Agricultural subsidies have been a vital component of agricultural policies in many Asian and African countries since the 1960s,acting as a key driving factor for facilitating the sustainable transformation of agrifoo...Agricultural subsidies have been a vital component of agricultural policies in many Asian and African countries since the 1960s,acting as a key driving factor for facilitating the sustainable transformation of agrifood systems.China and Africa are chosen as case studies because they represent two distinct regions with large population sizes and facing common challenges.This study reviews the evolution,design and implementation of agricultural subsidy policies in China and Africa,highlighting their successes and challenges.The results show that China and Africa aim to enhance agricultural productivity and ensure food security,offering incentives to farmers to increase production and address challenges,such as poverty reduction.However,there are significant differences in the structure and scale of agricultural subsidies.China’s policy is comprehensive and oriented toward sustainable development,while African policies tend to be more targeted and often focus on specific areas such as fertilizer subsidies and seed distribution.While both regions have made significant progress in transforming their agrifood systems,they continue to grapple with common,but context-specific,challenges.This study developed recommendations to guide future efforts toward sustainable transformation of agrifood systems in China and Africa.This will involve repurposing agricultural subsidies to promote green sustainability,enhancing support for agrifood policies and collaboration between China and African countries,and strengthening investments in agrifood systems in both regions.展开更多
Amid climate change and food security challenges,transforming agricultural systems in middle-and low-income countries is crucial for carbon neutrality and sustainable development.China and Africa,responsible for 32%of...Amid climate change and food security challenges,transforming agricultural systems in middle-and low-income countries is crucial for carbon neutrality and sustainable development.China and Africa,responsible for 32%of global agricultural emissions,share agricultural similarities despite different development stages.China’s modernization efforts offer valuable insights for Africa,highlighting opportunities for increased Sino-African cooperation.This study,analyzing FAO data from 2000 to 2021,compares emission trends,sources,inputs,and mitigation policies in China and Africa.It reveals that Africa’s emissions remained consistently higher than China’s,which grew faster compared to Africa’s 40%increase.Notably,Africa shows regional disparities in emissions,with the highest increases in East and Central Africa(56%and 54%,respectively),while North and South Africa show slower growth.Structurally,China’s emissions have transitioned from production to pre-and post-production stages.Conversely,Africa’s emissions mainly stem from agricultural production(42%)and land-use changes(43%),emphasizing challenges in resource management and reliance on land expansion.The rapid growth of Africa’s pre-and post-production emissions highlights the supply chain’s growing role in emissions,with regional variations,such as livestock and rice cultivation driving emissions in East and West Africa,and land-use changes in Central Africa.China and Africa’s agricultural policies differ significantly.China adopts multi-objective policies promoting green,low-carbon development,whereas Africa focuses on short-term yield increases with heavy reliance on fertilizers,conflicting with low-carbon objectives.Learning from China could help Africa balance food security,income stability,and environmental sustainability,providing a pathway to achieve both food security and carbon reduction.展开更多
Agrifood systems in China and Africa are subject to increasing pressures due to resource limitations,environmental degradation and climate change.Both regions confront challenges such as soil degradation,water scarcit...Agrifood systems in China and Africa are subject to increasing pressures due to resource limitations,environmental degradation and climate change.Both regions confront challenges such as soil degradation,water scarcity and biodiversity loss,while also experiencing the adverse impacts of climate change on agricultural productivity and food security.This paper examines these challenges and outlines strategic actions with a systems approach being taken in both regions to transform their agrifood systems.Key strategies include enhancing agricultural efficiency,strengthening resilience to climate-related shocks,and promoting sustainability through innovative practices.Also,the paper emphasizes the importance of China-Africa cooperation in climate-smart production,trade and market optimization,and sustainable diets.The role of China-Africa food policy network in supporting these efforts are also discussed.The paper concludes with a call for continued collaboration to facilitate the sustainable transformation of agrifood systems in developing countries,particularly in China and Africa,ensuring food security and resilience for the future.展开更多
Global agrifood systems face three interconnected challenges:ensuring food security,promoting environmental sustainability,and restoring soil health in the face of climate change.Conventional practices have prioritize...Global agrifood systems face three interconnected challenges:ensuring food security,promoting environmental sustainability,and restoring soil health in the face of climate change.Conventional practices have prioritized productivity over ecological resilience,leading to soil degradation,increased greenhouse gas(GHG)emissions,and inefficient resource utilization.Here,we introduce a“triple-goal”agrifood framework that enhances food production,soil health,and GHG mitigation simultaneously through integrated innovations.Using a second-order meta-analysis of 104 meta-analyses that cover 39,162 studies and 300,139 global field comparisons,we identified key interventions,including optimized fertigation,diversified cropping systems,organic amendments,and precision N management,that increased productivity by 14%–28%while reducing environmental impacts.Diversified systems boosted yields by 19.6%and reduced land use by 19%.Integrating legumes and cover crops lowered N2O emissions by 18%–65%,while organic amendments increased soil organic carbon stocks by 7%–13%.Structural equation modeling identified nitrogen use efficiency and microbial activity as central to the food-soil-emissions nexus.However,tradeoffs remain;yield-focused strategies can elevate emissions if not tailored to local conditions.By integrating agronomic,biological,and technological interventions such as conservation tillage,biofertilization,and digital agriculture,this triple-goal framework supports a 15%–30%reduction in anthropogenic CO2-equivalent emissions.These findings underscore the need for policy reform and multi-stakeholder collaboration to scale up the adaptation of integrated strategies in alignment with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and the“One Health”initiative.The triple-goal framework provides a transformative pathway to climate-smart,equitable,and resilient agrifood systems that strike a balance between productivity and planetary health.展开更多
The food retail business has undergone a number of structural changes due to increasingly globalized markets and internationalization. Former nationally oriented retailers have suddenly become global. This process als...The food retail business has undergone a number of structural changes due to increasingly globalized markets and internationalization. Former nationally oriented retailers have suddenly become global. This process also affects new structures in agribusiness, most notably as general retailers export their business models. A comparison of the development and the impact of globalization in the retail sectors of different transition countries reveals varied opportunities for and threats to the participants in agribusiness.展开更多
1 Introduction The transformation of agrifood systems represents one of the most critical challenges of our time,particularly for regions supporting large populations while facing complex environmental,social and econ...1 Introduction The transformation of agrifood systems represents one of the most critical challenges of our time,particularly for regions supporting large populations while facing complex environmental,social and economic pressures.China and Africa,collectively home to over 2.9 billion people,exemplify both the urgency and the diversity of approaches needed to build resilient,sustainable and inclusive food systems.While both regions have achieved significant progress through various agricultural and food policy initiatives over recent decades,they now confront a new generation of complex,interconnected challenges.展开更多
Background The development of modern agriculture has significantly contributed to improving global food security and safety,alleviating poverty,and enhancing human health and livelihoods.However,the rapid advancement ...Background The development of modern agriculture has significantly contributed to improving global food security and safety,alleviating poverty,and enhancing human health and livelihoods.However,the rapid advancement of modern agriculture has also brought about various challenges that limit its sustainable development.This commentary aims to discuss these issues through the One Health lens,and provide valuable insights for balancing modern agricultural activities with the need to protect and promote the health of all the sectors.Main text This commentary explores the multifaceted impacts of modern agriculture on social development,as well as the associated various health challenges and environmental impacts within the One Health framework.Key issues include ecosystem degradation,increased risk of interspecies disease transmission like zoonoses,reverse zoonoses,and vector-borne diseases,and the escalated threat of antimicrobial resistance due to intensified agricultural production and increased antimicrobial use.To address these challenges,this commentary outlines potential solutions anchored in the development and implementation of modern technologies and good agricultural practices,such as precision farming,integrated pest management,biosecurity measures,vaccination programs,as well as surveillance and early detection of health risks.Conclusions Good agricultural practices supported by scientific and technological advancements are essential for aligning productivity with the One Health vision,ensuring the health and resilience of all the sectors.Enhancing stakeholder education,strengthening regulatory frameworks,and providing supportive policies and infrastructure for farmers to adopt sustainable practices are crucial for the long-term viability of agrifood systems.The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations plays a pivotal role in guiding this sustainable transformation through the One Health approach.展开更多
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(72061147002 and 72373145)the 2115 Talent Development Program of China Agricultural University.
文摘Agricultural subsidies have been a vital component of agricultural policies in many Asian and African countries since the 1960s,acting as a key driving factor for facilitating the sustainable transformation of agrifood systems.China and Africa are chosen as case studies because they represent two distinct regions with large population sizes and facing common challenges.This study reviews the evolution,design and implementation of agricultural subsidy policies in China and Africa,highlighting their successes and challenges.The results show that China and Africa aim to enhance agricultural productivity and ensure food security,offering incentives to farmers to increase production and address challenges,such as poverty reduction.However,there are significant differences in the structure and scale of agricultural subsidies.China’s policy is comprehensive and oriented toward sustainable development,while African policies tend to be more targeted and often focus on specific areas such as fertilizer subsidies and seed distribution.While both regions have made significant progress in transforming their agrifood systems,they continue to grapple with common,but context-specific,challenges.This study developed recommendations to guide future efforts toward sustainable transformation of agrifood systems in China and Africa.This will involve repurposing agricultural subsidies to promote green sustainability,enhancing support for agrifood policies and collaboration between China and African countries,and strengthening investments in agrifood systems in both regions.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(72373143)National Postdoctoral Fellowship Program,China(GZC20233025)+1 种基金International(Regional)Cooperation and Exchange Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(72061147002)Major Project of the National Social Science Fund of China(22&ZD085).
文摘Amid climate change and food security challenges,transforming agricultural systems in middle-and low-income countries is crucial for carbon neutrality and sustainable development.China and Africa,responsible for 32%of global agricultural emissions,share agricultural similarities despite different development stages.China’s modernization efforts offer valuable insights for Africa,highlighting opportunities for increased Sino-African cooperation.This study,analyzing FAO data from 2000 to 2021,compares emission trends,sources,inputs,and mitigation policies in China and Africa.It reveals that Africa’s emissions remained consistently higher than China’s,which grew faster compared to Africa’s 40%increase.Notably,Africa shows regional disparities in emissions,with the highest increases in East and Central Africa(56%and 54%,respectively),while North and South Africa show slower growth.Structurally,China’s emissions have transitioned from production to pre-and post-production stages.Conversely,Africa’s emissions mainly stem from agricultural production(42%)and land-use changes(43%),emphasizing challenges in resource management and reliance on land expansion.The rapid growth of Africa’s pre-and post-production emissions highlights the supply chain’s growing role in emissions,with regional variations,such as livestock and rice cultivation driving emissions in East and West Africa,and land-use changes in Central Africa.China and Africa’s agricultural policies differ significantly.China adopts multi-objective policies promoting green,low-carbon development,whereas Africa focuses on short-term yield increases with heavy reliance on fertilizers,conflicting with low-carbon objectives.Learning from China could help Africa balance food security,income stability,and environmental sustainability,providing a pathway to achieve both food security and carbon reduction.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42201285,72061147002 and 72103188)the Young Scholars Program of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences(2025QQJH60)funded by Research Projects on China-Africa Cooperation of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences(CAI-J2024-02).
文摘Agrifood systems in China and Africa are subject to increasing pressures due to resource limitations,environmental degradation and climate change.Both regions confront challenges such as soil degradation,water scarcity and biodiversity loss,while also experiencing the adverse impacts of climate change on agricultural productivity and food security.This paper examines these challenges and outlines strategic actions with a systems approach being taken in both regions to transform their agrifood systems.Key strategies include enhancing agricultural efficiency,strengthening resilience to climate-related shocks,and promoting sustainability through innovative practices.Also,the paper emphasizes the importance of China-Africa cooperation in climate-smart production,trade and market optimization,and sustainable diets.The role of China-Africa food policy network in supporting these efforts are also discussed.The paper concludes with a call for continued collaboration to facilitate the sustainable transformation of agrifood systems in developing countries,particularly in China and Africa,ensuring food security and resilience for the future.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32472826)the Leading Project of the“Three Agri-Priorities with Nine Directions”Science and Technology Collaboration Plans in Zhejiang Province(2025SNJF016)the Wenzhou University research start-up fund(QD2024084),and the Wenzhou City Talent Introduction fund(R20241101)。
文摘Global agrifood systems face three interconnected challenges:ensuring food security,promoting environmental sustainability,and restoring soil health in the face of climate change.Conventional practices have prioritized productivity over ecological resilience,leading to soil degradation,increased greenhouse gas(GHG)emissions,and inefficient resource utilization.Here,we introduce a“triple-goal”agrifood framework that enhances food production,soil health,and GHG mitigation simultaneously through integrated innovations.Using a second-order meta-analysis of 104 meta-analyses that cover 39,162 studies and 300,139 global field comparisons,we identified key interventions,including optimized fertigation,diversified cropping systems,organic amendments,and precision N management,that increased productivity by 14%–28%while reducing environmental impacts.Diversified systems boosted yields by 19.6%and reduced land use by 19%.Integrating legumes and cover crops lowered N2O emissions by 18%–65%,while organic amendments increased soil organic carbon stocks by 7%–13%.Structural equation modeling identified nitrogen use efficiency and microbial activity as central to the food-soil-emissions nexus.However,tradeoffs remain;yield-focused strategies can elevate emissions if not tailored to local conditions.By integrating agronomic,biological,and technological interventions such as conservation tillage,biofertilization,and digital agriculture,this triple-goal framework supports a 15%–30%reduction in anthropogenic CO2-equivalent emissions.These findings underscore the need for policy reform and multi-stakeholder collaboration to scale up the adaptation of integrated strategies in alignment with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and the“One Health”initiative.The triple-goal framework provides a transformative pathway to climate-smart,equitable,and resilient agrifood systems that strike a balance between productivity and planetary health.
文摘The food retail business has undergone a number of structural changes due to increasingly globalized markets and internationalization. Former nationally oriented retailers have suddenly become global. This process also affects new structures in agribusiness, most notably as general retailers export their business models. A comparison of the development and the impact of globalization in the retail sectors of different transition countries reveals varied opportunities for and threats to the participants in agribusiness.
文摘1 Introduction The transformation of agrifood systems represents one of the most critical challenges of our time,particularly for regions supporting large populations while facing complex environmental,social and economic pressures.China and Africa,collectively home to over 2.9 billion people,exemplify both the urgency and the diversity of approaches needed to build resilient,sustainable and inclusive food systems.While both regions have achieved significant progress through various agricultural and food policy initiatives over recent decades,they now confront a new generation of complex,interconnected challenges.
基金National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2022YFD1301105)FAO regular fund to implement the Programme Priority Area on One Health(GF.CJWZD.RY10300000000)。
文摘Background The development of modern agriculture has significantly contributed to improving global food security and safety,alleviating poverty,and enhancing human health and livelihoods.However,the rapid advancement of modern agriculture has also brought about various challenges that limit its sustainable development.This commentary aims to discuss these issues through the One Health lens,and provide valuable insights for balancing modern agricultural activities with the need to protect and promote the health of all the sectors.Main text This commentary explores the multifaceted impacts of modern agriculture on social development,as well as the associated various health challenges and environmental impacts within the One Health framework.Key issues include ecosystem degradation,increased risk of interspecies disease transmission like zoonoses,reverse zoonoses,and vector-borne diseases,and the escalated threat of antimicrobial resistance due to intensified agricultural production and increased antimicrobial use.To address these challenges,this commentary outlines potential solutions anchored in the development and implementation of modern technologies and good agricultural practices,such as precision farming,integrated pest management,biosecurity measures,vaccination programs,as well as surveillance and early detection of health risks.Conclusions Good agricultural practices supported by scientific and technological advancements are essential for aligning productivity with the One Health vision,ensuring the health and resilience of all the sectors.Enhancing stakeholder education,strengthening regulatory frameworks,and providing supportive policies and infrastructure for farmers to adopt sustainable practices are crucial for the long-term viability of agrifood systems.The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations plays a pivotal role in guiding this sustainable transformation through the One Health approach.
