Farmers' willingness to stabilize the land contract relationship facing the upcoming expiry of land contracts

On the verge of the expiry of land contracts, it is theoretically and practically important to explore the willingness and motivations of farmers to stabilize the land contract relationship, with regards to protecting their land contract rights, addressing potential contradictions during the land contract extension, and maintaining the stability of contracted land. Using China Land Economic Survey Data in 2020, this paper explores the impact of differences in areas per capita of household contracted land on farmers' willingness to stabilize land contract relationship. The findings show that most farmers support the stability of land contract relationship;the smaller areas per capita of contracted land are occupied by households than the average in the village, the weaker of the farmers' willingness to stabilize the land contract relationship. The difference between the areas per capita of contracted land ownership of a household and the average in the village has a greater impact on the willingness to stabilize land contract relationship for middle-and low-income farmers, while the development of land transfer market does not increased the willingness. Affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the land plays a more important role of employment security, which reduces farmers' willingness to stabilize the land contract relationship. Furthermore, the promotion of socialized agricultural service has also mitigated the willingness of farmers o stabilize the land contract relationship.

Reviving Smallholder Hill Farming by Involving Rural Youth in Food System Transformation and Promoting Community-Based Agri-Ecotourism: A Case of Uttarakhand State in North-Western India

Until recent decades, labour-intensive subsistence farming was a way of life and livelihood in the hill communities of Uttarakhand, India. However, the nature of agriculture falls far short of the expectations of the main labour force, the rural youth, leading to their mass migration to non-agricultural occupations. The large-scale youth migration has left many hill farming landscapes depopulated and farmlands abandoned. As youth have special stakes in food systems, they must be included in the sustainable transformation of food systems. By doing so, the migration-prone hill region may be transformed into a place where rural youth have more options for work and income. Therefore, the agriculture sector needs to change and develop into a more engaging and youthful workplace. There are opportunities to explore and barriers to be removed. Besides identifying priority research areas on local food systems, in this exploratory research, we investigate opportunities to involve rural young people in the transformation of the food system. We document information by conducting focus group discussion (FGD) meetings in about 100 villages in the Uttarakhand hills, representing all major farming landscapes. This study mainly focuses on improving the production and consumption aspects of local food, which not only benefits the health and wellbeing of local communities but also has many positive economic, social, and environmental effects. In addition, we explore opportunities for reviving mountain agriculture through agri-ecotourism, which is a symbiotic relationship between tourism and agriculture. Making home- or farm stays in agri-ecotourism a subsistence strategy for local youth will contribute to a more prosperous rural economy. Recognising Uttarakhand's rich culture and heritage while exploring the culinary travel opportunities in homestays will provide opportunities to focus more on traditional food systems, exposing various tangible and intangible aspects of the host region's food culture to tourists. The findings of this study will aid in identifying specific policy issues for consideration by planners and policymakers at the local and state levels. Additionally, this exploratory study will assist young, motivated researchers in conducting follow-up, in-depth investigations and producing empirical data in their specialised fields.

Rural and peri-urban households' handwashing behaviour before the COVID-19 pandemic: Implications for managing it in North-western Ghana

Good hygiene and handwashing remain important in public health, particularly in localities with low or no basic water and sanitation facilities. Using the Integrated Behavioural Model for water and hygiene, this study analysed key factors that shape handwashing behaviour and practices and the implications for managing the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was conducted using 20 rural and peri-urban communities in Ghana. Data gathered from 332 households and 20 focus group discussions indicated respondents have considerable knowledge of the significance of effective handwashing with soap, especially at critical moments. Although the practice of handwashing has been promoted in all the study communities, none of the households had a handwashing station. The respondents however argued that the absence of a handwashing station does not imply they do not wash their hands, especially at critical moments. Access to water, ability to buy soap, gender, and long hours of staying on distant farms shaped handwashing behaviour and practices. Although the study was conducted prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the findings have substantial implications for the fight against the pandemic. Given that households are knowledgeable of the importance of handwashing, re-iterating the practice and intensifying advocacy on behavioural change, especially in the COVID-19 pandemic will reinvigorate handwashing.Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Covid-19: A Multi-Host Pandemic

SARS-CoV-2, the causal agent of the COVID-19 pandemic, is related to a group of viruses (Sarbecovirus) that circulate in horseshoe bats. Its origin is still uncertain, as there is lack of an identifiable intermediate host species for the proximal animal ancestor of SARS-CoV-2. Irrespective of its origin, SARS-CoV-2 has been shown to replicate in many mammalian species. So far, over forty species have been found to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, and natural infections have been documented in at least 23 species of distant mammalian orders, including Primata, Rodentia, Carnivora, and Arthiodactyla. In two of those species, minks and white tailed deer, continued transmission among conspecifics occurred following introduction of SARS-CoV-2 from humans, at a rate which makes mink farms and deer populations suitable compartments where the virus may be maintained and evolve, and then perhaps spill back to humans or other animals as a new variant, as suggested by molecular evidence. Considering the above, what is truly unique about this pandemic, and adds a major obstacle to attain its control, is its multi-host nature. This is another compelling example of the relevance of the 'One Health' approach. This approach recognizes the inextricable links between people and nature, and visualizes the health and disease phenomenon from an integrative perspective. The COVID-19 pandemic urges us to acknowledge the interconnection between people and the remaining forms of life, and with the environments they share, and demonstrates that the improvement of global health needs a collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary approach, acting at the local, regional and global levels. This concept becomes paramount when taking into account that most diseases affecting humans in the last decades -not only COVID-19 - have been caused by pathogens originated in animals.Copyright © 2023

Virological Investigation in Synanthropic Rodents in North Italy

Intro: Several rodents, including mice and the brown rat, are synanthropic animals usually found in rural and urban environments in contact with other animals and humans. Rodents are natural reservoirs of infectious agents and could harbour a plethora of zoonotic pathogens of public health importance. Taking advantage of a parallel study on presence and distribution of Hantaviruses, we aimed to investigate the occurrence in mice of other viruses with zoonotic or economic impact. Method(s): From May to July 2022, 41 mice (Mus domesticus) were captured and killed by using baited snap traps in 13 selected cattle, goat and poultry farms located in the Piedmont region. Gut and lung samples were homogenised and tested by PCR methods for pan-Coronavirus (CoV) and SARS-CoV-2, pan-Pestivirus, Mammalian orthoreoviruses, Canine Distemper virus (CDV), Flaviviruses, Influenza A (IAV) and D (IDV) viruses. Finding(s): All captured animals did not present at necropsy lesions related to infectious diseases. Virological investigations detected the presence of CoV in six mice. By sequencing Rodent CoVs was identified in two samples (four more pending). Mammalian orthoreovirus was detected in nine animals and typing and characterization are in progress. One mouse, captured in a bovine farm, tested slightly positive for IDV and confirmation of positivity is in progress by complete sequencing with NGS approach. All samples were negative for Flaviviruses, IAV, CDV, pan-Pestivirus and SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion(s): Rodents are well adapted to a wide range of habitats, including peri-urban and rural environments, where they benefit from human activities. These results, although preliminary, underline the importance of enhancing surveillance in rodents in anthropized areas to better assess the presence of zoonotic agents and the potential risk of transmission.Copyright © 2023

Diagnostic Analysis of mZN Microscopy and PCR for Detection of Cryptosporidiosis in Goat Kids - A Molecular Epidemiological Study

The occurrence of Cryptosporidium species infection and its risk factors in neonatal goats is less explored. Also it is due to the fact that diseases like colibacillosis and neonatal viral enteritis complex caused by Group A rotaviruses and Bovine corona viruses can co-exist with Cryptosporidium and can lead to mixed infections and the latter is often overlooked. Therefore, in the current research we explored the cryptosporidial occurrence in neonatal goats of Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, India. In this study, a total of 644 faecal samples were collected from neonatal goats at different villages and certain organized farms of Mathura district age-wise, season-wise and breed-wise, and were examined for Cryptosporidium based on modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique, conventional 18SSU rRNA nested PCR assay. The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in goats based on microscopy was 36.80% (237/644;p value <0.0001) and 18SSU rRNA nested PCR 52.95% (341/644;p value <0.0001) respectively. Cryptosporidium species typing was also done using 18SSU rRNA nested PCR-RFLP product using enzymes Mbo-II, Ssp-I and Vsp-I, which revealed species including C. parvum C. bovis, C. ryanae, C. hominis and C. andersoni. Also the infection was clinically associated based on age, gender and seasons to identify the causal relationships that precipitate the cryptosporidial infection in goat kids. Since mZN microscopy based screening requires expertise and may sometimes be confuse with other weak acid fast bodies and also due to low sensitivity, combination of diagnostic tests are used in this study to identify the best test combination that yields best statistical fit in terms of kappa-agreement and McNemar's test. Cryptosporidiosis is caused by an enteric protozoan parasite and the first report in sheep and goat was observed in early 1980s, with other important etiological agents for neonatal diarrhoea, mortality and morbidity in neonatal kids and lambs, responsible for economic losses.Copyright © 2023 Indian Veterinary Assocaition. All rights reserved.

Zooanthropogenic potential of SARS-CoV-2 virus: Implications for vaccine-mediated immunity

The human pandemic caused by Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that started in December, 2019 is still continuing in various parts of the world. The SARS-CoV-2 has evolved through sporadic mutations and recombination events and the emergence of alternate variants following adaptations in humans and human-to-animal transmission (zooanthraponosis) has raised concerns over the efficacy of vaccines against new variants. The animal reservoir of SARS-CoV-2 is unknown despite reports of SARS-CoV- 2-related viruses in bats and pangolins. A recent report of back-andforth transmission of SARS-CoV-2 between humans and minks on mink farms in the Netherlands has sparked widespread interest in zooanthroponotic transmission of SARS-CoV-2 followed by reemergence to infect human populations. The risk of animal to human transmission depends on virus-host interaction in susceptible species that may be short-term or long term risks. The short term risk might be due to infection to humans during the viremic stage in susceptible animals. The long term risk might be either due to persistence of the virus at population level or latency of infection leading to risk of evolution and re-emergence of the virus. Experimental studies have identified a range of animals that are susceptible and permissive to SARS-CoV-2 infection viz. cats, ferrets, hamsters, mink, non-human primates, tree shrews, raccoon dogs, fruit bats, and rabbits. The health impacts of SARS-CoV-2 infection in animals are unknown and it is likely that other susceptible species have not been discovered yet. Apart from farmed animals, stray cats and rodents have been identified as a potential opportunity for ongoing transmission in intense farming situations. Recognizing animal species that are most susceptible to infection is the first step in preventing ongoing transmission from humans. Minimizing the risk of zooanthraponosis requires multi-sectoral coordination that includes implementation of strict biosecurity measures such as controlled access to farms that house susceptible animals, bio-secure entry and exit protocols, disinfection protocols in farm, down time for animal transport vehicles and daily assessments of human handlers for exposure to SARS-CoV- 2. Hence, active surveillance in animal species that are prioritized based on risk assessment need to be initiated in coordination with health and environment sectors for early identification of emerging and re-emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 virus in animals.

Untangling the Integral Impact of Land Use Change, Economic, Ecological and Social Factors on the Development of Burabay District (Kazakhstan) during the Period 1999–2021

Long-term spatiotemporal Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) analysis is an objective tool for assessing patterns of sustainable development (SD). The basic purpose of this research is to define the Driving Mechanisms (DM) and assess the trend of SD in the Burabay district (Kazakhstan), which includes a city, an agro-industrial complex, and a national natural park, based on the integrated use of spatiotemporal data (STD), economic, environmental, and social (EES) indicators. The research was performed on the GEE platform using Landsat and Random Forest. The DM were studied by Multiple Linear Regression and Principal Component Analysis. SD trend was assessed through sequential transformations, aggregations, and integrations of 36 original STD and EES indicators. The overall classification accuracy was 0.85–0.97. Over the past 23 years, pasture area has changed the most (−16.69%), followed by arable land (+14.72%), forest area increased slightly (+1.81%), and built-up land—only +0.16%. The DM of development of the AOI are mainly economic components. There has been a noticeable drop in the development growth of the study area in 2021, which is apparently a consequence of the COVID-19. The upshots of the research can serve as a foundation for evaluating SD and LULC policy.

Local, regional, and global adaptations to a compound pandemic-weather stress event

Global food security can be threatened by short-term extreme events that negatively impact food production, food purchasing power, and agricultural economic activity. At the same time, environmental pollutants like greenhouse gases (GHGs) can be reduced due to the same short-term extreme stressors. Stress events include pandemics like COVID-19 and widespread droughts like those experienced in 2015. Here we consider the question: what if COVID-19 had co-occurred with a 2015-like drought year? Using a coupled biophysical-economic modeling framework, we evaluate how this compound stress would alter both agricultural sector GHG emissions and change the number of undernourished people worldwide. We further consider three interdependent adaptation options: local water use for crop production, regional shifts in cropland area, and global trade of agricultural products. We find that GHG emissions decline due to reduced economic activity in the agricultural sector, but this is paired with large increases in undernourished populations in developing nations. Local and regional adaptations that make use of natural resources enable global-scale reductions in impacted populations via increased global trade.

Utilization of Data Mining Classification Technique to Predict the Food Security Status of Wheat

Egypt faces wheat insecurity due to the limited cropped area of agricultural lands and the limited horizontal expansion disproportionate to the population increase. The issue of food security, crop consumption rates, and self-sufficiency is considered one of the most important problems facing countries that seek to improve sustainable agriculture and economic development to eliminate poverty or hunger. This research aims to use data mining classification techniques and decision tree algorithms to predict the food security status of strategic agricultural crops (e.g., wheat) as an Agro intelligence technique. Also, the outputs and extracted information from the prediction process will help decision-makers to take an appropriate decision to improve the self-sufficiency rate of wheat, especially in epidemic crises and hard times such as COVID-19, political, and economic disturbances. On the other hand, the research investigates the patterns of wheat production and consumption for the Egyptian population from 2005 to 2020. This research presents a methodology to predict the food security status of strategic agricultural crops through the case study of wheat in Egypt. The proposed model predicts the food security status of wheat with an accuracy of 92.3% to determine the self-sufficiency ratio of wheat in Egypt during the years from 2015 to 2020. Also, it identifies the factors affecting the food security status of wheat in Egypt, their impact on determining and improving the food security state and its rate of self-sufficiency. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Long time series analysis of air quality data in the Veneto region (Northern Italy) to support environmental policies

The world population is demonstrating an increasing awareness about the ecological impacts of air quality, including impacts on human health. The Veneto region and, more generally, the Po Valley (NE Italy), are characterised by frequent exceedance of limit values for air quality, in particular particulate matter (PM10), which causes these areas to be listed as hotspots;thus, this region has some of the worst air pollution in Europe. The aim of the current research was to analyse a 10 year-long time series of air quality data (2011–2021) in the Veneto region to investigate the influence of selected factors on air quality, such as natural processes (meteorological conditions), environmental policies, and health emergency measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Generally, the considered pollutants, PM10, NO, and NO2, presented a decreasing trend during the last ten years. The reduction in nitrogen oxides was clearly improved after the implementation of a specific environmental protocol (the "New Agreement of Po Valley Basin”). Conversely, the PM10 concentration seemed to be affected by other important emission sources, such as domestic heating systems, agricultural activities, and animal farms, which are not as strongly regulated as emission sources such as traffic. The 2020 lockdown mainly influenced nitrogen oxide concentrations.

Nurturing mental health and well-being using ordinary farms

Purpose: This practice piece aims to review an occupational therapy led pilot programme – social farming as an intervention option in an adult community mental health setting in Ireland. It will also reflect on the practical implications of delivering the natural surroundings based programme through the COVID-19 pandemic and plans for the future development of such programmes in adult mental health services. Design/methodology/approach: The Occupational Circumstances Assessment Interview Rating Scale (OCAIRS) was used to measure occupational participation (Forsyth, 2005). This was administered with participants' pre and post their participation in the 10-week programme. An internal questionnaire was developed to further capture both the participant and farmer experiences of the social farming programme. Findings: Whilst improvements were noted in a number of OCAIRS domains, it was difficult to identify small changes over a short period of time. The main domains of change were habits, roles, interests and personal causation. The success of the social farming placements was also reflected in the internal questionnaire. The pilot programme has resulted in the further development of the social farming programme and securing of funding for placements for five years. Originality/value: It would be beneficial to consider other standardised assessments that assess quality of life and occupation for future placements. It is also beneficial to consider practical implications in delivering a social farming programme, particularly to those with barriers to transport. It is hoped this paper will contribute to the growing knowledge of social farming as a meaningful therapeutic intervention in mental health occupational therapy practice. © 2022, Deirdre Deegan, Emma Fingleton, Joseph James McEvoy and Kate Quigley.

Nurturing mental health and well-being using ordinary farms

Purpose: This practice piece aims to review an occupational therapy led pilot programme – social farming as an intervention option in an adult community mental health setting in Ireland. It will also reflect on the practical implications of delivering the natural surroundings based programme through the COVID-19 pandemic and plans for the future development of such programmes in adult mental health services. Design/methodology/approach: The Occupational Circumstances Assessment Interview Rating Scale (OCAIRS) was used to measure occupational participation (Forsyth, 2005). This was administered with participants' pre and post their participation in the 10-week programme. An internal questionnaire was developed to further capture both the participant and farmer experiences of the social farming programme. Findings: Whilst improvements were noted in a number of OCAIRS domains, it was difficult to identify small changes over a short period of time. The main domains of change were habits, roles, interests and personal causation. The success of the social farming placements was also reflected in the internal questionnaire. The pilot programme has resulted in the further development of the social farming programme and securing of funding for placements for five years. Originality/value: It would be beneficial to consider other standardised assessments that assess quality of life and occupation for future placements. It is also beneficial to consider practical implications in delivering a social farming programme, particularly to those with barriers to transport. It is hoped this paper will contribute to the growing knowledge of social farming as a meaningful therapeutic intervention in mental health occupational therapy practice. © 2022, Deirdre Deegan, Emma Fingleton, Joseph James McEvoy and Kate Quigley.

5th International Conference on Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases

The proceedings contain 112 papers. The topics discussed include: tuberculosis: are we anywhere close to eliminating it?;monkeypox: the new global threat?;new paradigms in a microbe-threatened world;human-animal spillover of SARS-CoV-2: implications for public health;preparing for the next pandemic;antimicrobial resistance: are we losing the fight?;extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) bacteremia: looking into the risk factors of mortality from Malaysian's perspective;multidrug-resistant salmonella spp. isolated from environment of chicken farms;vector control: where are we and where are we heading?;regional support for outbreak preparedness/ enhancing regional health security in Asia through genomic surveillance;role of molecular diagnostic capacity in COVID-19 control - South Indian experience;and vector-borne diseases during COVID-19.

The Strategies of Sustainable Watershed Management at Bedog Sub-Watershed, Special Region of Yogyakarta

A watershed plays significant roles for maintaining the balance of ecosystem, particularly on the fluvial landform dynamics. Bedog Sub-Watershed as a part of Progo Watershed flows across 11 sub-districts from Sleman and Bantul Regency. This sub-watershed indicates rural-urban characteristics and multi-aspects problems, such as the loss of croplands, a massive land-use changes into built-up area, and the decrease of environmental carrying capacity. On the purposes of preventing the negative aftermaths, this research aimed to create the strategies of sustainable environmental management in case of Bedog Sub-Watershed. This research used secondary data from regional planning products, PODES data, and the relevant literature. Primary data was acquired from in-depth interview with BPDASHL Serayu-Opak-Progo and agricultural-related government agency to gain governmental perspective of watershed management. This research used qualitative descriptive technique to analyse the result of interview. Livelihood assets were calculated by scoring index. The SWOT and DPSIR analysis were conducted to create the relevant strategies implying physical, social-economy, and regional development perspectives in the post-COVID-19 pandemic. The strengthening of government’s institutional aspects was the key to the management followed by necessary comprehensive study in Bedog Sub-Watershed management.

Differential responses of soil nitrogen‐oxide emissions to organic substitution for synthetic fertilizer and biochar amendment in a subtropical tea plantation

Tropical and subtropical acidic soils have been well documented as hotspots of global soil nitrogen (N) oxide (i.e., nitrous oxide (N2O) and nitric oxide (NO) emissions). While the effectiveness of possible mitigation options has been extensively examined in croplands, little is known about their effectiveness in reducing N‐oxide emissions from acidic soils of rapidly expanding tea plantations in China. Here, we conducted a 2‐year field experiment to investigate how organic substitution for synthetic fertilizer and biochar amendment affect soil N‐oxide emissions from a subtropical tea plantation. Across the 2‐year measurement period, full organic substitution for synthetic fertilizer significantly increased N2O emissions by an average of 17% while had a lower NO emission compared to synthetic fertilizer alone. Our global meta‐analysis further revealed that full or partial organic fertilizer substitution resulted in a 29% (95% confidence interval: 5%–60%) increase of N2O emissions from acidic soils. In contrast, irrespective of fertilizer type, biochar amendment significantly reduced N2O emissions by 14% in the first but not second experimental year, suggesting a transient effect. The trade‐off effect of full organic substitution on N2O and NO emissions may be attributed to the favorable conditions for N2O production due to the stimulated activity of nitrifiers and denitrifiers. The suppression of N2O emission following biochar amendment was probably due to promoted further reduction of N2O to dinitrogen. The fertilizer‐induced emission factor (EF) of N2O (2.1%) in the tea plantation was greater than the current IPCC default value, but the EF of NO (0.8%) was comparable to the global estimate. Taken together, while biochar amendment could have mitigation potential, cautions are needed when applying organic substitution for synthetic fertilizer as mitigation options for acidic soils as hotspots of N‐oxide emissions.

Invest in research to save Africa’s agriculture

Enock Chikava, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation It became clear to me that COVID-19 containment measures such as stay-at-home decrees, slowed down agricultural extension services, reduced household incomes against the rising cost of cultivation, led to unavailability of agricultural input materials and uncertainty about the marketing of the products, among others. Speakers at the event were particularly concerned with how the region can find innovative solutions to increase agricultural production that can address the challenges of shrinking arable land caused by population growth and other shocks such as climate change and COVID-19. Ahead of the UN Food Systems Summit next week, it is critical that African governments and development partners clearly outline the need to address the continent’s food systems challenges with commitments to invest in research and strengthen local research organisations for home-grown innovations that support food systems and increase uptake at the grassroots level.

Arriving at a natural solution: Bundling credits to access rangeland carbon markets

On the Ground•Natural solutions, such as “avoided conversion of grasslands,” offer agricultural land managers a way to mitigate climate change while monetizing climate benefits.•Managers who avoid converting grasslands to other uses, such as row crops, can quantify the amount of stored carbon and sell credits, but high costs of developing carbon credit projects price many landowners out of the carbon market.•Aggregation can create economies of scale, which lower barriers of entry and allow more landowners to participate in the market.•Given the current low prices in the carbon market, aggregation is not a panacea and aggregated projects are not financially viable for many landowners.•As the demand for carbon credits continues to grow, land managers can position themselves to take advantage of carbon market opportunities should prices increase, and projects become financially viable.

Determinants of post COVID-19 food security policy success

Purpose>The purpose of this paper is to analyze and examine the influence of the role of the central government, the role of local government, community participation, governance on the success of post-COVID-19 food security policies.Design/methodology/approach>This study conducted a quantification study related to phenomena related to the success of post-COVID-19 food security policies. The data used are primary data with a research instrument in the form of a questionnaire. Data analysis using the measurement model Structural Equation Model (SEM). The population in this study was all people in the city of Bandung, Indonesia.Findings>The role of the Central Government (X1), the role of the Local Government (X2) and Public Participation (X3) is very important for improving Governance (Y1) and Food Defense Policy (Y2). Thus, the conditions of the role of the Central Government (X1), the role of the Local Government (X2) and Public Participation (X3) must always be maintained. Efforts to maintain the role of the Central Government (X1) and the role of the Local Government (X2) can be done by paying attention to the organizing aspect. This indicator is known to have a very important influence in reflecting the role of the Central Government (X1) and the role of the Local Government (X2). On the other hand, efforts to increase Public Participation (X3) can be done by paying attention to the Psychological indicators (X31).Originality/value>The government must take steps to prevent a food crisis. Apart from that, the government is also deemed necessary to map existing agricultural potentials, stabilize food prices, carry out consolidation related to agricultural land and also make regulations related to existing food problems. Apart from the role of the government, the public can also take part in maintaining food security to avoid a food crisis. Communities have the opportunity to build food sovereignty and self-sufficiency. During a pandemic like this, people tend to be more creative and can be creative to outsmart existing situations. This includes maintaining access to food. The community is expected to have the awareness to undertake at least independent planting to meet their own food needs.

The impact of land certification on cropland abandonment: evidence from rural China

Purpose>This study explores how the land tenure system helps in protecting land quantity during agricultural production by estimating the influence of land certification on cropland abandonment, its mechanisms and its heterogeneous effects among groups at the provincial, community and household levels.Design/methodology/approach>To deal with potential homogeneity concerns, the authors investigate the impact of land certification on the area of abandoned croplands using nationally representative panel data from the 2017 and 2019 China Rural Household Panel Survey on 15,000 households across 29 provinces and time-varying difference-in-differences and propensity score matching-difference-in-differences models.Findings>Land certification significantly contributes to the protection of land quantity during agricultural production, and it reduces the area of abandoned croplands by at least 4%. This effect is mainly achieved by improving soil fertility, promoting land transfer, increasing the availability of agricultural subsidies and raising agricultural income. However, while land certification benefits farmers in nonmajor grain-producing areas and western regions, in plain, remote and nonpolitically central villages, and farmers who have not undergone land transfer or land adjustment, it is not beneficial for others.Research limitations/implications>In the postepidemic era, food security based on the protection of the amount of cultivated land becomes increasingly important. It is realistic and inevitable to rationally use every inch of cultivated land and curb the cropland abandonment by strengthening land tenure system reform, especially in the case of the insecurity of land tenure.Practical implications>There are various factors affecting farmers' cropland abandonment, such as poor soil fertility, unavailable land transfer, too little agricultural subsidies and too low agricultural income, but the root cause is the insecurity of land tenure. Empirical evidence from rural China has shown that a clear definition and effective protection of property rights can help curb the cropland abandonment. Enhancing the land protection behavior of farmers through the reform of land certification and promoting the sustainable use of land are what the reform of land tenure system should be.Social implications>Cultivated land, as the material carrier and endowment basis of grain production, is of great importance to safeguarding national food security, especially in the postepidemic era. At the present stage, it is still necessary for most developing countries to strengthen the construction of land tenure system, to carry out land certification reform and to issue farmers with clearly defined and legally effective land certificates. Equally important, efforts also should be made to promote the diversified utilization of the achievements of the certification after the completion of land certification reform in China and other developing countries.Originality/value>Expropriation and occupation of croplands are essential in protecting land quantity during rapid urbanization, and so is reducing cropland abandonment during agricultural production;therefore, it deserves close attention. In this regard, this study estimates the impact of land certification on the area of abandoned croplands, examines its possible mechanisms and identifies its heterogeneous effects to test the applicability of the property rights theory in the Chinese context and enrich the relevant literature and provide Chinese evidence for other developing countries to strengthen the protection of land quantity, by deepening the reform of the land tenure system under different circumstances.