricultural-consulting centres, the development of agro-industrial parks and the modernisation of quality control laboratories. The implementation of these measures aims to overcome the identified problems create more favourable conditions for the development of agriculture and ensure food security in the Kyrgyz Republic

This review explores the potential of white lupin seeds (Lupinus albus) as a sustainable protein source for rabbit nutrition and examines their effects on growth performance, carcass traits, health status, milk yield, milk composition and nutrient availability. The dietary inclusion of white lupin seeds leads to comparable or superior growth, milk yield, milk composition, nutrient digestibility and digestive health of rabbits, as well as meat quality and carcass outcomes relative to traditionally used protein sources for feeding rabbits, such as soybean meal and sunflower meal. Studies also show that it is possible to use white lupin byproducts, such as the hull and bran, for rabbit diets, which can be convenient in terms of providing an adequate supply of lignocellulose and enhancing the sustainability of rabbit feed, promoting circular economy principles. The cultivation of white lupin can contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the use of synthetic fertiliser. Future research should focus on breeding improvements and comprehensive environmental assessments of white lupin seeds to maximise the benefits of white lupin for rabbit nutrition. These findings support the role of white lupin as a viable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional protein sources, such as soybean meal, which could support productivity and sustainability in rabbit farming.

The development of the milk food market and the level of food independence of the region set trends in the development of the milk reproduction process. The level of self-sufficiency of the region’s population, the level of economic accessibility of food, the development of market relations, exports and imports depend on the type of milk reproduction. Reproduction and market issues are considered from different perspectives: production and satisfaction of needs, but they are closely intertwined and, giving an assessment as a whole from both positions, it is possible to cover the current situation in the region in more detail.The purpose of the study. The purpose of the research is to analyze reproduction and assess the current situation on the milk market and dairy products in the conditions of food independence of the Irkutsk region and to develop recommendations for their development.Materials and methods. The study uses normative, reference and statistical information. The empirical base of the study was made up of data from the Federal State Statistics Service, the Ministry of Agriculture of the Irkutsk region, accounting statements of agricultural organizations, and publications in open sources. The object of the study is the supply of milk and dairy products in the Irkutsk region on the market. Statistical methods were used in the paper: descriptive statistics, comparative analysis, dynamic series analysis, monographic and other research methodsResults. The conducted assessment revealed that the average annual rate of decline in production volumes of milk in the Irkutsk region is 0,15%. The number of cows decreases by 32,22%, which affects the volume of production; they decrease, in turn, the productivity of cows increases by 74,34%, which compensates for the decrease in livestock, but not enough to conduct an expanded reproductive process. The main producers are the households of the population, which indicates the high labor intensity of the products. Irkutsk region is provided with milk of its own production by 87,6%, which does not correspond to the approved level of food independence (more than 90%). The economic accessibility of food has the highest value of 61,85% in 2021-2022. It shows that the population of the Irkutsk region consumes milk less than the rational norm of its consumption meeting the requirements of a healthy diet by 38,15%. Conclusion. According to the results of the study, the following conclusions can be drawn: milk reproduction in the region has a narrowed type; the region has not reached the level of food independence for milk; the economic accessibility of milk does not reach the established value in the doctrine of food security, which indicates that the population consumes milk less than the rational consumption rate established for medical reasons. A further increase in the level of food security is possible if an expanded type of reproduction process is achieved and maintained, which in modern conditions in the Irkutsk region is achievable with great effort, since the region has been exposed to a disease of cattle (nodular dermatitis) and the infected livestock is eliminated by burning, which will affect production volumes. The Ministry of Agriculture of the Irkutsk region is taking all necessary measures to normalize the situation and eliminate the consequences, as well as to support the affected agricultural producers

Abstract Background Analysis of food self-sufficiency at the regional level helps to better understand its dependency on, and vulnerability to, the food system. Moreover, achieving food self-sufficiency has gained prominence in the present policy agenda to increase resilience to adverse events and lower food resource footprint. Using a novel method, we estimated the food balance sheets of Scotland, the second-largest region in the United Kingdom, and assessed the self-sufficiency of major food commodities for the first time. Methods Data from 2003 to 2019 were obtained from Economic Reports on Scottish Agriculture and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)’s family food statistics. Food import and export data are not readily available for Scotland. Therefore, we developed a consumption-based approach to estimate the net trade values of each commodity. We also assessed the contribution of domestic production toward nutrient security. Results According to our estimates, Scotland is a net exporter of beef, exporting an average of 51.3 thousand tons per year. It is also a net exporter of cereal (wheat, barley, oats) and potatoes, although this was not always the case between 2003 and 2019. Scotland has a strong level of self-sufficiency in cereals, potatoes, lamb, beef, dairy, and eggs. However, there is room for improvement in achieving self-sufficiency in poultry and pork, where the self-sufficiency ratio is relatively low. Our analysis of nutrient security indicates that wheat and dairy sourced from Scotland play crucial roles in the food supply chain, markedly influencing total energy, dietary protein, and primary dietary fat sources. Conclusions Our assessment can serve as a foundation for evidence-based decision-making in Scotland's agricultural and food policy. It offers insights into where investments and support may be needed to enhance domestic production and promote a resilient and sustainable food system. Estimated self-sufficiency ratios provide a more accurate assessment of the extent of food localization in Scotland. The method we developed in this study has the potential to be a valuable tool for future research studies, allowing for the estimation of regional-level food self-sufficiency even when trade data and food balance sheets are unavailable.

Abstract Background Locally cultivated crops play an important role in the food security. The biodiversity of these crops can be important for the livelihood of households in current and future generations. This research aims to study the socio-economic, agronomic, and ecological aspects which contribute to the maintenance of crop diversification and food security in the study area. Method Based on latitude and topography 10 villages were randomly selected, which was done in a study with 227 household farm managers. Food security was evaluated based on the species richness, and area under cultivation of food groups, and the probit logistic regression model was used for evaluation. Probit regression, also known as probit models, is used when the output or dependent variable of the model is bivariate. In inverse probit models, the standard normal distribution is modeled as a linear combination of predictor variables. In this situation, the application of normal regression methods is not applicable because the distribution occurred in two levels. In this study, it is assumed that the protection of biodiversity of local plants is related to food security, and for this reason, we have used this model. Results The findings showed that socio-economic status of different households and farms in this coastal area is one of the key factors affecting the biodiversity of locally cultivated crops. Local cultivars, especially those of rice, are resistant to most environmental factors and contribute to family food security. Food security and rice abundance are significantly correlated in all of the research area’s communities. Conclusions To ensure the sustainability, and health of production, and to ensure food security, planting various crops in this study area is recommended. Future research is needed to focus on solutions and technologies rich in diversity tailored to the socio-economic and environmental factors of locally cultivated crops.

The main indicators of food security are initially formed at the regional level while being oriented on the macroeconomy. The new subjects of the Russian Federation have to develop under a constant military threat. This situation makes it important for the state to monitor their self-sufficiency in food products, which must be physically and economically available to the population. The authors assessed the current and prospective sustainability and availability of food in the Donetsk People’s Republic. The structure and elements of food security and food supply were analyzed in line with the Doctrine of Food Security of the Russian Federation. The article described the level of self- sufficiency in basic food products, the level of agricultural supply, and the level of processing relative to the consumption standards. The economic accessibility of food products was subjected to the comparative method based onthe minimal income level and the cost of living by the minimum consumption standards for each category of population. The cost of the consumer goods basket in 2015-2023 was analyzed demographically. The study proved that food security can be achieved by raising people’s income. Based on an expert survey and brainstorming, the authors developed a response matrix to potential risks and their consequences regarding the state administration of food security.

Regulating the circulation of technology is a powerful weapon to exercise global power. In August 2022 U.S. president Joe Biden moved to strangle China's high-end semiconductor industry by imposing a swath of export controls aimed at restricting the country's access to global semiconductor supply chains. While this chip war is usually framed as a bilateral conflict between Washington and Beijing the success of the U.S. strategy depends on the active cooperation of allied firms and governments. This article fills a critical gap in the standard narrative. It describes how the U.S. government has constructed an empire by regulation leveraging its global political and economic power to impose extraterritorial export controls on allied trade. By seeking to regulate the flow of technology knowledge people and foreign investment into China the U.S. risks alienating traditional allies and has triggered China to seek self-sufficiency in the production of advanced semiconductors for civilian and military applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to assess the sustainability of bioenergy potential from agriculture in the European Union in the period 2012–2021, with a particular focus on material flow and emissions management, bioenergy and recycling impacts, while assessing the potential of bioenergy from agriculture and analyzing the degree of self-sufficiency and import dependency in the biomass economy. While biomass has significant potential in the EU energy transition, its use is accompanied by challenges related to sustainability, carbon neutrality, efficiency and economic viability. Using a quantitative approach based on official statistical data, this research tracked the evolution of biomass imports, exports, domestic extraction and consumption, providing a comprehensive picture of the stability and adaptability of the biomass economy in the European Union. The results indicate a steady increase in domestic extraction and a stability in consumption, reflecting a high capacity of the European Union to manage biomass resources; thus, the degree of self-sufficiency has been high throughout the period, with a moderate dependence on imports, showing an adaptable economy. The conclusions suggest that in order to maintain this stability, the European Union must continue to develop balanced economic and environmental policies that support the sustainable use of biomass and contribute to the energy transition and environmental objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The article analyzes the impact of the sanctions policies of Western countries on the agri-food sector. It is noted that in difficult geopolitical and macroeconomic conditions, many problems that existed in the agri-food sector even before the increase in sanctions pressure on the Russian economy were exposed and intensified. With a high level of self-sufficiency in food products, the industry has maintained a high level of import dependence of agricultural production, primarily for seeds and breeding material, as well as for many other components of agricultural production. Adaptation strategies of the agri-food sector to new conditions are aimed at accelerating import substitution and increasing domestic production and replacing the importer from Western countries with a supplier of similar products from friendly countries. The increased attention to import substitution and the growth of investment attractiveness of the industry are shown. Key problem areas of the industry have been identified, including rising production costs, decreasing profitability and, as a consequence, decreasing demand for domestic agricultural machinery, and exacerbating the problem of personnel shortages in agriculture. The role of exports as a driver of production growth in a few agricultural sectors is noted in the absence of prerequisites for the growth of domestic consumption, which is hampered by a decrease in the purchasing power of per capita monetary income of the population and the lack of population growth. A decrease in profitability in agriculture against the backdrop of a significant increase in costs leads to a reduction in the purchase of domestic agricultural machinery products by agricultural producers and hits producers in related industries up and down the value chain. It is concluded that the sources of growth in agricultural production in the short and medium term will be import substitution in the field of breeding, ensuring an increase in the profitability of agricultural production, eliminating the shortage of labor resources in agriculture, increasing the investment attractiveness of the agri-food sector for new investors, developing exports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article considers the impact made by natural hazards on the parameters of the staple food self-sufficiency for the Russian Federation. It is shown how the negative effect of such phenomena is gradually spreading and affects the components of "food sovereignty" and their links. A list for types and dynamic series of hydrometeorological hazards most frequently occurring on the territory of the Russian Federation is compiled for the time interval from 1991 to 2019. Correlation and regression analysis of the dependence observed for production indicators and the use of certain types of product groups (in the context of food balance sheet items) on the occurrence of specific natural hazard types was carried out. The results of the analytical study show that the integral effect of the consequences brought about by natural hazards is reflected in the matrix representing food balance sheets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The territory is the structural pillar of the government and the country, and its stability and protection is the essential condition for development and survival. In recent years, Iran has faced many challenges in the biological and environmental resources, especially water resources, the roots of which should be sought in the Islamic Republic's macro strategies and territorial governance approach. The victory of the Islamic revolution caused a profound change in the political thought and territorial governance system in Iran. In the meantime, the discourse and policy of self-sufficiency became a part of the principles of Iran's governance system. The purpose of this research is to investigate and evaluate the policy and strategy of self-sufficiency and its impact on the quality of territorial governance and the state of environmental sustainability in Iran. During the period of the Islamic Revolution, territorial governance was implemented based on the strategy of self-sufficiency and with the aim of economic resilience, reducing vulnerability, and ensuring Iran's food security. The main question of the research is what effect the self-sufficiency strategy has had on territorial governance in Iran and what are its environmental and territorial consequences. This research was carried out by descriptive and analytical methods and document analysis, and the data needed for the research was obtained from Iran's upstream documents and laws, especially the five-year development plans of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The results of the research show that Iran's territorial governance has been influenced by the policy of self-sufficiency as a sustainable strategy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. In such a way the policy of self-sufficiency has become the basis for double pressure and threat to Iran's biological and water resources, and if it continues, it can threaten the social and economic life of many cities and villages in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ensuring food security by Indonesia's Golden Year in 2045 presents a formidable challenge, with advancements in agricultural technology anticipated to play a crucial role in attaining this goal. Rice is the major food crop in Indonesia, and its consumption is still considerably high, indicating that daily nutrient uptake relies on its grain. However, the current population of Indonesia demanding rice is 31.2 million tons and this number of populations will grow at the rate of 0.41 percent. The rice consumption of the Indonesian people is quite high, namely 114.6 kg per person per year. The rice harvest area in 2023 decreased by 2.45%, from 10.45 million hectares to 10.20 million hectares, resulting in rice production which also decreased from 31.54 million tons to 30.90 million tons. The average conversion of paddy fields to non-harvest areas in Indonesia reached 100,000 hectares per year. Meanwhile, the average ability to print rice fields is only 60,000 hectares a year. This means that there is a difference in the conversion of paddy fields of around 40,000 hectares per year. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to elucidate how agricultural technology can enhance rice production across different land types in Indonesia, thus supporting food security efforts. To achieve the objectives of this research, a systematic literature review method was used. The result of this study shows that the amalgamation of diverse technological advancements and innovative practices in rice cultivation holds immense promise in bolstering productivity, bolstering sustainability, and tackling nutritional deficiencies. Prospectively, the use of cutting-edge technology offers some insights that can be input for policy formulation, technological innovation, and community engagement strategies aimed at creating a safer, fairer, and more sustainable food future for Indonesia to achieve food security by 2045. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The significant expansion of renewable energies has led to an increased importance of storage systems. Decentralized storage solutions, including Home Battery Energy Storage Systems (HBESSs) and District Battery Energy Storage Systems (DBESSs), play a crucial role in this context. This study compares individual HBESSs with a community-used DBESS regarding the grade of autarky and self-consumption, specifically focusing on a planned residential area consisting of 36 single-family houses. A simulation tool was developed to conduct load flow simulations based on household electricity consumption, wallbox profiles for electric vehicle charging, and photovoltaic generation data across various battery capacities and system boundaries. The results demonstrate that the DBESS, compared to individual HBESSs with equivalent cumulative battery capacities, can achieve a maximum increase in the grade of autarky of up to 11.6 %, alongside an 8.0 % increase in the grade of self-consumption for the given use case. In terms of capacity, the DBESS allows for a saving of up to 68% compared to HBESS to achieve similar results for the studied neighborhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study addressed the mechanism of state regulation of the production, resource and export potential of the Kyrgyz Republic. The study aimed to improve the system of state regulation of the agricultural sector to increase national food security. The analysis revealed a steady increase in production of the main types of agricultural products over the period 2014-2024: cereals by 11.6%, potatoes by 12.5%, vegetables by 18.2%, meat by 24.5% and milk by 17.1%. However, the study also showed uneven levels of self-sufficiency across different types of products: the high levels of self-sufficiency in potatoes (167.4%), vegetables (164.5%) and milk (116.5%) contrast with the low levels of self-sufficiency in fruit and berries (18.2%), vegetable oil (44%) and sugar (69%). An analysis of the existing state regulatory mechanisms revealed a comprehensive legal framework, including the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic No. 320 “On Food Security” and the “Food Security and Nutrition Programme for 2019-2023”, but their implementation is limited by insufficient funding and administrative barriers. Based on the analysis, recommendations were developed to optimise the state regulatory mechanism, including the introduction of a differentiated subsidy system, optimisation of the structure of exports and imports of agricultural products, increasing the efficiency of agricultural production, development of agricultural processing and improving the food quality control system. Proposed measures include the creation of the brand “Ecologically clean products of Kyrgyzstan”, the introduction of the Global G.A.P. certification system, the creation of a network of regional agricultural-consulting centres, the development of agro-industrial parks and the modernisation of quality control laboratories. The implementation of these measures aims to overcome the identified problems create more favourable conditions for the development of agriculture and ensure food security in the Kyrgyz Republic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Refugees' employment is considered one of the most important indicators of self-sufficiency in the new country in which they resettle. Previous literature examined several factors that were associated with refugee employment, but most studies focused on refugees' sociodemographic characteristics. Hypothesizing that various resources available to refugees after arrival can impact their employment outcomes, this study examined the influence of both the pre- and post-migration factors. The national-level 2019 Annual Survey of Refugees (ASR) data and logistic regression based on 2,031 individuals were used to examine the inquiry. The results showed that while pre-migration factors such as gender and prior work experience mattered, post-migration factors such as job training and English proficiency also showed strong associations for refugees' work experiences in the U.S. Conversely, welfare assistance did not show positive associations. This study motivates future research into the efficacy of resettlement support and welfare benefits, as well as on the meaning of job and self-sufficiency among refugees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic leakages in tourism are an under-researched area that requires special emphasis from the tourism academia. Leakages persist in a destination and obstruct the economic development of the region. Though mainstream literature highlighted more about the positive side of tourism development, relatively limited literature discussed about leakages. This study critically examines the existing body of knowledge on economic leakages in tourism destinations in order to ascertain the current status of the research and identify any knowledge gaps. This study thoroughly examined theoretical and empirical data on economic leakages in tourism destinations and identified directions for future research. This study further goes into detail on how crucial leakage mitigation is to establishing resilience and self-sufficiency while rebuilding tourism destinations after the pandemic. Finally, theoretical and practical implications are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding Egypt's dependence on wheat imports is crucial for enhancing food security and economic stability. This study aims to identify the extent of Egypt's wheat import dependency and recommend measures for increasing food self-sufficiency. We employed index analysis and an econometric model to analyze data sourced from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), World Bank (WB), and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Quantitative and qualitative indicators of wheat production and consumption were examined. Key findings include that Egypt's food insecurity levels remain unchanged, and the country faces threats from rising global food prices, low-quality agricultural land, and climate change, which is expected to reduce cereal yields by 6–15 %. Econometric analysis revealed that a 1 % increase in population growth and protein intake results in a 1.09 % and 3.63 % increase in wheat imports, respectively, while a 1 % increase in wheat consumption leads to a 0.87 % decrease in wheat imports. These findings suggest the need for Egypt to diversify its agriculture by adopting less water-intensive crops and improving irrigation efficiency. Future research should explore non-linear models, recent data, and qualitative factors to build on these insights and further inform policy development.

Today, most hydrogen production is based on natural gas and occurs locally at the demand sites. However, according to many studies, hydrogen generation will shift to greenhouse gas (GHG)-neutral sources and supply, substantially increasing demands to meet ambitious climate protection targets in the European Union. Therefore, the model-based analysis in this paper addresses where hydrogen will come from in a GHG-neutral target system. A scenario study examines different expansion paths of renewable energy generation technologies and variations in European cooperation regarding energy trading. The model results show that a domestic European hydrogen supply strategy is cost-efficient. This result is robust even with higher self-sufficiency shares of individual countries. However, delayed or restricted expansions of renewable electricity generation technologies lead to increased hydrogen demands for power generation and increased pipeline-bound hydrogen imports in winter from the Middle East and North Africa in the model results. Furthermore, scenarios with higher photovoltaic shares exhibit increased demand for hydrogen storage for seasonal energy supply and demand balancing and increased hydrogen demands for power generation. A cost-efficient hydrogen supply strategy should, therefore, particularly focus on the expansion of onshore wind energy and hydrogen supply technologies in Europe and strengthen European cooperation for energy supply infrastructures.

Abstract Background Self-esteem is an individual's perception of themselves. Professional self-esteem is defined as the individual's perception of worthiness regarding their preferred profession. The research aims to examine the relationship between the self-esteem and professional self-esteem of Audiology department students and raise awareness of this issue. Material and Method In our study, 532 students in the Audiology undergraduate department were included. Professional Self-Esteem and Self-Esteem questionnaires were delivered to the students online via Google Forms, using snowball sampling, in social media groups of the Audiology undergraduate students. Data were analyzed using Spearman correlation analysis, Mann Whitney U, and Kruskal Wallis Test. p 0.05). Conclusion As a result, it was observed that as the self-esteem of the audiologist candidates increased, their professional self-esteem increased. Also, as the class level increased, their professional self-esteem decreased.

Motivated by Nigeria’s persistent pursuit of rice self-sufficiency, this paper projects the country's future rice self-sufficiency levels. These projections could guide policy decisions in areas of the rice market that show potential for growth, aiding in the achievement of Nigeria's goal through improved planning strategies. Using time series data covering the period from 1980 to 2018, this study adopted an econometric technique to model Nigeria's rice market which was estimated using a dynamic Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach. The results revealed that paddy producer price elasticity was 0.206 and had no influence on paddy area harvested. On the other hand, the national policy of rice credit guarantee scheme variable displayed a positive relationship with paddy area harvested. Lagged yield and lagged area harvested had positive influences on yield and area harvested, respectively. This could mean that paddy producers were motivated by previous year’s yield levels and area harvested. The demand own-price elasticity of rice was -0.321 and its cross-price elasticity was 0.193, with wheat revealed to be a substitute. The obtained elasticities were then used to make a ten-year projection. Results suggested that by 2028, increasing rice production relative to dwindling imports will boost rice self-sufficiency level to 71%. However, the average yearly rice self-sufficiency level was 53%, requiring 3.85 million Mt of rice imports. The projections revealed that Nigeria will not achieve rice self-sufficiency by 2028 unless intensive yield enhancing policy-supporting efforts are pursued.

Background: Self-esteem is an individual's perception of themselves. Professional self-esteem is defined as the individual's perception of worthiness regarding their preferred profession. The research aims to examine the relationship between the self-esteem and professional self-esteem of Audiology department students and raise awareness of this issue. Material and Method: In our study, 532 students in the Audiology undergraduate department were included. Professional Self-Esteem and Self-Esteem questionnaires were delivered to the students online via Google Forms, using snowball sampling, in social media groups of the Audiology undergraduate students. Data were analyzed using Spearman correlation analysis, Mann Whitney U, and Kruskal Wallis Test. p < 0.05 was accepted as significance value. Results: According to the results, it has been observed that there is a weak and significant positive correlation between the professional self-esteem of the audiologist candidates and their total self-esteem scores (p < 0.05). Self-esteem and professional self-esteem scores of those who chose the profession willingly were significantly higher than those who did not choose the profession willingly (p < 0.05). As the grade level increased, professional self-esteem decreased significantly (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the scores in both scales according to income, university type, and gender (p > 0.05). Conclusion: As a result, it was observed that as the self-esteem of the audiologist candidates increased, their professional self-esteem increased. Also, as the class level increased, their professional self-esteem decreased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Campus buildings often face issues with high energy consumption, low efficiency, and significant carbon emissions, making the creation of a green, low-carbon campus urgent. Utilizing solar photovoltaics on rooftops can provide an effective power solution to address high energy consumption. This study focuses on a university campus, employing the DeST energy consumption simulation software to model the HVAC systems, electrical devices, and hot water loads of five typical buildings. It combines this with calculations of available rooftop areas to assess the potential for rooftop solar photovoltaics. The results confirm varying annual electricity consumption among the different buildings, which directly correlates with building size and operational schedules. Among the five building types, sports facilities and academic buildings have relatively high rooftop photovoltaic self-sufficiency rates, exceeding 60%, while the library has the lowest, under 20%. The entire university campus has an annual rooftop photovoltaic self-sufficiency rate of 35%, significantly addressing the issue of high energy consumption in university campuses. This research provides a theoretical basis for implementing rooftop photovoltaic systems to achieve campus energy savings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivated by Nigeria's persistent pursuit of rice self-sufficiency, this paper projects the country's future rice self-sufficiency levels. These projections could guide policy decisions in areas of the rice market that show potential for growth, aiding in the achievement of Nigeria's goal through improved planning strategies. Using time series data covering the period from 1980 to 2018, this study adopted an econometric technique to model Nigeria's rice market which was estimated using a dynamic Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach. The results revealed that paddy producer price elasticity was 0.206 and had no influence on paddy area harvested. On the other hand, the national policy of rice credit guarantee scheme variable displayed a positive relationship with paddy area harvested. Lagged yield and lagged area harvested had positive influences on yield and area harvested, respectively. This could mean that paddy producers were motivated by previous year's yield levels and area harvested. The demand own-price elasticity of rice was -0.321 and its cross-price elasticity was 0.193, with wheat revealed to be a substitute. The obtained elasticities were then used to make a ten-year projection. Results suggested that by 2028, increasing rice production relative to dwindling imports will boost rice self-sufficiency level to 71%. However, the average yearly rice self-sufficiency level was 53%, requiring 3.85 million Mt of rice imports. The projections revealed that Nigeria will not achieve rice self-sufficiency by 2028 unless intensive yield enhancing policy-supporting efforts are pursued. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review explores the potential of white lupin seeds (Lupinus albus) as a sustainable protein source for rabbit nutrition and examines their effects on growth performance, carcass traits, health status, milk yield, milk composition and nutrient availability. The dietary inclusion of white lupin seeds leads to comparable or superior growth, milk yield, milk composition, nutrient digestibility and digestive health of rabbits, as well as meat quality and carcass outcomes relative to traditionally used protein sources for feeding rabbits, such as soybean meal and sunflower meal. Studies also show that it is possible to use white lupin byproducts, such as the hull and bran, for rabbit diets, which can be convenient in terms of providing an adequate supply of lignocellulose and enhancing the sustainability of rabbit feed, promoting circular economy principles. The cultivation of white lupin can contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the use of synthetic fertiliser. Future research should focus on breeding improvements and comprehensive environmental assessments of white lupin seeds to maximise the benefits of white lupin for rabbit nutrition. These findings support the role of white lupin as a viable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional protein sources, such as soybean meal, which could support productivity and sustainability in rabbit farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There is an ongoing debate regarding the role of international trade on food security and food sovereignty. While food security is a concept with a recognized definition and methodologies to assess it, food sovereignty has multiple definitions, and it is not clear how to measure it. Our purpose is to analyze the evolution of cherry and avocado domestic purchases as an illustrative example of the role of international trade on food security and food sovereignty. Method: Using a descriptive analysis, we analyse export data at country level and household data representative of urban centers. Results: We found that cherry and avocado exports have increased over the last decades. We found that domestic cherry and avocado purchases have been stable, while the overall fruit and vegetable purchases have been decreasing. Besides, the cherry seasons are showing some signs of expansion. In terms of disparities, households from quintiles 1 and 2, the two lowest income quintiles, increased cherry purchases. Moreover, households from quintiles 4 and 5, the two highest income quintiles, decreased cherry purchases. Discussion: International trade can also help to increase domestic purchases and decrease purchases disparities, which can be linked to food access and food security. However, the increased of off-season imports of avocado can be linked to a decreased food sovereignty. We expect to contribute to illustrate how international trade, food security and food sovereignty are linked, while the concept of food sovereignty keeps developing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: I dealt this study for measuring self-sufficiency and food gap (deficit) for wheat crop in (2019-2020), The problem of the study is a question is Iraq produces wheat that help in achieving self-sufficiency and that there is no food gap (deficit) and the other question is that what is the effect of natural and human ingredients on that sufficiency. Methodology: the methodology of the study includes the descriptive method, statistical analysis and the productive method. The study reached out to an assumption that Iraq has produced wheat that fill the local need in(2019-2020) it reached to the self-sufficiency stage. The natural and human ingredients have a great effect to achieve it. Results: the study has the main role for achieving Iraq the self-sufficiency, and there is a difference among Iraq provinces concerning self-sufficiency rate and food gap(deficit) the study showed a future vision for achieving self-sufficiency of wheat. Conclusion: the study recommends of the optimum investment for the available natural and human ingredients and following the techniques for developing production. It also recommends to build up a strategic storage of wheat in case of any emergency and treat agriculture problems.

The relevance of this study lies in overcome obstacles to garlic development in Indonesia, such as low productivity and limited use of technology, which can hinder self-sufficiency and import-reducing programs. The purpose of this study was to identify the technical efficiency, the determinants of technical inefficiency, and the level of technical efficiency at various levels of adoption of the standard operating procedures of garlic farming in production centres in Indonesia. The cross-sectional data was gathered through interviews with 227 farmers chosen using a simple random selection technique. The Cobb-Douglass production function and the stochastic frontier analysis were used to determine the factors influencing garlic production, the technical efficiency level, and the determinants of technical inefficiency. The Maximum Likelihood Estimation was used to analyse the data. The level of technical efficiency at various levels of standard operating procedures adoption was measured using descriptive statistical analysis. Farm size, seeds, urea and NPK fertiliser, herbicides, yellow sticky traps, family labour, mulch, and farmers’ participation in garlic development programs significantly affected garlic production. The technical efficiency varied within 0.37-0.99, with a mean of 0.71. Farmers’ practices and standard operating procedure adoption significantly reduced technical inefficiency. Generally, the level of standard operating procedure adoption is moderate. In the high standard operating procedure adoption group, the mean technical efficiency is 0.77, while in the moderate level group, it is 0.68. The findings of this study can be used as a model for other garlic-importing countries to enhance production and strengthen food security