A multidimensional farming system typology

Farm Management,

Potentials of a Harmonised Database for Agricultural Market Modelling

The study analysed existing databases for agricultural market data on errors and discrepancies and to elaborate the possibilities to harmonise datasets for policy modelling. The study supports DG AGRI in improving quality and timely availability of data for market modelling and ensuring that data from different sources are consistent. This study aims to provide a structure for a consolidated database for policy modelling which does not alter existing databases. Within this report, existing databases are analysed to derive key insights for setting-up a harmonised metabase. As available databases comprise statistical databases as well as scientific model databases, both groups are studied. For the purpose of this study, statistical databases are defined as providers of the information that international institutes receive from their reporters, while the reporters are required to provide harmonised, complete, consistent, and where possible, timely data series for establishing models or other quantitative methods. Nevertheless, a statistical database can also serve as a model database, such as e.g. PS&D. Statistical databases from international institutions (FAO, USDA, Eurostat), as well as model databases (AGLINK/COSIMO, AGMEMOD, CAPRI/CAPSIM, ESIM, FAPRI, GTAP, FARM, IMPACT), were studied to find ways of consolidating data and providing insights that allow for a better comparison of model results. For this reason, various classification schemes used in agricultural statistics were reviewed (country, product, balance item, year, unit), as was the manner in which the different modelling groups have dealt with these classifications in their databases. Besides a common classification, a harmonised database for market modelling purposes will require further efforts to be applied to a consolidation effort for the original data. Such a procedure must be supplemented by methods dealing with completion and balancing.JRC.J.5-Agriculture and Life Sciences in the Econom

We are what we eat: An economic tool for tracing the origins of nutrients with entry points for action

We develop a methodology for incorporating nutrition impacts in economy-wide analyses, providing entry points for where, when and how to act. It accounts for three channels of consumption, directly via primary commodities and indirectly via processed foods and food-related services, and produces indicators showing content by nutrient (currently calories, proteins, fats and carbohydrates), channel, source region and sector. The paper applies the framework in a CGE model (MAGNET) and uses FAO data to project nutritional outcomes resulting from the global food system over time. The analysis confirms that developing regions catch up with developed regions, with the USA at the high-end of nutrient consumption, whilst Southern Africa lags behind. In the USA the processed food channel dominates, whereas in Southern Africa the direct channel dominates. In the USA, and similar regions, fat taxes (thin subsidies) on unhealthy (healthy) processed foods, technologies reducing bad ingredients (e.g. trans fats, salt), improved food labelling, information and marketing campaigns, and/or targeted cash transfers may be worthwhile to investigate. In Southern Africa, and regions alike, technological advances increasing nutrient availability via primary agriculture and/or cash transfers enabling access may be more pertinent. The relative fixedness of sectoral origins shows that consumption habits change slowly and are visible only in the long term. For certain regions, including Southern Africa and USA, nutrient import dependency increases with substantial variations in regional sourcing. This implies that concerted action across the globe is crucial to reach diet, nutrition and health goals, and should include upcoming Asian economies, Africa (excl. Southern Africa) and the Middle East. Heterogeneity of results necessitates future ex-ante quantitative policy analyses on a more detailed and context-specific basis

Energy Availability and Nutritional Intake during Different Training Phases of Wheelchair Athletes.

Optimizing nutritional intake and timing helps athletes to improve performance and long-term health. Different training phases can require varying nutritional needs. In this study, we conducted a descriptive assessment of dietary intake, energy availability (EA), and blood biochemical parameters in elite wheelchair athletes during distinct training phases. Data analyzed in this study were collected as part of a randomized controlled crossover trial exploring the feasibility of probiotics and prebiotic supplementation. Data were obtained from consecutive three-day diaries and blood samples, both collected at four different time points across four consecutive months. We included 14 athletes (mean (standard deviation) age 34 (9) years, eight females, and six males) active in different wheelchair sports. The mean daily nutritional intake (g/kg body mass) for females and males was 2.7 (0.9) and 4.0 (0.7) for carbohydrates, 1.1 (0.3) and 1.5 (0.3) for protein, and 0.8 (0.3) and 1.4 (0.2) for fat. EA did not change across the four time points in either female (p = 0.30) or male (p = 0.05) athletes. The mean EA was lower in female athletes compared to male athletes (p = 0.03). Low EA (≤30 kcal/ kg fat-free mass/day) was observed in female (58 (29) % of days) and male (34 (23) % of days) athletes. Iron deficiency with anemia was observed in two female athletes. Mean vitamin D levels were insufficient (<75 nmol/L). Macronutrient intake, EA, and blood biochemical parameters were suboptimal in this cohort of elite wheelchair athletes, especially in female athletes

The feasibility of a randomized controlled crossover trial to assess the effect of probiotic and prebiotic supplementation on the health of elite wheelchair athletes.

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal (GI) problems represent a health burden in Para athletes and can ultimately reduce athletic performance. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a randomized controlled crossover trial (RCCT) assessing the effects of probiotic and prebiotic supplementation on the health of Swiss elite wheelchair athletes. METHODS The RCCT was conducted between March 2021 and October 2021. Athletes were randomized to receive either a daily probiotic (3 g of probiotic preparation, including eight bacterial strains), or a daily prebiotic (5 g of oat bran) supplementation first. After the first supplementation phase (4 weeks), a washout period (4 weeks) and the second crossover supplementation phase (4 weeks) followed. Data were collected at four study visits (every 4 weeks) and included 3-day training and nutrition diaries, the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) questionnaire, stool samples, and fasting blood samples. The study assessed the feasibility criteria such as recruitment rate, retention rate, success of data collection, adherence to the protocol, willingness to participate, and safety. RESULTS This pilot study met the majority of the predefined minimum requirements for the feasibility criteria. Out of 43 invited elite wheelchair athletes, 14 (33%) consented (mean (standard deviation) age: 34 (9) years, eight females, 11 with a spinal cord injury). The desired sample size was not reached, but the achieved recruitment rate was modest, especially considering the population studied. All participating athletes completed the study. With the exception of one missing stool sample and two missing diaries, data were successfully collected for all athletes at all four visits. Most athletes adhered to the daily intake protocol for at least 80% of the days, both for probiotics (n = 12, 86%) and prebiotics (n = 11, 79%). Ten (71%) athletes would be willing to participate in a similar study again. No serious adverse events occurred. CONCLUSION Despite the limited number of elite wheelchair athletes in Switzerland and the modest recruitment rate, the implementation of a RCCT in elite wheelchair athletes is feasible. The data collected in this study provide essential information for the design of the subsequent study which will include a larger cohort of physically active wheelchair users. TRIAL REGISTRATION Swiss Ethics Committee for Northwest/Central Switzerland (EKNZ), 2020-02337). CLINICALTRIALS gov, NCT04659408

A New Methodology for Incorporating Nutrition Indicators in Economy-Wide Scenario Analyses

This paper develops an innovative approach for calculating household nutrition indicators in a Computable General Equilibrium framework, using the flow of primary agri-food commodities through the global economy from farm to fork. It has been incorporated as a nutrition module in MAGNET. The method of tracing nutrients through the food system allows for making agriculture, the food supply chain and the economy as a whole nutrition-sensitive in scenario analyses. The validation of the nutrition outcomes in the base year with global data on nutrient consumption from the FAO reveals important differences which stem from differences in data and assumptions. Various solutions are identified to improve the calculations in the future. In the short run, correction factors are applied in the calculation of indicators in the nutrition module to capture and adjust the methodology for the remaining differences