We examined the effects of monetary incentives, environmental information nudges, and their combination on household waste sorting behavior. Using data from a cluster-randomized controlled trial involving 1513 households across 20 community-based waste banks in Indonesia’s Climate Villages, we tracked recyclable deposits over 20 months, including a three-month intervention and posttreatment period. During-treatment, all interventions increased paper, plastic and metal deposits relative to the control, while only incentives increased glass deposits. Posttreatment, the integrated interventions sustained increases in paper (+37.77%) and metal (+46.98%) and a delayed increase in glass (+37.36%). Incentives alone sustained increases in plastic (+24.80%), whereas nudges alone sustained increases in metal (+57.74%) and delayed increases in glass (+61.22%). Although the modest number of clusters warrants cautious interpretation, these findings provide experimental evidence that integrated interventions can support multi-material waste sorting, whereas individual interventions appear more material-specific. These insights inform behavioral policy design for circular economy transitions.

We investigate the legacies of herbicidal warfare on population size and growth in Vietnam between 2001 and 2020. The identification strategy exploits flight-level military records and plausibly exogenous hamlet-level vari ation around the spray-on, direction-change, and spray-off points of fixed-wing aircraft missions, combined with a fuzzy regression kink design. The elasticity estimate suggests that a 10% increase in predicted herbicide exposure during the Vietnam War is persistently associated with a decrease in population size, ranging from 1.88-2.51% in 2001 to 2.61-3.27% in 2020. We also find that a 10% increase in predicted herbicide exposure is associated with a 0.75 percentage-point decrease in the population growth rate over the 2001-2020 period. These findings reveal previously unseen, lasting legacies of herbicidal warfare on contemporary population outcomes. The em pirical patterns run counter to the conventional wisdom of a rapid recovery or a catch-up growth in post-war societies after destruction, while also contributing to the emerging debate over the socioeconomic and public health consequences of broader chemical exposure.

The rapid expansion of online grocery shopping post-COVID-19 has intensified competition among digital food platforms, increasing the need for effective consumer retention strategies. Supporting local food distribution through dedicated mobile app features is one promising approach. This study examines consumer preferences for such features across six European countries (Austria, Belgium, Croatia, France, Spain, and the United Kingdom). Drawing on Self-Determination Theory, we analyse how autonomy-, competence-, and relatedness-supporting features influence preferences for local food purchases online. Using data from a discrete choice experiment embedded in an online survey (n = 3,473), we find substantial cross-country heterogeneity in consumer preferences. Autonomy-enhancing features, such as recipes and advanced search filters, are consistently valued, though with varying importance across markets. Gamified sustainability rewards show strong potential to enhance engagement, while relatedness-oriented features receive limited support. Overall, the findings underline the need for market-specific app design strategies and contribute to understanding psychological need fulfilment in online food grocery.

As agricultural development increasingly targets high-value crops and markets, food quality and safety have become critical. However, smallholder farmers often face barriers to adopting quality-enhancing practices in the post-production stage because of their limited access to reliable information. Most research on information provision emphasises the need to reduce quantity losses in staple crops, leaving a research gap with respect to quality improvements in high-value crops such as black pepper. This study addresses this gap by evaluating the impact of government training and farmer-to-farmer experience sharing on the adoption of post-harvest quality improvement practices and production behaviour. We conducted a randomized controlled trial with 660 black pepper farmers in the Matale District of Sri Lanka. We found that government training significantly improves the adoption of key post-harvest practices such as threshing, fresh berry grading, dry berry grading, and blanching and leads to a shift in production from low quality to high quality. Our findings highlight the importance of structured expertise-led training to improve the quality of high-value crops.

OBJECTIVE:The increasing rate of alcohol related traffic accidents, especially among adolescents, has become a major safety concern. While numerous studies have examined drunk driving among young people using direct questioning methods, such behaviors are often viewed as sensitive, increasing the risk of underreporting. This work is to examine the actual prevalence of misreporting regarding drunk driving and riding with a drunk driver, while accounting for potential misreporting bias. METHOD:The study employed a list experiment, an indirect questioning technique, on a sample of 615 undergraduates in Vietnam. RESULTS:Our findings reveal that the prevalence of drunk driving among male students is nearly three times higher when measured using the list experiment compared to direct questioning. Furthermore, students from single-parent or parentless households exhibit considerably greater misreporting bias and a higher prevalence of drunk driving than those from families with both parents. CONCLUSION:This study suggests that list experiments are an appropriate and effective method for estimating the prevalence of sensitive alcohol consumption-related travel behaviors.

Purpose To promote sustainable and efficient agricultural development, cooperatives play a crucial role in helping farmers access inputs, markets and technologies. This study aims to provide empirical evidence on how cooperative participation enhances both economic outcomes and sustainable farming behavior in Vietnam's dragon fruit sector, an export-oriented yet under-researched crop. Design/methodology/approach The study employs household survey data collected from dragon fruit farmers in Binh Thuan Province, comparing cooperative members and non-members in terms of VietGAP certification, technology adoption, production costs and income per hectare. To address potential selection bias, Propensity Score Matching and Endogenous Switching Regression/Probit models are applied. Findings Results reveal that cooperative membership significantly increases the likelihood of adopting resource-efficient technologies and complying with food safety standards. Moreover, members achieve higher income per hectare and improved production efficiency. Cooperatives help reduce technical and financial constraints, coordinate resources and provide policy and market information that support sustainable agricultural transformation. Research limitations/implications This study is limited by its use of cross-sectional data, which restrict the ability to capture changes in farmers’ behavior and fully address endogeneity over time. Additionally, the findings may have limited external validity, as the analysis focuses on dragon fruit farmers in Binh Thuan province and may not represent other regions in Vietnam. Social implications By empowering smallholders and improving their resilience to market and climate risks, cooperatives contribute to safer, more inclusive and environmentally sustainable food systems in Southeast Asia. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature by examining the dual impact of cooperative membership on both farm income and the adoption of sustainability-related innovations, an area often overlooked in prior research. Focusing on Vietnam’s export-oriented dragon fruit sector, it provides new empirical evidence on how cooperatives support sustainable practices and compliance with standards such as VietGAP. Methodologically, the study addresses selection bias using rigorous econometric approaches, offering more reliable and policy-relevant insights into the role of cooperatives in promoting both economic and environmental outcomes.

Recent incidents of food fraud and growing concerns about sustainability in food production have led to increased consumer preference for food traceability. Governments, responsible for enforcing food traceability regulations and overseeing food systems, play a crucial role in this context. Consequently, trust in government could significantly influence consumer behaviour and their valuation of food traceability systems. Blockchain (BC) technology, recently implemented in food traceability, has gained popularity due to its potential to create a "trustless" trust environment. This study aims to understand how consumers with varying levels of trust in the government value BC-based traceability systems. An online choice experiment (n = 707) focused on Greek feta cheese was conducted to explore this relationship. Four consumer segments were identified, profiled, and labelled as Engaged, Sceptic, Vigilant, and Reliant. The findings reveal that consumers with low trust in government and a high tendency to seek product information place a high value on BC-based food traceability compared to other labelling schemes. Conversely, consumers who trust the government and do not actively seek product information show a preference for the well-known PDO certification over food traceability labels. These results highlight the potential for promoting BC-based traceability among consumers, as a sizeable segment demonstrates interest in such traceable products.

PurposeThis study examines farmers' noncompliance with pesticide practice guidelines and their trust in local extension services via indirect questioning to mitigate social desirability bias.MethodologyAn indirect questioning method (list experiment) was conducted with 876 Vietnamese green tea farmers. The data were analyzed via multivariate regression models.FindingsIndirect questioning revealed that 21%-28% of farmers reported noncompliance with pesticide guidelines; nearly double the rate reported through direct questioning. Conversely, the proportion of farmers who trust pesticide recommendations from extension services decreases by one-third via indirect questioning. Our subsample analysis further reveals that the prevalence of noncompliance with pesticide practice guidelines is higher among female farmers. Regarding the credibility of extension services, local extension officers have a greater influence among senior farmers.Practical ImplicationsBecause noncompliance with pesticide guidelines is more common among female farmers, agricultural extension implementers should provide supplementary training and support females to enhance proper pesticide usage. In addition, leveraging local extension officers as primary information disseminators can enhance the effectiveness of extension services, in particular in engaging senior farmers.Theoretical ImplicationsThis study extends the framework of social desirability bias to the agriculture sector by investigating sensitive issues in pesticide practice and extension services.Originality/ValueThis study is the first to investigate farmers' noncompliance with pesticide practice guidelines and their trust in extension services via indirect questioning.

The implementation of blockchain (BC) technology in food traceability has attracted the attention of both scholars and practitioners because this technology enhances transparency and efficiency. While previous studies have attempted to assess the technical performance of BC-based applications, comprehensive economic and environmental assessments of BC-based food traceability systems are lacking. This study performs a technical, environmental and economic assessment of BC-based food traceability using a private BC (Quorum) and a public BC (Ethereum). The case study is the production of protected designation of origin feta cheese in Greece. The proposed BC-based system was found to have insignificant environmental impacts when compared to the existing impacts of feta production. Furthermore, the implementation of BC-based food traceability was found to be profitable for dairy producers when consumers’ willingness to pay a price premium for BC-based traceable products is taken into account. Sensitivity analyses under different scaling-up scenarios, from a purely technical perspective (i.e. increase in transaction volume and frequency) to scaling production, emphasised the potential benefits of BC-based food traceability from a scalability perspective.

feta cheese is a Greek protected designation of origin (PDO) product that is produced in three main phases: milk collection, cheese preparation and maturation, and product packaging. Each phase must be aligned with quantitative rules, stemming from the legislation framework and best practices. The production complexity, the increased production cost, centralised and monolithic traceability systems, and the lack of a systematic monitoring framework have made dairy products a commodity with increased frequency of food fraud. Given the context of the dairy section in Greece, this study aims to examine (a) whether it is possible to model the end-to-end process of PDO feta cheese considering production rules to develop a trustworthy blockchain-based traceability system (b) how to associate the (‘easy-to-retrieve’, operational) traceability data with the (difficult-to-assess) product characteristics meaningful to the consumer, (c) how to design a technical solution ensuring that information is accessible by the stakeholders and the consumer, while minimising blockchain-related delay, and (d) how to design a graphical user interface and offer tools to consumers so that traceability information is communicated effectively and they can verify it through access to the blockchain. In terms of methods, we analyse and model the process steps, identify measurable, operational parameters and translate the legislative framework into rules. These rules are designed and codified as blockchain smart contracts that ensure the food authenticity and compliance with legislation. The blockchain infrastructure consists of the private Quorum blockchain that is anchored to the public infrastructure of Ethereum. Mechanisms to address scalability in terms of dynamic data volumes, effective data coding, and data verification at the edge as well as relevant limitations are discussed. Consumers are informed about traceability information by using QR codes on food packaging and can verify the data using the blockchain tools and services.

Purpose This study aims to investigate the impact of consumer ethnocentrism on consumers' evaluation of blockchain-based traceability information. It also examined how the use of quick response (QR) codes for traceability affects consumers' evaluation of traceable food products. Design/methodology/approach An online choice experiment was conducted to determine consumers' evaluation of the blockchain-based traceability of Feta cheese with a quota sample of 715 Greek consumers. Pearson bivariate correlation and mean comparison were used to examine the relationship between consumer ethnocentrism and QR use behaviour. Random parameter logit models were employed to examine consumers’ valuation of the examined attributes and interaction terms. Findings The results show that ethnocentric consumers are willing to pay more for blockchain-based traceability information. Ethnocentric consumers tend to scan QR codes with traceability information. Spending more time reading traceability information embedded in QR codes does not lead to a higher willingness-to-pay (WTP) for traceable food products. Practical implications The findings suggest that patriotic marketing messages can draw consumers' attention to blockchain-based traceability information. The modest WTP for and low familiarity with blockchain-based traceability systems raise the need for educating consumers regarding the benefits of blockchain in traceability systems. Originality/value This is the first study to provide timely empirical evidence of a positive WTP for blockchain-based traceability information for a processed dairy product. This study is the first to attempt to distinguish the effects of the intention to scan QR codes and reading information embedded in QR codes on consumers’ valuation of food attributes.

Information feedback based on the real-time records of smart meters has shown the potential to nudge residential electricity conservation in developed countries. However, evidence on this topic in developing countries is scarce and limited in scale. This paper provides new experimental evidence regarding how information feedback affects household electricity consumption in Vietnam, a developing country in Southeast Asia. By conducting a randomized controlled trial involving 1,028 households in Da Nang city, we show that three types of feedback - self-comparison, social comparison, and goal setting - can help households reduce their daily electricity consumption 4.1-6.7%. We explore the heterogeneous effects and find that social comparison exhibits discernible heterogeneity depending on the day of the week. Social comparison is also effective for both low and high quantiles of electricity consumers, whereas self-comparison and goal setting are effective mainly for the latter. We discuss the implications of our empirical findings for policies related to using feedback to nudge household electricity conservation.

Consumers’ valuation of food traceability has received considerable attention in the existing literature. However, the outcomes of the various studies often exhibit inconsistencies and lack conclusive consensus. With the growing concern about food quality and safety, the emergence of new technologies and the increasing demand for more transparency in the food supply chain, consumers' valuation of food traceability has also changed. To comprehensively assess the diverse and growing literature, this study conducted a meta-analysis that synthesised consumers' willingness to pay (WTP) for food traceability. The analysis is based on 72 peer-reviewed articles from the Web of Science and Scopus databases. The WTP for food traceability reported in the literature has shown a steady upward trend over time, reaching a price premium of around 32%. Consumers in developing countries show a higher WTP for traceable food than their counterparts in developed countries. The WTP for traceable meat is higher than for other food categories. Interestingly, embedded codes are found to lower WTP, while the information provision on traceability-enabling technologies has a positive impact on WTP. When food traceability is analysed in conjunction with other credence attributes (e.g. organic, animal welfare), it leads to higher WTP, while the combination of traceability with intrinsic attributes (e.g. appearance, flavour) has the opposite effect. Additionally, the study identifies several methodological factors that significantly influence WTP for food traceability. Finally, the study addresses the scientific, managerial and societal implications arising from these findings.

The dairy sector is transforming following growing concerns over sustainability, propelling innovations such as plant-based milk alternatives (PBMAs). Researchers have shown increasing interest in conducting studies on consumers' willingness to pay (WTP) for dairy and PBMAs. This scoping review expounds on consumers' WTP for dairy and PBMAs, focusing on attributes to understand the variation across regions, value elicitation methods, driving factors, and impact on sustainable dairy. Researchers searched the literature using Web of Science, Scopus, and AgEcon databases and used descriptive statistics and thematic analysis to synthesize the findings of a scoping review of 123 worldwide studies. The reviewed studies applied stated preference (SP) and revealed preference (RP) methods, but SP methods were dominant, especially discrete choice experiments (DCEs) (42 %) and contingent valuation methods (CVM) (25 %). Consumers were willing to pay an average premium of 44 % for all attributes. Most studies were on cow milk (90 %), whereas very few investigated PBMAs and other milk types. The average WTP for the attribute categories were organic (55 %), animal welfare (53 %), origin (45 %), milk quality and safety (45 %), brand (40 %), environmental (34 %), health-related (25 %), and sensory attributes (22 %). Consumers' WTP for dairy and PBMAs attributes impact the sustainability of the dairy sector across regions. Moreover, income, awareness, and information consciousness influenced consumers' WTP for organic, safety, health, and environmental milk attributes. This study highlights the complexity and diversity of consumers' WTP for dairy and PBMAs across regions. Our findings emphasize the need to employ multilevel strategies ranging from farm-level dairy production to processing and consumption to achieve socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable dairy. Future research should focus on consumers' WTP for PBMAs and gather more evidence on how consumers in Africa and South America value sustainable dairy and PBMAs.

Recently, new agricultural technologies have emerged to increase sustainable food production, often referred to as "Agriculture 4.0." They consist of more advanced precision agriculture technologies, such as sensors, robotics, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which can lead to environmental and economic benefits for farmers and society. Despite the potential benefits of Agriculture 4.0 technologies, the adoption rate remains low. The objective of this study was to gain insight into the factors affecting the adoption of agricultural field robotics and UAVs using a systematic literature review approach that analyzed 23 relevant studies identified from two scientific databases (i.e., Web of Science and Scopus). Data regarding methodological aspects and results were extracted. Even though the current adoption of agricultural robots and UAVs is still limited, farmers seem highly interested. Most studies have used a quantitative approach to study the intention to adopt or the adoption of robotics or UAVs. Surprisingly, few studies have used an existing theory to explain the (intended) adoption. Age, gender, income, education, farm size, perceived usefulness, expected economic and environmental benefits, an attitude of confidence, and the perceived ease of use have been the internal factors most often identified. Meanwhile, the price of the technology, compatibility with other software and equipment, and labor scarcity are the most important external factors.

In many South Asian contexts, specific dates are auspicious and inauspicious for health-related behaviours and outcomes. This study analysed the effect of lunar date-related auspicious beliefs in Nepal on childbirths and neonatal health outcomes. Using the daily birth records from a tertiary maternity hospital, we empirically examined whether births occurred disproportionally around full moon days. We found an average of 10.7 extra births on and before full moon days, with an average of 7.5 extra Caesarean deliveries on full moon days. We demonstrated that births occurring on or before the full moon day have poor neonatal health outcomes. However, a subsample analysis suggested better health outcomes for low-risk mothers and worse health outcomes for high-risk mothers. These findings suggest that low-risk mothers may move their deliveries to auspicious dates with fewer complications than high-risk mothers. The results emphasise the need for additional research to distinguish health service demand from supply influences on birth timing in Nepal.

BACKGROUND Dietitians play a critical role in the public's relationship with food and are often overlooked as an important stakeholder group in the general debate about sustainable food. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are one type of modern food source that could contribute to a more sustainable food system. This case study is the first to examine the knowledge, perception and willingness-to-recommend (WTR) genetically modified (GM) foods by dietitians in Europe. METHODS An online survey was addressed to all members of the Flemish Association of Dietitians (Belgium) in 2021, resulting in a sample of 98 valid responses. Multivariate linear regression included sociodemographic, knowledge, and attitudinal factors as the independent variables to explain dietitians' WTR. RESULTS Flemish dietitians had limited knowledge of GMOs; only about half of the GM questions were answered correctly. Most dietitians (53%-76%) would recommend GMOs with positive effects on human nutrition or sustainability, whereas few dietitians (19%-27%) would recommend other GMO applications. Trust in GMO information sources and perceived GM benefits significantly influenced a positive WTR of GM foods. Predominant negative information about GM foods was significantly associated with dietitians' low trust and WTR such foods. CONCLUSIONS Countering the predominantly negative portrayal with more neutral and factual information could improve trust, which in turn could positively influence dietitians' perceptions towards GMOs. By further examining the knowledge and perception of dietitians worldwide GMOs and gene-edited products, new insights could be could gathered into the positioning of this underexposed stakeholder group.