Journal articles on the topic 'Informal vegetable markets'

The purpose of this study was to investigate the enabling environment within which smallholder farmers operate amidst the uneven playing field in the agricultural sector and the stringent demands of the consumer driven market. Most of the smallholder farmers utilise informal vegetable markets and these offer higher prices for the leafy vegetables. The study is based on data collected from 56 smallholder vegetable producers in Gauteng Province of South Africa. The study unveiled that the business environment has many challenges for the smallholder to competitively function in formal marketing channels, including poor upstream and downstream linkages and access to finance and technology. Access to inputs is a limiting factor to productivity with almost 41.7% of the farmers depending of government input handouts. The results of the logistic regression analysis shows a positive relationship between the choice of most utilised market and age, level of education, established arrangement with certain markets and sources of information on markets. This study concludes that there is need for multi-stakeholder engagements including organisations already working with smallholder farmers in order to ensure that there is no overlap of support services and hence indirectly ensuring wider coverage of farmer support. Both upstream and downstream linkages need to be promoted and this needs the intervention of the government through the support of organisations such as the national Department of Agriculture.

The decision to choose an appropriate market outlet may involve a self-selection problem. This suggests that unobservable characteristics play an important role, and the examination of the impact of market outlet choice on smallholder household welfare needs to correct this selection bias. Consequently, this study, by using a multinomial endogenous treatment model, examined the determinants of market outlet choices and their subsequent effects on the welfare of smallholder vegetable and fruit producers in Ethiopia. The results on the determinants of market outlet choices obtained using this model indicated that distance to main roads, livestock ownership, access to extension, and cooperative membership influenced the decisions of smallholder farmers in one way or another. Furthermore, the model results obtained by correcting the selectivity indicated that, relative to formal markets, informal markets have a low impact on the welfare of smallholder farmers. Thus, alternative policy measurements aimed at improving the food security and welfare of smallholder farmers should be accompanied by improving their access to formal markets.

The consumer’s central role within biodiversity conservation networks may be connected to the process of reconnecting models of production and proven local consumption within “alternative food networks” that have the ability to conserve biodiversity and create sustainable production. This research focuses of the indirect relationships between consumers of biodiversity-friendly vegetable crops surveyed at the main farmers’ markets in Sicily, revealing details of purchasing behaviour and the factors related to product choice using social network analysis (SNA) to analyse the social relationships. The research highlights the consumer preferences for local produce or areas with an identity connection or an ethical-social affinity, as shown by the convergence of themes such as “territorial promotion” and “Sicilian quality”. This result confirms the role of low-volume producers and local communities in protecting biodiversity-friendly farming and renewing their importance in policy-making. Different consumers highlighted how important it is to design more effective measures to maintain and increase ecosystem resilience. Future development in this area will need to include empirical research on defining the motivations that induce consumers to collaborate with producers in the co-creation of values and anticipating the willingness of consumers to be more pro-active and participatory with biodiversity-friendly farmers in managing their relationships.

The aim of this research to described thitilbank profile, to described a reason for the vegetable traders in Kesamben market of Blitar regency was using thitilbank to fulfilling their need and testing thitilbank that able to improved their standard living of vegetable traders in Kesamben market of Blitar regency.Method and analysis tool that’s used for this research is with the step of checking back the data obtained or collected from interview results from respondent, took into the data that was collected into a tabular form with a simple frequency distribution, recapitulate the data that was collected to tabular form, described the data which is obtained from recapitulation results and also using different test analysis tools paired sample t-test.From the result of this study shows that Thitilbank was the one channeling funds in the informal sector that’s provide money without assurance for vegetable traders in Kesamben markets of Blitar regency that’s underfunded. With the practice of offering loan money directly with coming to prospective customers. That’s what causes the vegetable traders in Kesamben market of Blitar regency prefer thitilbank in the fulfillment of money due to convenience and service thitilbank. From the result of analysis different tests paired sample t-test shows that there are different income of vegetable traders in Kesamben market of Blitar regency after comparison before receiving credit from thitilbank. This proved from vegetable traders in Kesamben market of Blitar regency before receiving credit from thitilbank on average of the income that was Rp.99.375 every day, then after receiving credit an average of the income beverage traders in Kesamben market of Blitar regency amount of Rp.112.250 every day.Keyword : Thitilbank, Vegetable seller, Standard of living.

This paper examines the characteristics of solid waste generated in the informal sector enterprises of Gweru, the third largest city in Zimbabwe. Samples from the informal sector enterprises were collected in plastic bags and labelled with unique identity marks. The segregated components were measured to determine percentages of total weight of a sample. The data collected during the two seasons were analysed statistically using ANOVA to identify key similarities and differences. The major components of the waste stream include food and vegetable wastes in the market areas (from 18 to 51% of total weight), metals in the industrial areas (from 19 to 36%), and paper in the residential suburbs and markets (9–11% of total weight). The biodegradable waste stream dominates in the market areas of Kudzanai and Kombayi where it constitutes an average of 57.1% of waste generated in these areas. Establishing biodegradability of solid waste is essential because the majority of environmental and health problems associated with waste generated in the enterprises are caused by the biodegradable components. In order to come up with a sustainable and comprehensive waste management plan for the informal sector of Gweru, an up-to-date database on the composition and characteristics of the waste is a primary requirement.

The purpose of the study was to establish the effect of Covid-19 pandemic to women entrepreneurs in the informal sector of Zimbabwe. A qualitative study was conducted in Mashonaland West province in Zimbabwe. Data was collected through telephone interviews from 16 informal business women entrepreneurs in the retail sector. The participants were involved businesses that include; vegetable vending, operating clothing flea market and cross border trading. The study established that business for women entrepreneurs in the informal sector were affected by inter-province travelling regulations. It was also established that women were most affected as they are responsible for making sure that children are fed on daily basis. To make matters worse, some were widows and others were looking after many orphans. This to a larger extent encouraged cases of strained relationship in the home because of inadequate resources especially food. Cases were also reported of gender-based violence because all members of the family were now spending most of their time together with little resources to use in looking after the family. Thus, health problems such as high blood pressure and were also witnessed. The study recommended the government to provide protective equipment and sanitizers to women entrepreneurs and informal traders so that they can safely continue to produce, distribute and sell their merchandise. The government should assist with transport for smallholder farmers to ferry their produce to markets safely. Also, the government was recommended to communicate with market leaders about how to best handle a lockdown and reopening.

The penetration of modern supermarkets is believed to be the cause of the declining role of traditional markets and street vendors in Indonesia. Nevertheless, the competition between state-promoted markets and traditional markets is rarely discussed, both adaptation of market institution and strategy of market actors. This research outlined a theoretical understanding of the dynamics of traditional markets, along the concepts of market flexibility as an adaptation strategy and coordination problems as market actor strategies. The researchers empirically reflect the strategies of four traditional vegetable markets that still survive from tight competition—both the market itself as a social institution, and the strategies of actors involved in market transactions. The traditional market builds flexibility by: (1) Specifying commodities, (2) segmenting customers, (3) changing market operating hour, (4) modifying transportation to operate more efficiently, and (5) low cost market management. At the actor level, competition problems are resolved by utilizing an emotional sentiment of friendship social relations; the formation of prices is determined by developing effective networks of information; and the cooperation problem is dealt with by building a system of punishment and reward based on informal mechanisms. This finding verifies the thesis stating that market competitiveness is determined by institutional flexibility against competition and the ability of market actors to build effective social interactions to maintain market sustainability. Based on the above explanation, further research needs to be focused on calculating how much efficiency is built due to market flexibility, both the transaction cost and the production cost in a quantitative manner. At the actor level, it is necessary to delineate the strategies being built, whether based on pure rational or economic and moral or non-economic considerations in solving coordination problems in the market.

This paper presents an empirical examination of investment responses to external facilitation of supply chain linkages between agricultural producers and processors. Specifically, it analyzes the impact of participation in the USDA Marketing Assistance Program (MAP) facilitated formal marketing channel on farm-level investments in tomato production. The analysis involves mixed method approach utilizing a case of the USDA MAP in the Armenian vegetable industry and the survey data from 427 Armenian tomato growers. The main results indicate that the tomato growers linked to USDA MAP facilitated formal marketing channel (i.e. processors) invested significantly more in expanding tomato planting area compared to growers in informal channel (i.e. direct-to-consumer markets, middleman, and barter). The lessons from the USDA MAP’s supply chain facilitation strategy and the results of quantitative analysis provide insights on incentive structures and enforcement mechanisms for designing more effective supply chain linkages.

High tunnels are becoming an increasingly important production tool for vegetable, small fruit, and cut flower growers in many parts of the United States. They provide a protected environment relative to the open field, allowing for earlier or later production of many crops, and they typically improve yield and quality as well as disease and pest management. Producers, ranging from small-scale market gardens to larger scale farms, are using high tunnels of various forms to produce for early markets, schedule production through extended seasons, grow specialty crops that require some environmental modification, and capture premium prices. The rapid ongoing adoption of high tunnels has resulted in numerous grower innovations and increased university research and extension programming to serve grower needs. An informal survey of extension specialists was conducted in 2007 to estimate numbers (area) of high tunnels and crops being grown in them by state, and to identify current research and extension efforts. Results of this survey provide an indication of the increasing importance of these structures for horticultural crop production across the country.

gboma is a leafy vegetable commonly consumed in Benin, which plays an important role in food security. This study assessed the handling and preservation practices as well as quality attributes of gboma along the supply chain in Southern Benin. A survey among 785 people (285 producers, 180 whole salers/retailers, and 326 consumers) living in four Departments of Benin was conducted to evaluate the consumption frequency, the transportation mode, the preservation methods and quality attributes of gboma during purchasing. The survey revealed that, in general, gboma sauce is consumed twice to three times a month in all the departments covered. Different practices, including humidification, were used to preserve the leaves during selling. Traditional baskets or old clothes were used for the transportation and storage of gboma. Important quality attributes mostly used by actors during purchasing were freshness and color followed by physical damage and, to a lesser extent, weight and leaf surface at different degrees. gboma is currently sold in informal markets; however, improving handling and selling practices could preserve the freshness of this leafy vegetable that could then be placed in conventional supermarkets. Thereby, the selling and consequently the production level will increase, with positive impact on the income of producers.

The study was conducted at the Madimbo corridor and upper Mutale valley smallholder irrigation schemes. The purpose of the study was to characterize smallholder agricultural women and youth entrepreneurs (SHAW-YE). A semi-structured household questionnaire together with facilitation was used to survey a sample, purposively focusing on Smallholder Agriculture Women and Youth Enterprises (SHAW-YE). The sample was comprised of 294 respondents with sub-samples of respondents selected through gender category, age category, and gender by age category. The study revealed that the SHAW-YE are characterized by small land areas under cultivation. There were some associations between age, education, and income of SHAW-YE with their capacity to produce tomatoes. Participation of women was 48.4% compared to 20% of men in the winter production of tomatoes. Production participation by SHAW-YE farmers for summer revealed that women were participating at 9.7% compared with 13.3% for men. The participation of SHAW-YE around the ages of 36-59-year was at 52.9% while that for ages >60-year was at 51.5%. The main source of variation may be the level of experience that the said age group of SHAW-YE may have in the production of tomatoes compared to 29.6% of 18–35-year participants. About 61.7% of SHAW-YE were at the level of Adult Basic Education & Training (ABET). About 45.8% of the SHAW-YE earned less than R5000.00 compared with 50.7% earning more than R5000.00. Market channels and access should be promoted for SHAW-YE to enable the throughput of tomatoes to not only informal but also fresh produce and retail markets.

Communities in western Kenya have utilized several species of African Leafy Vegetables for food and valued them for their taste, nutritional qualities and medicinal properties. With increasing demand for these vegetables, there is a dire need for a formal reliable source of quality seed and need to study and develop seed support systems in communities in western Kenya. The objectives of the study were: determine the current seed support systems; collect, evaluate and multiply germplasm; establish seed support systems; determine effect of seed treatments on seedling emergency of priority African Leafy Vegetables in three communities in western Kenya. A survey was conducted by administering structured questionnaires to 30, 20 and 30 households in the Luhya, Luo and Kisii communities, respectively between Jan 2002 and March 2003. Germplasm collection, evaluation and multiplication of the priority African Leafy Vegetables was effected. Multiplied germplasm was used to establish a seed support system at Maseno University botanic garden and with 70 farmers in the three communities. Seed treatments for spiderplant, nightshades and jute mallow was conducted between June and August 2004. Treatments included T1=No treatment or Control, T2=Dipped seed in boiling water for 10 seconds, T3=Soaked seeds in water for 24 hrs and T4= Soak seed in 95% acetone for 30 minutes. Current seed support systems for African Leafy Vegetables are informal and constitute production from farmers’ own fields or from the village markets. Seven African leafy vegetable species were selected from 42 accessions collected based on seed weight, germination percentage and seed moisture content and these included Cleome gynandra, Crotalaria brevidens, Crotalaria ochroleuca, Solanum scabrum, Vigna unguiculata, Amaranthus blitum and Corchorus olitorius. Seed yields of the above species ranged from 1036-1320 kg/ha with 1000 seed weight of 1.1 to 100g. A total of 70 contact farmers in 6 districts of western Kenya were provided with seed and technical information on production and processing of seed, 13% of whom had started producing quality seed for their use or sale. A seed support system was set up at Maseno University Botanic garden to avail seed of the seven African Leafy Vegetables to farmers in the region and beyond. Seed treatments had a significant effect on the seedling emergence of spiderplant and African nightshade but not on jute mallow. It is recommended that Agronomic, processing and utilization packages be developed for the identified species.

The informal sector in South Africa is a significant, but not well understood phenomenon. One important question relates to the nature of the relationship between the formal and informal sector. This article uses Porter’s five forces model to interrogate the linkages between informal fruit and vegetable traders in the Natalspruit Market (Ekurhuleni) and their formal suppliers, primarily the Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market. While the threat of new products is low, the street traders’ position is weakened by the threat of new entrants, consumer bargaining power and lack of cooperation among street traders. In relation to supplier power, we conclude that while this varies according to a number of factors, the formal sector is dominant over informal fruit and vegetable sellers in this market. This finding rests primarily on the observation that, because of their fragmentation, the informal traders’ collective buying power is not being used in the same way as large formal retailers of fruit and vegetables to obtain better terms of trade with the formal economy supplier.

Millennial are an innovative generation both in terms of technology and in solving problems. This generation has its views both on the way the world works and its impact on the environment. In terms of food availability and quality, Millennial are very concerned about their food. This generation of "foodies" prefers organic foods whose sources are guaranteed, given a large amount of environmental pollution and excessive use of pesticides. Millennials in Jakarta are competing to find innovatives solution to fix this problem, agriculture in the city began to emerge in the form of hydroponics. This is also done to improve the problem of Jakarta food distribution system that has been outdated, where all food is produced from the suburban areas and distributed to markets in Jakarta. The vertical farming system is a system that can be said to be new in Jakarta. This system can supply all parts of Jakarta in the form of a "decentralized" system in which each area has its own vertical farming which will supply food. Arjuna Utara is a road in the Duri Kepa area which is a border area between West and South Jakarta where this area does not have any formal market. The informal market that stands in the patra area is a less organized area. This site has an existing conventional farm where the land is cultivated as a vegetable garden. In this project the building has 8 floors, 4 of which are using aeroponic systems. The rest are in the form of public spaces and eating places that can become a new center of crowd on North Arjuna Road. AbstrakMilenial merupakan generasi yang inovatif baik dari segi teknologi maupun dalam memecahkan masalah. Generasi ini memiliki pandangannya sendiri baik terhadap cara dunia bekerja dan dampaknya terhadap lingkungan. Dalam hal ketersediaan dan kualitas pangan, milenial sangat memperhatikan makanan mereka. Generasi “foodies” ini lebih memilih makanan organik dan makanan yang sumbernya terjamin, mengingat banyaknya pencemaran lingkungan dan penggunaan pestisida secara berlebihan. Para milenial di Jakarta berlomba-lomba mencari inovasi untuk memperbaiki masalah ini, pertanian di dalam kota mulai bermunculan dalam rupa hidroponik. Hal ini sekaligus dilakukan untuk memperbaiki masalah sistem distribusi pangan Jakarta yang sudah tertinggal, di mana semua pangan dihasilkan dari daerah terluar Jakarta dan didistribusikan ke pasar-pasar di Jakarta. Sistem pertanian vertikal adalah sebuah sistem yang dapat dikatakan baru di Jakarta. Sistem ini dapat menyuplai seluruh bagian Jakarta dalam bentuk sistem desentralisasi yang masing-masing wilayah memiliki pertanian vertikalnya yang akan menyuplai makanan sendiri. Arjuna utara merupakan sebuah jalan di wilayah Duri Kepa yang merupakan area perbatasan antara Jakarta Barat dan Selatan di mana area ini belum memiliki pasar formalnya sendiri. Pasar informal yang berdiri berada di area patra di mana merupakan area yang kurang tertata. Tapak ini memiliki existing pertanian konvensional di mana tanah digarap sebagai kebun sayuran. Dalam proyek ini bangunan memiliki 8 lantai yang 4 diantaranya merupakan area pertanian bersistem Aeroponik dan sisanya berupa ruang publik dan tempat makan yang dapat menjadi pusat keramaian baru di jalan Arjuna Utara.

In cold and dry high desert climate such as in Mustang, Manang or Dolpa growing green vegetables is a challenging task despite solar radiation throughout the whole year. Harsh and snowy winter, turbulent wind, limited availability of arable lands and water impedes plant growth. Solar greenhouse (SGH) is a renewable energy-based alternative for growing vegetables in these zones round the year in surplus quantity. At present, a large quantity of vegetables is purchased from nearby market towns (Pokhara and Beni) at double the price. Promotion of greenhouse vegetable farming has not only potential to relieve local people from such financial burden but can even create new business opportunities. As vegetables produced at these altitudes use only organic manure, their quality is desirable for a market where demand for organic products is constantly increasing. From a literature study of SGH cases in Ladakh, Humla and Khumbu region it was found that varieties of vegetables could be grown even during winter when temperatures drop to -25°C. For instance, owners of specially designed SGHs in Ladakh ate eight times the volume of vegetables they had eaten prior to acquiring these SGHs and have seen their incomes rise by 30%. The following article presents a study on SGH possibilities for vegetable farming in the Baragaon rural municipality of Mustang district, applying methods such as observations, informal interviews and stakeholder inclusion. Currently, there exists only rudimentary samples of plastic greenhouses in most villages, where only green leafy vegetables grow during winter. During summer, vegetable growth is conducted in open fields rather than inside the greenhouses. This is mainly due to their overheating caused by lack of ventilation. In Chhengor, one of the villages in Baragaon, organic farming is already taking a promising leap towards organic vegetable business. After discussion with farmers and other stakeholders appropriate design of SGH seems a good solution for durability of SGH structure and to ensure that varieties of vegetables grow in surplus quantity round the year. The article presents possibilities for SGH design and discuses factors for SGH establishment such as affordability, monitoring and maintenance. Additionally, it pinpoints infrastructural support such as agriculture policy at local level, for example in forms of subsidies and training of farmers to grant successful implementation of SGH approaches for high altitude settlements.

This study aims to examine the social economic characteristic of informal sector traders. The research took place from October to December 2017 at Market of Bersehati Manado, Calaca Urban Village, Wenang Sub-district, Manado City. Collection method in this research is primary and secondary data. Sampling method in this research is done by Accidental Sampling. The number of samples were taken in this study were 30 respondents consists of 15 respondents of vegetable sellers and 15 respondents of spice merchants. The research results showed that vegetable sellers and spice merchants who working in the informal sector, most of them have a simple background, both traders are able to meet the needs of everyday families with their own capital and basic capital of trust. They earned an average income of vegetable sellers IDR 63,868 and spice merchant IDR 276,950.

ABSTRACT The lack of hygiene and sanitation practices and insufficient infrastructure in Cambodian informal markets may increase the risk of food contamination, specifically raw vegetables, which in turn may increase the chances of contracting a foodborne disease. The aims of this study in informal markets in Cambodia were (i) to quantify the prevalence of Salmonella enterica based upon differences in season of the year (rainy versus dry), surface types (food contact surfaces versus nonfood contact surfaces), and location of vendors within the market (inside versus outside) and (ii) to characterize S. enterica serotype prevalence. A total of 310 samples were screened for S. enterica prevalence following the U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines, and results were confirmed by PCR assay. Whole genome sequencing was used to determine the serotype for each isolate in silico using SeqSero 1.0 on draft genomes. A total of 78 samples were confirmed positive for S. enterica. During the dry season, S. enterica was more prevalent on food contact surfaces than on nonfood contact surfaces (estimated probability of detection [confidence interval]: 0.41 [0.25, 0.59] and 0.17 [0.08, 0.32], respectively; P = 0.002), but no differences were apparent in the rainy season. No differences in S. enterica prevalence were found based on location within the market (P = 0.61). Sixteen S. enterica serotypes were detected across multiple surfaces. The most common S. enterica serotypes were Rissen (18 isolates), Hvittingfoss (11), Corvallis (10), Krefeld (8), Weltevreden (6), and Altona (6). Accurate data on the prevalence of S. enterica in informal markets are crucial for the development of effective surveillance and implementation of suitable intervention strategies at the domestic level, thus preventing foodborne illness. HIGHLIGHTS

The food environment influences consumer diets in significant yet underexplored ways. In this study, we assess the way in which the Nairobi urban food environment—availability, accessibility, affordability, desirability, convenience and marketing—influences the dietary choices and quality of poor urban consumers, by combining market-level diversity scores (MLDS) with household and individual data collected from resource-poor (slum) neighbourhoods in Nairobi, Kenya. We find that urban-poor settings are characterized by a variety of food retail venues, including informal markets such as kiosks, mom-and-pop shops and tabletop vendors, as well as modern retail outlets such as supermarkets. Most of these food outlets predominantly sell unhealthy, highly-processed and energy-dense foods rather than nutritious foods such as vegetables, fruits and animal products. Our analyses show that supermarkets have the highest MLDS, yet they do not significantly influence the diets of resource-poor households. However, a high MLDS among informal retail outlets has a positive association with diet quality; conversely, open-air markets have a negative association. The nutritional status of urban-poor consumers can be improved by promoting the diversification of healthy, nutritious foods across traditional retail outlets and improving accessibility of the outlets to consumers.

Indigenous crops, through their high nutritional value and hardy attributes, offer potential trade opportunities for rural farmers. There is a niche market that can be explored for these indigenous crops particularly with the growing demand for high nutritional value food in the country. These crops are mostly produced by rural households or gathered from the wild by rural farmers. Thus, the purpose of this study was to identify potential markets for African leafy vegetables (ALVs) by farmers in Limpopo Province. Sixty households producing ALVs were selected with the composition of 54 women and six men, with this selection done using a purposive sampling procedure. Of the total production, 50–60% of the produce was sold in the informal market. It was evident that local rural markets constituted a greater portion of the total market at 73% and 20% allocated to hawkers in town. As a result, urban and periurban consumers present potential buyers since these areas are populated with the middle-class population which is susceptible to changing consumption trends. Because of this potential, supermarkets and township hawkers are proposed as the potential channel for ALVs targeting the identified population. Thus, it is suggested that, in order to create a synergy between economic improvement of rural farmers and trending consumer demands, the Department of Agriculture in Limpopo Province creates a conducive environment through which ALV farmers can be connected with supermarkets and township marketers.

Pesticides are more and more used in African countries. The aim of this study is to evaluate the risk and the impact of pesticides on gardener’s health. It is a transversal descriptive study, which referred to vegetable growers, held in Lomé on the period from May 20 to June 5, 2017. Forty-eight (48) growers participated in the study. Men accounted for 70.8% of the study population against 29.2% of women. The level of education was primary (47.9%) in the majority of cases. Married people or couples represented 77.1% of cases. Most gardeners (72.9%) has no training in the use of pesticides. Pesticides were consistently applied (100%), including insecticides (72.7%), herbicides (9.1%), and fungicides (18.2%). Of 20 pesticides collected, 9 (45%) were approved by our authorities. Only 43.8% of growers were supplied with pesticides from authorized structures of agricultural products. Branches of plants (79.2%) were the spray means of most of the pesticides. Most gardeners (79, 2%) did not use personal protective equipment because of lack of resources for 81.6% of them. Water and environment contamination risk by pesticides was known by only 6.3% of gardeners. Among the adverse effects reported, pruritus was the majority in 85.4% of cases followed by headache (70.8%), cough (68.8%), and muscle pain (64.6%). The training of gardeners, monitoring and control of this informal sector, and the monitoring of unregistered pesticides will help to reduce the risk of poisoning of gardeners and consumers of vegetables as well as environmental pollution.

This paper contributes to the debate on the role of the informal sector in solid waste management by examining the effectiveness of informal sector solid waste management practices in transforming waste into nonwaste in the city of Gweru in Zimbabwe. The study focused on 589 informal enterprises that were surveys using questionnaire interviews and focus group discussions with key informants. Analysis of solid waste management in the informal sector of Gweru has revealed that large amounts of waste are generated indicating poor material efficiency in the enterprises, especially in food market areas where huge amounts of biodegradable material and vegetable wastes are generated and disposed of haphazardly. Analysis of the key factors that include solid waste generation rates, collection frequencies and transportation, waste minimisation, and reduction practices showed that the current waste management system is unsustainable in the long run. The municipality of Gweru needs to provide more resources for financing, training, and manpower to enable effective provision of an environmentally friendly solid waste management system in the city, including the informal sector.

The economic potential of African leafy vegetables (ALVs) remains obscured by a poorly developed value chain. This scoping review assembled and examined scattered knowledge generated on ALVs across southern Africa, focusing on production, processing, marketing, and consumption. Two electronic databases (Scopus and Web of Science) were screened, and a total of 71 relevant studies were included and evaluated. The review provides a state of the art on knowledge related to utilisation of ALVs across the entire value chain. The findings show that functional properties are of prime importance in the production and consumption of ALVs. However, the lack of improved germplasm and a non-existent seed supply system are significant production bottlenecks. Pests and diseases affecting the productivity of ALVs remain mostly unexplored. Sun-drying and boiling were the most reported post-harvest processing methods, suggesting that traditional processing methods are still prominent. Many studies also confirmed the predominance of informal markets in the trading of ALVs as they fail to penetrate formal markets because of poor product positioning and exclusion from produce demand and supply forecasts. The inception of cultivar development, mechanised processing methods, and market linkages will enhance the profitability of ALVs in the region. This review enhances the gaining of insight into the state of different value chain components will assist in upscaling production, value addition of products, and enhance marketing efficiency. There is a great opportunity for basic and applied research into ALVs.

The present study on “Extension Needs of Vegetable Growers” was conducted in the year 2021-2021 in Akola district of Maharashtra state. The exploratory research design of social research was used. In all, 120 respondents were selected by random sampling method. The data were collected by personally interviewing the respondents with the help of structured interview schedule. The data collected were carefully examined, classified, quantified and tabulated. Frequencies, mean, standard deviation, spearman rank correlation and multiple linear regression were employed for interpreting the results. The findings of the present study revealed that, nearly half of the respondents 55.83 per cent belonged to middle age group, i.e. between 36 to 54 years. High proportion of the respondents 46.66 per cent were educated upto secondary school category (10th standard). Nearly half 42.50 per cent of the respondents had medium family size category (5-6 members). Most of the respondents 52.50 per cent had annual income between Rs. 1,00,000/- to 2,00,000/-. High proportion of the respondents 40.83 per cent possessed small category of land holding (1.01 to 2.00 ha). Nearly half 74.16 per cent of the respondents had 0.40 to 1.60 ha area under vegetables. Nearly three fourth 63.33 per cent of the respondents had 11 to 27 years of experience in vegetable cultivation. nearly half of the respondents 50.00 per cent belonged to medium category of social participation. Majority 54.16 per cent of the respondents had medium source of information. Over half 57.50 per cent of the respondents had medium level of innovativeness. Nearly three fourth 80.00 per cent of the respondents had medium category of risk orientation.In case of extension needs of respondents, majority of the respondents 66.67 per cent most needed information about export facilities provided by government and 62.50 per cent information about phyto sanitary measures. High proportion of the respondent 30.83 per cent had daily contact with Gram Sevak among formal agencies, followed by 40.00 per cent progressive farmers among informal agencies, whereas 60.83 per cent of respondents had daily contact with television among mass media. The majority of respondents 60.00 per cent prefer farm as suitable place of contact. Higher number 41.66 per cent of the respondents prefer farm and home visit as best extension method. The 40.83 per cent of the respondents believed that, gender of extension agent doesn’t matter. Majority of the respondents 70.00 per cent had medium extension needs i.e. between 33.34 to 66.66 per cent. Important constraints faced by the respondents were price fluctuation 80.00 per cent followed by 70.00 per cent had problem about electricity, whereas 66.66 per cent 64.16 per cent and 60.83 per cent of respondents faced problems regarding fertigation, exploitation by middle men and lack of market knowledge, respectively and these were ranked as I, II, III, IV and V, respectively.

Corona virus emerged from Sea food market, China but it affected on all countries including women, men and children. Women are most affected economically, emotionally and work by Corona virus. Immediately after the outbreak of corona virus, Central and State governments introduced lockdown of economy. All women working in an informal sector lost their job and income. Those women working in formal sector had more online workload without time constraints. Household chores, child care, family members care, carry vegetables and grocery was routine activities for women. Such activities increased more work burden on women. Other member were expected to cooperate to women in work but they never cooperated to women. Over work and family related violence made women more worse in this pandemic.

Abstract Objectives The objective of this study was to characterize the food environment of an informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya according to the obesogenic properties and spatial distribution of informal food vendors. Methods From July 15 to August 9, 2019, we identified 524 vendors in the informal settlement of Kibera. Guided by the NOVA classification system for food processing, we dichotomized foods sold into categories of high- vs. low-risk and protective vs. non-protective with respect to their propensity to promote weight gain. Then, we classified vendors into obesogenic risk groups based on a 1/3 cutpoint for the proportion of high-risk and protective foods sold: 1) low-risk, protective, 2) low-risk, non-protective, 3) high-risk, protective, 4) high-risk, non-protective. We calculated descriptive statistics of the types of foods sold according to vendor type and obesogenic risk group. To assess clustering by obesogenic risk, for each group, we calculated the mean distance to the nearest vendor of the same group, and used Ripley's K function and 100 Monte Carlo simulations to identify significant clustering. Results The 456 vendors in the analytic sample included approximately 30% stands, 29% kiosks, 17% market stalls, 13% hawkers, and 12% restaurants. Foods most commonly sold were sweets/confectionary (29% of vendors), raw vegetables (28%), fried starches (23%), and fruits (21%). Forty-four % of vendors were classified as low-risk, protective, 34% as high-risk, non-protective, 16% as low-risk, non-protective, and 6% as high-risk, protective. The mean distance (95% CI) to the nearest vendor of the same group was 26 m (21, 31) for vendors in the low-risk, protective group, 29 m (25, 33) in the high-risk, non-protective group, 114 m (88,139) in the high-risk, protective group, and 43 m (30, 56) in the low-risk, non-protective group. Clustering was significant for all obesogenic risk groups except high-risk, protective. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate a duality of obesogenic and non-obesogenic foods in this environment. Clustering of vendors selling obesogenic foods highlights the need for strategies to ensure consistent access to health-promoting foods throughout informal settlements. Funding Sources UNC-Chapel Hill Department of Nutrition; Robertson Scholars Leadership Program at Duke University; NHLBI predoctoral traineeship.

ObjectivesTo determine women’s perception of the risk of food safety and how it relates to diet, health and decision making as part of formative research for a market-based intervention that aims to improve the safety of animal-source foods sold in informal markets.DesignQualitative study including in-depth personal interviews with 24 caregivers were conducted and complemented with a second follow-up PhotoVoice interview, which allowed the women to photograph their meals and perceptions of food safety and nutrition. Interview data were analysed using thematic analysis in MAXQDA. Participants were purposively sampled from a larger Safe Food, Fair Food for Cambodia study, conducted from May to August 2018.SettingUrban and periurban neighborhoods of Phnom Penh, Cambodia.Participants24 female caregivers (mothers and grandmothers) of children under age 5, each interviewed twice.FindingsA primary food safety concern expressed was that chemicals (pesticides and other agricultural additives) in animal-source foods, fruits and vegetables may impact the health of their families by causing diarrhoea and problems during pregnancy. This fear created a lack of trust in markets, which influenced their food purchasing behaviours and strategies for making the food safer for their families. These mitigation strategies, including food selection and cleaning, vary among the women but are perceived as important to be able to provide their families with what they define as safe meals.ConclusionsInterventions that wish to decrease rates of foodborne illness and increase animal source food consumption should also address the belief that the food system has been compromised by the addition of pesticides and agricultural additives.

Abstrak Masalah kurang energi protein (KEP) sebagai salah satu masalah gizi utama yang terjadi pada anak. Didalamnya terdapat salah satu aspek yaitu higiene dan sanitasi makanan. Implikasi dari kekurangan gizi yang lama pada anak akan mengalami hambatan tumbuh kembang dan terjadinya peningkatan penyakit pada anak. Pemenuhan zat gizi masih sangat rendah di dibandingkan provinsi lain, yaitu sebesar 11,7% hal ini karena akses untuk mencapai pelosok desa dalam memenuhi kebutuhan gizi anak masih tergantung pada pasar keliling yang tidak menjamin kualitas sanitasinya. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui hubungan pengetahuan, sikap dan terpaan informasi dengan perilaku higiene dan sanitasi pada pedagang sayur keliling. Penelitian ini menggunakan desain cross sectional dengan jumlah sampel sebanyak 30 pedagang sayur keliling di Kabupaten Banjar yang diambil secara purposive sampling. Instrumen yang digunakan adalah kuesioner. Analisis data menggunakan uji chi square dengan tingkat kepercayaan 95%. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terdapat hubungan yang signifikan antara pengetahuan dengan perilaku (nilai p = 0,044; OR = 8,33), terdapat hubungan antara sikap dengan perilaku (nilai p = 0,017; OR = 0,647), serta tidak ada hubungan antara terpaan informasi dengan perilaku (nilai p = 0,073). Berdasarkan hal tersebut dapat disimpulkan bahwa terdapat hubungan antara pengetahuan dan sikap dengan perilaku higiene dan sanitasi pada pedagang sayur keliling di Kabupaten Banjar. Kata-kata kunci: Higiene dan sanitasi, pengetahuan, sikap, terpaan informasi, perilaku Abstract The problem of lacking protein energy (PEM) as one of the main nutritional problems that occur in children. In it there is one aspect of hygiene and food sanitation. The implications of long-term malnutrition in children will experience growth barriers and increased disease in children. The fulfillment of nutrients is still very low compared to other provinces, which is 11.7% of this is because access to reach the village corners to meet the nutritional needs of children is still dependent on the mobile market that does not guarantee the quality of sanitation. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship of knowledge, attitude and exposure of information with hygiene and sanitation behavior on the mobile vegetable traders. This research use cross sectional design with 30 samples of vegetable sellers in Banjar Regency taken by purposive sampling. The instrument used is a questionnaire. Data analysis using chi square test with 95% confidence level. The result showed that there was a significant correlation between knowledge and behavior (p value = 0.044, OR = 8.33), there was correlation between attitude and behavior (p value = 0.017; OR = 0.647), and no relationship between exposure of information with behavior (p value = 0.073). Based on this it can be concluded that there is a relationship between knowledge and attitude with hygiene and sanitation behavior on the mobile vegetable traders in Kabupaten Banjar. Keywords: Hygiene and sanitation, knowledge, attitude, information exposure, behavior

The Green Revolution was India’s first industrial agricultural revolution that replaced the traditional farming system completely. But the adverse consequences of Green Revolution in the form of stagnation in production aggravated the problems of the farmers in the era of post-Green Revolution in 1980s and 1990s. The late 1990s witnessed an emergency of debt-driven suicides and rapid indebtedness that had taken hold of the countryside across the nation. Being the epicentre, the Green Revolution in Punjab did not sustain for a long time, as it started losing its charm and was followed by a series of ‘crises’, especially in its economy and environment. The farmers in Punjab are facing a severe problem with stagnation in production due to vast cereal-based mono cropping (mainly wheat-rice cycle) instead of multiple cropping, abandoning other crops like pulses, mustard, vegetables, and so on. Besides the practice of monoculture, the application of expensive chemicals (like fertilisers, pesticides, weedicides, and so on), over-mechanisation, labour and irrigation eventually increased the input cost of cultivation manifolds. Due to this high input costs of cultivation, farmers resorted to various formal (like banks, cooperatives, and so on) and informal (like local moneylenders or arhtiyas, who are commission agents in the grain markets) credit institutions for borrowing money. But due to repeated stagnation, the net output and subsequent profit margin reduced drastically. As a result, farmers could not repay the loan and eventually got entrapped into the vicious cycle of debt. On the other hand, after the liberalised economic policy of the government, the farmers received marginal importance and they could not cope up with the free and open market system. As a result, the incidence of indebtedness increased at an alarming rate. To get rid of indebtedness, many farmers across the state committed suicide. On the basis of empirical data, the present article will show the real picture of the contemporary agrarian situation in India’s most-developed state, Punjab.

Unsustainable food practices in the global North have brought a lot of attention to the concept of alternative food networks. However, prevailing research perspectives have focused on urban areas or market-related activities and tended to overlook the widespread yet neglected food growing in home gardens, especially in rural areas. This paper uses a mixed method approach to study home gardening in two villages in Czechia, focusing on the state of the art of gardening, its sustainability context, and the perception of gardening by the local citizens. We have found that the vast majority of households grow fruit and vegetables, while livestock is also present. Home grown food, which has a supplemental character, is mostly shared within networks of relatives. An understanding of food production as a part of rural identity and tradition is an important element of the perception of gardening. Our findings contribute to the rich debates about the sustainability of food systems. The paper is innovative because it steps outside of the typical poverty or food security discourse of rural informal food production, as well it reveals information on livestock breeding, discusses home gardening in the context of rural development and food policies, and emancipates the semi-peripheral locality as a regular source of new knowledge.

Private sector-based seed system development remains a key development intervention in Sub-Saharan Africa. Seed system interventions promoting the adoption of improved varieties through the private sector generally follow a linear, market-oriented technological adoption logic. A qualitative case study of the sorghum seed system in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania demonstrates that this model may not be able to drive the broad-scale adoption of improved sorghum varieties and to generate significant benefits for small sorghum-farming households. The findings suggest that the agro-ecological, social, and political-economic contexts critically determine the role improved varieties and the private sector can play in rural development. Improved sorghum varieties promoted by both the public and private sectors may not suit the needs, preferences and contexts of farming households. Seed companies hold sorghum as an add-on in their portfolio, investing less resources and research into sorghum compared to more profitable crops such as vegetable and maize seeds. Significant political-economic obstacles exist that favor the support of cash crops such as maize and rice, limiting the growth and development of the private sector in the sorghum seed system. We conclude that future interventions should build on approaches that aim to develop more diverse channels of seed delivery in both the formal and informal seed systems, adopt a livelihoods perspective to evaluate the costs, benefits, and risks associated with the adoption of new technologies, and acknowledge that seed system interventions are only one out of a portfolio of interventions to generate rural development.

In 2008, a collaborative project was initiated between the La Farge School District (La Farge, WI), University of Wisconsin–Madison College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Organic Valley Cooperative Regions Organic Producers Pools (La Farge, WI), and Kickapoo Valley Reserve (La Farge, WI). The overarching mission of the program is to build a sustainable, hands-on educational farm and corresponding curriculum to teach organic agriculture principles to high school students and increase the number of students entering agriculture-related professional fields. Secondary goals of the project include delivering locally grown organic produce and related organic agriculture educational opportunities to the broader community. To achieve these goals, a multifaceted student internship program was created that includes a range of experiential learning opportunities for students. With the participation of each of the project partners, about ten students per year engage in the field production of certified organic vegetables, participate in field trips to sites related to organic agriculture, and distribute the produce to the school and the broader community. Through the integration of these activities, students are taught key principles of successful organic management, including ecologically based disease, weed, and insect management, development of a soil fertility plan, market analysis and its implications of crop selection, and determination of costs of production. In the face of both successes and challenges, through informal evaluation of students and the project team, the program continues to develop each year.

Limited progress has been made in the area of risk management for small farmers in Pakistan. Thus, in this review based study, maximum efforts have been made to collect relevant information on the topic from available published sources over last two decades. The local information is supplemented by synthesis of information about regional as well as non-regional countries. In the country, wide gap in agricultural productivity exists between average and progressive farmers that is causing difficulty for small farmers in managing risks. Small farmers are unable to access and compete in high end agricultural markets. Profitability of major crops is quite low and producers’ shares in consumer rupee are also quite low for fruits and vegetables. It affects farmers’ capacity to invest in the sector. While, in the farming business, disbursement of right amount of credit at appropriate time is a key challenge. Similarly, cost of borrowing is inversely related to size of land holding. Thus, small farmers are to rely on informal sector for finances and bear high interest rate on small size loans. Their crop choices depend on productivity and price risks and prudent risk sharing among themselves. Furthermore, their choice to diversify farms also depends on consumption price risk. Illiteracy and inability to read or write make them susceptible to various personnel and human health risks. Crop and livestock insurance schemes, Kissan package, value chain contract financing are the initiatives taken by the public and formal sector banks to support small resource poor farmers. However, there is lack of coordination among agriculture related provincial institutions, provinces as well as with and within federal institutions. Similarly, absence of institutional arrangement and regulatory framework is resulting in vulnerability of livelihood for small farmers as well as undue pressure on natural resources

The article is devoted to the study of the determinants of the formation of agri-food chains in the households of Ukraine and the substantiation of the directions of their integration into competitive supply chains. It is argued that the developments in both scientific and practical aspects of creating conditions and prerequisites for the integration of PF in the competitiveness of the supply chain and increasing value added at each level of its participants are relevant. It is highlighted that local supply chains in foreign practice are considered as tools for generating income of the rural population, the implementation of the principles of sustainable development of rural areas, as well as considered as short, local and "smart chains". It is substantiated that it is the promotion of the development of local agricultural chains with the involvement of PF in domestic practice that will contribute to the sustainable development of rural areas, ensuring food security of the country. It is argued that in order to create preconditions and conditions for the development of rural households for crop production, it is necessary to develop measures to streamline sales channels and include them in competitive supply chains. It is established that a significant part of agricultural products grown by households is used for self-sufficiency of the family, feed for farm animals and poultry, and surplus products, especially in remote rural areas, are lost due to spoilage and unclaimed. It is clear that the informal relationship between the distribution and exchange of crop products produced in PF is not a tool to maximize the profits of their members. and, therefore, it is advisable to create favorable economic conditions for their inclusion in the supply chain of agricultural production. The characteristic properties of commodity parties, PF are systematized, namely: small volumes of production, low technological standards, limited production resources, which limits the opportunities to use the potential opportunities to return capital on a scale. It was found that a certain part of the grown crop products is sold by PF through a network of retail food markets, the sale of fruits and vegetables and potatoes is carried out through retail organizations, wholesale markets for agricultural products and trade intermediaries. Measures are proposed to integrate PF into value chains on the basis of creating a network of regional wholesale and distribution centers and organizing units for purchasing surplus agricultural products, deepening the development of agricultural cooperation. Key words: agricultural sector, employment, rural households, small farmers, competitive supply chains.

Mycotoxins pose a health concern for humans. Therefore, strategies at pre- and post-harvest and maximum levels for food have been implemented, aimed to minimize the risk of dietary exposure. Yet, consumers’ dietary habits and life style play a substantial role in overall exposure. The aim of this study was to investigate knowledge of mycotoxins and accordance to behavioral practices or habits that may affect the risk of mycotoxin dietary exposure at the household level or when food commodities are obtained from non-regulated trade markets. For this purpose, an online survey was applied to a university student cohort (n = 186). The survey consisted of 23 questions grouped in five categories: Socio-demographic and income data, general life style and habits, knowledge about mycotoxins, compliance with the “17 golden rules to prevent mycotoxin contamination” of the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), and measures towards reducing health risks. We paid particular attention to knowledge and compliance of a group acquiring food items in markets outside regulation and surveillance, namely, adherents of food movements such as food sharing or dumpster diving. The results of our study indicate a generally rather low level of knowledge about mycotoxins in the investigated cohort, as well as a weak perception of their associated risks compared to similar studies; around half of the cohort was unfamiliar with the term “mycotoxin” and the health risks of mycotoxins were considered comparable to those of pesticides, heavy metals, microplastics and food additives. We observed, in general, a relatively high degree of compliance with the proposed golden rules. The rules with the highest compliance related to deteriorated foods with visible signs of fungal infestation, probably because these are already considered as food waste. Rules that were less followed included those that require a specific knowledge of food storage and early fungal contamination stages, namely preventive measures related to storage of bread. Adherents of food movements did not differ significantly with the control group in terms of knowledge, risk perception and compliance with the 17 golden rules. This may be due to the homogeneity of the cohort in terms of demography, age and educational level. However, significant low compliance in the food movements group was observed with the rules “Buy fruit and vegetables that are as intact as possible, i.e., without injuries and bruises” and “Rotten fruit should neither be eaten nor further processed into compote or jam”, possibly because of ideological convictions around reducing food waste. In conclusion, mycotoxin prevention strategies should not end at the retail level; in particular, clarification and information regarding health risk from mycotoxins are suggested in order to reduce the risk of exposure in private households or in informal trade markets. The results of this study should, however, be interpreted with caution due to the specific characteristics of the cohort in terms of age and educational level and the disparity in size between the control and the food movement group. This study is a starting point for evaluating and understanding the consumer perspective on mycotoxins.

The focus of this article is the problem of formation and development of “Chinese” greenhouses in 2009–2020. The development of migrant infrastructure in rural areas virtually has not been analysed yet by scientists. The purpose of this study is to trace the formation and evolution of ideas about “Chinese” greenhouses among residents of a large Russian region using the example of Chelyabinsk. The source base of the article includes media materials, interviews and archival documents. The regional press is an important source for the analysis of public opinion regarding the “Chinese” greenhouses and concentration of migrants in rural locations. In the sum-mer of 2019, the author gathered a collection of interviews with residents of areas where the “Chinese” green-houses were operating. Documents from the Chelyabinsk regional archive made it possible to supplement the overall picture of the Chinese migration to the Southern Ural region. The complexity of the study object required the use of a combination of methods. These included free informal interviews, content and discourse press analy-sis, and historical imagology. Our study shows that the formation of temporary economic facilities in rural areas has been perceived by the population as an irreversible ethnicization of space. This caused an increase of anxi-ety. In the media discourse and in collective mentality of the inhabitants, the ideas of “Chinese” greenhouses cre-ated images of “expansion” and numerousness of Chinese migrants. Around the greenhouses, a complex of notions of threats was formed (seizing and “spoiling” of land, tax evasion, low-quality vegetables, etc.). The con-cept of “Chinese” greenhouses has incorporated a large number of meanings that are understandable without further explanation: from the organization of rural space to a set of markers defining closed locations. Today there are practically no “Chinese” greenhouses in Chelyabinsk Region, they remain as a media, but not a spatial object. What was left out of sight of most observers is the temporality of the greenhouse complexes, the lack of any infra-structure for their long-term existence. Therefore, even theoretically, the “Chinese” greenhouses could not de-velop into full-fledged settlements (Chinatowns) in rural areas.

Abstract: In a family, apart from being a wife, women also work as housewives who educate children and are devoted to their husbands. Many things are considered to create a prosperous family so that life is more comfortable and also various motivations for working, one of which is to ease the burden on households with a high number of dependents, want to earn their own money, seek experience, and want to transfer their knowledge to others. This study aims to find out whether working women's welfare has increased or there are many problems behind it. As for this research, it can be seen from working women in terms of age, work done by women, and family welfare conditions. This study uses an approach approach with the interview method to 4 informants who can provide correct and clear information related to the research being conducted. The research findings show that women in the Nologaten market who are over 40 years old are self-willed, self-employed and want to have their own money. Even though their children are well off and have enough jobs, the mothers who work in the Nologaten market still want to work alone because they are used to it, and they also have the help of their husbands. There are various kinds of work at that place, such as selling spices, vegetables, and also selling chicken. This research was conducted at Nologaten Caturtunggal Market, Depok District, Sleman Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta.Keywords: Women; Welfare; Family. Abstrak: Dalam sebuah keluarga perempuan selain berperan sebagai istri juga berfungsi sebagai ibu rumah tangga yang mendidik anak dan berbakti kepada suami. Banyak hal yang dipertimbangkan untuk menciptakan keluarga yang sejahtera agar hidup lebih nyaman Berbagai motivasi perempuan ingin bekerja yaitu untuk meringankan beban rumah tangga dengan jumlah tanggungan cukup tinggi, ingin mencari uang sendiri, mencari pengalaman, dan ingin mentransfer ilmunya kepada orang lain. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui perempuan bekerja apakah kesejahteraan keluarganya meningkat atau banyak permasalahan dibaliknya. Adapun penelitian ini dapat dilihat perempuan bekerja dari segi umur, pekerjaan yang dilakukan perempuan, dan kondisi kesejahteraan keluarga. Dalam penelitian ini merupakan suatu pendekatan kualitatif dengan menggunakan metode wawancara kepada 4 informan yang bisa memberikan tanggapan atau infomasi dengan benar dan jelas yang terkait dengan penelitian yang ingin dilakukan. Temuan penelitian menunjukkan bahwa perempuan yang bekerja di pasar Nologaten yang berusia di atas 40 tahun adalah kemauan diri sendiri, kesenangan sendiri dan ingin mempunyai uang sendiri. Walaupun anak-anaknya sudah berkecukupan dan mempunyai pekerjaan yang cukup namun ibu-ibu yang bekerja di pasar Nologaten tetap ingin bekerja sendiri dikarenakan sudah terbiasa berdagang. Berbagai macam kerjaannya ditempat tersebut seperti menjual rempah-rempah, sayur-sayuran dan juga menjual ayam. Penelitian ini dilakukan di Pasar Nologaten Caturtunggal, Kecamatan Depok, Kabupaten Sleman, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta.Kata Kunci: Perempuan; Kesejahteraan; Keluarga.

<p><strong>ABSTRACT</strong></p><p><em><strong>Introduction</strong>: Overweight and obesity are conditions resulting from an imbalance of calories in the body that occur in a long time and cause more deaths than underweight. One of factors related is food pattern, which also infl uenced the selection of food outlets. Surabaya is an urban area so it has many types and characteristic s of food outlet. Elementary school (4, 5, 6) do not really depend on their parents, so their food consumption and physical activity began to vary. </em></p><p><em><strong>Objectives</strong>: To identify the relationship between the selection of food outlets and overweight/obesity status of elementary school in Tegalsari district, Surabaya.</em></p><p><em><strong>Methods</strong>: This research used a case-control study design. Samples were 51 children for each group of cases and control and obtained from 11 primary school in the 5 subdistricts in Tegalsari district, Surabaya. Data were obtained by interview, direct observation of food outlets, and interview to select informants about the reasons of selecting food outlets . Quantitative data were processed by bivariate (chi-square) and multivariate (binomial regression) test. </em></p><p><em><strong>Results</strong>: Bivariate test results showed that there were signifi cant relationships between the frequency to the street vendors consumption (OR=4.09, 95% CI:1.60-10.75), frequency of fast food consumption (OR=2.86, 95% CI:1.19-6.94) and snacks (OR=6,05, 95% CI:2.20-17.62), physical activity (OR=3.09, 95% CI:1.28-7.51) and gender (OR=2.70, 95% CI:1.11-6.64) with overweight/obesity status, while frequency of stores (total, supermarket, market, mini-market), frequency of food service place (total, restaurants, fast food restaurants), frequency of vegetable and fruit consumption, and socio-economic status of respondents did not relate signifi cantly. In multivariate analysis, the variables that affected frequency of </em><em>the street vendors were snack consumption, physical activity, sex and total expenditure. </em></p><p><em><strong>Conclusions</strong>: Frequency of the street vendors, fast food consumption, physical activity,gender, and total expenditure had relationship with overweight/obesity status.</em></p><p><br /><strong>KEYWORDS</strong>: <em>food outlet, obesity, overweight</em></p><p><br /><strong>ABSTRAK</strong><br /><em><strong>Latar belakang</strong>: Overweight dan obesitas adalah keadaan akibat ketidakseimbangan kalori dalam tubuh yang terjadi dalam waktu lama dan menjadi penyebab kematian lebih banyak dibanding underweight. Salah satu faktor yang berhubungan langsung adalah pola makan, yang juga dipengaruhi pemilihan food outlet. Surabaya merupakan daerah perkotaan sehingga memiliki jenis dan karakteristik food oulet lebih beragam. Anak usia SD kelas IV, V, VI sudah tidak terlalu bergantung pada orang tua, sehingga konsumsi pangan dan aktivitas fisiknya mulai beragam. </em></p><p><em><strong>Tujuan</strong>: Mengetahui hubungan antara pemilihan food outlet dan status berat badan lebih pada anak usia sekolah dasar di Kecamatan Tegalsari, Surabaya.</em></p><p><em><strong>Metode</strong>: Penelitian menggunakan desain studi kasus-kontrol. Sampel penelitian adalah 51 anak untuk masing-masing kelompok kasus dan kontrol dari 11 SD di 5 Kelurahan di Kecamatan Tegalsari, Surabaya. Data diperoleh dengan wawancara, observasi langsung ke food outlet dan wawancara alasan pemilihan food outlet pada informan terpilih. Data kuantitatif diolah dengan uji bivariat (chi-square) dan multivariariat (regresi binomial).</em></p><p><em><strong>Hasil</strong>: Uji bivariat menyatakan terdapat hubungan signifi kan antara frekuensi datang ke pedagang kaki lima (OR=4,09, 95% CI:1,60-10,75), frekuensi konsumsi fast food (OR=2,86, 95% CI:1,19-6,94) dan kudapan (OR=6,05, 95% CI:2,20-17,62), aktivitas fi sik (OR=3,09, 95% CI:1,28-7,51) serta jenis kelamin (OR=2,70, 95% CI:1,11-6,64) dengan berat badan lebih, sedangkan frekuensi ke food store (total, supermarket, pasar, mini-market), frekuensi ke food service place total, rumah makan, restoran fast food), pola konsumsi sayur buah, dan sosial ekonomi responden tidak berhubungan signifi kan. Pada analisis multivariat, variabel yang mempengaruhi frekuensi datang ke pedagang kaki lima adalah frekuensi konsumsi kudapan, aktivitas fisik, jenis kelamin, dan total pengeluaran.</em></p><p><em><strong>Kesimpulan</strong>: Frekuensi datang ke pedagang kaki lima, konsumsi kudapan, aktivitas fisik, jenis kelamin, dan total pengeluaran berhubungan dengan status berat badan lebih.</em></p><p><strong>KATA KUNCI</strong>: <em>food outlet, overweight, obesitas</em></p>

En un editorial previo de INNOVAR, se señalaron algunos retos para las ciencias sociales, en general, y para las ciencias económicas, organizacionales y contables, en particular. Para remarcar uno de los retos más urgentes, en este editorial se retoma la necesidad de profundizar nuestra comprensión y explicación de las recurrentes crisis económicas y financieras internacionales. Para realizar una aproximación organizacional, se plantea como una de las causas de estas crisis la creciente financiarización de las organizaciones.Inicialmente, se puede señalar que "la financiarización se refiere al incremento en la importancia de los mercados financieros, los motivos financieros, las instituciones financieras y las élites financieras en la operación de la economía y en el gobierno de sus instituciones, tanto en el nivel nacional como internacional" (Epstein, 2001, p.1). Este proceso se manifiesta de múltiples maneras, pero se expresa de forma importante en nuestro campo de estudio, a través de la transformación de la estructura del gobierno empresarial.Del mismo modo en que múltiples observadores y analistas han señalado la existencia de diferentes modelos de desarrollo (Nelson, 2008) y diferentes formas de capitalismo (Albert, 1991), también puede plantearse la existencia de diferentes modelos de gobierno de la empresa (Aktouf, 2001; Aglietta y Reberioux, 2009). Estos diferentes modelos de empresa están asociados a características económicas, legales, culturales, productivas y tecnológicas concretas; en fin, se explican por tópicos institucionales diferenciales. Ahora bien, en el capitalismo occidental avanzado, se distinguen dos modelos típicos de gobierno de la empresa: el anglosajón y el continental o renano. Algunos autores agregan que los modelos de gobierno empresarial orientales, particularmente el japonés, se aproximan en algunos aspectos al modelo continental o renano (Aktouf, 2001; Coriat, 2000). Con la globalización financiera y la creciente financiarización económica, el modelo anglosajón se expande y se torna en el patrón para la gestión de la empresa, por medio de la pretendida universalización de las doctrinas, estrategias, técnicas y tecnologías del management americano. Este modelo ha venido a llamarse modelo de gobierno accionarial (Coriat, Coutrot, Pérez y Weinstein, 2012).El modelo de gobierno accionarial de la empresa transforma los objetivos empresariales, los procesos productivos, la dinámica de organización del trabajo y la forma como se distribuye el valor y los beneficios empresariales. El objetivo central de la empresa se convierte, pues, en la creación de valor para el accionista. La empresa no busca tanto la productividad y la eficacia productiva como la rentabilidad y el "desempeño financiero". Metodologías como el EVA© vienen a plantear la necesidad de garantizar una rentabilidad mínima libre de riesgo para el accionista. Ya los inversores no son pequeños ahorradores, sino grandes inversores institucionales, gestionados por las prioridades y los incentivos financieros de sus gerentes especializados. Desde esta lógica, los procesos productivos se descomponen, se tercerizan y se distribuyen de forma geográfica, buscando mejorar el desempeño financiero. Con ello la unidad integradora de la dinámica productiva se desvanece; incluso las empresas gobernadas de esta forma incrementan el valor para el accionista con el despido masivo de empleados o el cierre de plantas productivas.La nueva forma de organización del trabajo humano, por lo tanto, implica su precarización. La desalarización se posiciona en el centro del vínculo laboral, a partir de una contractualización que hace de las relaciones vínculos flexibles y más "económicos". La empresa ya no requiere trabajadores sino contratistas que realizan transacciones concretas en un contexto de incertidumbre. Esta situación genera "estímulos" en los agentes y permite mejorar su "desempeño"; así, el derecho laboral se diluye. Todo ello termina promoviendo un cambio en la forma en que se genera y distribuye el valor y los rendimientos empresariales. Cada vez más, el valor financiero se desacopla de los procesos productivos dentro de la empresa. Muchos rendimientos provienen de actividades de inversión financiera en los mercados y con sus intermediarios, antes que de la propia producción. La valorización accionarial y empresarial dependen menos de lo generado o realizado y más de lo esperado o lo contingente. Los beneficios se concentran, buscando aumentar los dividendos y "retener" a los inversionistas. En este proceso, los incentivos y retribuciones de los gerentes buscan alinear sus intereses con los de los inversores, genéricamente considerados. De esta manera, la desigualdad entre los salarios de gerentes y otros trabajadores en la empresa se torna exorbitante.Este modelo de gobierno empresarial se expande rápidamente y por diferentes canales. La educación universitaria y especializada en gestión, las modas organizacionales, las actividades de consultoría y la búsqueda de emular las "mejores prácticas" a partir del Benchmarking, son algunos de los medios de su difusión. Su traslado al sector público conoció en la Nueva Gestión Pública (New Public Management) un gran propulsor. Algunas tendencias ya hablan de "crear Valor Público" en la transformación de la gestión de las entidades estatales, pero sus consecuencias están por conocerse.Pensamos que este proceso de financiarización del gobierno de la empresa está generando una mayor inestabilidad económica, al ampliar la dependencia e interconexión de la producción y los mercados financieros. Al mismo tiempo, la dinámica de los mercados financieros no está incentivando la producción de más riqueza, sino la generación de valor financiero, que actúa sobre la distribución (o concentración) de la riqueza producida. Estudios como el de Piketty (2014), sobre el que hay una reseña en este número de INNOVAR, elaborada por el profesor Francisco Rodríguez, nos permiten afirmar que este proceso de hegemonía financiera en la globalización se relaciona de manera directa con los niveles de iniquidad que se observan en los últimos años. Creemos que este tema, entre muchos otros, debe alentar trabajos de investigación que nos permitan profundizar nuestra comprensión de las dinámicas y causas de las recurrentes crisis y que nos ayuden a vislumbrar caminos en los que la gestión, la contabilidad y las finanzas puedan aportar para prevenirlas y superarlas.En este número de INNOVAR, recogemos trece (13) artículos agrupados en seis (6) de nuestras tradicionales secciones. En la sección de Investigación Colombiana recogemos tres (3) artículos, productos de trabajos desarrollados por investigadores nacionales.La profesora Preciado presenta el trabajo El análisis del entorno como función estratégica de la comunicación en programas de responsabilidad social de un grupo de empresas del sector eléctrico colombiano; en su investigación, la profesora concluye que la comunicación de programas de responsabilidad social en el sector eléctrico enfrenta retos por la predominancia de aspectos técnicos, que disminuyen el impacto estratégico de la comunicación organizacional.Bajo el título Internacionalización, desarrollo y gestión pública territorial. Experiencias en Colombia, el profesor Jiménez nos presenta los resultados de una investigación que tuvo por objetivo caracterizar los procesos de inter-nacionalización que están viviendo algunos gobiernos territoriales en Colombia. Sus hallazgos muestran que las ciudades capitales y los departamentos con mayor capacidad institucional han iniciado una serie de procesos, aún incipientes, pero alineados con la internacionalización de los gobiernos territoriales.La profesora Rodríguez y la investigadora Calderón aportan en este número el artículo titulado La economía informal y el desempleo: el caso de la ciudad de Bucaramanga (Colombia). Las conclusiones de dicha investigación muestran la íntima relación entre la economía informal y la incapacidad para que la economía regional ofrezca posibilidades de empleo formal. Los resultados revelan la tendencia a la baja del índice de ocupación formal en Bucaramanga, por lo que se precisa un conjunto de políticas públicas para enfrentar las problemáticas que genera la informalidad.Por otra parte, se publican dos (2) trabajos internacionales en la sección Estrategia y Organizaciones. En el primero, las profesoras brasileñas Sabrina do Nascimento e Ilse Maria Beuren nos presentan su investigación titulada A eficácia gerencial aferida pelo alcance das metas estabelecidas no sistema de recompensa e sua relação com o empowerment psicológico. Este trabajo ha tenido como terreno de estudio una compañía multinacional que opera en Brasil; las conclusiones que de él se obtienen muestran que el empoderamiento psicológico está relacionado con la eficacia gerencial, medida a través del cumplimiento de las metas establecidas en el sistema de recompensas a los empleados.Por su parte, los profesores españoles De la Cuesta, Pardo y Paredes contribuyen a esta sección con el artículo Identificación de indicadores relevantes del desempeño RSE mediante la utilización de técnicas multicriterio. Esta investigación aporta un instrumento, fruto de un trabajo metodológico robusto, que permitiría medir el desempeño en materia de Responsabilidad Social Empresarial. El trabajo de campo fue realizado no solo en un grupo de empresas, sino que abordó también organizaciones de la sociedad civil en España, buscando recoger un mayor espectro de los grupos interesados en la actuación socialmente responsable de las organizaciones.En la sección Contabilidad y Finanzas, se publica un (1) trabajo de investigación aportado por el doctorando Villanueva y las profesoras Zorio y García-Benau, titulado Supervisores bursátiles, gobierno corporativo y cumplimiento de las NIIF: el caso de la CNMV. En este trabajo se realza la importancia del enforcement en el contexto de la adopción de las Normas Internacionales de Información Financiera (NIIF). La investigación relaciona el nivel de incumplimiento en la aplicación de las NIIF con diferentes atributos de gobierno corporativo y variables financieras. Para el caso estudiado, se encuentra que existe una relación positiva entre el incumplimiento en la aplicación de las NIIF (apercibimiento del supervisor), el número de reuniones del consejo de administración y el grado de endeudamiento de las empresas.Empresas de Menor Tamaño es la cuarta sección de este número y recoge dos (2) artículos. En primer lugar, de los profesores de la Universidad de Sevilla, Tamayo, Romero, Gamero y Martínez-Román, publicamos el artículo Do Innovation and Cooperation Influence SMEs' Competitiveness? Evidence From the Andalusian Metal-Mechanic Sector. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo determinar la influencia de la innovación y la cooperación sobre el grado de competitivi-dad de pymes pertenecientes al sector metalmecánico de Andalucía (España). Dentro de los hallazgos, la conclusión más destacada es que la cooperación no influye significativamente en los resultados innovadores de las empresas en este sector.El segundo documento de esta sección es una colaboración de los profesores Martins y Rialp, ubicados en Colombia y España respectivamente, y se titula El uso de las redes como propulsor para la orientación emprendedora y el crecimiento de la pequeña y mediana empresa. En este, a partir de una muestra de 121 pymes manufactureras españolas, se concluye que hay un impacto positivo en el uso de las redes para conseguir una orientación emprendedora. Al mismo tiempo, se identifica que dicha orientación tiene un efecto positivo y significativo en el crecimiento de tales empresas.La sección Economía y Desarrollo de este número cuenta con tres (3) aportes de investigadores internacionales. El profesor argentino Rodrigo Pérez nos entrega el trabajo titulado Crisis y venta de grandes empresas en Argentina en los años noventa. El caso de Alpargatas. El artículo caracteriza el intenso proceso de venta de empresas argentinas ocurrido desde la década de 1990. Concluye el autor que, para el caso estudiado, "la interrupción en el acceso a crédito local e internacional, la recesión doméstica e internacional y la agudización de la competencia en los años finales de la década cumplieron un papel determinante en la extranjerización" (p. 131).Rodríguez-Feijoo, Rodríguez-Caro y González-Correa, profesores todos de la Universidad de las Palmas de Gran Canaria, han aportado el artículo: Fruit and Vegetable Prices and Perceptions in Mercalaspalmas Wholesale Market. Este trabajo buscó estudiar el comportamiento de los precios mayoristas y de los precios percibidos de frutas y hortalizas. Como hallazgos de investigación se identifica que el tiempo que un precio lleva en el mercado, el tiempo que un producto lleva sin cotizar, las cantidades comercializadas a un mismo precio y el índice de precios del mercado influyen cuantitativamente, aunque de manera leve, en la percepción del precio.Publicamos de los profesores Valenzuela y Rodríguez, quienes trabajan en Rutgers Business School y en la Universidad de Chile respectivamente, el trabajo titulado: Interdependencia de Mercados y Transmisión de Volatilidad en Latinoamérica. Dado el proceso de integración de los mercados financieros, a los autores les interesan las características de los procesos de trasmisión entre tales mercados, no solo desde el punto de vista de la valoración de activos, sino también desde la gestión del riesgo; por ello exploran la interdependencia entre seis mercados latinoamericanos y el mercado estadounidense (enfocándose para tal contexto en el índice S&P 500).En la sección Aportes a la Investigación y a la Docencia, publicamos en esta ocasión un (1) caso de estudio y una (1) experiencia docente, que esperamos aporten a la formación y generación de competencias en los estudiantes y a los procesos de evaluación y diseño de cursos y programas por parte de los profesores.Los profesores Velásquez-Montoya, Robledo-Ardila y Aris-tizábal-Uribe, todos del cuerpo académico de EAFIT, aportan el Caso empresarial: La estrategia de crecimiento de Comercializadora Inducascos S.A.Por su parte, los profesores Bachiller y Bachiller, desde España, documentan una experiencia innovadora para mejorar el aprendizaje de los estudiantes en el área de finanzas de la Universidad de Zaragoza, bajo el título Una experiencia docente en los estudios de Administración y Dirección de Empresas: análisis empírico con estudiantes de Finanzas.Finalmente, como se anunció previamente, este número incluye la reseña del "Capital en el siglo veintiuno" de Thomas Piketti. Esta es una invitación y un abrebocas a la lectura de este riguroso y bien documentado libro, que ha generado múltiples comentarios y reacciones de académicos y de la opinión especializada en el entorno internacional.Esperamos que este número de INNOVAR sea del agrado de nuestros lectores y, como siempre, estamos prestos a recibir contribuciones académicas de profesores e investigadores de todas las regiones, en idioma español, inglés, francés y portugués, que se relacionen con el campo organizacional y empresarial, desde referentes amplios o particulares de las ciencias sociales.

Background: This article seeks to examine the perceptions of urban dwellers towards participating in informal vegetable markets and determine the underlying factors shaping their decisions to participate in such markets. Aim and setting: The objectives were achieved by using cross-sectional data obtained from a random sample of 230 households from Mahikeng in the North West province of South Africa. Households’ perceptions were measured using numeric responses to several questions, which covered various issues related to vegetable marketing and consumption. Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to draw dominant perceptions from the set of responses. Method: The probit model was used to determine factors influencing households’ decisions of whether or not to participate in informal vegetable markets. Explanatory variables included demographic and socio-economic factors as well as perception-related factors, which were proxied by the dominant principal components (PCs) obtained from the PCA results. Results: Two PCs were found dominant, representing safety and quality perceptions as well as the convenience and bargaining opportunities provided by informal traders. The probit regression results indicated that households’ preference for the informal vegetable market were positively influenced by age of household head, low level of education of adult household members, and convenience provided by informal markets. However, households’ wealth status and the perceptions on safety and quality of vegetables were found to have a significant negative influence on participation in the informal market. Conclusion: Given that informal vegetable trade forms an integral part of the urban economy by offering easy access to food in public spaces and connecting with the formal economy where informal traders source their supplies, the study concludes by highlighting policy interventions aimed at improving the quality of food traded in the informal sector.

Despite the crucial role played by informal markets in food distribution globally, the sector is ignored and marginalized. This study examined vegetable traders, the trading infrastructure available to them in the market, and how they conduct their businesses to explain the high food safety challenges in the sector. This paper is based on a survey, a learning journey, and transformation labs with market traders in Kumasi, Ghana. The study revealed that most traders were self-employed women with low education who worked for long hours. Access to electricity, water, refrigerators, and storage facilities was limited in the market. Vegetable spoilage was the highest cost associated with their trade. Due to the high spoilage rate, the traders sold the best vegetables at high prices and sold the bruised and rotten vegetables to local eateries and animal farms. The women made no losses through these strategies but used unsafe food handling practices and highly-priced wholesome vegetables. Their actions can reduce urban food security, especially in low-income households. Access to market infrastructure was influenced by availability, power and cost. Vegetable trading was the predominant livelihood of the traders. To improve the efficiency of the sector, efforts can be made toward the provision of services at the markets, and advocacy of the traders about food security implications of their actions by the municipal assemblies and market leaders.

PurposeAgricultural aggregation schemes provide numerous farmer-facing benefits, including reduced transportation costs and improved access to higher-demand urban markets. However, whether aggregation schemes also have positive food security dimensions for consumers dependent on peri-urban and local markets in developing country contexts is currently unknown. This paper aims to narrow this knowledge gap by exploring the actors, governance structures and physical infrastructures of the horticultural value chain of Bihar, India, to identify barriers to using aggregation to improve the distribution of fruits and vegetables to more local market environments.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses mixed methods. Quantitative analysis of market transaction data explores the development of aggregation supply pathways over space and time. In turn, semi-structured interviews with value chain actors uncover the interactions and decision-making processes with implications for equitable fruit and vegetable delivery.FindingsWhilst aggregation successfully generates multiple producer-facing benefits, the supply pathways tend to cluster around urban export-oriented hubs, owing to the presence of high-capacity traders, large consumer bases and traditional power dynamics. Various barriers across the wider enabling environment must be overcome to unlock the potential for aggregation to increase local fruit and vegetable delivery, including informal governance structures, cold storage gaps and underdeveloped transport infrastructures.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first critical analysis of horticultural aggregation through a consumer-sensitive lens. The policy-relevant lessons are pertinent to the equitable and sustainable development of horticultural systems both in Bihar and in similar low- and middle-income settings.

Due to urbanization and industrialization, there is a rapid acceleration of migration from rural are to urban area. So urban centers are unable to provide employment to all workforces, so they have to find other opportunities for the settlement in informal sector. Within this informal sector, vendors sell their goods in competitive market. Street vendors are often those who are unable to get regular jobs in the remunerative formal sector on account of their low level of education and skills. They try to solve their livelihoods problems through their own meager financial resource. They are the main distribution channel for a large variety of products of daily consumption like fruits, vegetables, readymade garments, shoes, household gadgets, toys, stationery, newspapers, and magazines and so on. If they were to be eliminated from the urban markets, it would lead to a severe crisis for fruit and vegetable farmers, as well as small scale industries which cannot afford to retail their products through expensive distribution networks in the formal sector. Corona virus sickness has become a big public health issue in 2019. Because of its contact-transparent characteristics, it is rapidly spreading. The use of a face mask is among the most efficient methods for preventing the transmission of the Covid-19 virus. Wearing the face mask alone can cut the chance of catching the virus by over 70%. Consequently, World Health Organization (WHO) advised wearing masks in crowded places as precautionary measures. Because of the incorrect use of facial masks, illnesses have spread rapidly in some locations. To solve this challenge, we needed a reliable mask monitoring system. Numerous government entities are attempting to make wearing a face mask mandatory; this process can be facilitated by using face mask detection software based on AI and image processing techniques. For face mask detection, sanitization and social distancing the approaches mentioned in the article utilize Machine learning, Deep learning, and many other approaches. It will be simple to distinguish between persons having masks and those who are not having masks using all of these ways. The effectiveness of mask detectors must be improved immediately. In this article, we will explain the techniques for face mask detection with a literature review and drawbacks for each technique

Calcium (Ca2+) related physiological disorders of fruits and vegetables are abnormalities of fruits and vegetables which are not caused by infectious diseases, insects, nematodes or animals. Fruit and vegetable abnormalities occur due to environmental stress, nutritional deficiencies or excess on the plant. In this study, information was sought through informal surveys, review of literature and interviews with key post-harvest handling and storage participants and direct observation of fruits and vegetables in the markets. Calcium related post-harvest physiological disorders of fruits and vegetables encountered in this study included: cavity-spot, black end and cork, bronzing, skin freckles, fruit and crown, fasciation, soft-nose/spongy-tissue, granulation, low temperature breakdown/flesh browning, water-core, senescent-breakdown, superficial-scald, bitter pit, leaf tip-burn, golden specks and blossom-end rot. Post-harvest physiological disorders result in direct economic losses and pose a threat to food and nutritional security. Various ways of alleviating particular Ca2+ related post-harvest related physiological disorders are suggested e.g. addition of Ca2+ containing fertilisers and Ca2+ sprays.

Foodborne disease is a significant global health problem, with low- and middle-income countries disproportionately affected. Given that most fresh animal and vegetable foods in LMICs are bought in informal food systems, much the burden of foodborne disease in LMIC is also linked to informal markets. Developing estimates of the national burden of foodborne disease and attribution to specific food products will inform decision-makers about the size of the problem and motivate action to mitigate risks and prevent illness. This study provides estimates for the burden of foodborne disease caused by selected hazards in two African countries (Burkina Faso and Ethiopia) and attribution to specific foods. Country-specific estimates of the burden of disease in 2010 for Campylobacter spp., enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), Shiga-toxin producing E. coli and non-typhoidal Salmonella enterica were obtained from WHO and updated to 2017 using data from the Global Burden of Disease study. Attribution data obtained from WHO were complemented with a dedicated Structured Expert Judgement study to estimate the burden attributable to specific foods. Monte Carlo simulation methods were used to propagate uncertainty. The burden of foodborne disease in the two countries in 2010 was largely similar to the burden in the region except for higher mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) due to Salmonella in Burkina Faso. In both countries, Campylobacter caused the largest number of cases, while Salmonella caused the largest number of deaths and DALYs. In Burkina Faso, the burden of Campylobacter and ETEC increased from 2010 to 2017, while the burden of Salmonella decreased. In Ethiopia, the burden of all hazards decreased. Mortality decreased relative to incidence in both countries. In both countries, the burden of poultry meat (in DALYs) was larger than the burden of vegetables. In Ethiopia, the burdens of beef and dairy were similar, and somewhat lower than the burden of vegetables. The burden of foodborne disease by the selected pathogens and foods in both countries was substantial. Uncertainty distributions around the estimates spanned several orders of magnitude. This reflects data limitations, as well as variability in the transmission and burden of foodborne disease associated with the pathogens considered.

The informal economic sector is very important for the economy of any developing country. As a developing country, informal economy plays a significant role to Bangladesh’s labor market. But this sector is still undernourished. This research was conducted to understand the contribution of the urban informal sector at a micro scale. This paper aimed at revealing the contribution of vegetable selling to improve socioeconomic status of vegetable vendors and the obstacles they face to run their business. Research data was collected through in-depth interviews with vegetable vendors who engaged in vegetable selling by rickshaw vans in Dhaka city. Results from this study found significant contributions of vegetable selling at a household level including: continuation of children’s education, improved food intake, access to information technology, and the savings generation. Informal businessmen also face several challenges that set back to reap maximum outcomes from this sector. Therefore, it is urgent to take informal economy-friendly initiatives at a macro-level to patronize this sector for getting optimum benefit from it.

Vegetables in Cambodia are commonly sold in informal markets lacking food safety standards and controls. Currently, data on microbial contamination of vegetables in Cambodian informal markets are limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate Salmonella enterica and indicator organisms (generic Escherichia coli and coliforms) on the surface of fresh vegetables sold in informal markets in Cambodia. A sample of loose-leaf lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers were collected from 104 vendors at four informal markets in Battambang and Siem Reap provinces during rainy and dry seasons. Detection methods for Salmonella enterica were adapted from the Food and Drug Administration’s Bacteriological Analytical Manual (FDA BAM). Quantification of coliforms and generic E. coli populations was conducted by plating onto E. coli/Coliform count plates. Salmonella enterica was most prevalent on lettuce during the dry season (56.5%, 95% CI [41.0, 70.8]) compared to the rainy season (15.4 95% CI [7.5, 29.1]), whereas no significant seasonal differences were apparent for tomatoes and cucumbers. Regardless of season, levels of Salmonella enterica were highest on lettuce (5.7 log CFU/g, 95% CI [5.5, 5.9]), relative to cucumbers (4.2 log CFU/g, 95% CI [3.8, 4.6]) and tomatoes (4.3 log CFU/g, 95% CI [4.1, 4.6]). For generic E. coli, prevalence was higher during the rainy season (34.0%, 95% CI [25.4, 43.8]) as compared to the dry season (9.1%, 95% CI [4.9, 16.5]), with the highest prevalence estimated on lettuce. Similarly, the level of coliforms on lettuce and tomatoes was greater during the rainy season (6.3 and 5.3 log CFU/g, 95% CI [5.7, 6.8] and [4.7, 5.8], respectively), relative to the dry season (5.2 and 3.9 log CFU/g, 95% CI [4.7, 5.7] and [3.4, 4.4], respectively). In summary, these results indicate seasonal patterns for microbial prevalence in lettuce, and an overall high level of bacterial contamination on raw vegetables sold in Cambodian informal markets.

Worldwide, Governments have recognized the importance of liberalizing agriculture. The heart of the agriculture reforms lies in the ‘market place’. This is basically a quick, diagnostic study illustrates firstly, the effects of WTO agreements and trade liberalization on Indian agriculture. Secondly, the effects of these reforms on mandates and functions of agricultural marketing institutions vis-à -vis the reforms and reorientation on happening in them in the context of trade liberalization regime in India. WTO agreements have mixed effects on agriculture of developing countries. Economic liberalization/ trade liberalization effects on Indian agriculture suggest that finance to agriculture by private sector has increased significantly. Production of food grains, non-food grains and all crops depicted a declining trend. Supply growth remains higher than growth in demand of cereals, fruits, vegetables except pulses and oilseeds. Marketed surplus and procurement prices of major staple cereals viz; paddy and wheat has shown an increasing trend. Aggregate measure of support (AMS) has decreased. Thus agricultural sector is now less protected and face stiff competition and higher price risks. Most of the functions of different agricultural marketing institutions relate to market regulation, development of infrastructure and administered prices are overlapping. The reforms in major areas of agricultural marketing sector at country level are matching with WTO liberalization requirements particularly in domestic markets, export and import, regulated markets, SPS measures and TRIPS. Some of the typical informal liberalized model markets such as alternative markets are already in operation. But some marketing institutions have been proactive in initiating reforms and marching towards commercialization