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.

The Role of Biodiversity in Food Security and Nutrition: A Potato Cultivar Case Study

Biodiversity is considered a critical measure of the agricultural health of the world. Not only does increased biodiversity contribute to nutrient production and consumption, but it acts as a safeguard against food shortages due to pests and diseases by spreading the risk. Biodiversity can improve dietary diversity in such a way to ultimately contribute to improved food and nutrition security. As a result biodiversity is often highlighted in global discussions related to food and nutrition security. Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) are highly biodiverse food crops, with more than 4000 different cultivars grown globally. The crop is sometimes considered as part of the vegetable component of food baskets, but it is mainly added to meals as a starch because potatoes have a high starch content and are thus high in energy. However, significant differences in the nutritional content (including micronutrient composition) of different potato cultivars have been reported in many countries. It is therefore proposed that specific cultivars could potentially contribute more to critical nutrients required in the diet of countries at risk of malnutrition. The nutritional profile (macronutrients and minerals) of 11 potato cultivars cultivated in sub-Saharan Africa was determined and the contribution which these different potatoes could make to the diet, and consequently to food and nutrition security, is discussed. The results showed that significant differences are found in the nutritional content between the different cultivars. Significant differences (p < 0.001) were found in macronutrients such as protein and fat as well as micronutrients such as copper, phosphorus and potassium. These results indicate the potentially beneficial role which a biodiverse range of crops such as potatoes, could play in the food and nutrition security of developing countries.

Moving beyond the opposition of diverse knowledge systems for food security and nutrition

Food Security and Nutrition(FSN) is influenced by diverse and complex factors, and therefore requires a holistic approach to agriculture and food systems plus integration of knowledge from diverse sources in science and society. Using the results of a colloquium held at the University of Hohenheim(Germany) in September 2016 leading up to the recent High Level Panel of Experts(HLPE) Note on Critical and Emerging Issues for Food Security and Nutrition, this article underlines the role of research and innovation as a social and political process and draws attention to neglected types of knowledge. It illustrates the potential of knowledge co-production and co-innovation to transform food systems in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Measuring Food and Nutrition Security in Circumpolar Communities

The issue of food and nutrition security(FNS)brings together concerns over a range of environmental,economic,social,and cultural changes which taken together influence the diets and health of the population.There have been many attempts to capture specific overlapping dimensions of food and nutrition security in circumpolar territories.None of them,however,has resulted in the elaboration of a comprehensive set of parameters which could reflect the entire complexity of transforming food consumption patterns in indigenous communities,strengthening of human pressure on the environment,and progressing climate change in the Arctic.To bridge the gap,the author employed a two-stage survey of international experts and promoted a set of eighteen measures along the availability,accessibility,utilization,and stability pillars.Introduction of a parameter rating scale allowed measuring and comparing food and nutrition statuses of indigenous communities on the per pillar basis.The key outcome of the study is the establishment of the FNS status scoring system which may become one of the potential solutions to the existing problem of effective translation of discrepant international and national parameters into a unified measurement applicable across circumpolar territories in Arctic countries.

Application of Fourth Industrial Revolution Technologies to Marine Aquaculture for Future Food:Imperatives,Challenges and Prospects

This study was undertaken to examine the options and feasibility of deploy­ing new technologies for transforming the aquaculture sector with the ob­jective of increasing the production efficiency.Selection of technologies to obtain the expected outcome should,obviously,be consistent with the crite­ria of sustainable development.There is a range of technologies being sug­gested for driving change in aquaculture to enhance its contribution to food security.It is necessary to highlight the complexity of issues for systems approach that can shape the course of development of aquaculture so that it can live-up to the expected fish demand by 2030 in addition to the current quantity of 82.1 million tons.Some of the Fourth Industrial Revolution(IR4.0)technologies suggested to achieve this target envisage the use of re­al-time monitoring,integration of a constant stream of data from connected production systems and intelligent automation in controls.This requires ap­plication of mobile devices,internet of things(IoT),smart sensors,artificial intelligence(AI),big data analytics,robotics as well as augmented virtual and mixed reality.AI is receiving more attention due to many reasons.Its use in aquaculture can happen in many ways,for example,in detecting and mitigating stress on the captive fish which is considered critical for the success of aquaculture.While the technology intensification in aquaculture holds a great potential but there are constraints in deploying IR4.0 tools in aquaculture.Possible solutions and practical options,especially with re­spect to future food choices are highlighted in this paper.

Certain Aspects of Nutritional Security of People with Gluten-Related Disorders

As a consequence of the production of high-yielding cereal varieties per hectare and the considerable increase in gluten consumption, today, consequently, we face a rising epidemic of disorders related to gluten consumption: celiac disease, gluten allergy gluten sensitivity. Nutritional therapy is the only treatment for celiac disease unanimously accepted by the medical community. The aim of the study is to analyze the food and nutritional security of people with disorders related to gluten consumption from the perspective of assessing the nutritional deficiencies of people diagnosed with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, but also assessing the nutritional deficiencies of gluten-free products. The study on the assessment of nutritional deficiencies of people with disorders related to gluten consumption, but also the nutritional deficiencies of gluten-free products/diets were conducted on the PubMed search engine. 154 free full text papers published in the period 2010-2020 were analyzed, according to the keywords (gluten free, diet, deficiencies). Specialists in the field are unanimous in the opinion that increasing nutritional security and ensuring sustainability can be achieved by: diversifying gluten-free products;extension of legislation to strengthen gluten-free products;developing educational strategies focused on the relationship between nutrients, food and human health;informing the population and optimizing services in order to increase the quality of life and health. However, the design of GF products, both technologically and nutritionally, especially bakery/pastry, pasta is still a challenge, and research in this area, is current and required.

Food insecurity: How to orchestrate a global health crisis

In 2007-2008, the world experienced over 1 billion people going hungry. This complex food security and public health crisis have many levels, actors and stakeholders. There lacks equity in access food markets, unbalanced consumption of nutrients and poor state institutions that, all negatively impact food security. Global financial products and regimes can greatly influence food prices, and if not properly regulated, this can lead to whole market manipulation and starvation. This paper discusses the basics of food security in a public health framework and describes the legal and financial mechanisms that lead to food insecurity.

Seaweed farming for food and nutritional security,climate change mitigation and adaptation,and women empowerment:A review

Seaweed is a promising marine macroalgae of the millennium,providing various ecological,social,and economic benefits.At present,seaweed production reached 35.8 million t from farming,accounting for 97%of global seaweed output,with a world market of US$11.8 billion.Seaweeds are an excellent source of nutritious human food because of their low lipid content,high minerals,fibers,polyunsaturated fatty acids,polysaccharides,vitamins,and bioactive compounds.Many seaweed sub-products offer unique properties to develop various functional foods for the food processing industries.In the perspective of climate change mitigation,seaweed farms absorb carbon,serve as a CO_(2)sink and reduce agricultural emissions by providing raw materials for biofuel production and livestock feed.Seaweed farming system also helps in climate change adaptation by absorbing wave energy,safeguarding shorelines,raising the pH of the surrounding water,and oxygenating the waters to minimize the impacts of ocean acidification and hypoxia on a localized scale.Moreover,it contributes substantially to the sustainable development of the economic condition of coastal women by providing livelihood opportunities and ensuring financial solvency.This review paper highlights the significance of seaweed farming in global food and nutritional security,mitigation and adaptation to global climate change,and women empowerment within a single frame.This review paper also outlined the major issues and challenges of seaweed farming for obtaining maximum benefits in these aspects.The main challenges of making seaweed as a staple diet to millions of people include producing suitable species of seaweeds,making seaweed products accessible,affordable,nutritionally balanced,and attractive to the consumers.Various food products must be developed from seaweeds that may be considered equivalent to the foods consumed by humans today.Lack of effective marine spatial planning to avoid user conflicts is vital for expanding the seaweed farming systems to provide aquatic foods and contribute globally for mitigation and adaptation of climate change impacts.Hence,women’s empowerment through seaweed farming is primarily constrained by the lack of technical knowledge and financial resources to establish the coastal farming system.All the information discussed in this paper will help to understand the critical needs for large-scale seaweed farming for climate resilience mariculture,potentials for global food security,and future research on various aspects of seaweed farming and their diverse utilization.

我国全谷物产业发展背景、现状与未来

我国发展全谷物产业,既能够提高粮食资源的可食化利用率,有效节约粮食;又可以减少食物中B族维生素等微量营养素、生物活性成分及膳食纤维等天然营养物质的损失,改善我国居民“隐性饥饿”问题,降低慢病患病风险;是贯彻落实《中华人民共和国反食品浪费法》与“健康中国”战略,践行大食物观,推动乡村振兴战略实施的重要举措。当前,我国全谷物产业已初步形成了学界、产业界、政府、媒体和消费者等多方共同关注与联动的势头,但全谷物消费占比仍然极低。未来拟通过全产业链条设计与多维度布局,从科普与消费倡导、科技协同创新、标准标识认证体系、产业示范及典型场景推广等全方位推动,多举措合力,加快支持推动国家全谷物行动计划的落地实施,引导全民更合理的膳食及科学健康生活方式,保障国家粮食安全。

新形势下中国农食系统转型的理论构建与政策路径

农食系统是实现我国国民营养、食物安全、生态文明、“双碳”目标和共同富裕的重要基础。新形势下发展环境和国际市场变化复杂,为了更好地应对多重风险叠加的挑战,实现国家多元发展目标,中国农食系统亟须转型。已有研究针对农食系统转型虽然局部提出了一些解决思路,但都比较零散,缺乏统一的研究框架和系统的研究方案。如何转型农食系统助力我国实现国家重大发展目标仍是难题。本文对新形势下我国农食系统转型的理论基础与框架、转型方案和路径、政策体系等展开分析。研究表明:新形势下农食系统关注重点已从单一的粮食数量,转变为以营养健康为导向、粮食安全为基石、资源环境为约束、共同富裕为条件的可持续发展。同时,中国农食系统应以营养—农食—环境互相协调发展为核心,最大化三者的联合协调,同时最小化三者的制衡作用,向高质高效、营养健康、绿色低碳、韧性、包容性的方向转型发展。在推动农食系统转型过程中,需要构建组织机构、支持补贴、科技研发、激励机制、全球合作等政策体系,更好地引导、推动和激励技术突破、组织创新、制度优化、行为转变。

数字时代粮食供应链重塑与中国的粮食安全保障

粮食体系在确保高效、可持续性和有韧性的供应链上面临诸多挑战,变革粮食供应链旨在探索数字技术和数字化转型在粮食供应链数字化进程中的作用,以及工业4.0时代有效解决粮食安全问题的可行路径和创新方案,即粮食体系的数字化转型和粮食供应链的数字化重塑。从需求激增到供应链中断,粮食系统面临前所未有的考验和挑战,移动技术、大数据分析等技术创新为粮食供应链数字化转型铺平道路,将孤立的发展链条整合到智能、互联和有韧性的数字化粮食供应链中。数字技术应用于改造粮食供应链,创新运营模式和管理模式,帮助粮食体系在全球范围内提升产业价值并重塑体系模式。作为全球重要的粮食生产和消费国,粮食安全战略是中国“双循环”新发展格局背景下新国家安全战略的重要组成部分,中国能否实现自身粮食安全对于全球粮食安全目标具有重要意义。审视粮食供应链数字化转型面临的机遇与挑战,研判数字潜力、关键要素、风险管理等核心议题,探寻实现粮食供应链转型和粮食安全保障的“共赢”路径。

Snack (Re)formulation in the Improvement of Health Effects on Glycaemia and Satiety Responses: Preliminary Results

Snacking impacts the overall quality of dietary patterns, nutrition and health outcomes. Highly processed snack foods are normally unhealthy due to higher saturated fat content, refined grains (carbohydrates), and artificial ingredients. Snack product (re)formulation using plant-based wholesome ingredients has the potential to improve health effects including glycaemia, satiety responses, and lipid metabolism. Oat (Avena sativa L.) has gained increased popularity as a food item in recent decades due to its perceived or real health benefits, principally related to the bran content of oats. We have developed a healthier snack prototype using rolled oats as main ingredients. Other ingredients include oat bran, dried fruits, and nuts. For initial trials, these ingredients were combined in various combinations and composition to produce a formula having a good nutrient profile score (≤4) that meets the criteria of FSANZ for making health-related claims. The proportions of the ingredients in the formula were adjusted to enable higher fiber and protein contents. From the initial 10 combinations prepared, one prototype was selected based on four quality attributes (visual appearance, texture, taste, and water activity). The selected prototype was tested for glycemic index (n = 10) and consumer liking (n = 67). Our preliminary results demonstrated that the prototype has a low glycemic index, favorable satiety effects compared with glucose, and has acceptable taste compared with two commercial products. This formulation will be refined further when we plan to assess its effects on glycaemia and insulin profiles. High value nutrition is the New Zealand national science challenge. An approach of developing healthier snack products with verifiable health-related claims through (re)formulation could be translated into relevant dietary changes associated with potential improvement in public health.

新农科背景下能力培养型通识课程改革探析——以园艺与健康课程为例

“线上线下+虚拟仿真+社会实践”多元融合的教学模式是新农科背景下通识课程教学的一种创新,不仅能解决通识课程参与度低、教学效果差的问题,而且有助于学生和教师“双中心”的深度学习。课程由以园艺与健康慕课课程、虚拟仿真实验和多形式翻转教学为主体的第一课堂,以及以加速知识内化为目的的社会实践、社会服务和创新创业训练为主题的第二课堂构成,形成“以研促教、以赛促学、赛教结合”的教学特色。知识体系对接专业技能提升,重构学习者的学习方式,提升学生和老师的创新意识、科研素养和可迁移能力,使其成为健康生活的实践者、倡导者和传播者。在新农科教育背景下,优化农学通识课程的混合式教学模式扩大农学知识的受众面,培养多学科背景学生的“三农”情怀,引导学生认清在创造社会价值过程中的自身价值和社会定位,激励更多学生投身美丽乡村建设。

食品检测技术在食品质量提升中的应用研究

食品安全和质量是关系到人民群众身体健康和生命安全的重要问题。随着社会经济的快速发展,人们对食品安全和质量的要求越来越高。食品检测技术作为保障食品安全和质量的重要手段,得到了广泛关注,食品检测技术在提高食品安全性、优化食品配方、提升食品口感和外观、促进食品产业健康发展等方面具有重要意义。

浅谈基层国有粮食企业人才断层——以高陵区为例

文章以高陵区为例,研究了基层国有粮食企业人才的断层问题,提出了相应解决对策。文中强调了培训和教育的重要性,基层国有粮食企业可以通过专业技能培训和轮岗锻炼提高人员素质。同时,基层国有粮食企业要注重引进新鲜血液,吸引优秀人才加入企业。基层国有粮食企业要完善职业发展通道和晋升机制,给予人才更多发展空间。通过采取这些措施,可以有效解决基层国有粮食企业人才断层问题,推动粮食行业的健康发展。

内蒙古寒旱地区高丹草种植与利用研究

[目的]研究自美国引进的高丹草(AS6016)在我国内蒙古自治区寒冷及干旱地区的种植表现,为推动饲草产业健康发展及畜牧业转型升级提供科学依据。[方法]以呼和浩特市布和家庭农场、兴安盟公主岭牧场为试验地,分别进行旱区和寒区种植试验,于2022年5月末实地种植高丹草(AS6016)53 hm^(2),分别于2022年8月、9月进行刈割,获取鲜草及干草试验样本,采用凯氏定氮法、索式浸提法等对粗蛋白、粗脂肪、糖分等营养成分进行检测,并进行了经济效益分析。[结果]确定高丹草(AS6016)最佳营养价值收获时间为拔节后期,该阶段收获并青贮后粗蛋白含量达11.78%、粗脂肪含量达1.91%,且产量与收益分别为同期青贮全株玉米的2.07、2.45倍。[结论]寒旱地区高丹草(AS6016)的种植与利用具有可行性,能够在保障草食畜产品有效供给、维护国家粮食安全上发挥重要作用。

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Flour Enriched with Date Palm Fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Powder and Bean Milk for Cookies Production

This study emphasizes the formulation of three types of cookies viz potato flour with date powder and bean milk (PDBM), potato flour with sugar and bean milk (PSBM), and potato flour, sugar, and eggs as control. After the substitution, the highest protein content was observed in PDBM (1.78 ± 0.12)% followed by PSBM, (1.35 ± 0.01)% and the lowest was in the control (0.91 ± 0.55)%. Moreover, cookies fortified with date palm powder increased the carbohydrate and fat contents compared to the control and significantly increased the calorific value of PDBM. The formulated cookies were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in iron (39.95 ± 3.00) mg/100 g and zinc (13.65 ± 1.61) mg/100 g in PDBM compared to other cookies. The date palm powder incorporated in cookies significantly increases the darkening of biscuits during cooking. The organoleptic characteristics of PDBM and PSBM were rated overall best when specific parameters were tested. With the shortage of wheat and importation constraints, an alternative provides a great market opportunity for local products like potatoes and beans. In addition, fortifying food products as cookies eaten by all will contribute to a more food and nutrition-secured world.

Addressing Micronutrient Deficiencies in Zimbabwe: Achievements, Challenges and Future Actions

Objective:This paper explores lessons learnt from national health policies,strategies and nutrition interventions introduced in Zimbabwe post-independence to address the burden of micronutrient deficiencies.Methods:A desk review was conducted on national policies,and strategies to improve micronutrient status.The paper highlights key achievements,challenges,opportunities;and finally closes by highlighting current and future policy and intervention issues related to micronutrient deficiencies.Results:Great progress has been made towards addressing iodine deficiency,VAS(vitamin A supplementation)in children,iron folate among pregnant and lactating mothers,and establishing regulatory frameworks for food fortification.Initial findings from multi-sector nutrition interventions show great potential for the reduction of micronutrient deficiencies.Current micronutrient interventions need scaling up and strengthening.Nutrition advocacy and communication has remained limited and this is negatively impacting on demand driven programming for the control of micronutrient deficiencies.Conclusions:Strong partnerships within and outside government are needed to influence multisectoral programming and coordination mechanisms.Strong connections and linkages with agriculture,social protection,health and education are needed for optimal integrated nutrition sensitive programming to ensure sustainable access to micronutrient rich foods.High level government commitment at the national level is necessary for strong multi-disciplinary nutrition programming.

新形势下国家食物安全战略研究

我国食物安全保障面临国际供应链不稳定、食物系统转型升级、碳减排压力增大等新形势,未来食物供需情况不容乐观,因而深化国家食物安全战略研究需求迫切。基于中国农业产业模型进行了预测分析,我国粮食供求缺口将在2030年达到峰值(1.66×108 t),粮食自给率将持续下滑,2035—2050年的粮食供需缺口将有所减少;2020—2050年的畜产品、水产品、油菜籽和糖的总需求量将继续增长,净进口量将同步保持增长。面向我国食物安全在耕地、供应链、营养结构、系统风险、科技创新等方面存在的突出问题,建议确立新型大食物安全观,在坚持“以我为主、立足国内、确保产能、适度进口、科技支撑”的基础上,实施“谷物基本自给、口粮绝对安全、主要农产品自主可控、确保国家食物主控权”的食物安全总体战略。坚守口粮自给率97%、谷物自给率90%、粮食自给率80%的战略底线,围绕“振兴种业、提升地力、防灾减灾、高效低碳”目标,部署现代种业提升、高标准粮田建设、区域食物安全保障、农业绿色低碳、饲料蛋白质替代等重大工程。同步实施强化食物消费需求管理、拓展食物供应链、加强风险管控等举措,充分保障国家食物数量、质量和营养安全。

“蓝色粮仓”对中国食物营养的贡献及预测研究

在中国人口总量持续增长、食物消费需求不断升级、陆域食物生产局限难以突破的背景下,“蓝色粮仓”对保障中国食物营养安全具有重要意义。本文以鱼类、甲壳类、贝类、藻类与头足类五类海产品,以及海水养殖和海洋捕捞两种生产方式为研究对象,在计算2003—2019年中国居民食物营养需求量与海产品营养生产量的基础上,分析“蓝色粮仓”对中国食物营养贡献率的变化情况,并对未来发展趋势进行预测。结果显示:①中国居民食物营养需求量将保持增长趋势,人口增长和食物消费结构升级是需求量增长的主要驱动力。②2003—2019年,中国海产品营养产量呈现4阶段波动变化,其中海水养殖能量、蛋白质与脂肪贡献率总体呈现阶梯式增长趋势,海洋捕捞贡献率均呈现下降趋势;各类海产品中鱼类营养生产量占比最高,其次是贝类与甲壳类,藻类、头足类占比都较小。③据预测,未来海产品能量、蛋白质与脂肪贡献率将稳步上升,到2030年将分别达到2.15%、11.71%与1.66%。因而,“蓝色粮仓”对保障国家粮食安全、满足中国居民食物营养需求特别是动物蛋白需求有重要意义,未来中国应加快“蓝色粮仓”建设,强化其在中国食物营养中的贡献作用。