#that are part of the agricultural value chain.

[reasonsforhope]

"In a historic step toward the first-ever restoration of the tiger population to a nation where they were once extinct, two captive Siberian tigers have been translocated from Anna Paulowna Sanctuary, Netherlands, to the Ile-Balkhash Nature Reserve in Kazakhstan.

This remarkable event is part of an ambitious program led by the Government of Kazakhstan with support from WWF and the UN Development Program to restore the Ile-Balkhash delta ecosystem and reintroduce tigers to the country and region, where the species has been extinct for over 70 years.

“It is a high priority for Kazakhstan to work on the restoration of rare species. For ecological value it is important that our biodiversity chain is restored. And that the tiger that once lived in this area is reintroduced here,” said Daniyar Turgambayev, Vice-minister of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan.

In the early 21st century, genetic studies were carried out on bones and furs held in national collections which revealed that the population of tigers living between Iran, southern Russia, Central Asia, and the areas around the Caspian Sea was extremely similar to Siberian tigers.

This led scientists to conclude that Felis vigrata, the former name of the Caspian tiger, was simply the Siberian tiger that developed into a distinct population, but not a new subspecies, over generations of being separated by habitat fragmentation.

Bodhana and Kuma, the male and female tigers, will be housed in a spacious semi-natural enclosure of three hectares [7.4 acres] within the Ile-Balkhash Nature Reserve. Any of their offspring will be released into the wild and will become the first tigers to roam Kazakhstan in decades, and potentially the first-ever international tiger reintroduction.

They will play an important role in the establishment of a new tiger population in the region where they had previously been wiped out as a result of excessive hunting.

“Today marks a monumental conservation milestone to bring tigers back to Kazakhstan and Central Asia,” said Stuart Chapman Leader of WWF Tigers Alive. “This tiger translocation is a critical step to not only bring back the big cat to its historic homeland but also to rewild an entire ecosystem.”

Progress towards restoration of the area is already well underway with recovering and reintroduction of critical tiger prey species like the Kulan (Asiatic wild ass), and reforestation of over 120 acres with native trees. Being the apex predator, tigers will play a significant role in sustaining the structure and function of the ecosystem on which both humans and wildlife rely...

“With the launch of the tiger reintroduction program, we have witnessed a significant change—the revival of nature and our village of Karoi,” said Adilbaev Zhasar, the head of the local community group Auyldastar.

“This project not only restores lost ecosystems, but also fills us with pride in participating in a historic process. Because of small grants from WWF, we have the opportunity to do what we love, develop small businesses, and create jobs in the village, which brings joy and confidence in the future.”

From the very beginning, the local community around Ile-Balkhash Nature Reserve has been closely involved in the project. This includes support for improved agricultural techniques and the future development of nature tourism in the area.

The translocation of these tigers is the first of several planned in the coming years, with a goal to build a healthy population of about 50 wild tigers by 2035, starting with this pioneering pair for breeding. This initiative is not only a testament to the resilience of the species but also a powerful example of governments, conservation organizations, and local communities cooperating in wildlife and nature conservation."

-via Good News Network, November 27, 2024

[gamingavickreyauction]

I wonder if the slowdown of growth in rich countries is largely just poor countries catching up.

Everyone wants to industrialise, but at the end of the day someone has to do the agriculture, so as the global population becomes more educated, and infrastructure improves so that everyone has access to industrial jobs, the wages in agriculture have to increase to keep up. But this applies for moving from manufacturing into white collar jobs too. The amount of surplus captured by the earlier parts of the value chain should increase as countries develop, meaning higher wages for poor countries and lower wages than the counterfactual in rich countries. And this seems to be happening with agricultural wages at least.

This is an uncharacteristically optimistic view for me because it means the slowdown is a) a good thing, and doesn't represent a failure of productivity and b) it's temporary, as when poorer countries are more caught up, the value capture of different sectors will shift less.

[mirai-e-jump]

Ohsama Sentai King-Ohger Photo Book: ~King of Kings~

Gira Husty Profile: King of Shugoddam, the most powerful country where the guardian god resides. Learning of king Racules Husty's goal of "prioritizing the unity of Chikyu, even at the expense of the people," he rebels against the world by playing the role of an "evil king" in order to protect everyone. His partner is God Kuwagata, and he arms himself with the KuwagataOhger armor.

Yanma Gast Profile: King of N'kosopa, country of technology. Born in a slum, he rose to the position of king with just his computer. He's a skilled engineer, and all of the equipment for the Royal Sentai was developed by Yanma. He's an ambitious man with a desire to improve, with many people looking up to and calling him "President" due to his yankii spirit.

Hymeno Ran Profile: Queen of Ishabana, country of fine art and medicine. While beautiful in appearance, she has an extremely selfish personality, and values "beauty" above all else. On the other hand, she has no hesitation in saving someone's life, and has the face of a doctor who brilliantly saves lives. She maintains a "selfish style" in battle, not caring about her surroundings, and fights using the King's Weapon: Scythe Mode.

Rita Kaniska Profile: King of Gokkan, country of ice and snow, they're the Chief International Judge who believes that neutrality is justice. They're always reserved and cautious, and don't show emotion, so they're often seen as a stubborn person……but, they actually have a compassionate side……? At the climax of the battle, they face the enemy with a cool style of "remaining immovable," unaffected by anything.

Kaguragi Dybowski Profile: Lord of Toufu, an agricultural country. He's always smiling and has a gentle and friendly personality. However, the truth is he's willing to use dirty tricks to protect his country, and has exceptional negotiating techniques to get things done to work to his advantage. He's concerned about his younger sister Suzume, who married Shugoddam's Racules.

Jeramie Brasieri Profile: Born to a father who was the sixth hero that saved mankind 2,000 years ago and a mother who was a Bugnarak, he has passed down the history of Chikyu for a long time as the "storyteller." His right arm is that of a Bugnarak, and he has a special ability to create strong webs from inside his body. His existence stirs up both the kings and Bugnarak, using words and actions that are difficult to read.

Racules Husty Profile: As king of Shugoddam, he united the five kingdoms with his unparalleled and overwhelming charisma, but was defeated in trial by combat with his brother Gira, and was dethroned as king. While Gira and the others were away from Chikyu, he became the king of Shugoddam and ruled the country as Shugo Mask……

Ohsama Sentai King-Ohger: Costume Guide The gorgeous costumes of the kings, which are reminiscent of the characteristics of each country. A guide to the current costumes and accessories worn by the characters since the beginning of the story.

Gira Husty (Top) Costume of Gira, who replaced Racules as king of Shugoddam. The cape remains the same, but the costume and boots underneath have changed!

(Middle) His recognizable oversized shirt and the bright red harness that highlight it. Red and black straps cross over the wide collar.

(Bottom) The brown boots were worn by Gira as he escaped during the beginning of the story. The necklace is designed with five pieces of red glass.

Yanma Gast (Top Right) Costume from the start of the new chapter two years later. The jacket has a design with a black belt hanging down. The cuffs have a zipper that can be opened and closed.

(Top Left) The wide pants are designed to be divided into upper and lower parts above the knee. The inner one has two lines on the front part. The color blue is used strikingly throughout.

(Middle) The cuff earring has ridges that grow alongside the ear, two chains, and N'kosopa's "King's Proof." The headphones have a cord connected to a switch.

(Bottom) Items that Yanma wears on his arms. The design of the shoes are silver with blue accents. They also have decorations that resemble headphones.

Kaguragi Dybowski (Top) A luxurious and gorgeous costume that just screams, "I'm the lord of Toufu!" The sleeves of the haori have a distinct pattern on both the front and back. The beehive like patterns are also a key point.

(Bottom) The footwear seen under his kimono are boots. Furthermore, the soles are shaped to be like geta.

Hymeno Ran (Top) From the new chapter, the shape of the sleeves and skirt have changed, and the large ribbon on the back is also one of its main features. The asymmetrical skirt produces cuteness and elegance. The tiara contains the "King's Proof."

(Middle Top) The previous costume was made up of a top, skirt, and corset. The skirt has volume, with the front being short and the back being long. The corset is laced up at the back.

(Middle Bottom) The sequin encrusted tights are the same design throughout the entire story. Also, the glittering shoes made entirely of gold are one of Hymeno's signature items.

(Bottom) Hymeno's Favorite Accessories: Hymeno has a large number of accessories, including earrings, necklaces, and bracelets, which among them she'll use at random. This is the commitment to beauty!

Rita Kaniska (Top Right) From the new chapter, Rita's clothes changed to a shorter length jacket. The metallic purple collar accentuates the black base color of the outfit.

(Top Left) The previous costume was a tailcoat type of long jacket. The black cloth is decorated with snowflake like patterns. The design of the purple collar and cuffs are the same as the costume for the new chapter.

(Bottom Left) The black gloves are one of the most distinctive features of Rita's costume. The bracelet decorated in the center has Gokkan's "King's Proof." There's a similar emblem on the cuff earring.

(Bottom Right) Rita is characterized by their all black outfit. Their knee length long boots are of course, also all black.

Jeramie Brasieri From the new chapter, an elegant cape has been added to Jeramie's costume. In the previous costume, his right arm had a longer sleeve. The top is asymmetrical with the left side being longer.

Handwritten Messages Check out the handwritten comments from the cast!

Sakai Taisei (Gira Husty)

"What do you respect about Gira, the character you play?" The fact that he tries to understand people's feelings!!

"If you were a king, what kind of country would you want to build?" A country where children can eat until they're full!!

"What do you think is the best part of Gira's costume?" The cape he got from his big brother!!

"Please give a message to Gira!" I want you to be happy!

"Please give a message to the king cast members!" I'm going to rule the world!!

"Finally, a message to the fans of King-Ohger!" You guys are the gears~ ^_^

Watanabe Aoto (Yanma Gast)

"What do you respect about Yanma, the character you play?" His sense of distance and respect for people.

"If you were a king, what kind of country would you want to build?" A country where the youth are the driving force.

"What do you think is the best part of Yanma's costume?" The sandals that I literally ran in for a whole year.

"Please give a message to Yanma!" I'm on top!!

"Please give a message to the king cast members!" Thank you for the past year!!

"Finally, a message to the fans of King-Ohger!" Thank you so much for your support. Now, you can also be a Royal Sentai.

Murakami Erica (Hymeno Ran)

"What do you respect about Hymeno, the character you play?" Her inner strength 💛

"If you were a king, what kind of country would you want to build?" A country without war.

"What do you think is the best part of Hymeno's costume?" The asymmetrical design!

"Please give a message to Hymeno!" I'm encouraged by your nobility!

"Please give a message to the king cast members!" Thank you all for making this past year so enjoyable. Really, thank you so much 💛

"Finally, a message to the fans of King-Ohger!" Filming for King-Ohger has finished, but we'll live on in everyone's hearts! Thank you so much for your support!!

Hirakawa Yuzuki (Rita Kaniska)

"What do you respect about Rita, the character you play?" The part where they never waver.

"If you were a king, what kind of country would you want to build?" A country where many different languages are spoken.

"What do you think is the best part of Rita's costume?" The chain attached to the jacket.

"Please give a message to Rita!" You've got humanity and are cute :)

"Please give a message to the king cast members!" We're family! Thank you so much for the past year!

"Finally, a message to the fans of King-Ohger!" Thank you so much for loving King-Ohger so much!

Kaku So (Kaguragi Dybowski)

"What do you respect about Kaguragi, the character you play?" That he'll dirty himself for the sake of others.

"If you were a king, what kind of country would you want to build?" Protein supplied.

"What do you think is the best part of Kaguragi's costume?" The emotions (design) on the sleeves.

"Please give a message to Kaguragi!" Be selfish every once in awhile.

"Please give a message to the king cast members!" Thank you all so much, we're family forever.

"Finally, a message to the fans of King-Ohger!" Thank you so much for your support. Let's meet again soon!!

Ikeda Masashi (Jeramie Brasieri)

"What do you respect about Jeramie, the character you play?" His vocabulary.

"If you were a king, what kind of country would you want to build?" Peaceful World.

"What do you think is the best part of Jeramie's costume?" It gives off the feeling of a prince.

"Please give a message to Jeramie!" Thanks ^_^

"Please give a message to the king cast members!" I was really happy with the six of us!

"Finally, a message to the fans of King-Ohger!" Thank you for all the love and good dreams.

[gothhabiba]

Hello! I have a vegan cooking dilemma. I'm a baker professionally and a vegetarian. I'm trying to incorporate more vegan meals into my diet, but using locally-produced whole ingredients like butter, eggs, cheeses, and milk is something I really value, and I notice that lots of vegan baking doesn't seem able to avoid using very processed substitutes (e.g. vegan butter, vegan cheese) with basically untraceable supply chains. I'm open to the solution just being that I have to bake less in a personal capacity and experiment with other kinds of cooking, but I'd love to know your thoughts—I don't want my efforts to live more ethically to disconnect me from my local food scene, but I'm struggling to find vegan baking ingredients that don't cause that to an extent. Is this something you have advice navigating?

(Would-be vegan baker continued) I'm lucky here to live in an area where there's lots of agriculture, so I'm already using locally-grown and produced flours, vegetable oil, fruits, honeys, and so on in my baking. I'm just struggling to find or make substitutes for animal fats that don't involve spending lots of money with corporations totally divorced from the rest of my food landscape :(

It would be helpful if you told me a little more about what kinds of things you'd like to bake! Off the top of my head, I can't actually think of a single recipe that would be impossible to make without store-bought margarine or vegan cheese.

Muffins, cookies, most cakes:

The egg is being used for binding and a little bit of leavening. Replace one egg with 2 Tbsp water + 1 Tbsp vegetable oil + 2 tsp baking powder.

Meringues:

(Or any cake where you're whipping air into 4 or more eggs as a significant part of building structure)

You can make your own aquafaba (the soaking / cooking liquid from chickpeas) for this purpose if you have a source for dried chickpeas.

Pie crusts and other pastry shells:

Make an oil crust. Vegetable oil or refined coconut oil will work for this purpose.

Vegan cheese:

You can make your own cultured 'cheese' out of cashews or almonds, and probiotic capsules. If you don't want to buy probiotic capsules, you can make your own starter culture out of wheat berries.

If recipes are using store-bought substitutes for eggs and butter, it's likely for reasons of quickness / convenience—it probably isn't because the recipe author doesn't see a way to avoid it. Vegan bakers have been getting by without these pre-fab solutions for a long time!

[solarpunkbusiness]

Recognition is growing that the development of a bioeconomy in Africa will increase the economic and social value of regionally traded, biologically based goods and services. These goods and services emanate from technologies and investments aimed at adding value to agricultural production; converting biological waste into useful material (thus promoting circular production); and connecting national, regional, and global biologically based value chains. Consequently, countries with a vibrant bioeconomy would arguably be the ones to fully participate in and benefit from the ACFTA.

Given its distributive nature, a bioeconomy will incentivize micro-, small and medium-size enterprises and the informal sector, which together make up a large part of the African economy. Therefore, African countries should develop bioeconomic clusters of innovation and entrepreneurial activities based on renewable biological resources and their unique needs and natural advantages. These efforts should culminate in what would become the African bioeconomy, connecting with the rest of the world.

Citation

Ecuru, J., & Osano, P. (2024). Making the business case for a bioeconomy in Africa, in Tadesse, G., Glatzel, K., & Savadogo, M. (Eds.), Advancing the Climate and Bioeconomy Agenda in Africa for Resilient and Sustainable Agrifood Systems. ReSAKSS 2024 Annual Trends and Outlook Report. Kigali and Washington, DC: AKADEMIYA2063 and International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this story from the New York Times:

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has a line about the state of small-scale agriculture in America these days.

It’s drawn from the National Agricultural Statistics Service, which shows that as the average size of farms has risen, the nation had lost 544,000 of them since 1981.

“That’s every farm today that exists in North Dakota and South Dakota, added to those in Wisconsin and Minnesota, added to those in Nebraska and Colorado, added to those in Oklahoma and Missouri,” Mr. Vilsack told a conference in Washington this spring. “Are we as a country OK with it?”

Even though the United States continues to produce more food on fewer acres, Mr. Vilsack worries that the loss of small farmers has weakened rural economies, and he wants to stop the bleeding. Unlike his last turn in the same job, under former President Barack Obama, this time his department is able to spend billions of dollars in subsidies and incentives passed under three major laws since 2021 — including the biggest investment in conservation programs in U.S. history.

The plan in a nutshell: Multiply and improve revenue streams to bolster farm balance sheets. Rather than just selling crops and livestock, farms of the future could also sell carbon credits, waste products and renewable energy.

“Instead of the farm getting one check, they potentially could get four checks,” Mr. Vilsack said in an interview. He is also helping schools, hospitals and other institutions to buy food grown locally, and investors to build meatpacking plants and other processing facilities to free farmers from powerful middlemen.

But it’s far from clear whether new policies and a cash infusion will be enough to counteract the forces that have pushed farmers off the land for decades — especially since much of the money is aimed at reducing carbon emissions, and so will also go toward large farming operations because they are the biggest polluters.

The number of farms has been declining since the 1930s, in large part because of migration from rural areas to cities and greater mechanization of agriculture, which allowed operators to cultivate larger tracts with fewer people. Over time, the federal government abandoned a policy of managing production to support prices, prompting growers to become more export-oriented while local distribution networks atrophied.

The last half-decade has been more disruptive than most. First came a trade war against China under former President Donald J. Trump, which drew retaliatory tariffs that cut into U.S. exports of farm products like soybeans and pork. Then came the pandemic, which scrambled supply chains and sapped farm labor, leaving crops to rot in the fields.

After Congress cushioned the blow with relief for farmers hurt by pandemic disruptions, things started to turn around. Even as the cost of supplies like fertilizer and seed rose, so did food prices, and farm incomes increased. In 2023, default rates on farm loans neared record lows.

“Farm balance sheets are the healthiest they’ve ever been in the aggregate,” said Brad Nordholm, the chief executive of Farmer Mac, a large secondary market for agricultural credit. “The tools available to American farmers to have a more predictable return, even when commodity prices change and input prices change, is greater than it’s ever been before.”

But wholesale crop prices are expected to decline over the coming year. Rising interest rates have made it more difficult to finance planting and harvesting, borrow for an expansion or just get into agriculture — especially since land values jumped 29 percent from 2020 to 2023.

That’s especially true for the smallest farmers, who are far less likely to be tapped into Department of Agriculture assistance programs and are more vulnerable to adverse weather, labor shortages and consumer whims.

“I think in some ways they’re in a worse position than before the pandemic,” said Benneth Phelps, executive director of the nonprofit Carrot Project, which advises small farmers in New England. “We see a lot of farmers making hard decisions right now about whether to stay in or get out, because they’ve run out of steam.”

That’s where the American Rescue Plan, the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law come in.

The laws have collectively provided about $60 billion to the Agriculture Department, which has parceled it out across a variety of priorities, from relieving farmers’ debt to paying them to reduce their carbon emissions.

The biggest chunk — about $19.5 billion — has breathed new life into subsidies to encourage conservation practices that improve the land, like cutting back on plowing and planting cover crops to sequester carbon in the soil. Some of the programs had shrunk in successive Farm Bills, which are five-year legislative packages that covers most agricultural subsidies, and about two-thirds of farmers who applied each year got nothing.

The new funding has added 16,000 recipients over the past two years. Preliminary data shows the expansion is allowing smaller farms to take part.

[kenyatta]

THE MACHINERY—THE ACTUAL FORM AND FUNCTION—of twenty-first-century capitalism is an extractive circuit which quite literally crisscrosses the world. Its global value chains stretch through physical infrastructure and “frictionless” financial flows at the speed allowed by fossil fuels; telecommunications;  and geophysical, technological, psychosocial, and bodily limits and “optimizations.” It connects economically and ecologically dispossessed agricultural communities in the Global South with regimes of hyperwork in the Global North; rare earth “sacrifice zones” with refugees; migrant labor with social reproduction; ocean acidification and atmospheric carbon with profitable opportunity. It has required the transformation of states; it has ripped through biomes and through flesh. Capital often appears and is treated as a historical abstraction; this is doubly true of globalized, financialized capital. The extractive circuit is the leaden reality of a global human ecological niche organized for maximal profitability—no matter how difficult or costly to maintain. Its realities underscore the generalization of a colonial social relation in socioecological terms, even as older modes of imperialism and neocolonialism are hardly swept aside. Its speed, frenzy, coercion, and brutality reach into the very heart of the imperial metropole, far beyond where such relations were already present. Feelings of exhaustion—depression, desperation, fatigue, exasperation—course through its wirings, neurons, biochemicals, and sinews. At every “node” along such a circuit, “inputs”—ecological, political, social, individual—are extracted and “exhausted.” The circuit, like capital, crosses boundaries without entirely obliterating them, and, similarly, connects a vast potential political subject across disparate lines—Global North and South, gender, class, race, nationality, religion, and sexuality. The extractive circuit is the socioecological portrait of capitalism historically and its transformations to maintain profitability in the face of immanent headwinds, like the long economic downturn and ecological limits themselves. Just as Marx once invited us to look behind the factory door—above which was inscribed “No admittance except on business”—to understand the way in which a nascent industrial capitalism was creating value, we need to “unbox” the extractive circuit, catalog its parts, and pry past a few bezels if we want to see Actually Existing Capitalism today.

The Extractive Circuit | Ajay Singh Chaudhary

[enginire]

ATTENTION ALL PASSENGERS. WILFORD INDUSTRIES WISHES YOU A GOOD MORNING. THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE IS -119.6 DEGREES CELSIUS. WELCOME ABOARD SNOWPIERCER.

THE ENGINE.

located at the front of the train, the engine room provides all power to the train, and is driven by a team of engineers that rotate with shift patterns. day shifts require two engineers in control of the train, and at night, there's only one. cabins are located by the engine, with the lead engineer having their own small living area and bed in the side of the wall. the other engineers bunk together in a communal cabin.

FIRST CLASS.

first class have the most freedom, esteemed and prided on its luxury. it is comprised of old-world billionaires. they eat plentifully, with fine-dining and silver service, reproduce at will, and spend more time complaining about trivia than anything else. it contains all salvaged art from the old world, including van gogh's sunflowers series, the kiss by gustav klimpt, and the girl with the pearl earring by johannes vermeer. they have access to an aquarium and sushi bar, the hospitality car, the dining car, sauna, and bowling alley, along with other grand luxuries. during resource struggles, such as electricity, heat, and water, first are never implicated.

HOSPITALITY CAR.

the hospitality car contains an intercom where the head of hospitality can speak throughout the train. it is unclear if this sits in first or second class.

SECOND CLASS.

second class is comprised of skilled workers, and offers comfortable accommodation. it has its own hospital clinic cars and recovery rooms, and contains the twelve drawers cars, housing criminals suspended with a medicinal form of kronole (illicit drug). it was originally made so that if snowpiercer collapsed, four hundred pre-selected people could be suspended in sleep to give humanity a fighting chance in the future. this is a last resort. more recently, it's been used to inanimate criminals such as murderers. second class is rarely implicated in resource issues, and has enough food to sustain its passengers, without the luxuries offered to first class.

THE NIGHTCAR.

the night car sits in the last car in second class. it was originally deisgned by wilford as a brothel, but meIanie and miss audrey pushed for it to act as a place where people can come to terms with their trauma, grief, and agony following the freeze. it offers cabaert entertainment, hosts events such as fightnight, plays, concerts, and dances. the nightcar is often revered as switzerland, as it remains impartial to class struggles and allows people to move between second and third class.

THIRD CLASS.

third class makes up half of the train and accounts for 70% of the population. it houses industry, cargo, residential bunks for jackboots (militay) and brakemen (police), and supplies the train with its agricultural needs. it has butchers, farmers, and food processing stations within it. the residential section is small, valuing efficiency in its space. the mess hall car is open around the clock, and third class residents work three shifts of eight hours over night. classroom and utility cars are seen in third class. there is a hospital clinic in third class too. food processing and paper-making are located in the back of third, along with storage and cargo cars. the chains is a car for communal living. agriculture (ag-sec) contains the most important parts of the train: they grow crops using hydroponics, such as cotton, wheat, cocoa, berries, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, and sugar cane. they have cars for pigs, goats, poultry, sheep, and cattle. they use every part of the animal, including the manure and methane, and harvest bovine cultures for scientific advancement and genetics testing. third is where protein bars are produced for the tail, which are protein-rich black jelly, mostly made of ground bugs and specifically cockroaches, which are then rationed out to the stowaways in the tail. aquaculture cars produce fish and seafood. fish waste is used as a fertiliser for the hydroponics. there is an apiary car (closed down after a bee colony collapse), and refrigeration car where the food is stored before distribution. the sanitation cars compost organic waste, such as corpses and manure, into fertiliser using bugs and worms. this is usually a job undertaken by people from the tail. when resources are tight, third suffer the effects of it, such as limited electricity and food rationing, despite housing the cars that make this possible for the rest of the train.

THE TAIL.

the tail contains mostly cargo cars. this is made up of stowaways that forced their way onto the train during departure, and are non-ticketed passengers. people from the tail, dubbed tailies, live solely in poverty, with their accommodations being likened to slums, and suffer hugely due to overcrowding and overpopulation. reproduction is not a right in the tail, and no tailies have been born in over five years. brakemen give the tailies rations in the form of protein bars, and they are extremely limited in terms of access. when resource issues come to light, the tail suffers the most, losing electricity, heat, food, and water, and are left to deal with the fallout themselves. deaths are common in the tail, and at any hint of rebellion, they are punished inhumanely.

[beardedmrbean]

Checks by state bodies in the past month have found markups on food prices of more than 90 per cent, as well as numerous cases of unfair trade practices, it was announced at a March 2 news conference by Bulgarian caretaker government ministers and other officials.

Caretaker Agriculture Minister Yavor Gechev told the news conference that annual food price inflation in January 2023 was 24.5 per cent on an annual basis, after a peak of 26.1 per cent in November.

Gechev said that there were very large margins between wholesale and retail prices.

Having read out examples of items such as yellow cheese, eggs, butter and cucumbers, Gechev said that the margins for some products – such as dairy products – were “inexplicable and even widening”.

This raised suspicions of “extremely high, unjustified high prices”.

The inspections were carried out by the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC), Bulgarian Food Safety Agency and the National Revenue Agency.

Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Hristo Alexiev said: “We are not declaring war on the retail chains, nor do we want to wage such a war”.

The state had no intention of intervening in the food market, he said.

“The only thing we want to do is to protect the interests of consumers, of vulnerable groups and to make sure that excess profits are not generated on the backs of the population,”Alexiev said.

The CPC inspections had found 452 violations in the course of 471 inspections.

CPC head Stoil Alipiev told the news conference that the most common unfair trade practices included fake “today only at this price” or false “lowest price” claims; discrepancies between the price on the label and the price at the till; customers being lured to supermarkets by promotional prices for products advertised in brochures but on arrival, customers finding that the products were not there; discrepancies in the weight of products; and false labelling of products as Bulgarian when they came, for example, from Turkey.

The 333 inspections by the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency found 32 violations, while the National Revenue Agency took part in 340 inspections and issued 71 penalties.

Alexiev said that the pricing checks would continue, with the aim of setting up permanent monitoring.

“Currently, the inflation curve is going down and this is clearly visible. The food curve is going up. This makes us take all these measures,” he said.

Caretaker Economy and Industry Minister Nikola Stoyanov said that he had held talks with representatives of all along the chain from producers to retailers, and “every participant in the chain blames the others” while no accepted blame.

“There is no logic why the Bulgarian citizen pays such high prices,” Stoyanov said.

Earlier, in an interview with bTV on March 2, Nikola Vulkov, the head of the Association of Modern Trade – which represents major supermarket chains in Bulgaria – said: “The consumer basket in our country is about 30 per cent cheaper than the average for the EU’.

According to Vulkov, one of the reasons why some goods cost less in other countries is that value-added tax on food was lower there.

“There will always be individual goods that at some point in different countries can be found at lower prices. This does not mean that the consumer basket in our country is more expensive,” he said.

[vohannesvotrov]

hello this is my field of work which is why I'm here to talk about it. I'm seeing a lot of discourse in the tags that strikes me as misguided or uninformed, and that's fair! Lead is too often considered an issue of legacy contamination, and not something that can affect us now. I hope I can maybe help with the understanding of this issue (although caveat, my main area of focus is lead-based paint). I'm going to do an overview, and then address some comments as I saw them arise.

The investigation into cinnamon contaminated with lead began in October/November 2023, when North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services identified that a common factor among children recently diagnosed with lead poisoning (also referred to as elevated blood lead levels -- current CDC guidance has a blood lead reference value of 3.5 mcg.dL; can answer more targeted questions abt this if needed) was cinnamon applesauce pouches purchased at Dollar Tree. This potential source of lead exposure went up the chain to the FDA, and Wanabana (the brand that this was originally sourced to) issued a voluntary recall.

The voluntary recall was expanded a few days later, after further investigation revealed other applesauce pouches coming from the same manufacturer. These additional brands were Weis and Schnucks.

This launched an investigation into the contamination, following the manufacturing process to determine where the lead contamination originated. The conclusion is that it was likely from the factory in Ecuador where the cinnamon applesauce was manufactured and processed. The specific compound was lead chromate. The factory hadn't tested the applesauce for contamination. The FDA investigation notes that the cinnamon sticks, sourced from Sri Lanka, did not contain elevated lead -- which indicates the likely source being the manufacturing process. A possibility for the high levels of lead is economically motivated adulteration -- but this hasn't been confirmed.

Because of this, FDA has now been doing targeted screening of cinnamon imports. And that brings us to the origin of the article above. As per the FDA's statement, released on Wednesday, these products were tested and found to have elevated levels of lead. If you have any of these products (or ones which match the lot numbers listed for given manufacturers), please do throw them away immediately. If possible, get yourself tested for lead poisoning -- especially if these have been used in food prepared for children under 6. If you have Medicaid coverage, testing is a covered service, especially for children.

Now, some of the questions that came up in the tags and the notes ranged from "how did this happen?" to "this is probably intentional", and so on.

There is no definitive answer to how these specific cinnamon products were contaminated with lead, but it is likely from one of two things -- the manufacture process, or legacy soil contamination. In some cases, it's been found that lead has been intentionally added, for "visual product quality" or what have you.

Lead in soil and thereby food grown in that soil is unfortunately common -- this is due in part to lead's natural presence in the soil and also contamination from prior uses. In the agricultural context, this may be due to lead arsenate pesticides used in orchards. In urban areas, this can be due to improper demolition practices of older homes. If lead-safe demolition practices weren't followed, then the exterior and interior lead-based paint could drift or settle into the soil.

Now a big thing is whether this was "intentional", especially given that these cinnamon products are found in discount stores that typically serve low-income customers. My answer here would be "no, but sort of yes". The "sort of yes" comes from two factors - first, the piss-poor state of food regulations in the US; second, the incentives under capitalism to boost profits and lower product quality. Was this done out of malice? Highly unlikely. However, the capitalist death-drive for profits and the move to more unregulated markets has malicious and disparate effect. The FDA has limited jurisdiction over manufacturing quality in Ecuador, but that doesn't excuse what contamination did occur in processing.

Ultimately, the situation is not great. And with lax food safety regulations, limited government oversight, and profit incentives to lower product quality - the realm of food safety isn't looking too bright. But it does not have to be this way. Lead is not a dead-and-gone issue, and we can't continue to let government and public health systems pretend it is. In the United States, every state has a lead poisoning prevention program funded by the CDC -- but most operate on shoestring budgets in the face of constant austerity and public health funding cuts. Demand better from our representatives and regulators.

U.S. people, if you bought cinnamon from Dollar Tree, Dollar General, or other discount stores, throw it out. It's got lead

[isabellaexim]

Vietnam Importer of PVCVietnam is one of the biggest manufacturing and trading countries in South East Asia due to increased economic growth and industrialization in the country in the 21st century. As for such industries, PVC utilization has especially been realized. This versatile material is used in constructing buildings, packing, automotive and electric industries, among others, is gradually being imported to serve a fast-growing economy of Vietnam.

This blog will let you know the importance of PVC in Vietnam industries, the key market players of Vietnam and the major exporters and importers of PVC. Key Highlights:- The total value of PVC imported by Vietnam between Sep 2023 - Aug 2024 is approx $46 billion. -  PVC’s major exporters include the People’s Republic of China, Japan, Taiwan and Indonesia.

- PVC has the HSN code 39041092.

- PVC is widely applied in many sectors for construction purposes, packing industries and automotive industries and many more.

Properties of PVC and Their Uses

PVC is majorly used for construction, packaging and automotive in Vietnam. It is used majorly in applications such as:

Construction Materials: The most common application of PVC is in the fabrication of pipes; window frames; floor tile and roofing sheets etc.

Packaging: In packaging, it functions as a flexible film or a rigid container and so qualifies as a useful material in packaging.

Automotive: Automotive application of PVC includes interiors, wire insulation and underbody coatings.

Electrical and Electronics: PVC provides great insulation characteristics thus it is most commonly used in electrical cables and fittings.

Healthcare: PVC is also used in the manufacturing of medical products like IV bags, tubing, and gloves.

According to Vietnam PVC import data, PVC has many uses and, thus, it is vital to many of Vietnam’s rapidly advancing industries. The Demand for PVC in VietnamAccording to Vietnam import export data, the reason behind the import of PVC in such a large quantity is mentioned below:

1. Construction Industry Boom

The construction industry in Vietnam has been rapidly growing primarily due to the expansion of infrastructure brought by urbanization. The government has set up extensive infrastructure requirements in the form of roads, bridges, housing structures which has led to utilization of PVC material like pipes, profiles and sheets etc.

2. Growing Manufacturing Sector

In today’s time, Vietnam is one of the leading manufacturing power houses in the world especially in electronics, textiles and automobiles. These sectors need PVC for different parts including electrical wiring and synthetic leather.

3. Packaging Industry Expansion

The food and beverage industry has benefited from this by extending their packaging life and reduced weight. Making PVC as the material at the center of cost-efficient packaging makes PVC an indispensable resource in the sector.

4. Export-Oriented Economy

Vietnam’s economy is dependent on industries in the agriculture and seafood sectors that require premium quality PVC for safe packaging in accordance with global standards.

Market Players of PVC Imports in Vietnam

As per Vietnam import data, several entities play an essential role in Vietnam’s PVC import industry, few are:

Importers and Distributors: Some of the local firms that supply and distribute PVC to other businesses users across different sectors.

Global Suppliers: Purchasers have focused on preserving the technological forefront and reasonable pricing in the supply chain which is controlled mainly by Asian nations including China, South Korea, and Japan.

Industry Associations: Vietnam plastics associations help in trade and market connection among interest groups.

Government Entities: Importation standards, tariff and certification is controlled and regulated by various bodies to make sure that PVC products in the market are safe to use. Major Exporters of PVC to Vietnam. According to Vietnam trade data, there are a total of 26 countries that supply or export PVC to Vietnam. The major countries list is mentioned below: 1. China 2. Taiwan 3. Indonesia 4. USA 5. South Korea 6. Thailand 7. Malaysia 8. Japan 9. Singapore 

Difficulties Encountered in PVC Import Business

Despite its promising growth, the PVC import sector in Vietnam faces several challenges. Few of the challenges are: 

1. Fluctuating Global Prices

Costs such as the raw materials and productive abilities depend on the market forces and other geopolitical factors whereby the prices of PVCs are not exempted. Such fluctuation can be of great concern to the profit margin of importers and distributors of the products.

2. Regulatory Compliance

Vietnam fixes very serious quality and health check points to standardise quality PVC products to discourage importation. 

3. Supply Chain Disruptions

Issues such as global outbreaks of COVID-I9 and other conflicts have exposed weaknesses in supply chain management. On the other hand, there are issues like, delay in shipment/transport, shortage of containers, and high transport fare are issues that bother PVC importers. 

4. Environmental Concerns

PVC production and disposal have become a major issue, so they have received much attention from consumers and authorities. That is why it is necessary for the importers to consider that the products they import are environmentally friendly and meet the main eco requirements.

How to begin the Importation of PVC Plastic products in Vietnam?

For global suppliers and new entrants looking to capitalize on Vietnam’s growing demand for PVC, the following steps can guide their market entry:

Market Research: Take your time to find out the potential from demand and supply side and key players in the market as well as legal requirements for the emerging market. For accurate and precise data, you can hire Vietnam Trade Data. Our platform is a Vietnam import export data provider who enables you to access data from across 200+ countries. 

Regulatory Compliance: To avoid any hindrances when dealing with imports it is important to familiarize with the regulations, certifications and standards in relation to importing.

Building Partnerships: Maintain good relations with suppliers in the country, manufacturers, and relevant associations.

Investing in Marketing: Advertise your products as being affordable, of high quality, and from sustainable sources to be able to lure customers.

Leveraging Technology: Avail and apply digital technologies in supply chain operations, and improve customer interactions. Conclusion:Finally, Vietnam has become a large market for Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) due to its increasing industrialisation and diverse economy. It can’t be unnoticed that PVC is now greatly involved in construction and packaging, automotive and many other industries that are quickly growing in the country. Vietnam is still an attractive market for PVC importation, with the challenge of having been decorated by among other factors, fluctuating global prices, including regulatory challenges and environmental factors. Through good alliance and cooperation, compliance with the set rules and regulations, and promotion of innovation, the market holds greater opportunities for civil and commercial businesses. Vietnam presents the proper approach to demand for PVC as a highly profitable opportunity for both international sellers and local dealers.

[trending-beauty-blogs]

The Future of Foldable Shipping Containers

In the global logistics and supply chain industry, efficiency and sustainability are paramount. As companies look for ways to optimize their operations while reducing environmental impact, foldable shipping containers are emerging as a transformative innovation. These containers are designed to address critical challenges such as space utilization, transportation costs, and environmental sustainability. With advancements in materials and engineering, foldable containers are set to revolutionize how goods are transported and stored worldwide.

Solving Logistics Challenges

One of the biggest challenges in logistics is the inefficiency of transporting empty containers. Traditional rigid containers take up the same amount of space whether they are full or empty. Foldable large containers, however, can collapse into a fraction of their original size, drastically improving space efficiency during return trips. This feature not only reduces transportation costs but also minimizes fuel consumption and carbon emissions, contributing to greener supply chain practices.

Enhanced Sustainability with Returnable Solutions

Foldable shipping containers align perfectly with the growing emphasis on sustainability in logistics. By integrating them into systems that utilize Returnable Pallets and Returnable Transport Packaging, companies can create a closed-loop system that minimizes waste. Unlike single-use packaging, foldable containers are designed for durability and repeated use, making them a cornerstone of Returnable Packaging Solutions. Their reusability helps reduce the environmental impact of logistics operations while offering cost savings over time.

Applications Across Industries

Foldable large containers are versatile and find applications across various industries, including retail, manufacturing, and agriculture. In the automotive sector, for example, they are used to transport parts and components securely and efficiently. In agriculture, these containers are ideal for moving fresh produce while optimizing storage space during return trips. Their compatibility with existing systems like returnable pallets further enhances their utility across sectors.

Technology and Innovation

The future of foldable shipping containers is closely tied to advancements in materials and smart technology. Modern containers are increasingly made from lightweight, durable materials that can withstand heavy loads while being easy to fold and unfold. Smart technology, such as RFID tags and GPS tracking, is also being integrated to provide real-time visibility and tracking of goods. These innovations ensure that foldable containers meet the high demands of today’s logistics networks.

Cost Efficiency and ROI

While the initial investment in foldable containers may be higher than traditional alternatives, the long-term cost benefits are significant. Companies can save on storage and transportation costs by reducing the volume of empty containers in transit. Moreover, the durability and reusability of these containers lower the need for frequent replacements, ensuring a strong return on investment.

The Path Forward

As the global logistics industry continues to evolve, foldable shipping containers will play an increasingly vital role in shaping its future. By integrating them with Returnable Transport Packaging and Returnable Packaging Solutions, companies can achieve greater efficiency, reduce costs, and contribute to a more sustainable planet. The adoption of foldable large containers represents not just a technological advancement but also a commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility.

In conclusion, foldable shipping containers are more than just a logistical solution; they are a symbol of progress toward a more efficient and sustainable supply chain. As industries recognize their value, the widespread adoption of these containers is poised to redefine global trade and transportation.

[svaorganicsblog]

Importance of Essential Oil Wholesalers in the Global Market

Rising demand in sectors like health and natural wellness, food and beverage has driven amazing expansion in the worldwide essential oil industry. Essential oil exporters and wholesalers play a critical part in this active sector in satisfying the various and rising demands of companies all around. Knowing the significance of essential oil wholesalers in the worldwide market helps one to have insightful analysis of the structure of the sector and their influence on supply chain effectiveness.

Streamlining Distribution for Bulk Supplies

As essential middlemen, wholesalers help to close the distance separating manufacturers from end customers. They guarantee that premium essential oils provide to  companies at fast and at reasonable rates, therefore simplifying the distribution procedure. Industries that need bulk quantities of essential oils notably depend on this function as wholesalers may keep big inventory and guarantee regular availability. Businesses without their knowledge might have operations disrupted, which would cause delays, and higher expenses. 

Navigating International Sourcing Complexities

The worldwide character of the essential oil business calls for a system of trustworthy wholesalers who grasp the difficulties of obtaining and distributing oils across continents. Many times, essential oils come from certain areas well-known for their natural abundance of particular plants. Lavender could originate from France, for example; tea tree oil from Australia; lemongrass from India. Wholesalers guarantee high standards, and timely delivery by handling the complex logistics of acquiring oils from many different areas. This knowledge enables companies, especially those just entering the market, access premium-quality oils without negotiating the difficulties of foreign procurement. 

Quality Assurance and Certification

Maintaining quality assurance also depends much on distributors of essential oils. Industries using high-quality oils in natural wellness, food-grade, or medicinal goods depend on them absolutely. To protect the inherent qualities of the oils, reputable distributors work with manufacturers following strict extraction techniques like cold pressing and steam distillation. They also provide companies the confidence to utilize these oils in their products by typically including batch testing data, certificates of authenticity, and other paperwork. 

Offering Variety and Supporting Business Innovation

One further crucial feature of wholesalers is their capacity to provide a large range of basic oils, under one roof. Without dealing with many suppliers, this variety lets companies test new formulas, extend their product lines, or accommodate certain client demands. Particularly for businesses in dynamic markets, where customer expectations change quickly, this ease is priceless. 

Expert Guidance for Optimized Usage

Many distributors provide not just basic oils, but also professional advice on application, storage, and use. Their industry expertise enables companies to maximize the usage of essential oils in their goods, therefore guaranteeing the best effectiveness, and consumer happiness. Small businesses or startups especially might benefit much from this advice in creating creative and competitive products. 

Focus on Sustainability and Ethical Practices

Key issues in the essential oil industry now also include sustainability and ethical sourcing. Often working directly with farmers, wholesalers help to guarantee fair trade values and ecologically sustainable agricultural methods. Working with wholesalers dedicated to these principles helps companies match customer expectations for sustainability and openness, therefore strengthening their brand image. 

Why Choose SVA for Your Essential Oil Needs

Working with a reputable essential oil exporter and distributor is very crucial for anybody hoping to succeed in the essential oil market. Superior essential oils from companies like SVA provide dependability, quality, and diversity. SVA is a preferred partner for companies looking for a competitive advantage in the worldwide market, because of their wide variety of products and, dedication to moral behavior. 

Conclusion

Finally, by guaranteeing effective distribution, preserving quality, providing diversity, and promoting sustainable practices, essential oil wholesalers are absolutely vital in the worldwide market. Their knowledge and tools enable companies from many sectors to properly satisfy customer needs. Explore the outstanding products from SVA , a reputable company in the market and leader in essential oil exporting, to improve your experience obtaining essential oils.

[inanhourofdreaming]

It’s worth pointing out that there are two concerns with UBI:

One, is that people who get it will stop working. The most recent study on this I’ve seen does actually show a mild decline in work hours (that’s probably a feature, not a bug). It’s not overall concerning, but it absolutely has shown some dip on overall productivity, so the economic concerns are at least real there. Again — that is arguably the point, but arguing there won’t be a drop in productivity is inaccurate. Drops in productivity can be meaningful if they mean less of a necessary supply (agriculture, medicine, etc).

Two, and this one is the most concerning, is inflation. Economics are really, really complicated, but one pretty sure thing is that when you dump a bunch of money into people’s pockets en masse, prices will go up to match that reality. PPP loans and stimulus checks during Covid are likely a big part of the reason prices and inflation went up. Yes, there were other issues (price gouging, supply chain issues), but in actuality, giving everyone more money doesn’t give them higher buying power — it just raises prices. Giving everyone more money is a sure way to cause inflation. UBI pilots tend to be very small, and they mostly just show that if some limited amount of people get more money, things will be better for them personally. But that doesn’t mean that if everyone gets it, the same will be true. Everything will go up. The baseline costs will just rise along with the supply of money.

I’d argue, pretty strongly, that outside of limited tax credits, UBI isn’t the best idea. Rather than UBI, you want a few big things:

1. Subsidized healthcare. People stay in jobs, especially in America, because your ability to pay for healthcare is usually directly contingent on your job. Lose your job? Lose your healthcare. People cannot afford that, so they are stuck. No reasonable UBI would cover these costs. Doctors, nurses, and hospitals all provide a service, and the government pays for that benefit through taxes.

2. Universal child care. Child care is extraordinarily expensive (one child in NYC is an average of $20k a year!). Many parents choose to either have one parent stay home (meaning they lose an income, and usually the income increase that parent would have gotten over time) or they are paying a big portion of their income towards child care and losing out on spending time with their child. A universal child care system (just like our K-12 school system) would help parents leave jobs for different jobs without needing to find, for example, an employer that provides child care on site. If you left your job, you’d have the time and ability to find a new one without worrying about your child being safe.

3. Build a fuckton of new housing. You can’t afford your rent because there simply aren’t enough places to live, at least in most high population cities. So that rent bill gets sky high due strictly to very basic supply and demand. This is almost entirely determined by the market, and by property taxes. Your property is taxed on its estimated assessed value, not on what rent you are charging. If demand goes up, and suddenly every apartment in your building is going for $4k a month, you’re going to be expected to pay taxes on that value, even if you only charge $2K for rent. Those taxes are what pay for your public benefits like school, and we can’t really afford to lose them. How do we fix that? Increase supply! Places like Austin are doing this and seeing great results. The government doesn’t care if they’re bringing property taxes on two $2k/month apts or one $4k/month apt.

4. Give government agencies the ability to truly enforce antitrust and price gouging violations. There are genuine bad actors out there who use situations like the pandemic to raise prices and maximize profit. Empower the government to actually investigate and enforce rules around price gouging, antitrust violations, and other actions corporations take to maximize profits to the point where they negatively affect people. Note though, that corporations must actually make a profit to exist. So “corporation continued to make a profit during Covid” is not actually a bad thing for anyone. “Corporation quadrupled their profit margin for a full three years during and after Covid”, on the other hand, is a big warning sign unless that company happened to be Zoom or a pharmaceutical company. Likewise, government enforcement over utilities monopolies, etc, can go a long way towards limiting negative impacts for the average renter/owner.

Systems theory is where it’s at, here. Our economy is a highly complicated system, and thinking through impacts is necessary. Where does the UBI come from, if people are off making art they can’t sell and not paying taxes? If they’re taking lots of time off for family, or to grieve? I mean this honestly. Who is paying for that? We cannot make money from nothing, it has to come from somewhere or your entire economy crashes and your dollar has no value. And no, the answer isn’t just “tax the rich” because there is not unlimited wealth. You could drain every billionaire in America dry (even considering that billionaires aren’t liquid and mostly own stocks in their own and other companies that go up and down with the value of those companies AND that stock only has value if there is someone else to buy it) and it would barely cover a few years of a smaller UBI.

The U.S. has about 345 million Americans. A monthly $500 UBI would cost over $2 trillion dollars annually. That is an enormous amount of money, and because it isn’t taxed, it’s money that doesn’t support any subsidized system.

Simple seeming solutions can seem really nice and clean, but actual governmental policy is incredibly complicated in large part because all our systems are immensely complicated.

This post was way longer than I intended, but I’m going to end it with this: back in 9th grade, many eons ago now for me, my history teacher told us all a story about how Americans spent a ton of money developing a pen that would work in space. The Russians, on the other hand, gave their astronauts pencils! This was shared like Americans were just dummies who never thought to use a pencil.

Well, it turns out, pencils break! And guess what’s worse than spending a bunch of money developing space pens? How about having little pieces of poisonous lead flying around endangering astronauts and getting into sensitive electronics equipment?

Usually, if a simple answer has been passed on a bunch of times, it’s not because nobody has thought of it before. It’s because there was probably a pretty good reason why experts said “probably not the best idea”.

UBI needs to happen. via antiwork

[jcmarchi]

How AI Will Keep People Fed Amid Agriculture’s Turmoil

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/how-ai-will-keep-people-fed-amid-agricultures-turmoil/

How AI Will Keep People Fed Amid Agriculture’s Turmoil

Before the tractor was invented, farmers worked their land tirelessly alongside beasts of burden such as horses and mules that required six acres of land for feed, per animal, each year.

Fearing change, job replacement, or cost, farm owners didn’t exactly rejoice and were generally skeptical of the tractor. Still, its use eventually became standard by the early 20th century, enabling farms of all sizes and crop types to plow and cultivate the land more efficiently. The tractor didn’t just offer farmers a tool to improve their business operations, it also helped supplement food supplies. 

As AI disrupts nearly every industry, the agriculture sector, which faces significant obstacles on multiple fronts, is cautiously embracing machine learning, computer vision, and other data-driven processes. The tractor led to the embrace of other inventions that triggered the Green Revolution, and many are counting on AI to have the same effect as food insecurity climbs. 

But why should the agriculture industry embrace AI, and will it provide enough assistance fast enough to stop food insecurity?

 Why agriculture needs AI’s efficiency now

Wheat farmers in Egypt struggle to supply their crops with enough water, and vegetable growers in California are experiencing unforeseen extreme weather conditions. But global agriculture is battling more than just the environmental impact of climate change. The industry faces a long, diverse list of problems and disruptions that will further inflate food insecurity figures if not quickly corrected. 

Climate change threats are existential, however, labor issues impact every aspect of agriculture. Much of the Western world relies heavily on experienced seasonal migrant labor to help work long, strenuous days in the fields. Still, disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and other destabilizing factors left many farms short-handed. In addition, changing social pressures and lifestyle considerations are leading many youth from farming backgrounds to shun the fields and orchards for jobs in hi-tech or other more attractive professions. 

A labor shortage is one thing, but replacing skilled workers isn’t as simple as plucking a random person off the street. Critical roles like scouting, harvesting, and managing irrigation systems require expert knowledge and training to be performed acceptably. 

Wars and labor disruptions further exacerbate food insecurity by disrupting supply chains. For example, the ongoing Russian war with Ukraine—a region known as “Europe’s breadbasket”—has severely plugged food supply flows, especially to parts of the world already suffering from food insecurity like Africa. 

Additionally, rising input costs, shrinking production values, and shifting markets are declining productivity in many farms and tanking growers’ profit margins. If this doesn’t make farming hard enough, climate change compounds all this, encouraging traditionally tech-resistant growers to turn to AI to supplement shrinking profits and meet global demand. 

But the first step is for tech providers to build trust with growers, which can happen by highlighting where AI is already making a massive difference.

Where AI helps growers keep the food flowing 

The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that farmers must produce 70 percent more food to feed the predicted global population of 9.1 billion people in 2050. That’s a tall order for any grower to meet while also considering climate impacts without proper technology.

In many industries, AI applications are more theoretical and need time to undergo testing and quality assurance. Healthcare, a prime example, begs for AI help, but its current use is limited due to concerns surrounding data privacy and malpractice. 

But in agriculture, we are seeing farms and farmers empowered by new AI applications—including smaller, local growers who don’t have the resources to absorb the impact of pandemics, wars, or climate change.

As the second largest exporter of agricultural products globally and one of the more densely populated countries, the Netherlands has always needed innovative approaches to overcoming its geographic limitations and preserving its land. With the historical memory of the 1944-45 famine, the Dutch have broadly embraced AI in agriculture to implement precision farming practices to optimize crop production, leverage computer vision to monitor plant health, and make data-driven decisions in farms and greenhouses.

Last year, the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) established a new institution integrating plant biology, computational modeling, and AI to develop crop varieties that can be more resilient to climate change and less dependent on chemical crop protection. 

The U.S. is blessed with an abundance of possibly the best farmland. However, the average American farmer is almost 60 years old, with nearly 40 percent being over the age of 65. To help aging and short-staffed growers, AI and robotics are becoming ever more common across U.S. farms, boosting the productivity of labor-intensive tasks like picking and plowing while providing data-driven insights to make informed decisions that can boost crop health and improve yields.  

With higher-quality data and refinements in ML, computer vision, deep learning, and innovative robotics, AI is actively helping growers make agriculture a more viable business endeavor, more sustainable, and more efficient overall.

For example, data sharing and collaborations between growers and tech providers can help spread valuable information that boosts productivity and crop knowledge, enabling AI systems to improve while allowing growers to gain valuable insights. AI and data sharing can even help alert farming communities of new crop threats spreading in a specific region. Whether using AI tools or the data it generates for crop monitoring or predictive analytics, it’s relevant ammunition in the battle to boost food security. 

Rising food insecurity will ultimately lead to economic hardships, conflicts, and widespread destabilization affecting all aspects of humanity. Avoiding these catastrophic scenarios demands expanding and spreading AI’s positive impact on agriculture. 

[biowearth1]

Exploring the Market for Shrimp Meal Manufacturers & Suppliers: Quality, Sourcing, and Industry Insi

Shrimp meal, a valuable byproduct of shrimp processing, is widely used in animal feed, aquaculture, and even as a component in organic fertilizers due to its rich nutrient content. As the global demand for shrimp continues to rise, so does the need for reliable shrimp meal manufacturers and suppliers who can meet industry standards for quality and sustainability.

Understanding Shrimp Meal

Shrimp Meal Manufacturers & Suppliers is primarily composed of high-quality protein, essential amino acids, and valuable nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids. It’s processed from the byproducts of shrimp processing, such as heads, shells, and other non-edible parts. These byproducts are dried, ground, and sometimes processed further to create a concentrated protein meal that is highly digestible for various animals, particularly in aquaculture.

The Role of Shrimp Meal in the Industry

Aquaculture: Shrimp meal is extensively used in aquaculture due to its balanced nutrient profile, which supports the growth and health of fish and shrimp. It’s known to be rich in amino acids like lysine and methionine, which are crucial for the development of healthy aquatic species. The sustainable sourcing of shrimp meal is particularly important as it supports the sustainable growth of the aquaculture industry.

Animal Feed: Beyond aquaculture, shrimp meal is also used in livestock feed, particularly in poultry and swine production. Its high protein content helps in muscle development and overall growth. Additionally, the fatty acids found in shrimp meal contribute to improved feed efficiency and growth rates.

Organic Fertilizers: Shrimp meal is also valued in agriculture as an organic fertilizer. Its nutrient-rich composition, especially the chitin found in shrimp shells, provides essential elements like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to soil, improving soil health and crop yields.

Sourcing and Quality Standards

When selecting a shrimp meal supplier, quality is paramount. The best manufacturers adhere to strict standards to ensure the product’s purity and nutrient content. This includes sourcing from certified, sustainable fisheries and using processes that minimize environmental impact. Suppliers often work closely with regulators to meet industry standards and certifications that ensure the product’s safety and nutritional value.

Challenges and Innovations

The shrimp meal industry faces challenges such as ensuring a consistent supply of raw materials, especially given the seasonality and variability in shrimp harvests. Innovations in processing technology, such as improved drying and grinding techniques, help maintain nutrient quality and extend shelf life. Additionally, there is growing interest in finding alternative sources of protein for shrimp meal to diversify supply and reduce dependency on shrimp byproducts alone.

 

As the global population continues to grow, the demand for sustainable and high-quality protein sources will rise. Shrimp meal manufacturers and suppliers play a critical role in meeting this demand by providing a nutritious, versatile product that supports both animal and plant growth. By focusing on sustainable practices and adhering to stringent quality standards, these manufacturers can help ensure a stable supply chain for this valuable resource.

Click here for more information:-

Sports Nutrition Supplements Manufacturer in India

Bovine Gelatin Manufacturer From India