Repositioning fertilizer manufacturing subsidies for improving food security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in China

China removed fertilizer manufacturing subsidies from 2015 to 2018 to bolster market-oriented reforms and foster environmentally sustainable practices.However,the impact of this policy reform on food security and the environment remains inadequately evaluated.Moreover,although green and low-carbon technologies offer environmental advantages,their widespread adoption is hindered by prohibitively high costs.This study analyzes the impact of removing fertilizer manufacturing subsidies and explores the potential feasibility of redirecting fertilizer manufacturing subsidies to invest in the diffusion of these technologies.Utilizing the China Agricultural University Agri-food Systems model,we analyzed the potential for achieving mutually beneficial outcomes regarding food security and environmental sustainability.The findings indicate that removing fertilizer manufacturing subsidies has reduced greenhouse gas(GHG)emissions from agricultural activities by 3.88 million metric tons,with minimal impact on food production.Redirecting fertilizer manufacturing subsidies to invest in green and low-carbon technologies,including slow and controlled-release fertilizer,organic-inorganic compound fertilizers,and machine deep placement of fertilizer,emerges as a strategy to concurrently curtail GHG emissions,ensure food security,and secure robust economic returns.Finally,we propose a comprehensive set of government interventions,including subsidies,field guidance,and improved extension systems,to promote the widespread adoption of these technologies.

The multiple roles of crop structural change in productivity,nutrition and environment in China:A decomposition analysis

China's crop structure has undergone significant changes in the last two decades since 2000,with an increase in the share of cereals,vegetables,and fruit,squeezing out other crops.As a result,land productivity,nutrient supply,and carbon emissions have changed.How to reallocate limited farmland among crops to achieve the multiple goals of agrifood systems becomes an important issue.This study explores the sources of land productivity and nutrition supply growth and carbon emissions reduction,and identifies the multiple roles of crop structural change from 2003 to 2020 based on a decomposition analysis.The results reveal that the growth within crops is still the primary driver in land productivity and nutrition supply and the reduction in carbon emissions.However,structural change also plays various roles at different periods.From 2003 to 2010,crop structural change increased the total calorie supply but lowered land productivity and contributed at least 70%of the total growth of carbon emissions.The crop structure was relatively stable,and their effects were modest from 2010 to 2015.From 2015 to 2020,the crop structural change began to play a greater role and generate synergistic effects in improving land productivity,micronutrient supply,and reducing carbon emissions,contributing to approximately a quarter of the growth of land productivity and 30%of total carbon emissions reduction.These results suggest that strategies for crop structural change should comprehensively consider its multiple impacts,aiming to achieve co-benefits while minimizing trade-offs.

The potential impact of increased whole grain consumption among Chinese adults on reducing healthcare costs and carbon footprint

Excessive consumption of refined grains harms human health and ecosystem viability.Whole grains,as a healthy and sustainable alternative to refined grains,can benefit individual health by providing dietary fiber,B vitamins,and bioactive substances.Additionally,they aid in improving the environment due to their higher extraction rate and lower carbon emission during the processing stage.However,few studies have attempted to evaluate the economic and social benefits of increasing the amount of whole grain in grain intake.This paper estimates the potential savings in healthcare costs and reduced food carbon footprints(CFs)that could result from a shift toward whole grain consumption following the Chinese Dietary Guidelines(CDG).We investigate hypothetical scenarios where a certain proportion(5–100%)of Chinese adults could increase their whole grain intakes as proposed by CDG to meet the average shortfall of 30.2 g.In that case,the healthcare costs for associated diseases(e.g.,type2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM),cardiovascular disease(CVD),and colorectal cancer(CRC))are expected to reduce by a substantial amount,from USD 2.82 to 56.37 billion;the carbon emission levels are also projected to decrease by0.24–5.72 million tons.This study provides compelling evidence that advocating for the transition towards greater consumption of whole grain products could benefit individual health,the environment,and society,by reducing both healthcare costs and carbon emissions.

Transforming agri-food systems for multiple wins in nutrition,inclusion and environment

The call for agri-food system transformation is urgent in many global development agendas(UN 2023).Food systems have contributed to economic prosperity and feeding the world,but they are also associated with numerous challenges,including climate change,continued hunger,poor diets and malnutrition,and increasing disparities(Webb et al.2020;Fanzo et al.2021).

Feeding More People on an Increasingly Fragile Planet: China's Food and Nutrition Security in a National and Global Context

Developing and developed countries alike are increasingly facing the dififcult question of how to feed more people amidst a host of emerging demographic, environmental, and health challenges. At the same time, in addition to food quantity, increased attention is being given to food quality attributes, in particular nutrition and safety. This is especially evident in China, where concerns are on the rise regarding the ability of China’s food production systems to deliver nutritious and safe food to a growing, urbanizing and more aflfuent population. These food and nutrition concerns come at a time when China is an increasingly inlfuential actor within the global food security network through activities such as production, consumption and trade. We argue that China has the opportunity to increase food and nutrition security both nationally and globally through a comprehensive policy agenda that focuses on institutional reforms, investments for and in agriculture, productive social safety nets, mutually beneifcial trade, and the exchange of know-how and technologies among developing countries and donors. This agenda will help China adapt its food production systems to the changing face of agriculture and to play a vital role in addressing the emerging challenges facing food and nutrition security within and beyond China in the coming decades.

疫情期大学生在线学习满意度混合研究——基于学生参与理论视角

受新冠肺炎疫情影响,全国高校均开启了在线教学模式,在线教育得到了井喷式的发展。基于学生参与理论的视角以四川某医科大学参加在线学习并自愿高质量完成问卷调查的6326名学生为研究对象,采用混合研究的方法对不同特征大学生在线学习满意度差异进行了实证剖析,研究发现除不同专业和性别的学习者总体满意度不存在显著差异,不同性别的学习者学习资源满意度、互动答疑满意度以及课程引导满意度不存在显著差异外,其余学习者特征研究维度在四个满意度维度均存在显著差异,最终提出及时总结经验,做好教学督导;提供优质资源,做好教学设计;适度高效互动,做好教学评测;激发学习内驱,做好教学引导等四条对策建议。

Changing Chinese Diets to Achieve a Win-Win Solution for Health and the Environment

Diets are key determinants of nutrition and health and play a significant role in the environment.In this article,we aim to(i)describe dietary transitions and health in China and the consequent environmental challenges;(ii)identify differences between current Chinese diets and healthy reference diets;(iii)conduct a systematic review assessing the health impacts of four reference diets on the Chinese population,and(iv)simulate changes in greenhouse gas emissions under different diet scenarios.The results show differences between the Chinese diets and reference diets,with the current Chinese diet including mainly grains(especially refined rice),excessive meat consumption,and insufficient consumption of fruit and milk.If all Chinese consumers adopt one of the healthy reference diets all the time,the incidence of diet-related chronic disease and mortality would be significantly reduced.Such dietary shifts would also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 146-202 million tons(18-25 percent)compared with the projected emissions level in 2030.

TRANSFORMING CHINESE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE:A SYSTEMS PERSPECTIVE

After decades of development,China has made significant progress in ensuring national food security.However,the country currently faces multiple challenges,including the double burden of malnutrition,i.e.,micronutrient deficiencies and overweight/obesity,climate change,resource stress and environmental degradation,and an increasingly complex global market.This paper reviews past developments in food and agriculture,and offers initial insights into transforming the Chinese food system for achieving multiple national development goals using a systems approach.Strategies and solutions from China can also inform the design and implementation of food system transformation in other emerging economies.

FACTORS INFLUENCING FOOD-WASTE BEHAVIORS AT UNIVERSITY CANTEENS IN BEIJING,CHINA:AN INVESTIGATION BASED ON THE THEORY OF PLANNED BEHAVIOR

Food waste is a major social problem that contributes to the overutilization of natural resources,affecting economic progress and environmental protection.Food waste occurs throughout the whole process of the food supply chain,especially during the consumption stage.As a special group of consumers,the emerging adults at university may have unique food consumption patterns and their food waste behavior in university canteens deserves more attention.To understand the influential factors of the food-waste behavior of students in university canteens,a field survey was conducted at China Agricultural University canteen with 705 respondents.Based on the theory of planned behavior,this paper examines the influencing factors of student food-waste behavior from three dimensions:sociopsychological factors,individual characteristics and dining factors.The results indicate that the percentage of students who waste food is relatively low,at roughly 27%.Perceived behavior control,gender,monthly living expenses,BMI,mealtime,meal expectations and food portion were significantly correlated with student food-waste behavior,among which perceived behavior control had the most prominent correlation,followed by food portion.Behavioral intention,household location and palatability were not significantly correlated with student food-waste behavior.Therefore,it is necessary to promote publicity and education on reducing food waste on campus,reinforce the administration of the department of support service,and optimize the food portion in the canteen.

FOOD SYSTEMS TRANSFORMATION:CONCEPTS,MECHANISMS AND PRACTICES

The global food systems face significant interrelated and complex challenges,including climate change,extreme weather events,natural resource depletion,biodiversity loss,emerging plant and animal diseases,conflict and trade shocks.The number of global populations that lacked access to adequate food sharply increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.It is estimated that in 2021,about 702 million to 828 million people around the world suffer from hunger,with an increase of 150 million people alone due to the outbreak of the global COVID19 pandemic[1].Reduced incomes,food price inflations and continued supply chain disruptions will lead to even more severe and widespread increases in global food insecurity if urgent action is not taken,affecting vulnerable households in almost every country.

Guest Editors’Introduction

The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic that began in early 2020 has severely disrupted agricultural production,food supplies,and the day-to-day life of rural residents in China.China has responded to this crisis by imposing government regulations,launching fiscal support,encouraging and facilitating digital technologies,particularly e-commence,and mobilizing rural communities.

Sustainable intensification of agriculture is key to feeding Africa in the 21st century

Africa in facing numerous challenges in the 21st century in feeding its rapidly increasing population.Land resources have become limited due to urbanization and industrialization.The existing agricultural land has been degraded and soil fertility has declined due to unsustainable farming practices.Despite of progress made in the past several decades,hunger and malnutrition in Africa still hinder health,human development and economic growth,which will become even worse in the future if proper measures are not taken.Sustainable intensification is the only solution to tackling both environmental sustainability including climate change and malnutrition,i.e.,to produce more foods in terms of nutrients human body needs with less natural resources and carbon emissions.To achieve this vision,innovations in technologies,policies and institutions are essential.The Chinese experience in Agricultural Green Development(AGD)can be shared with Africans when the region is pursuing its sustainable intensification strategy.