Review of Agri-Food Value Chain Interventions Aimed at Enhancing Consumption of Nutritious Food by the Poor: Pakistan

How can agriculture play a more effective role in improving nutrition in countries with a high burden of hidden hunger and where an increasing proportion of the poor sources its food from the market? There is a need to understand how linkages between the farm and the consumer can be made to work for nutrition goals. This review paper examines the case of Pakistan, which has a relatively productive agricultural sector but which has experienced high and persistent rates of undernutrition. A promising analytical and research perspective in this regard is the concept of value chains, which highlights the multiple ways in which producers and consumers are linked through a variety of processes, interactions and stakeholders. Moreover, value chain-based approaches have been popular development interventions in agricultural and food systems. This review has compiled 24 agri-food value chain interventions which aim to increase the consumption of nutrient-dense foods or increase their supply to post-farm gate poor populations. This paper provides a descriptive overview of the actors and activities involved in these interventions, and an analysis of the characteristics and challenges of the various agri-food value chain approaches, with the objective of providing insight into the potential of food-based value chain approaches in tackling undernutrition. The review sets out the basis for an empirical analysis which will examine the ability of three of these interventions to address undernutrition. The rationale for the selection of these three case studies and a broad overview of them has also been set out. Further analysis on how the selected agri-food value chain interventions may influence nutritional outcomes will be provided in the forthcoming case studies. From the interventions included in this review, the following has been noted: the value chain approach is still largely being utilised as a tool to improve livelihoods in Pakistan, with some examples of interventions connecting this approach to pre-farm gate consumption agri-food value chain interventions which have a focus on providing nutrient-dense foods to poor consumers could have a greater focus on distribution and utilising those channels through which the poor access food fortified staples have a strong potential to address undernutrition among target populations, but require the right processes and policy in place private sector-led interventions need to devise strategies to market and sell their fortified products to consumers in lower income groups the design of agri-food interventions needs to pay attention to gendered norms of care and market access These conclusions will refine the analytical lens for the upcoming case study work to help determine what the potential is of the selected agri-food value chain interventions to deliver nutrient-dense foods to low income populations through IYCF. The desk-based review will provide the foundation for the empirical case study work and serve as a guide to the agri-food value chain intervention landscape in Pakistan.UK AidDepartment for International Development (DFID

Determining the antecedents of dynamic supply chain capabilities

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine the antecedents of dynamic supply chain capabilities (DSCCs). The authors test entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and supply chain learning orientation (SCLO) as two antecedents of DSCCs. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses structural equation modelling to test a hypothetical model. Data are gathered from a survey of 275 operations managers in Pakistan’s turbulent manufacturing industry. Findings The findings suggest that the weaker direct effects of EO, in comparison to the indirect effects, indicate that an SCLO mediates the relationship between EO and DSCCs. Research limitations/implications It is widely accepted that firms do not compete with each other, instead, it is end-to-end supply chains that fight for market dominance. Many scholars use the dynamic capabilities view to understand supply chain level competition. However, the dynamic capabilities view is firm-centric in its examination of how companies transform internal resources to compete in the external environment. The theoretical contribution of this paper is a roadmap of how to build dynamic, supply-chain level and capabilities by determining the key antecedents. This paper explains that DSCCs emerge when buyers and suppliers share strategic orientations. Firms with an EO and the ability to learn with supply chain partners are well-positioned to develop DSCCs. This provides a new angle to theory testing by indicating that dynamic capabilities are enabled by an EO and an ability to learn with supply chain partners. Practical implications Managers are given the building blocks of DSCCs, starting with fostering an entrepreneurially-oriented mindset in the company and then learning with supply chain partners. Entrepreneurially-oriented managers are encouraged to take risks and co-develop innovative ideas with suppliers during the supply chain learning process. Originality/value This study is one of the earliest efforts to determine the strategic orientations that antecede the emergence of DSCCs

Performance optimization of CH3NH3Pb(I1-xBrx)3 based perovskite solar cells by comparing different ETL materials through conduction band offset engineering

Numerical simulations can provide the physical insights into the carrier transport mechanism in the solar cells, and the factors influencing their performance. In this paper, perovskite solar cell (PSC) based on the mixed perovskite (CH3NH3Pb(I1-xBrx)3 has been numerically simulated using the SCAPS simulator. A comparative analysis of different electron transport layers (ETLs) based on their conduction band offsets (CBO) has been performed, while Spiro-OMeTAD was used as a hole transport layer (HTL). Among the proposed ETLs, CdZnS performed better and demonstrated the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 25.20%. Also, the PCE of the PSC has been optimized by adjusting the doping concentrations in the ETL, Spiro-OMeTAD layer, and the thickness of the perovskite light absorber layer. It was found that the doping concentration of 1021 cm−3 for the CdZnS based ETL and 1020 cm−3 for Spiro-OMeTAD are the optimum concentrations values for demonstrating enhanced efficiency. A 600 nm thick perovskite layer has found to be appropriate for the efficient PSC design. For the initial guessing and numerical model validation, the photovoltaic data of a very stable (over one year with PCE ~13%) n-i-p structured (ITO/TiO2/CH3NH3Pb(I1-xBrx)3/Spiro-OMeTAD/Au) PSCs was used. These numerically simulated results signify the optimum performance of the photovoltaic device that can be further implemented to develop the highly efficient PSCs.This publication was made possible by the NPRP award [NPRP11S-1210–170080] from Qatar National Research Fund (a member of the Qatar Foundation). The findings made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors. The authors are thankful to Prof. Marc Burgelman, the University of Gent for the SCAPS developments package, and permission to use the SCAPS software

Factors Associated with Catch‐Up Growth in Early Infancy in Rural Pakistan: A Longitudinal Analysis of the Women's Work and Nutrition Study

The adverse health impacts of early infant stunting can be partially ameliorated by early catch‐up growth. Few studies have examined predictors of and barriers to catch‐up growth to identify intervention points for improving linear growth during infancy. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of, and factors associated with, catch‐up growth among infants in Pakistan. A longitudinal study of mother–infant dyads (n = 1,161) was conducted in rural Sindh province, with enrolment between December 2015 and February 2016 (infants aged 0.5–3 months), and follow‐up (n = 1035) between November 2016 and January 2017 (infants aged 9–15 months). The outcome was catch‐up growth (change in conditional length‐for‐age z‐scores >0.67 between baseline and endline). Associated factors were examined using multivariable logistic regression analyses. The prevalence of stunting was 45.3% at baseline and 60.7% at follow‐up. 22.8% of infants exhibited catch‐up growth over this period. Factors positively associated with catch‐up growth included maternal height (odds ratio (OR) = 1.08 [1.05–1.11]), household wealth (OR = 3.61 [1.90–6.84]), maternal (OR = 2.43 [1.30–4.56]) or paternal (OR = 1.46 [1.05–2.03]) education, and households with two or more adult females (OR = 1.91 [1.26–2.88]). Factors negatively associated with catch‐up growth were two (OR = 0.64 [0.45–0.89]) or three or more (OR = 0.44 [0.29–0.66]) preschool children in the household and the infant being currently breastfed (OR = 0.59 [0.41–0.88]). Catch‐up growth was exhibited among approximately a quarter of infants despite living in challenging environments associated with extremely high rates of early infant stunting. Several modifiable factors were identified that might represent suitable programme intervention points to off‐set early infant stunting in rural Pakistan

Maternal BMI mediates the impact of crop-related agricultural work during pregnancy on infant length in rural Pakistan: a mediation analysis of cross-sectional data.

BACKGROUND: Stunted growth in early infancy is a public health problem in low-and-middle income countries. Evidence suggests heavy agricultural work during pregnancy is inversely associated with maternal body mass index (BMI) and infant birth weight in low- and middle-income countries; but pathways linking agricultural work to length-for-age Z-scores (LAZ) in early infancy have not been examined. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between agricultural work during pregnancy, post-natal maternal BMI and LAZ among young infants in rural Pakistan; and explored whether maternal BMI mediated the relationship between agricultural work and infant LAZ. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from December 2015 to January 2016 in rural Sindh, Pakistan. Mother-infant dyads were recruited via systematic random cluster sampling at 2-12 weeks' post-partum (n = 1161). Anthropometric measurements (maternal and infant height/length and weight) and questionnaire data were collected. Multivariable linear regression and structural-equation based mediation analyses were used to examine associations of agricultural work during pregnancy with maternal BMI and infant LAZ. RESULTS: During pregnancy, women reported engaging in livestock-related work (57.0%), crop-related work (42.7%), and cotton harvesting (28.4%). All three forms of agricultural work were negatively associated with maternal BMI (β = - 0.67 [- 1.06; - 0.28], β = - 0.97 [- 1.51; - 0.48]; and β = - 0.87 [- 1.33; - 0.45], respectively). Maternal engagement in cotton harvesting alone was negatively associated with infant LAZ after controlling for confounding factors. The total negative effect of cotton harvesting on infant LAZ was - 0.35 [- 0.53; - 0.16]. The indirect effect of maternal BMI on infant LAZ was - 0.06 [- 0.08; - 0.03], revealing that 16% (- 0.06/- 0.35) of the relationship between cotton harvesting and infant LAZ, after adjustment, was mediated via maternal BMI. CONCLUSION: These results underscore a need to reduce labour-intensive agricultural workload demands during pregnancy, especially in cotton harvesting, to reduce risks of negative maternal energy balance and poor growth outcomes in early infancy

Maternal BMI mediates the impact of crop-related agricultural work during pregnancy on infant length in rural Pakistan: a mediation analysis of cross-sectional data

Background: Stunted growth in early infancy is a public health problem in low-and-middle income countries. Evidence suggests heavy agricultural work during pregnancy is inversely associated with maternal body mass index (BMI) and infant birth weight in low- and middle-income countries; but pathways linking agricultural work to length-for-age Z-scores (LAZ) in early infancy have not been examined. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between agricultural work during pregnancy, post-natal maternal BMI and LAZ among young infants in rural Pakistan; and explored whether maternal BMI mediated the relationship between agricultural work and infant LAZ.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from December 2015 to January 2016 in rural Sindh, Pakistan. Mother-infant dyads were recruited via systematic random cluster sampling at 2–12 weeks’ post-partum (n = 1161). Anthropometric measurements (maternal and infant height/length and weight) and questionnaire data were collected. Multivariable linear regression and structural-equation based mediation analyses were used to examineassociations of agricultural work during pregnancy with maternal BMI and infant LAZ.Results: During pregnancy, women reported engaging in livestock-related work (57.0%), crop-related work (42.7%), and cotton harvesting (28.4%). All three forms of agricultural work were negatively associated with maternal BMI (β = − 0.67 [− 1.06; − 0.28], β = − 0.97 [− 1.51; − 0.48]; and β = − 0.87 [− 1.33; − 0.45], respectively). Maternal engagement in cotton harvesting alone was negatively associated with infant LAZ after controlling for confounding factors. The total negative effect of cotton harvesting on infant LAZ was − 0.35 [− 0.53; − 0.16]. The indirect effect ofmaternal BMI on infant LAZ was − 0.06 [− 0.08; − 0.03], revealing that 16% (− 0.06/− 0.35) of the relationship between cotton harvesting and infant LAZ, after adjustment, was mediated via maternal BMI.Conclusion: These results underscore a need to reduce labour-intensive agricultural workload demands during pregnancy, especially in cotton harvesting, to reduce risks of negative maternal energy balance and poor growth outcomes in early infancy.</div

Effect of palm-sesame biodiesel fuels with alcoholic and nanoparticle additives on tribological characteristics of lubricating oil by four ball tribo-tester

Dilution of engine oil with unburned fuels alters its lubricity and tribological properties. In this research paper, SAE-40 lubricating oil samples were contaminated with known percentages (5%) of fuels (diesel, palm-sesame biodiesel blend (B30), B30 + ethanol, B30 + dimethyl carbonate, B30 + carbon nanotubes and, B30 + titanium oxide). The effect of all these fuels on wear and frictional characteristics of lubricating oil was determined by using a 4-ball tribo tester and wear types on worn surfaces were analyzed by using SEM. Lubricating oil diluted with B10 (commercial diesel) showed highest COF (42.95%) with severe abrasive and adhesive wear than mineral lubricant among other fuels. Lubricating oil diluted with palm-sesame biodiesel (B30 blend) with alcoholic additives showed comparatively less COF, less wear scar diameter and polishing wear due to presence of ester molecules. Lub + B30 + Eth exhibited increment in COF value (35.81%) compared to SAE-40 mineral lubricant. While lubricating oil contaminated with B30 with nanoparticles showed least frictional characteristics with abrasive wear. Lub + B30 + TiO2 showed least increment in COF value (13.78%) among all other contaminated fuels compared to SAE-40 mineral lubricant. It is concluded that nanoparticles in biodiesel blends (B30) helps in reducing degradation of lubricants than alcoholic fuel additives and commercial diesel. (C) 2021 THE AUTHORS. Published by Elsevier BV on behalf of Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University

Nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si:H) and amorphous silicon (a-Si:H)based thin-film multijunction solar cell

A novel thin-film multijunction solar cell based on nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si:H) is presented in this paper. Existing thin-film double junction solar cells are based on amorphous silicon carbide (aSiC:H) and amorphous silicon layers. Such solar cells have limited efficiency due to lower absorption and poor charge transport properties of the a-SiC:H layer. These solar cells have maximum achieved efficiency of about 8.8%. In this work, a-SiC:H has been replaced with nc-Si:H layer and the double junction solar cell has been redesigned. The proposed structure has been simulated with Silvaco TCAD (ATLAS). The simulated results indicated a step increase in the performance of the solar cell with open circuit voltage Voc=2.096 V and efficiency η = 10.2%. It was proven that the nc-Si:H is a suitable material for the development of an efficient thin film multijunction solar cell