Strengthening Food Security through Technologies

Securing food for 1.35 billion Indians and doubling the income of farmers by 2022, as stated by the government, are challenging tasks. India’s performance is below average in all three aspects of food security: availability, affordability, and quality and safety. It is an irony that the nation with largest cultivable land in the world (142 million ha) is facing food insecurity in spite of wide agro-ecoregions that enable cultivation of land even for three seasons in the large area. A large population (58%) depends on agriculture for its livelihood but the contribution of this sector to country's gross domestic product (GDP) has declined continuously since 1950 and was 15% in 2018. Although, the country has transformed itself from dependency on imports to selfsufficiency still the challenge is to remove the farm distress in the country. Current farmers’ field yields are lower by two to four folds than the achievable potential. In addition, the value realisation from the market is 30 to 35% only. This is because 59 % of the farmers in India do not get essential information from any agency. The major hurdles for achieving the goals set by the government are low investment in agricultural technologies, low adoption of key technologies by the farmers largely due to lack of knowledge/information, poor physical infrastructure, and involvement of large number of intermediaries in the value chains. Lack of awareness among farmers about good agricultural management practices is a key factor for stagnant productivity levels. The mind-set of all actors involved in agriculture needs to change so that they work collectively as a team instead of working independently in silos if the agrarian situation is to be transformed

Military transformation on the Korean Peninsula : technology versus geography

This thesis provides an explanation of one RMA issue: the effectiveness of contemporary military technology against tough geography, based upon case studies in the Korean peninsula. The originality of the thesis is that it will provide a sound insight for potential foes’ approach to the dominant US military power (superior technology and sustenance of war). The North Korean defence strategy – using their edge in geography and skill – tried to protect themselves from the dominant US power, but it may be impossible to deter or defeat them with technological superiority alone. This research also provides a valuable example, through Stephen Biddle’s technology and skill theory, which claims that, in the future of war, the skills of the unit (tactical readiness) are as important as the technology involved. By examining three case studies, the thesis aims to reveal that technological superiority alone cannot guarantee military success against the foe that possesses the geographic advantage and the capability to use its benefits. The first case study of the Imjin Wars will examine the significance of geography and capability to using the geographic edge in the Korean peninsula. The second case study of the Korean War will examine how technology alone failed to overcome the skilled and geographically advantageous defenders in modern warfare. Finally, by examining possible conflict scenarios of US-ROK alliance and North Korea, this research will seek to prove that contemporary military technology alone would not guarantee military success and deterrence against North Korea, which is both geographically advantaged and highly skilled.Publication date not given on thesi

Food biofortification : reaping the benefits of science to overcome hidden hunger

Biofortification is a process of increasing the density of minerals and vitamins in a food crop through conventional plant breeding, genetic engineering, or agronomic practices (primarily use of fertilizers and foliar sprays). Biofortified staple food crops, when substituted consistently for non-biofortified staple food crops, can generate measurable improvements in human nutrition and health. This monograph describes the progress made in developing, testing, and disseminating biofortified staple food crops, primarily through the use of conventional plant breeding, summarizing the activities of two consortiums of inter-disciplinary collaborating institutions led the HarvestPlus program and the International Potato Center (CIP). We focus on laying out the evidence base proving the effectiveness and impact to date of biofortified crops. Results of a large number of nutritional bioavailability and efficacy trials are summarized (Chapter 2), crop development techniques and activities are presented and variety releases documented for a dozen staple food crops in low and middle income countries (LMICs) in Africa, Asia, and Latin America (Chapter 3), and strategies for promoting the uptake of specific biofortified crops are discussed, concurrent with policy advocacy to encourage key institutions to mainstream the promotion, and use of biofortified crops in their core activities (Chapters 4 and 5). Statistics will be presented on numbers of farm households adopting biofortified crops (Chapters 3 and 4), now available to farmers in 40 low and middle income countries (LMICs). Each section will outline the way forward on additional future activities required to enhance the development and impact the biofortification through conventional plant breeding. No biofortified staple food crop developed through transgenic techniques has been fully de-regulated for release to farmers in LMICs. Yet transgenic techniques hold the potential for a several-fold increase in the impact/benefits of biofortified crops. This potential is described in Chapter 6 which discusses developmental research already completed, including achieving higher densities of single nutrients than is possible with conventional breeding, combining multiple nutrient traits in single events, slowing down/reducing the level of degradation of vitamins after harvesting, and combining superior agronomic traits with nutrient traits in single events. A final chapter summarizes and discusses key questions and issues that will influence the ultimate mainstreaming of biofortified crops in food systems in LMICs and will allow maximization of the benefits of biofortification

Finding new answers in old trials with data linkage. A novel method to assess whether nutrient intake in infancy affects long-term cognition

Background Due to high attrition in randomised controlled trials (RCTs), cognitive effects of infant formula modifications remain uncertain. The aim of this thesis was to test a new method to minimise attrition and, through doing so, to compare differences in academic performance between children previously randomised to either nutritionally modified or standard infant formula. Methods Nine dormant infant formula RCTs conducted in England (1982-2001) were available for linkage to the National Pupil Database. Linkage was based on legal exemption from the need for participant consent. A trusted third party provided de-identified data for up to four candidate pupil matches per participant and agreement-metrics for all shared linkage variables. I completed the linkage of de-identified data, using auxiliary RCT variables and probabilistic methods. Six RCTs (n=1,563) were eligible for analysis, and a further three RCTs were used to assess linkage success and improve multiple imputation of missing data. Participant academic performance was measured using exam grades, with the primary outcome being General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) Maths grades at age 16 years. Modified formula and standard formula groups were compared on an intention-to-treat basis, stratified by trial. Results Within the six trials eligible for analysis, primary outcome data was available for 86% of all participants. Available outcome data was substantially higher than the average of 22% above age 2 years in previous consent-based cognitive follow-ups of the trials. There was no evidence of benefit for GCSE Maths performance for any type of modified formula. Secondary academic outcomes provided weak evidence of harm for one of the formula modifications. Conclusions Unconsented linkage of dormant trials to administrative education data is feasible and leads to higher follow-up rates compared to traditional consented follow-up methods. None of the investigated nutritionally modified formula interventions improved academic performance

Indian Agriculture Towards 2030

This open access book brings together varying perspectives for transformational change needed in India’s agriculture and allied sectors. Stressing the need of thinking for a post-Green Revolution future, the book promotes approaching this change through eight broad areas, indicating the policy shifts needed to meet the challenges for the coming decade (2021-2030). The book comprises of ten contributions. Apart from the overview chapter on transformational change and the concluding chapter on pathways for 2030, there are eight thematic chapters on topics such as transforming Indian agriculture, dietary diversity for nutritive and safe food; climate crisis and risk management; water in agriculture; pests, pandemics, preparedness and biosecurity natural farming; agroecology and biodiverse futures; science, technology and innovation in agriculture; and structural reforms and governance. The writing style of these papers written by technical experts is forward-looking—not merely an analysis of what has been and why it was so, but what ought to be. This is an essential reading for those interested in agriculture, food and nutrition sectors of India, and more so their interconnectedness

Advancing the Right to Health: The Vital Role of Law

Effective laws and an enabling legal environment are essential to a healthy society. Most public health challenges – from infectious and non-communicable diseases to injuries, from mental illness to universal health coverage – have a legal component. At global, national and local levels, law is a powerful tool for advancing the right to health. This tool is, however, often underutilized. This report aims to raise awareness about the role that public health laws can play in advancing the right to health and in creating the conditions for all people to live healthy lives. The report provides guidance about issues and requirements to be addressed during the process of developing or reforming public health laws, with case studies drawn from countries around the world to illustrate effective practices and critical features of effective public health legislation. Advancing the right to health: the vital role of law is the result of a collaboration between the World Health Organisation, the International Development Law Organisation (IDLO), the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law, Washington D.C., USA, and Sydney Law School, University of Sydney. The Project Directors were: Professor Lawrence O. Gostin, Linda D. and Timothy J. O’Neill Professor of Global Health Law and University Professor, Georgetown University; Faculty Director, O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law, Georgetown University; Mr David Patterson, Senior Legal Expert – Health; Department of Research & Learning, International Development Law Organization; Professor Roger Magnusson, Professor of Health Law & Governance, Sydney Law School, University of Sydney; Mr Oscar Cabrera, Executive Director, O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law, Georgetown University Law Center; Ms Helena Nygren-Krug (2011–2013), Senior Advisor, Human Rights & Law, UNAIDS. The content and structure of the report reflect the consensus reached at the second of two international consultations in public health law that preceded the preparation of the report, hosted by WHO and IDLO in Cairo, Egypt, 26-28 April 2010. Part 1 introduces the human right to health and its role in guiding and evaluating law reform efforts, including efforts to achieve the goal of universal health coverage. Part 2 discusses the process of public health law reform. The law reform process refers to the practical steps involved in advancing the political goal of law reform, and the kinds of issues and obstacles that may be encountered along the way. Part 2 identifies some of the actors who may initiate or lead the public health law reform process, discusses principles of good governance during that process, and ways of building a consensus around the need for public health law reform. Part 3 turns from the process of reforming public health laws to the substance or content of those laws. It identifies a number of core areas of public health practice where regulation is essential in order to ensure that governments (at different levels) discharge their basic public health functions. Traditionally, these core areas of public health practice have included: the provision of clean water and sanitation, monitoring and surveillance of public health threats, the management of communicable diseases, and emergency powers. Building on these core public health functions, Part 3 goes on to consider a range of other public health priorities where law has a critical role to play. These priorities include tobacco control, access to essential medicines, the migration of health care workers, nutrition, maternal, reproductive and child health, and the role of law in advancing universal access to quality health services for all members of the population. The report includes many examples that illustrate the ways in which different countries have used law to protect the health of their populations in ways that are consistent with their human rights obligations. Countries vary widely in terms of their constitutional structure, size, history and political culture. For these reasons, the examples given are not intended to be prescriptive, but to provide useful comparisons for countries involved in the process of legislative review

Dying of a hundred good symptoms: why good security can still fail - a literature review and analysis

Many organizations suffer serious information security incidents, despite having taken positive steps towards achieving good security standards. The authors hypothesize that these issues are often as a result of security arrangements not being sufficiently integrated with businesses. We believe that adopting an enterprise architecture (EA) approach to implementing information security – commonly referred to as an ‘Enterprise Information Security Architecture’ (EISA) – will deliver substantial benefits. Our paper has reviewed and analyzed literature concerning the root causes of information security incidents and describes a novel approach with 8 domains for ensuring critical factors are considered when building an EISA framework

“Crisis Rhetoric” and Derogations from the AFSJ: Is EU Asylum Policy Discriminatory or does its Implementation Reflect the Rule of Law?

This paper analyses the language of EU leaders and its influence on the implementation of EU asylum law by triggering derogations, exceptions and amendments. It compares this process with regards to the 2015 refugee crisis, the Belarus border crisis and the current Ukrainian crisis to portray how the reaction to similar facts differs and, hence, to show how EU asylum policy suffers from a lack of rule of law. As the crisis in Ukraine unfolds, one can observe how strongly the narrative of EU leaders differs regarding these refugees compared to those from, e.g., Syria and Afghanistan in previous years. It shows a “U-turn” of the EU’s agenda since 2015. Hence, it has become clear that the problem lies less in sufficient contingencies for a sudden influx, but rather a feeling – or lack – of solidarity. From a legal perspective, there is no distinction between the responsibility for asylum applicants based on their nationality. To the contrary, refugee protection builds on the prohibition of discrimination. This has potentially negative implications for the rule of law in the EU. Hence, this paper investigates how EU leaders “talk” their way into applying or not applying EU law and even create EU law at their will simply by describing the arrivals as a security threat, a “hybrid attack” or instead as neighbors in need, as “family”. Received: 31 July 2022  Accepted: 13 October 202