This paper aims to analyse changes in self-sufficiency ratios in different measurement dimensions and across a wide range of food items. Our method estimates self-sufficiency ratios based on the production available for local consumption. In the context of a small region specialised in agricultural exports, this procedure avoids the distortions caused by procedures that ignore the destination markets of local production. The dynamics of food self-sufficiency are illustrated by calculating quinquennial and annual ratios for the Canary Islands between 2012 and 2023 in terms of volume, commercial value and energy content. Self-sufficiency ratios are defined as the proportion of local food production consumed in the local market in relation to all food production consumed in that market. The originality of the method used consists in obtaining specific results for the supply available for the consumption of a wide range of products intended for human consumption in different measurement dimensions and time periods. This procedure allows for detecting temporal changes related to the effects of prices and to the varying composition of food consumption. The results reveal the relative stability of the overall degree of self-sufficiency in the three dimensions of measurement, but with gradual changes in the different food groups that make up consumption. Among the trends detected on a quinquennial basis, there is a 4-percentage- point increase in self-sufficiency in non-processed plant products in terms of value, related to a progressive reorientation of export products towards the local market. Regarding the shocks, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are reflected in a temporary increase in self-sufficiency in 2020 at around 1, 2 and 3
The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) plays a vital role in food security, rural livelihoods, and cultural heritage in the hyper-arid United Arab Emirates (UAE). However, increasing climate stress, water scarcity, and persistent production constraints threaten the sector’s long-term resilience. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive understanding of existing research and its limitations. This study systematically maps the thematic structure of UAE date-palm research, identifies dominant knowledge domains, and highlights critical gaps hindering the transition toward climate-resilient and integrated agricultural systems. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining bibliometric analysis of 124 peer-reviewed articles (2005–2026) with Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic modelling to identify major thematic clusters. A complementary systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted to validate findings and synthesize emerging research trajectories. The results reveal a mature, internationally collaborative research landscape structured around ten thematic clusters, with Date Palm Diseases and Control and Phytochemical and Nutritional Analysis emerging as dominant motor themes. Despite advances in water management, biomass valorization, and genomics, the field remains fragmented, with limited integration across technological, environmental, and socio-economic dimensions. Significant gaps persist, particularly in IoT and blockchain-enabled agricultural systems and in socio-technical studies of innovation adoption. This study provides an evidence-based roadmap, emphasizing unified socio-technical frameworks to support a sustainable and climate-resilient UAE date-palm sector.
This review examined the current state and future potential of animal by-product (ABP) utilization in Kazakhstan, a country with a significant but insufficiently developed meat-processing sector. Despite growing meat production, only a small portion of ABPs, such as blood, bones, skins, and offal, are processed into value-added products, with the remainder discarded or underutilized. This underutilization represents both an environmental challenge and a missed economic opportunity. Through international comparisons, the review highlighted how countries like the EU, USA, and Japan have successfully implemented advanced technologies and regulatory frameworks to convert ABPs into biofuels, pharmaceuticals, animal feed, and functional food ingredients. In contrast, Kazakhstan faces barriers including outdated infrastructure, limited market development, insufficient regulatory enforcement, and traditional perceptions of ABPs as waste. Nonetheless, recent Kazakh research has shown promising results in transforming ABPs into protein hydrolysates, nutritional supplements, feed additives, and functional meat products. The review concludes that with strategic investments in technology, policy reform, and public awareness, Kazakhstan can enhance the sustainability and profitability of its livestock sector through improved ABP valorization.
Food security remains a major global challenge, particularly in Southeast Asia, where climate change, population growth, and economic volatility threaten food system stability. This study aims to develop and validate a Comprehensive Food Availability Vulnerability Index (FAVI) as a practical tool to assess and compare regional vulnerabilities in food availability across ASEAN countries. FAVI is constructed using four key dimensions: production adequacy, food reserves, import dependency, and distribution efficiency. Each dimension is quantified, normalized, and weighted to generate a composite score that reflects the resilience and exposure of national food systems to supply disruptions. The index is applied to five ASEAN countries, i.e., Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, and Singapore revealing differentiated vulnerability patterns. Singapore records the highest vulnerability score (0.71), largely due to its structural dependence on food imports and limited natural resource endowment. The Philippines shows moderate vulnerability (0.43), associated with distribution inefficiencies and production instability. Indonesia ranks at a mid-level (0.29), with logistical constraints related to its archipelagic geography influencing performance. In contrast, Vietnam (0.17) and Thailand (0.13) demonstrate lower vulnerability, supported by strong domestic production capacity and substantial reserves. FAVI results align closely with the Global Food Security Index (GFSI), reinforcing the index’s validity. The study demonstrates that FAVI provides a robust, data-driven framework for identifying country-specific risks and guiding strategic policy interventions to strengthen food availability resilience in ASEAN and comparable regions.
Abstract Background In many developing countries, smallholders play a central role in the agricultural sector, and holding significant potential for agricultural growth and rural development. In Ethiopia, agriculture contributes about 37.57% to Et GDP and supports the livelihoods of most of the population. However, recent agricultural growth has not efficiently addressed persistent challenges of food insecurity, malnutrition, and rural poverty among smallholder farmers. To improve productivity and promote commercialization, the Agricultural Transformation Agency introduced cluster-based farming approach aimed at transforming subsistence farming into market-oriented production system. Despite its potential benefits, the adoption and expansion of cluster farming remain limited due to several constraints. Therefore, this study reviews the opportunities and constraints of cluster-based farming in Ethiopia from social, economic, ecological/environmental, institutional, and political perspectives. Methods This study employed a systematic literature review methodology. Relevant studies were identified through digital libraries, web sources, Ethiopian public university repositories, ATA government website and other academic databases. A keyword-based search strategy was used to identify relevant publications mainly covering the period from 2015 to 2026. Based on relevance to study objective, a total of 23 empirical studies were selected and analyzed. Results The findings indicate that cluster-based farming in Ethiopia provides several opportunities across multiple dimensions. Social opportunities include enhanced farmer-to-farmer interaction, knowledge sharing, and collaboration. Economic opportunities involve improved productivity, economies of scale, better market access, and increased bargaining power. Ecological opportunities include improved natural resource management and the potential adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices. Institutional opportunities arise from stronger partnerships and coordination among farmers, government agencies, and development organizations, while political support through national agricultural development strategies further promotes cluster initiatives. However, several constraints also affect the implementation of cluster-based farming. These include farmers’ resistance to collective approaches, limited economies of scale among smallholders, unfavorable agro-ecological conditions, weak institutional coordination, and political instability. Conclusions Cluster-based farming has the potential to transform smallholder agriculture in Ethiopia by improving productivity, commercialization, and rural livelihoods. However, its success depends on addressing key social, economic, ecological, institutional, and political constraints. Recommendation Prioritize should be given to improving rural infrastructure to better connect cluster farms with markets. Expand agricultural research, strengthening farmer training, and securing financial support for cooperatives are also essential. In addition, promoting pro-poor agricultural strategies, extending extension services and ensuring continuous government monitoring and evaluation are necessary to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of cluster- based farming in Ethiopia.
