The ridge-to-reef approach on Cicia Island, Fiji

Many Pacific countries and territories embrace an officially recognized ‘ridge-to-reef’ approach to environmental management. This is the case of Fiji, where the Lau Seascape Strategy 2018–2030, led by Conservation International, aims for integrated natural resource management across 335 895 km2. This area includes Cicia Island, which deserves particular attention since, years before the design of the Lau Seascape Strategy, its population developed its own informal ridge-to-reef scheme, involving a combination of certified organic agriculture and locally managed marine closures. Based on 1 month of ethnographic fieldwork, this paper presents this scheme and highlights local perception and conceptualization of its positive effects on both the land and the sea. These reflect the iTaukei (Indigenous Fijian) concept of vanua, which intrinsically connects the health of the land, the sea, and their (human and non-human) dwellers, while stressing the importance of addressing land-sea processes and management efforts beyond an ecological perspective, i.e. through an engagement with the iTaukei relational ontology.

The Effects of Organic Certification on Shoppers’ Purchase Intention Formation in Taiwan: A Multi-Group Analysis of Structural Invariance

Labeling products with organic certification logos is a means of indicating to consumers that those products are government certified. However, in Taiwan, organic certification is not required before a food product claims itself organic. Since previous research showed that the COVID-19 lockdown effected both Spanish and Romanian subjects’ intention to purchase more sustainable products, the aim of this study was to determine whether the perception of organic certification labeling makes a difference in how organic shoppers’ purchasing intentions toward organic produce were realized. Data from organic produce shoppers were used to identify organic certification labeling differences. One group of shoppers was asked about their purchase behaviors toward government-certified organic produce labeled with the certification logo (N = 468), while the other was asked about their purchase behaviors toward self-claimed organic produce without a government certification logo (N = 403). Multi-group structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques were employed as the main method of analysis in this study. The results indicated that the hypothesized model was validated. In addition, through this process, it was clarified that this government organic certification labeling significantly enhances the influence of organic produce shoppers’ behavioral beliefs regarding organic produce on their attitudes.

VITAMIN C, TOTAL PHENOLS AND ANTIOXIDATIVE ACTIVITY OF ORGANICALLY GROWN RED BEETROOT (BETA VULGARIS SSP. RUBRA) AND EFFECT OF PROCESSING

The demand for organic food is rising since consumers want food from reliable, highest quality sources originating from the environment, undisturbed by cultivation and processing. It is necessary to determine to what extent there is a scientific basis for the claims that organic food is of high quality. In this study, beetroot from an organic production system originating from 6 certified organic food producers from different geographic locations was examined. The organic beetroot samples were processed by pasteurization at 700 C and 900 C into beet juice or by drying at 550 C. The following samples were tested and compared: fresh beetroot, pasteurized beet juice and dried beetroot slices. The concentration of vitamin C, level of total phenol compounds (TPC) and antioxidative activity (TAA) in beetroot were influenced by the geographic origin and the applied processing method. The highest degradation for all analysed parameters was found in the samples treated by drying or pasteurisation at 90ºC. The lowest losses of studied phytochemical components were observed during juice pasteurisation at 700C. The correlation coefficient between TPC and TAA was high and significant (r2 = 0.966).

Plant-parasitic and free-living nematodes from organically farmed fields in Illinois and Wisconsin

Plant-parasitic nematodes feed on soybean roots resulting in potential yield losses. Surveys of nematodes in certified organic soybean fields have been infrequent compared to surveys in non-organic soybean fields. We conducted a nematode survey from certified organic soybean fields in northern and central Illinois and southern Wisconsin to determine the frequency and population densities of plant-parasitic and free-living nematodes. Fields surveyed included both long-term (with soybean planted every 5th year or longer in the rotation) and short-term (with soybean planted every 3rd year of the rotation). A total of 27 composite soil samples each consisting of multiple cores to a depth of 20-cm were collected from 14 fields in 2019. Common plant-parasitic nematode taxa included spiral (Helicotylenchus spp.), lesion (Pratylenchus spp.), cyst (Heteroderidae), stunt (Tylenchorhynchus spp.), dagger (Xiphinema spp.), and pin nematodes (Paratylenchus spp.). Among the taxa, spiral, lesion and dagger nematodes were above previously reported damage threshold levels in some fields. From the summer season sampled soils, cyst nematode population densities and nematode abundance were significantly higher and lower, respectively, from fields under short-term versus long-term rotation with soybean. From the fall season sampled soils, the Structure Index but not the other diversity and community indices of free-living nematodes were significantly higher from fields under long-term versus short-term rotation with soybean. Overall, these results provide evidence for the occurrence of plant-parasitic and free-living nematodes from organically farmed soybean fields in Illinois and Wisconsin that varied in rotation length.

Effect of application of supply chain management practices on certified organic rice supply chain performance

This research is proposed to determine the impact of management on supply chain performance. A description analysis on each indicator’s constituent variables also carried out. Data obtained from farmer groups (Poktan), combined farmer groups (Gapoktan), organic rice farmer associations, distributors and retailers consisting of modern markets, supermarkets, and minimarkets were selected using snowball sampling method. A questionnaire was utilized to determine the perceptions of respondents. The limitation of the study was the involvement of only one area of certified organic rice producer, and several distributors and retailers who engaged in the organic sector following the supply chain flow. The analysis using partial least squares structural equation modelling obtained that the integration of suppliers has a positive significance on efficiency, responsiveness, flexibility, quality, and economic satisfaction, but it does not affect social satisfaction. Internal integration only significantly influences to quality. The integration of customer has a positive importance on efficiency, responsiveness, flexibility, and social satisfaction, but it does not affect the quality and economic satisfaction. Meanwhile, information sharing has a positive effect on economic and social satisfaction, but it does not affect efficiency, responsiveness, flexibility, and quality. Supplier integration was found to be a significant factor in supply chain management practices in influencing supply chains performance. This study authenticity is the use of measurement constructs that are adapted to conditions in the field to produce new empirical data about the relationship of management practices with supply chain performance in the certified organic rice products.

Survival and Persistence of Foodborne Pathogens in Manure-Amended Soils and Prevalence on Fresh Produce in Certified Organic Farms: A Multi-Regional Baseline Analysis

Biological soil amendments of animal origin (BSAAOs), including untreated (e.g., raw or aged manure, or incompletely composted manure) and treated animal products (e.g., compost), are used for crop production and as part of soil health management. Application of BSAAO's must be done cautiously, as raw manure commonly contains enteric foodborne pathogens that can potentially contaminate edible produce that may be consumed without cooking. USDA National Organic Program (NOP) certified production systems follow the 90-or 120-day interval standards between applications of untreated BSAAOs and crop harvest, depending on whether the edible portions of the crops are in indirect or direct contact with the soil, respectively. This study was conducted to evaluate the survival of four foodborne pathogens in soils amended with BSAAOs and to examine the potential for bacterial transfer to fresh produce harvested from USDA NOP certified organic farms (19) from four states. Only 0.4% (2/527) of produce samples were positive for L. monocytogenes. Among the untreated manure and compost samples, 18.0% (42/233) were positive for at least one of the tested and culturable bacterial foodborne pathogens. The prevalence of non-O157 STEC and Salmonella in untreated manure was substantially > that of E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes. Of the 2,461 soil samples analyzed in this study, 12.9% (318) were positive for at least one pathogen. In soil amended with untreated manure, the prevalence of non-O157 STEC [7.7% (190) and L. monocytogenes (5.0% (122), was > that of Salmonella (1.1% (26)] or E. coli O157 [0.04% (1)]. Foodborne pathogen prevalence in the soil peaked after manure application and decreased significantly 30 days post-application (dpa). However, non-O157 STEC and L. monocytogenes were recovered from soil samples after 90 and 120 dpa. Results indicate that produce contamination by tested foodborne pathogens was infrequent, but these data should not be generalized outside of the specific wait-time regulations for organic crop production and the farms studied. Moreover, other sources of contamination, e.g., irrigation, wildlife, environmental conditions, cropping and management practices, should be considered. This study also provides multi-regional baseline data relating to current NOP application intervals and development of potential risk mitigation strategies to reduce pathogen persistence in soils amended with BSAAOs. These findings contribute to filling critical data gaps concerning occurrence of fecal pathogens in NOP-certified farming systems used for production of fresh produce in different US regions.

Organic and Conventional Food—Selected Properties

This paper defines the concept of organic and conventional agriculture and presents the differences in the quality of produced food resulting from the farming system. The test materials were the same groups of food products from certified organic and conventional production. As a result, the dry matter content, water activity and the content of potassium, iron, copper, manganese and lead were compared. The obtained results showed that food from organic farming is characterized by higher dry matter content and lower water activity. Conventional products are characterized by higher content of the examined elements, which is due to, among others, geochemical background, the use of mineral fertilizers, and the development of industry and transport. Ecological management influences the increase in the quality of consumed food by limiting the migration of nutrients and other pollutants to the environment.

How is the perception of the certified organic food benefits in a population from Estado de México region

Objective: To study and understand the population's perception in a region of the Estado de Mexico about the role of certified organic food in health and the environment, as well as the economic impact generated by its consumption. Desing/methodology/approach: A survey was conducted among a population sample of 10 municipalities in the Estado de Mexico, which consisted of seven questions related to certified organic food. Results: The population has an idea about what certified organic food is, although they confuse it with other types of food. Study limitations/ implications: Results were obtained from an e-mail survey because this study was conducted during the current 2020-2021 pandemic. Findings/conclusion: The information obtained suggests that the population has a great perception about the intake of certified organic food, but there is confusion about other types of food. However, the population is willing to consume them because of their potential health and environment benefits.

Refinement of Non-Antibiotic Spray Programs for Fire Blight Control in Organic Pome Fruit

Fire blight-susceptible, certified organic pome fruit is produced currently on 9,000 ha in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States with acreage continuing to expand in spite of a 2014 prohibition on antibiotics as allowable materials for infection suppression. Non-antibiotic practices for fire blight suppression mirror conventional management, but the full bloom to petal fall period when antibiotics are typically sprayed for fire blight control continues to receive research scrutiny owing to drawbacks and weaknesses of alternative materials. As solitary treatments, effective non-antibiotic materials (e.g., a yeast biocontrol, soluble coppers, and alum) raise the risk of a crop-value reducing, phytotoxic response termed fruit russeting. Conversely, materials with less russeting risk (e.g., Bacillus-based biorationals) are less effective for fire blight control. Spray programs using a combination of materials applied from mid-bloom to petal fall have the potential to provide high levels of protection with reduced russeting risk. In orchard trials, the effects of non-antibiotic spray programs on epiphytic population size of Erwinia. amylovora in flowers, yeast biocontrol population size, floral pH, infection suppression, and fruit russeting revealed strategies for sequencing sprays of non-antibiotic materials. The yeast biocontrol, Blossom Protect (Aureobasidium pullulans), sprayed at 70% bloom was an important contributor to fire blight suppression as was the soluble copper material, Previsto, when applied at full bloom. Choice of material for the petal fall spray timing was important to fruit russeting risk but apparently less important to overall infection incidence. Consequently, treatment programs of Blossom Protect at 70% bloom, a soluble copper at full bloom, and a Bacillus-based biorational at petal fall best balances the quality of infection suppression with risk of fruit russeting.

Protected Geographical Indications for EVOO in Tunisia: Towards Environmental, Social, and Economic Sustainable Development

In a globalized scenario characterized by cogent challenges, sustainable development represents a fundamental objective, according to the agenda of policymakers. This is particularly true with regard to farming, and those agricultural systems that are fully consistent with sustainability in society (health, employment), environment (methane emission, water resource and so on), and economy (source of wealth). Tunisia is one of the world’s top olive oil-producing countries. It is also the country with the largest certified organic olive-producing areas in the world. Moreover, a larger volume of Tunisian olive oil is produced using nearly organic practices, without actually being certified. Given the growing demand for certified products, Tunisia should strengthen its market position by building on its reputation for sustainable farming, through the promotion and the creation of new geographic indications for EVOO. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the impact of GIs and how such kinds of labeling can be more effective, operational, and sustainable, to support the country’s development strategy in this sector. Through an ad hoc quanti-qualitative analysis of Tunisian olive oil value chain, representative of the natural resources, the deep understanding of cultures and traditions of the country, a comprehensive and precise SWOT analysis carried out on the Tunisian olive sector has been performed. This study bears significance as it depicts a specific roadmap that should allow a better application and extension of GI’s initiatives referring to the three pillars of Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, and by building on the position of Tunisia as an organic origin focusing on five strategic lines: organizational and institutional framework; capacity building improvement; communication and networking roles; the role of TIC and the emergence of new opportunities; financial and support products availability. The final outcome should also aim to shorten the distances between all stakeholders to achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda in the Mediterranean basin, by removing behavioral and institutional barriers that inhibit the transformations needed to achieve more sustainable economies and societies, by means of a cross-disciplinary dialogue around olive oil chain sustainability and narrowing the gap between research and policymakers.