8 research outputs found
The rise of flex crops and commodities: implications for research
As a concept and phenomenon, âflex crops and commoditiesâ feature âmultiple-nessâ and âflexible-nessâ as two distinct but intertwined dimensions. These key crops and commodities are shaped by the changing global context that is itself remoulded by the convergence of multiple crises and various responses. The greater multiple-ness of crops and commodity uses has altered the patterns of their production, circulation and consumption, as novel dimensions of their political economy. These new patterns change the power relations between landholders, agricultural labourers, crop exporters, processors and traders; in particular, they intensify market competition among producers and incentivize changes in land-tenure arrangements. Crop and commodity flexing have three main types â namely, real flexing, anticipated/speculative flexing and imagined flexing; these have many intersections and interactions. Their political-economic dynamics involve numerous factors that variously incentivize, facilitate or hinder the âmultiple-nessâ and/or âflexible-nessâ of particular crops and commodities. These dynamics include âflex narrativesâ by corporate and state institutions to justify promotion of a flex agenda through support policies. In particular, a bioeconomy narrative envisages a future âvalue webâ developing more flexible value chains through more interdependent, interchangeable products and uses. A future research agenda should investigate questions about material bases, real-life changes, flex narratives and political mobilization
Development of a new (bio)hybrid matrix based on Althaea officinalis and Betonica officinalis extracts loaded into mesoporous silica nanoparticles for bioactive compounds with therapeutic applications
Antiprotozoal and antihelminthic properties of plants ingested by wild Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata yakui) in Yakushima Island
An insight to the current state and sustainability of urban forests across Great Britain based on i-Tree Eco surveys
Food for thought: The underutilized potential of tropical treeâsourced foods for 21st century sustainable food systems
1. The global food system is causing large-scale environmental degradation and is
a major contributor to climate change. Its low diversity and failure to produce
enough fruits and vegetables is contributing to a global health crisis.
2. The extraordinary diversity of tropical tree species is increasingly recognized to be
vital to planetary health and especially important for supporting climate change
mitigation. However, they are poorly integrated into food systems. Tropical tree
diversity offers the potential for sustainable production of many foods, providing
livelihood benefits and multiple ecosystem services including improved human
nutrition.
3. First, we present an overview of these environmental, nutritional and livelihood
benefits and show that tree-sourced foods provide important contributions to
critical fruit and micronutrient (vitamin A and C) intake in rural populations based
on data from sites in seven countries.
4. Then, we discuss several risks and limitations that must be taken into account
when scaling-up tropical tree-based food production, including the importance
of production system diversity and risks associated with supply to the global
markets.
5. We conclude by discussing several interventions addressing technical, financial,
political and consumer behaviour barriers, with potential to increase the consumption and production of tropical tree-sourced foods, to catalyse a transition
towards more sustainable global food systems.ISSN:2575-831