Development of MY FRAM matrix to assess food safety risks in horticultural crops

A farm food safety risk assessment matrix (MY FRAM) was developed for horticultural farms. The tool enables farmers to carry out self risk assessments on the potential of food safety risks on the farm from site selection to post-harvest handling. MY FRAM was developed on Microsoft ASP. NET C# 4.5 with logical functions and utilised a semi-quantitative risk assessment approach (risk ranking of 1 – 9) for farmers. MY FRAM is an illustrative risk ranking tool to allow farmers to quickly identify potential food safety risks and risk summary and corrective actions are suggested to farms on how to reduce the risks. The tool can also be utilised as a training tool for farm workers to understand the importance of food safety at the farm level

Introduction and adoption of innovations in horticultural production systems

Horticultural production occurs in various production systems, dominated by greenhouse and open-field production. During the last decade, alternative production systems with more advanced technologies, such as LED lighting and artificial intelligence, have started to appear, e.g., plant factories with artificial lighting. This opens up new opportunities where increased attention from venture capitalists and investors highlights food-tech as an innovative field of interest. Technological development can also accelerate possibilities, mainly for firms producing in greenhouses, if they can adopt relevant knowledge and innovations from other production systems. Another aspect is the increased interest in start-up initiatives and businesses in urban settings, e.g., urban farming, vertical farming, aquaponics, or rooftop greenhouses, to mention a few models. In parallel, low-tech initiatives are developing, e.g., market gardening and small-scale artisan production, which can also be important niches for the sustainable production of vegetables. The innovative production systems often use alternative food networks and different business models, e.g., Community Supported Agriculture or Product Service Systems, often with shorter supply chains. These different initiatives are also associated with positive movements influencing society and increasing consumers’ awareness of sustainable food production. However, the fact that new actors are entering the market could also create tensions between urban and rural contexts due to the different backgrounds of business owners. This is further accelerated by the different conditions for the firms, e.g., depending on support and policies from the innovation system and society in general

Green Care: a Conceptual Framework. A Report of the Working Group on the Health Benefits of Green Care

‘Green Care’ is a range of activities that promotes physical and mental health and well-being through contact with nature. It utilises farms, gardens and other outdoor spaces as a therapeutic intervention for vulnerable adults and children. Green care includes care farming, therapeutic horticulture, animal assisted therapy and other nature-based approaches. These are now the subject of investigation by researchers from many different countries across the world

Transforming Agriculture in Southern Africa

This book provides a synthesis of the key issues and challenges facing agriculture and food production in Southern Africa. Southern Africa is facing numerous challenges from diverse issues such as agricultural transformations, growing populations, urbanization and climate change. These challenges place great pressure on food security, agriculture, water availability and other natural resources, as well as impacting biodiversity. Drawing on case studies from Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, the chapters in this book consider these challenges from an interdisciplinary perspective, covering key areas in constraints to production, the most important building blocks of good farming practices, and established and emerging technologies. This book will be a valuable support for informing new policies and processes aimed at improving food production and security and developing sustainable agriculture in Southern Africa. This informative volume will be key reading for those interested in agricultural science, African studies, rural studies, development studies and sustainability. It will also be a valuable resource for policymakers, governmental and nongovernmental organizations, and agricultural practitioners

Transforming Agriculture in Southern Africa

This book provides a synthesis of the key issues and challenges facing agriculture and food production in Southern Africa. Southern Africa is facing numerous challenges from diverse issues such as agricultural transformations, growing populations, urbanization and climate change. These challenges place great pressure on food security, agriculture, water availability and other natural resources, as well as impacting biodiversity. Drawing on case studies from Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, the chapters in this book consider these challenges from an interdisciplinary perspective, covering key areas in constraints to production, the most important building blocks of good farming practices, and established and emerging technologies. This book will be a valuable support for informing new policies and processes aimed at improving food production and security and developing sustainable agriculture in Southern Africa. This informative volume will be key reading for those interested in agricultural science, African studies, rural studies, development studies and sustainability. It will also be a valuable resource for policymakers, governmental and nongovernmental organizations, and agricultural practitioners

Institutional evolution of agricultural extension in European countries: a conceptual framework and implications for Estonia

The complex of organisations within countries that provide advice to agricultural producers has become increasingly diverse since the Second World War. This study aims to (1) improve the understanding of the process of development of such Extension Complexes in relation to changes in agricultural policy and production and (2) to relate this understanding to the development of policies with regard to agricultural extension institutions in Estonia.A detailed analysis of the evolution of the Extension Complex in the United Kingdom is undertaken that forms a background for elaborating a Conceptual Framework characterising qualitative changes in the complex of extension institutions in relation to changes in policy orientation. In order to validate this Conceptual Framework, relevant changes in Denmark, Finland and the Netherlands are first described and then compared to the FrameworkData about developments in Extension Complexes, for background and validation studies, w ere gathered from a variety of sources using different methods: (1) a review of official publications to obtain information about changes in public advisory organisations and agricultural policies; (2) in-depth interviews with senior staff in private advisory organisations; (3) a mail survey of small independent consultancy operations; (4) an open ended questionnaire was mailed to senior representatives involved in advisory work in the countries chosen for validation of the framework.The Conceptual Framework has been validated against conditions in a variety of European countries and it is concluded that it can be of relevance in assisting decision making concerning development of the Extension Complex in Estonia. A number of implications are identified from the Conceptual Framework about likely developments in the Extension Complex of Estonia after identifying the current situation and its origins

RFID Technology in Intelligent Tracking Systems in Construction Waste Logistics Using Optimisation Techniques

Construction waste disposal is an urgent issue for protecting our environment. This paper proposes a waste management system and illustrates the work process using plasterboard waste as an example, which creates a hazardous gas when land filled with household waste, and for which the recycling rate is less than 10% in the UK. The proposed system integrates RFID technology, Rule-Based Reasoning, Ant Colony optimization and knowledge technology for auditing and tracking plasterboard waste, guiding the operation staff, arranging vehicles, schedule planning, and also provides evidence to verify its disposal. It h relies on RFID equipment for collecting logistical data and uses digital imaging equipment to give further evidence; the reasoning core in the third layer is responsible for generating schedules and route plans and guidance, and the last layer delivers the result to inform users. The paper firstly introduces the current plasterboard disposal situation and addresses the logistical problem that is now the main barrier to a higher recycling rate, followed by discussion of the proposed system in terms of both system level structure and process structure. And finally, an example scenario will be given to illustrate the system’s utilization

Community Safety, Livelihoods and Socio-Economic Development: Karamoja, Uganda

Development survey in collaboration with DRC/DDG in the Karamoja region of north-eastern Uganda in December 2014. This survey: identifies which activities appear to have the most positive impact on safety, livelihoods and socio-economic well-being, and why identifies any negative impacts on any intended beneficiaries and the reasons for them provides recommendations to help DDG improve their activities and impact. The survey was an excellent opportunity to explore how the GICHD’s landmines and livelihoods surveys can be used for the broader human security sector. The findings and recommendations provide DDG with a better understanding of how linkages between security and livelihoods can be reinforced, thereby contributing to strengthened socio-economic development. By recognising the gender and diversity aspects of security and livelihoods issues, the GICHD ensured these considerations were mainstreamed throughout the survey’s planning, design, implementation phases