Horticulture represents a crucial sector of Romanian agriculture, contributing to both rural and national economic development. This study analyzes the variations in the cultivated areas of major horticultural crops in Buzau County during the period 2019–2023, based on data provided by the National Institute of Statistics (INS). The results highlight differences and disparities in the evolution of cultivated areas, reflecting changes in the structure of horticultural crops and their adaptation to climatic and economic conditions. These shifts suggest a reconfiguration of agricultural priorities, influenced by factors such as crop resilience to climate change and market demands. The study underscores the impact of climatic, economic, and infrastructural factors on the dynamics of the horticultural sector and emphasizes the need for investments in agricultural infrastructure and advanced technologies to strengthen and diversify horticultural production in Buzau County.

This report provides a snapshot of the agricultural sector and the status of financial inclusion in Moldova, examining how recent innovation in agriculture supports rural communities in improving financial inclusion. The report also highlights emerging monetization models and the roles of agricultural companies in the country. This report primarily targets agrotechnology companies seeking to develop a rural growth strategy by assessing farmers' credit risk using digital farm and farmer data. It will also be of interest to mobile money providers and fintech companies looking to launch and expand digital financial services for farmers.

Results of pre and post - planting application of different control agents showed their significant effect in reducing infection criteria of cucumber compared to uncontrolled plants. No infection was found after pre - planting application of Velum prime nematicide, where decreasing in all infection criteria was 100% to be the best pesticide and application method for controlling Meloidogyne arenaria on cucumber under greenhouse conditions with significant differences compared to other treatments, followed by application the same pesticide at post - planting application. The effect of pre - planting application of Abamectin biopesticide and Trichoderma bio - control agent was very close to each other in number of galls to be similar in root - knot index, but they differed significantly in nematode population density, whereas the lowest effective was found by post - application of goat manure, where the highest number of galls (365 galls/root system), nematode population density (1142.3 J2s/pot) and root - knot index (8/ root system) were recorded, but it didn’t differ significantly with the aqueous extract of tobacco leaves by the same application method. The highest increasing in cucumber growth criteria was reported after pre-planting application of Velum prime nematicide, except the dry weight of roots, where the highest value of root system length (41.7 cm), length (99.3 cm) and dry weight (15.5 g) of shoot system and chlorophyll content (37.2 SPAD) was recorded, with significant differences compared to the most control agents at both application methods The lowest improvement in growth criteria was found after post - application of the aqueous extract of tobacco leaves, as the values reached (23.5 cm, 51.3 cm and 10.1 g) for each of root system length, length and dry weight of shoot system respectively. The lowest increase in chlorophyll content (22.1 SPAD) by percentage (20.76 %) was reported by post - application of goat manure with no significant difference to its content (22.2 SPAD) after post - planting application of the aqueous extract of tobacco leaves by percentage (21.31 %).

The purpose of this research is to assess the implementation of environmental policies in the South-East Region, taking into account the differences between counties that influence development. From a methodological point of view, using the Spearman correlation coefficient, the implementation of environmental policies was assessed through 6 environmental indicators selected and prioritized at the level of the 6 counties, with the use of the Tempo online database. The research results fall within the current guidelines of the 8th EAP, which analyzed the performance of environmental policies in the region, in the analyzed period 2006-2020, as well as the proposed measures for environmental management in the following period.

The potentials of agroforestry farming are yet to be fully exploited for carbon sequestration, increased crop and farmers’ income. This study estimates the agroforestry farm profitability and potential economic value of carbon sequestered by agroforest land in Oyo State, Nigeria. A three-stage sampling procedures were adopted to select 346 agroforestry farmers involved in one agroforestry practice or the other. A structured electronic questionnaire (Kobotoolapp) and field observation were used in collecting primary data for the 2022 cropping season. Descriptive statistics and the Net Present Value (NPV) statistics were used for the data analysis. The potential net economic value of carbon sequestered in the study area was ₦7,246.37 ($9.18) per ha. The results indicated that agroforestry practices in the study area have a huge capacity to sequester carbon and in the long run, generate additional income for smallholder farmers. Although, carbon revenues drop at 0.2-0.3% of NPV, however, carbon payments can still generate substantial revenue for farmers especially when carbon payments are combined with other payments for environmental services provided by agroforestry. Agroforestry practice was adjudged to be profitable with the net farm income of agroforestry farmers as ₦237,966.68 ($311.12) in the last production season. Furthermore, the returns on investment were said to be at 0.63. Despite significant results recorded from agroforestry practices, there is a greater need to create better awareness among farmers on the carbon sequestration and carbon credit generating potential of agroforestry by relevant agencies of government such as the Ministry of Environment.

The study aimed primarily to measure the impact of using varietal technology on increasing the productivity of a dunum of wheat for the agricultural season 2022/2023, by studying the productivity and profitability indicators of the wheat crop, including analyzing the reality of the costs of producing the wheat crop, Determining the amount of increase in production through the use of high-yielding (imported) varieties to replace low-yielding (local) varieties, as well as the amount of total returns and net profit, in addition to estimating the production function for local wheat varieties and imported wheat varieties, In collecting its data, the research relied on a random sample of wheat farmers in Salah al-Din Governorate/Tikrit District, consisting of 80 farms for local wheat farmers and (60) farms for imported wheat farmers. The results of the research showed that the average production per dunum of imported wheat for the studied varieties was around (1167.25). Kg and the average production per dunum of local wheat for the studied varieties is approximately (770.83) kg, While the average total return per dunum in local wheat was around (655,203.6) dinars/dunum, and in imported wheat, it was around (992,162.5) dinars/dunum. As for the average net profit per dunum, it was around (310,567.9) dinars/dunum for local varieties and around (547,781.1) dinars/dunum for varieties. imported, the research results also showed that the estimated production function for local wheat varieties and imported varieties to the total capacity returns are (0.576, 0.805) respectively, and this indicates decreasing capacity returns, which means that increasing the use of production resources by 1% leads to an increase in wheat production for the varieties. local by (0.576) and to increase wheat production for imported varieties by (0.805), And all producers work in the second stage of the production stages of the law of diminishing returns, which is the rational production area. Therefore, the study recommends working to improve and develop the quality of local seeds, and this is done through selection and hybridization processes, because most of the local varieties have deteriorated due to neglect and lack of care for them by farmers.

Despite the high production of cassava in the two States, studies on processors value chain activities of cassava remain inadequate. This study ascertains comparative factors influencing patterns of participation in cassava value chain activities amongst smallholder processors in Kwara and Kogi States, Nigeria. A Multistage sampling technique was used in selecting a total of 179 and 200 respondents. The study describes the participation patterns in cassava processing of the respondents and to analyze the factor influencing the participation patterns amongst cassava processing in the study area. Results showed the mean age of respondents to be 43 and 42 for both States respectively. The result revealed that 34.1% and 38.0% of the respondents falls within age range of 21-30 years. Out of which 84% and 90% participated frequently in cassava processing in Kwara and Kogi States respectively. Factors influencing pattern of participation were age of respondents, years of experience in processing, frequency of extension visit/training and availability of raw cassava were all statically significant and have direct influence on the patterns of participation in processing activities in the Study areas. The study conclude that socio-economic factors play a key role in participation in cassava processing. The study therefore recommended that more training on best processing practices and ready access to raw cassava is required. Government and stakeholder should create policies that bridge the rareness in participation pattern through supply of processing facilities, ready market and increase in cassava supply, enhance frequent participation is assured and processors’ livelihood were improved.

The Southeast Region of Romania, which includes the counties of Constanța, Tulcea, Brăila, Buzău, Vrancea, and Galați, represents an area with a strong agricultural sector that is essential for the local economy. Agriculture is an essential sector of the economy in the region, especially due to fertile land and a long-standing tradition in cereal, legume, and sunflower cultivation, as well as livestock farming. The Southeast region of Romania plays an important role in national agricultural production, contributing significantly to wheat, corn, and sunflower crops. In the context of an increasingly volatile global economic climate, sustainable agricultural development and technological modernization have become imperatives for ensuring a prosperous and environmentally friendly future for the region.

This review gives an insight into the African oil bean (Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth), a crop native to the tropical regions of Africa. Fundamentally, this article reviewed the African oil seed as a plant, production of its seed derivative (ugba), health benefits of the seed, diverse uses of the seed, nutritional and anti-nutritional properties of ugba as well as phytochemicals, and food safety issues. It alluded to the versatile usefulness of the African oil bean while emphasizing that its seeds have great prospect for improving the economy of households; any value addition on the African oil bean seeds could possibly create wealth and jobs for the teeming youth population of this region. Essentially, the review asserts that improved postharvest management practices, modern processing techniques as well as storage of fermented seeds (which are notorious for its very short shelf life) would increase its shelf life. Furthermore, considering the nutrient attribute of African oil bean seed, the crop could be regarded as a great complementary food for household nourishment and an essential raw material for food and pharmaceutical industries. Conclusively, the paper recommended that to ensure food security in tropical African region, research into other neglected but nutritious crops that grow and flourish with little or no special care in the region, just like the African oil bean plant, should be encouraged.

Herbs and spices have long been valued for their culinary and medicinal properties, transitioning from humble, low-cost plant parts to highly prized commodities such as gold and jewels. This paper varied the roles of herbs and spices in various application. A systematic approach was adopted for this review paper. The herbs and spices play a crucial role in enhancing the sensory attributes of food, prolonging the shelf life of food, and offering health benefits through their bio-active compounds, which can help reduce the risk of degenerative diseases such as diabetes, obesity, cancer, and cardiovascular conditions. In Nigeria's biodiversity-rich context, herbs and spices are essential both as food enhancers, raw materials for the pharmaceuticals and cosmetics industry with value-added products ensuring year-round availability and economic viability. Additionally, the residual matter of spices, rich in dietary fibers and nutrients, offers further industrial applications, highlighting the necessity for sustainable practices to fully unlock their potential. This study emphasizes the importance of herbs and spices in promoting health, improving food quality, and supporting economic development.

In Romania, the consumption of lamb/kid meat is mainly associated with the Easter holidays, as Romanians are not among the top consumers at the European level. This paper proposes an analysis of the sheep/goat meat market in Romania in the context of the Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) outbreak. The bibliographic documentation considered open-access articles from major scientific databases, complemented by reports from public institutions. The research used data from European and national statistics concerning the epidemic’s manifestation, price trends, and sheep meat consumption in Romania. The study highlighted the virulent spread of the PPR epidemic, which had a significant impact on sheep and goat farms. The ban on live animal exports at the European level, combined with the lack of appropriate sheep/goat meat processing units, has substantially affected the domestic sector. Although traditional contracts exist with non-EU partners, live animal exports now incur additional food safety costs. The increased supply of sheep/goat meat on the domestic market will likely ensure a relative price stability for lamb/kid meat during the 2025 Easter season. However, in the long term, the competitiveness of the small ruminant farming sector in Romania will be negatively impacted. The study contributes to the understanding the Romanian agri-food market vulnerabilities and may serve as a basis for public policy interventions and market forecasting tools in the context of animal health crises.