Journal Articles

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Browsing Journal Articles by browse.metadata.impactarea "Agroprocessing"

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    A review and synthesis of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research’s work on climate-induced extreme rainfall and floods, 2012–2023
    (2026-09) Chikozho, C; Mukherji, A; Bosire, C; Kujinga, K; Managa, Lavhelesani R
    In recent decades, the increased frequency of extreme rainfall events has significantly affected agri-food systems, accounting for 19% of the total crop damage across the world and 18–43% of observed anomalies in global crop yields. Some studies indicate a global weighted mean rice yield loss of 9.0% by 2080 under a high-emissions scenario. In sub-Saharan Africa, crop yield losses from extreme rainfall can vary significantly, with one source citing a 33% reduction over the past 60 years due to climate-induced weather extremes, including floods. It is estimated that in Africa, about 12% of the people that experienced food insecurity from 2009 to 2020 had their food security status affected by flooding. The Sixth IPCC assessment report warns that climate change could push an additional 32–132 million people into extreme poverty by 2030 if the world does not immediately scale up adaptation solutions. This review articulates the CGIAR’s contribution to scientific knowledge on climate-induced extreme rainfall for the period 2012–2023. The review discusses research methods applied, main impacts of extreme rainfall on agri-food systems, and innovative adaptation solutions deployed. Out of 2846 identified papers, 73 studies met our search criteria and were included in the review. Our analysis reveals that the main impacts of extreme rainfall addressed by the CGIAR include physical loss of crops due to coastal area inundation, waterlogging, and salinity intrusion. Adaptation options that build the resilience of smallholder farming systems include scientific methods for forecasting changes in rainfall patterns; flood early warning systems; climate-smart agricultural technologies; flood-resilient seed varieties; and agroforestry. However, lack of finance and knowledge tends to limit smallholder farmers’ ability to adopt some of the technological innovations, suggesting the need for capacity building and policies for better access to microcredit, low-interest loans, and climate risk insurance schemes. Research gaps identified in the study call for the CGIAR to also focus on currently underexplored themes such as roots and tubers, livestock, fish, and peri-urban agriculture. The integration of attribution studies that address direct links between extreme rainfall and climate change could inform targeted interventions arising from CGIAR research. Studies that specifically quantify economic losses from floods could also generate important insights for effective agricultural investment and risk management. This review identifies key areas of focus and critical knowledge gaps to be addressed by future CGIAR research. It informs the agenda of decision makers and policy makers who grapple with the challenges of scaling adaptation solutions to strengthen farmers’ resilience to extreme rainfall.
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    A review of feedstock diversification for methanol production: From fossil fuels to renewable resources
    (2026-03) Reddy, Trishen; Seodigeng, T
    Methanol is a critical platform chemical and an increasingly important energy carrier. While global production is currently dominated by fossil-based pathways primarily natural gas (average 65%) and coal (average 35%), there is however an urgent industrial mandate to decarbonize the supply chain. This review provides a rigorous quantitative evaluation of conventional and emerging carbonaceous feedstocks, including biomass, agricultural residues, municipal solid waste, and captured carbon dioxide (CO2). Quantitative analysis reveals that while traditional biogas offers methane concentrations averaging 50–80%, emerging substrates can also provide superior methane yields. A significant contribution of this work is the integration of the latest 2025 findings on semolina processing waste, which demonstrates a high-hydrogen (H2) potential (average 23.0% H2) for biomethanol synthesis. Furthermore, the paper delves into the relevance of process intensification, identifying membrane reactor technology as a primary solution to thermodynamic equilibrium constraints. By addressing critical technical hurdles such as membrane fouling often cited as a major barrier to the 0.2% renewable share in global supply. This review serves as a vital roadmap for industries aiming to transition toward carbon-negative methanol production and enhanced energy resilience.
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    Nutritional composition, Β-carotene and vitamin a contribution of orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) products from selected South African cultivars and beauregar
    (2026-05) Shikwambana, K; Mashitoa, FM; Melane, Pumeza P; Dlamini, Nomusa; Bairu, M; Chakauya, E; Laurie, SM
    Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is widely recognised as a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP), rich in β-carotene, offers a sustainable food-based intervention strategy to address VAD. However, the nutritional contribution of OFSP products depends on cultivar characteristics, formulation and processing methods, which influence proximate composition and carotenoid retention. This study evaluated the nutrient content of various OFSP-products developed from South African sweet potato (SP) cultivars (Khumo, Bophelo) and USA cultivar Beauregard. Four OFSP products, including flakes, instant porridge, crisps and pasta, were developed, and proximate composition, β-carotene content and retinol activity (RAE) were determined. The contribution of each product to the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for vitamin A was calculated across different age groups. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.001) were observed among OFSP-products. Moisture content ranged from 5.15 ± 0.03% to 9.68 ± 0.17%, protein from 2.18 ± 0.01% to 15.37% and fat from 0.74 ± 0.12% to 29.14 ± 0.29%. Carbohydrate was the major macronutrient, with energy values between 1527 ± 2.0 and 2113.3 ± 0.57 kJ/100 g. Furthermore, β-carotene ranged from 7.52 ± 0.09 to 22.56 ± 0.65 mg/100 g, equivalent to RAE values of 626.94 ± 7.87 to 1880.0 ± 54.16 µg/100 g. OFSP crisps retained the highest provitamin A, while instant porridge and pasta provided a balanced macronutrient profile due to composite formulation. This study demonstrated that 100 g of serving of OFSP flour or puree-based products could supply 100% of the vitamin A of RDA for children between 1–3, 4–8 and 9–13 years and pregnant women. These findings demonstrated that properly formulated OFSP products can serve as an effective, culturally adaptable vehicle for improving vitamin A intake and enhancing nutritional security.
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    Plants utilization and perceptions in the context of novel indigenous food spicing and flavoring among the Vhavenḓa People in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, South Africa
    (2025-06) Manyaga, M; Mhlongo, NP; Matlala, ME; Lubisi, NP; Gelebe, V; Mkhonto, C; Matlanyane, Maakanye M; Liuvha, Ndivhuwo; Dlamini, Nomusa R; Ramarumo, Luambo J
    Local innovations regarding plant-derived spice and flavorant formulations and preparation techniques are mostly recorded nowhere and usually passed on generationally through word of mouth. This study aimed to inventory the utilization of plants and perceptions of novel indigenous food spicing and flavoring among the Vhavenḓa people in South Africa. This study adopted face-to-face interviews with 360 participants using semi-structured questionnaires. This study investigated a total of twenty-seven plant species used to spice-flavor novel indigenous Venḓa foods, including mukokoroshi meat stew, mopane worms, vegetables, homemade achar, eggs, samp meal, potatoes, and sweet potatoes. Based on the perceptions by participants from different age groups, indigenous foods spicing and favoring significantly improved food taste and nutrition (43.1%), providing medicinal benefits (33.3%) and cultural identity (23.6%). No study had ever reported the uses of Lannea edulis (Sond.) Engl., Mangifera indica L., Centella asiatica (L.) Urb., Warburgia salutaris (G.Bertol.) Chiov., Plectranthus fruticosus L′Hér., Hibiscus sabdariffa subsp. Cannabinus L., Oxalis semiloba subsp. semiloba, and Ziziphus mucronata subsp. mucronata and their preparational techniques for novel indigenous foods, spicing, and flavoring before, in South Africa, or elsewhere. The current study provided insights about spice and flavoring plants that could be used to develop alternative marketable commercial products. The findings of this study provide necessary baseline information for evaluating and profiling the nutritional content of spice-making and flavoring plants in the Vhembe Region.