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East Asian herbivorous waterfowl intensively use farmland in spring, next to their natural habitat. Accordingly, they might have expanded their migration strategy from merely tracking the green wave of newly emerging vegetation to also incorporating the availability of post-harvest agricultural seeds (here dubbed the seed wave). However, if and how waterfowl use multiple food resources to time their seasonal migration is still unknown. We test this migration strategy using 167 spring migration tracks of five East Asian herbivorous waterfowl species and mixed-effect resource selection function models. We found that all study species arrived at their core stopover sites in the Northeast China Plain after agricultural seeds became available, extended their stay after spring vegetation emerged and arrived at their breeding sites around the emergence of vegetation. At the core stopover sites, all study species used snowmelt as a cue to track seed availability, although smaller-bodied species tended to arrive later. At the breeding sites, swans tracked the onset of vegetation emergence and geese tracked the mid- or end phases of snowmelt. Our findings suggest that waterfowl track multiple resource waves to fine-tune their migration, highlighting new opportunities for conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global food security is one of the problems that needs to be addressed quickly, as it affects the lives of billions of people around the world. The article discusses the key theoretical aspects of global food security, including the causes of its violations, as well as the measures taken to overcome it. The authors emphasize the controversial nature of the concept of «food security», which lies in its different understanding at the national and international levels, and, in the authors' opinion, food security should be considered differentially, although at the present stage of development it goes beyond a purely national understanding. The article reveals the mechanism of international legal regulation and the goals that the international community is trying to achieve in order to eliminate poverty and hunger among the most vulnerable groups of the population, but the authors emphasize that this is not a long-term solution to the problem, and therefore the principle of self-sufficiency and fair access to stable food supplies and agricultural development in these countries must be respected. Therefore, it is precisely in the context of the development of national food security in each country that glob al security as a whole increases. Attention is focused on the problem of competition between global food security and food policy of individual countries, as well as the distinction between these concepts. The authors conclude that national food security policies should not impede the achievement of the goals set by the world to ensure the right of everyone to access to food. It is noted that one of the ways to solve this global problem is to improve international legal regulation through the conclusion of an international agreement on world food security, under which the participating States will be vested with appropriate responsibilities to maintain world food security and liability in case of gross violation of this agreement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change had widespread and profound impacts on both natural and social ecological systems. Agricultural soil carbon storage, an important component of the terrestrial carbon pool, played a critical role in global climate change, sustainable agricultural development, and global food security. This study conducted a comprehensive literature review to investigate the multi-dimensional effects of climate change on agricultural soil carbon storage and evaluated the advantages, disadvantages, and applicability of various assessment methods for agricultural soil carbon storage. The results showed that the multi-dimensional effects of climate change included both single-factor effects and the combined effects of multiple climatic factors. Single-factor effects included rising temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns, increasing carbon dioxide concentrations, atmospheric nitrogen deposition, and various extreme weather events. These factors individually affected the input, output, and transformation processes of soil carbon in agricultural systems. For example, rising temperatures accelerated the decomposition of soil organic matter, leading to soil carbon loss, while elevated carbon dioxide concentrations enhanced plant photosynthesis, increasing carbon inputs from plant residues to the soil. The combined effects of multiple climatic factors, such as temperature-precipitation, temperature-precipitation-carbon dioxide, and carbon dioxide-nitrogen deposition-ozone, added complexity to understanding the effects of climate change on agricultural soil carbon storage. These interactions could have synergistic or antagonistic effects on soil carbon dynamics, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach to studying the response of agricultural soil carbon to climate change. Three main categories of methods were identified to assess agricultural soil carbon storage under climate change: statistical analysis models, process-based simulation models, and hybrid models. Statistical analysis models, including linear regression and machine learning models, established relationships between environmental factors and soil carbon storage, revealing the influence of environmental variables on soil carbon. Process-based simulation models could be divided into process-oriented and microbial-oriented models, depending on whether the decomposition of microorganisms was explicitly represented. These models quantitatively described the interactions among climate, vegetation, soil, and other factors and predicted dynamic changes in agricultural soil carbon storage under future climate change scenarios. Hybrid models took advantage of each method to achieve greater simulation accuracy, reliability, and interpretability by combining two or more different types of models. Some common hybrid models included regression kriging model, process-oriented machine learning model, and so on. Finally, four key areas for future research were suggested. First, the soil carbon storage mechanisms driven by microorganisms should be studied in more detail, as they played an important role in soil carbon cycling. Second, the interactive effects of multiple climate change factors should be emphasized to capture the complexity of future climate change scenarios. Third, the development of hybrid models that integrated statistical analysis and process-based simulation was crucial to improve the accuracy and applicability of soil carbon storage assessments. Fourth, uncertainty analysis in model parameters, input data, and scaling methods should be improved to enhance the reliability of model predictions. In conclusion, this study presented a comprehensive climate-crop-soil research framework through systematic integration and analysis, contributing to the scientific understanding of the impact mechanisms of climate change on agricultural soil carbon storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Shenyang Agricultural University is the property of Journal of Shenyang Agricultural University Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: Originally, the coastal region of East Africa was largely covered with coastal forest. With the human settlement, the majority of these forests have been transformed into agricultural land for subsistence farming. Today, only small and geographically isolated forest remnants exist and form a mosaic of different habitat types, including natural, semi-natural and anthropogenic ones. The forest remnants may still represent valuable habitats for typical forest plant and animal species. Methods: In this study, we surveyed hymenopteran diversity and community composition in different habitat types in southern Kenya. Hereby we considered a small remnant of East African coastal forest, adjoining orchards, shrublands, tree plantations, agricultural fields, and settlements. Hymenoptera represent a large variety of taxa and provide relevant ecosystem services such as pollination to the local people. Hymenoptera were collected with coloured pan traps, identified to family or genus level, and sorted to morphospecies. Habitat parameters such as dead wood, leaf litter, vegetation structure, and the availability of flowers has been assessed for each study site. Results: In total, we found 419 Hymenoptera individuals of 153 morphospecies. The different habitat types showed distinct species communities of Hymenoptera. Increasing shrub layer and increasing herb cover had a negative effect on hymenopteran species richness and abundance. Flowers, trees, leave litter, and deadwood showed no significant effect on hymenopteran diversity. Conclusion: Our results underline that small-scale habitat diversity lead to high overall diversity of Hymenoptera. Implications for insect conservation: The coastal forest remnant still holds a unique hymenopteran community with 20 Hymenoptera species exclusively found in this habitat type. It is thus of very high conservation value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study discusses the issue of determining the direction and strength of changes taking place in the structure of agricultural land in the mountain and foothill areas of the Carpathians in Poland in comparison with Slovakia, Romania and Ukraine. The most important financial institutional measures dedicated to the protection of the natural environment in Polish agriculture in the Areas facing Natural and other specific Constraints (ANCs) mountain and foothill in the first year of the CAP 2023–2027 were also established. Satellite data from 2001 to 2022 were used. The analyses used the land use classification MCD12Q1 provided by NASA and were made on the basis of satellite imagery collections from the MODIS sensor placed on two satellites: TERRA and AQUA. In EU countries, a decreasing trend in agricultural areas has been observed in areas below 350 m above sea level. In areas above 350 m, this trend weakened or even turned into an upward trend. Only in Ukraine was a different trend observed. It was found that in Poland, the degree of involvement of farmers from mountain and foothill areas in implementing financial institutional measures dedicated to protecting the natural environment during the study period was not satisfactory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relevance of the study of the economic and legal nature of the minimum tax liability is due to several factors. Firstly, being relatively new for Ukraine, this type of tax has not yet been sufficiently studied by scholars. Secondly, due to the specifics of the object of taxation, the introduction of the minimum tax liability significantly affects the taxation of farmers – owners of agricultural land and land users, producers of agricultural products, who are among the most vulnerable segments of the population. Thirdly, such a reform of the tax burden on business entities in agriculture, as one of the sectors most affected by Russia's armed aggression, requires a thorough analysis of its timeliness and appropriateness. This necessitates a study of theoretical and practical aspects, potential risks of introducing the minimum tax liability, as well as the formulation of proposals for solving problematic issues in this area, which is the purpose of the study. The research methodology includes a number of methods of scientific knowledge: the philosophical (dialectical) method, general scientific methods (the method of analysis and the formal logical method), as well as methods related to special scientific methods (formal legal and comparative legal). Results. The study of the economic and legal nature of the minimum tax liability concluded that there is a tendency to expand the range of taxpayers. In particular, at the expense of individuals – members of private farms. The article proves that such innovations lead to the loss of existing tax privileges for farms and increase the tax burden for these entities. The authors identify the risks of introducing a minimum tax liability, including incentives for farmers to alienate agricultural land or transfer it to other persons, alienation of farmers from the main means of production, and increased unemployment. It is established that the introduction of the minimum tax liability under the existing conditions is a violation of the fundamental principles of tax legislation of Ukraine. The generalisations obtained can be used to amend the tax legislation and will be useful in conducting scientific research on tax and agricultural legal relations.

Agriculture plays a vital role in driving economic output and employment in Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. Despite some progress, agricultural productivity in SSA still lags behind other regions. Limited access to finance remains a significant impediment to improving agricultural productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa. This paper investigates the effect of financial proximity on agricultural productivity in Sub-Saharan African countries. The study primarily employs the system GMM estimator, chosen to address the endogeneity issue typical in macro panel data. This method is also well-suited to our study because it accommodates a high number of cross-sections relative to the number of periods within each cross-section. Additionally, the IV-2SLS method is employed to check the robustness of the findings. The study uses an unbalanced panel for the 36 African countries with data for the period 2004-2019. Our findings show that increasing the financial proximity favors agricultural productivity in SSA countries. Specifically, the number of commercial bank branches (CBB) and the number of automated teller machines (ATM) per 100 000 adults, as indicators of financial proximity, have positive and significant effects on agricultural value added per worker in SSA. Additionally, our findings show that rainfall, arable land, and institutional quality are robust determinants of agricultural productivity. The positive effects of the number of CBB and the number of ATM are even more pronounced on agricultural productivity when coupled with strong institutional quality. Our findings suggest that improving financial services' accessibility in rural areas, coupled with enhanced institutional quality, regular rainfall, ample arable land, and increased access to water and land, are pivotal steps for achieving sustainable enhancements in labor productivity. This, in turn, leads to increased returns through value-added growth and expanded employment in the agricultural sector. JEL Classifications: G21, Q14, Q18 Keywords: Financial inclusion, Financial proximity, Agricultural productivity, Sub-Saharan Africa, INTRODUCTION Agriculture is a key contributor to economic output and the leading source of employment among Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries, contributing 4 times more to regional gross domestic product (GDP) [...]

The article presents an overview of Russian and foreign papers on the subject of quantitative assessment of woody plants growth on abandoned agricultural lands and possible ways to utilize them. Particular attention is paid to analysing the causes for the abandonment of such lands and the legislation issues that limit the provision of such areas for commercial forest growing in Russia. According to various estimates, the area of abandoned agricultural land in the world varies from 150 to 472 million hectares, with 33 to 100 million hectares being in Russia. At the same time, there is a trend towards an increase in the area of such lands. The rate at which the area of abandoned agricultural lands is increasing is about 1% per year on average. It may vary over time and depend on the region. The main groups of factors that contribute to the agricultural lands falling into disuse are social, economic, environmental, landscape and historical. The most promising is the involvement of such lands in climate-smart forestry activities, especially for agroforestry. This is due to the multiplier effect from, on the one hand, obtaining forest goods, including bioenergy, and on the other hand, services, including the use in crop or livestock farming activities. Currently in Russia there is no legislative framework permitting commercial forest growing on agricultural lands, with the exception of planting shelterbelts and other protective structures, despite the active position of organizations and government structures involved, so its development proves to be a necessity.

The article is devoted to the study of changes in land use systems in various regions and natural zones of Russia for the period from 2000 to 2022. Spatial and temporal patterns of transformation of land use systems within the main agricultural territory of Russia were identified and analyzed. Main directions and tendencies of changes in the areas of the main land and proportions of sown areas of main agricultural crops are considered. The dependence of the transformation of land use systems on the agrarian reforms of the 1990s has been revealed. Positive trends were noted in increasing the territorial concentration of the main crops in areas with the most favorable natural conditions for their placement. In general, the changes in land use systems that occurred during the period under review contributed to the achievement of food security in Russia. The generalization of the identified spatial and temporal patterns made it possible to assess the effectiveness of the ongoing changes in land use systems and draw conclusions about ways to improve them in different types of the natural environment. The results of the study can be used to substantiate management decisions in determining ways to improve the territorial organization of agriculture and the implementation of appropriate agricultural policies at both the federal and regional levels.

Urban farming has been associated with sustainable living in urbanized areas. However, the interconnection between the two need further studies. Alternatives for promoting sustainable living is especially in important in Indonesia because urbanization in the country is expanding, while the area of productive agricultural land is decreasing. The limited spaces become a challenge for urban residents that need land for settlements, planting, green open spaces, spaces for interaction and socializing, and recreation. Therefore, urban farming presents an alternative in answering the problems caused by urbanization. This research aims to explore the interconnection of urban farming and urbanization in an effort to realize sustainable urban development. This research is the initial part of an effort to create an integrated model of urban farming for urbanization for food security for urban residents (2023-2025) in the Innovation Research for Advanced Indonesia (RIIM) scheme. This study uses qualitative methods with informants as a sample data source. Informants were selected using a purposive sampling technique, totaling 30 urban farming actors, with details of 10 informants from Palembang City, 10 from Bandung City, and 10 from Denpasar City. Collection through the stages of observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation. Data analysis uses the Miles and Hubberman Model with three stages, namely data reduction, data display, and drawing conclusions. The data validity test technique uses triangulation with the cross-check method. The results of the analysis found an interrelation between urban farming and urbanization in nine dimensions, namely; economy,social, environment, health, culture, food, education, tourism, and technology. The interrelationship between urban farming and urbanization is positive, which means that the positive impact of urban farming has an indication of minimizing the negative impact of urbanization. In addition, this interrelation is also relevant to the three principles of sustainable development, namely having the function of controlling environmental impacts to a minimum, economic and social functions.

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is undergoing rapid urbanization, yet research comparing urban expansion and agricultural land loss in peri-urban areas is scarce. This study utilizes multi-temporal Landsat imagery to examine the impact of urban growth on agricultural land and fragile ecosystems in Kampala (a mega city) and Mbarara (a regional urban center) in Uganda. We distinguish between random and systematic land-use and land-cover (LULC) transitions in the landscape. The results reveal substantial urban expansion. Kampala's urban area surged from 7.14% in 1989 to 55.10% in 2015, while Mbarara increased from 6.37% in 2002 to 30.95% in 2016. Correspondingly, agricultural land decreased, from 48.02% to 16.69% in Kampala, and from 39.92% to 32.08% in Mbarara. Notably, a significant proportion of urban growth in both cities encroached upon agricultural land (66.7% in Kampala and 57.8% in Mbarara). The transition from agricultural to built-up areas accounted for 14.72% to 28.45% of the landscapes. Additionally, unsustainable practices led to the conversion of wetlands and forests to agricultural land, with approximately 13% of wetlands and 23% of Savannah and forests being converted between 2001 and 2015. These findings underscore the necessity of monitoring LULC changes for sustainable urban growth management, emphasizing the importance of preserving agricultural land and ecosystems to ensure present and future food security. This research contributes to the understanding of urbanization's impact on peri-urban agricultural land and ecosystems in SSA, providing insights that are crucial for informed urban planning and policy formulation aimed at sustainable development in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flooding stands as one of the most devastating natural occurrences, warranting immediate investigation to mitigate its destructive impact. The inundation of agricultural lands and settlements has led to adverse consequences. Remote sensing emerges as a widely applicable and expeditious method for addressing these challenges. Within the scope of this study, S1A SAR data with VH descending pass and S2 data from 01/03/2019 to 20/03/2019 and 25/03/2019 to 20/04/2019 were leveraged to assess the pre- and post-flood periods in Kermanshah province. MNDWI and NDWI techniques were employed to identify water zones in the S2 imagery, subsequently was used for validating of S1 images. The calculated RMSE and correlation coefficients yielded values of 0.27 and 0.93, respectively. It was observed that radar imagery exhibits superior quality to optical imagery in flood scenarios characterized by cloudy and rainy weather. MODIS, Hydrosheds, and SRTM satellite images were utilized as distinct filters to identify land use, permanent water bodies, and areas with a slope exceeding 5%. The findings indicated that a total of 36,849 ha of land were affected by the flood, encompassing 7073 and 4224 ha of agricultural and urban areas, respectively, which were susceptible to destruction during this period. The NDWI and MNDWI indices estimated the flooded area to be 30,179 and 32,540 ha, respectively, representing lower values compared to the results obtained from the S1 data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Applying sewage sludge and biosolids to agricultural lands has become an increasingly essential aspect of sustainable waste management and circular economy as it contributes positively to nutrient recycling, soil fertility and environmental health. Due to the widespread presence of per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) globally, wastewater treatment plants have become a sink for PFAS. PFAS resist degradation by conventional wastewater treatment processes and are usually adsorbed to sewage sludge and biosolids. However, there have been significant concerns that land application of sewage sludge and biosolids could become a probable pathway for PFAS to enter the food chain. This article assessed the global sewage sludge/biosolids generation and country-to-country management methods through a systematic review. The global occurrence, distribution and prevalence of different classes of PFAS were assessed. We also evaluate the factors influencing PFAS contamination in sewage sludge/biosolids and the existing regulations on the upper limit of PFAS in biosolids before their disposal or application to farmland (or other usages). Additionally, most reports revealed high PFAS concentrations in influent, effluent, sewage sludge and biosolids generated worldwide. Overall, recorded PFAS concentration on a global scale varied from 2.2 to 2,156 ng/L (influents), 1.9-4,800 ng/L (effluents) and 2.1-500,000 ng/g (biosolids). While most studies focused on legacy PFAS detection, recent studies have revealed the prevalence of diPAPs in high concentrations in sewage sludge and biosolids, contributing from 40% to 95% of the total PFAS concentration. Across all PFAS classes, PFAAs and diPAPs were the dominant groups exhibiting elevated detection rates (35%-95%). Due to documented PFAS contamination in agricultural lands, rigorous regulations need to be instituted to govern the application of these biowastes on agricultural lands. However, several countries lack data on the level of PFAS in the sewage sludges they generate, and there are currently few or no regulations guiding their application to farmlands. Notably, the diPAPs class of PFAS was shown to be present in biosolids and sewage sludge; their inclusion in the list of PFAS required in standardized analytical methods and risk assessment becomes imperative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colonial nesting waterbirds in agricultural landscapes have historically received limited research attention, especially in South Asia. For example, the Asian openbill (Anastomus oscitans) is a colonial species that extensively utilizes agricultural landscapes, yet there is a notable lack of substantial studies despite increasing urbanization across these landscapes. We investigated the factors affecting the breeding ecology of Asian openbills in eastern Nepal. We used a grid‐based approach to locate stork colonies and monitored them throughout the breeding season from May to November for three consecutive years (2020–2022). Altogether, we observed a total of 67 active colonies, comprising 4020 active nests, which successfully fledged a total of 7566 chicks. Additionally, most of the colonies were located within areas of human settlements (40%), followed by community forests (33%) and agricultural land (27%). The Asian openbills primarily preferred large trees, such as Bombax ceiba (72%), for nesting. The mean height of nesting trees was approximately 4 m taller, the diameter at breast height was twice as large, and the canopy cover area was three times greater than that of non‐nesting trees. The canopy cover area of trees positively influenced the colony size, while colony size positively influenced the fledgling's success. Our study underscores the significance of large trees in providing sufficient space for accommodating a substantial number of openbill nests and fledglings. These findings have significant implications for conservation efforts to protect large trees along with wetlands and agricultural lands, as crucial measures to ensure the sustainable breeding of this nationally vulnerable species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring soil organic carbon (SOC) is essential for assessing the sustainability of soil usage. This study explores the spatial variability and mapping of SOC in Lithuania's Nevėžis Plain using various interpolation methods, with an emphasis on understanding the impacts of soil typological units, moisture regimes, and erosion on SOC distribution. A total of 275 soil samples were collected from agricultural croplands at depths of 0–10 cm, supplemented by 38 samples from previous studies. The SOC map was created based on the contours of the Lithuanian soil geodatabase. Statistical analysis revealed that the distribution of SOC in the studied area was significantly influenced by soil moisture and the degree of erosion. Based on these findings, SOC mapping was conducted according to the contours of Lithuanian soils. Comparing the interpolation methods that were analyzed, it was found that the kriging, RBF, and EBK methods fail to adequately capture the minimum and maximum values of SOC, while the IDW fails to adequately capture only the minimum values. In summary, the integrated geographical approach is complex but applicable to SOC mapping. This method facilitates the creation of adaptable SOC maps that are both geographically and pedologically informed. Key principles to apply this approach for future research and practical application should include establishing a statistically reliable data foundation, categorizing samples based on contrasting soil moisture regime, degrees of erosion, and land use patterns, and developing contouring principles along with a criteria algorithm that enables accurate spatial interpolation of average SOC values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid urbanization in cities brings about both opportunities and challenges for national development. This study focuses on investigating the dynamics of urbanization and its impact on livelihoods using land use/land cover change in Adama City, located in the Oromia Regional State. Various datasets from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), including Landsat Thematic Mapper (LTM), Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETH +), and Operational Land Imager (OLI), were utilized. Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing tools were employed to extract relevant information from these datasets for years from 1986 to 2022. In addition, findings pertain to the impact of urbanization on income diversification and the overall welfare of farm households near Adama City was aligned with the study. The findings reveal that built-up areas and agricultural land exhibit the most significant changes over the examined period. However, these changes occur in opposite directions. The built-up area has experienced a substantial increase of 60% from 1986 to 2022, while agricultural land has decreased by 40% during the same timeframe. The conversion of farmland to built-up areas negatively impacts farm households by reducing farming activities and increasing reliance on non-farm activities, resulting in lower consumption expenditures for rural households near urban areas compared to those farther from the urban center. The result underscores the need for policies that promote appropriate land management and a well-planned urbanization process to ensure sustainable urban development. Furthermore, it is vital to enhance understanding of the spatial and temporal dynamics of urban growth and its impacts on farm households residing near urban areas. By addressing these issues, sustainable food security and poverty reduction objectives can be better achieved in peri-urban areas of the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mass of fine (up to 2 mm in diameter) roots of woody species and the patterns of their distribution across the soil profile in post-agricultural forest communities in the middle taiga of Karelia, Russia, have been studied. The characteristics of the forest sites were determined in sampling plots established following conventional procedures. The root mass was determined by the soil monolith method. Analysis showed that young communities developed a greater mass of fine roots compared to older stands. The total root biomass of the top mineral layer of soil was higher than in the forest floor. In most cases, both coniferous and deciduous roots prevailed in the mineral soil layer. A relationship between the fine root mass and the basal area was identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presentation of soil erosion on agricultural land, both to the expert and the public, frequently takes the form of pictures and descriptions of extreme events. These attention‐grabbing images are case studies of worst‐case scenarios and serve an important purpose of warning what may happen under certain circumstances; they also have a potential to mislead. On the other hand, long‐term studies of erosion are able to present extreme events in a more acceptable scientific context. Monitoring studies emphasise the importance of frequent, low‐magnitude runoff events and their ability to transport nutrients and pesticides to freshwater systems. Thus, the need for a balanced presentation of erosion which places extreme events in a broad context in space and time. Communicating with practitioners such as farmers requires the use of non‐conventional channels rather than the reliance on academic journals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to identify the long-term tendencies regarding the land use in farms of different sizes in Poland and Czechia, with special focus on small-scale farms. The article answers the question about functioning of small farms in Poland and Czechia, as they represent different structures of land use among farms. On the one hand, the land fragmentation in Poland, and on the other hand, domination of large farms in Czechia, with a lower share of small farms. To achieve the aim, the study used data from the Farm Structure Survey (FSS) and Agricultural Census (2010, 2020) from Eurostat for six periods (2005, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2020) and selected data for recent years from the World Bank database. In the period under analysis, it can be observed that there is a significant decline in the number of small farms both in Poland and Czechia, while the decrease in utilized agricultural area was smaller. Hence, the average area of farm increased which helped them to improve the land productivity, while increasing the standard output per hectare of utilized agricultural area. The analysis showed that there are two different models of the position of small farms in the Polish and Czech agricultural sectors, however, some positive and desired tendencies occur in both systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Mountain Research (10082786) is the property of Mountain Research Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The objective of this research is to explore the impact mechanism of agricultural digital transformation in alleviating the mismatch of agricultural land resources and provide an effective path for the formation of new quality agricultural productivity. Using the balance panel data of 29 provinces in China from 2011 to 2022, this paper analyzed the mitigation effect and mechanism of agricultural digitalization on agricultural land resource misallocation from the perspectives of land scale management and agricultural socialization services. The results indicate that agricultural digitalization can alleviate the misallocation of agricultural land resources, promote the large-scale management of agricultural land, and improve the level of agricultural socialization services, all significant ways to reduce the mismatch of agricultural land resources. The heterogeneity test showed that the mitigation effect of agricultural digitalization on the agricultural land resource mismatch in eastern and central China and major grain-producing areas was better than that in western China and non-major grain-producing areas. Hence, we ought to strengthen the construction of agricultural digital infrastructures and play into the role of agricultural land scale management and agricultural socialization services in slowing down the mismatch of agricultural land resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stability of property rights is a key factor in incentivizing farmers to engage in land use and protection activities, which, in turn, serve to mitigate or prevent the degradation of land resources and enhance the effectiveness of agricultural management practices. This research uses Scientometric analysis according to PRISMA guidelines to thoroughly examine academic landscape related to the stability of farmland property rights and its impact on farmers' land utilization and protection behaviors. By examining 4165 publications from 2014 to 2023 in Web of Science and Scopus databases, the study conducts a comprehensive analysis. Theoretical frameworks elucidate three primary avenues through which property rights influence farmers' behavior: the assurance effect, collateral effect, and realizable effect. Through document co‐citation analysis 11 distinct thematic clusters were revealed, highlighting the prominence of land tenure security (Cluster #0). Notably, Ma X's publication experienced a significant 4‐year surge, indicating its key influence. Author co‐citation analysis outlined author clusters, emphasizing the increasing relevance of authors like Cotula L, Angelsen A, and De Schuttero during specific periods. Journal co‐citation analysis revealed cohesive journal clusters such as Development and Change and Journal of Peasant Studies, showcasing thematic boundaries within clusters. Keywords co‐citation analysis (CO‐DESC) identified thematic clusters around "China," "agricultural land," and "land use," with keywords like "land degradation" exhibiting substantial bursts. This systematic analysis highlights influential publications, authors, journals, and thematic clusters, emphasizing the structured landscape within farmland property rights research and revealing critical aspects impacting farmers' behavior and land use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: The rising global population has increased land demand due to the increased need for agricultural and settlement spaces. Land ownership security tremendously impacts environmental sustainability because it influences ecological decisions. Kenya's land ownership and land use changes nexus has not received sufficient attention. Consequently, we explored this research gap in Mwatate Sub County, Taita County, Kenya. Methods: A sample size of 301 households was selected using stratified proportionate and simple random sampling techniques. A cross-sectional survey research design was used, while data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires. The Neo-Malthusian theory was adopted as a theoretical framework. Results: Results revealed that most (85.6%) households had insecure land ownership rights. Most (64.1%) households inherited land and had no Title deeds. Accordingly, findings reveal unsustainable land use practices, including deforestation, tree logging, high fuelwood use, bush clearance for human settlement and cultivation, poor farming methods, and overreliance on agriculture for livelihood. Using a 95% confidence level, Chi-square tests revealed a significant relationship between agricultural land use changes and land ownership security. Our findings concluded that insecure land ownership influenced agricultural expansion, deforestation, clearing of land for human settlement, and the type of farming techniques adopted by farmers. Implications for Conservation: Taita Taveta is a vital biodiversity hotspot that continues to be degraded by human activities. The correlation between land ownership and land use changes established by our study confirms the impending land degradation and threat to biodiversity loss. This is coupled with the concern that approximately 62% and 11% of the county are under a National Park and sisal estates, respectively, implying a growing threat to biodiversity loss and the need for enhanced conservation efforts in the area. This calls for the need to address the constant land issues in the area to incentivize sustainable land use practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The benefits of agricultural land utilization are crucial factors in assessing the production capacity and sustainability of agricultural land resources. They also represent important research areas within the field of geography and land science. This paper systematically summarizes the research progress made in the connotation, classification, formation mechanism and evolution process, and evaluation and analysis of agricultural land utilization benefits, and puts forward future research trends. The findings revealed that agricultural land utilization benefits encompass the diverse outcomes and advances achieved through the utilization of agricultural land resources in a specific region, benefiting both nature and human development. They are formed by human beings′ exploitation of agricultural land resources based on their own needs. Currently, the comprehensiveness of the evaluation and analysis of agricultural land utilization benefits is insufficient. In addition, there is a need to enrich the index system, data sources, and methods. Theoretical research on the interaction mechanisms between benefits and influence mechanisms needs to also be developed further. Based on evaluation and analysis -interrelationship-influence mechanism-improvement and management, the research framework of agricultural land utilization benefits in the current era were constructed. Future research should be promoted by systematically evaluating and analyzing the benefits, quantitatively determining interrelation, accurately identifying influencing factors, and proposing differentiated improvement measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context and background This study aims to study, through a socio-systemic approach, the cohabitation between agricultural land and gold panning, if not the occupation of agricultural land by gold panning. To this end, we decided to focus on the case of the rural commune of Bancoumana, Kati circle, Koulikoro region, an agricultural area par excellence, but faced with the invasion of gold panning. This commune, located on the outskirts of Bamako, is experiencing a desire for its land suitable for agriculture (cereals, citrus fruits, fruits and vegetables). Through this study, we ask the question of how agriculture coexists with gold panning? What are the effects and impacts of one on the other? What measures or arrangements have been taken by the politicaladministrative authorities to protect agricultural land from gold panning? How are these measures perceived by the populations, particularly farmers? Goal and Objectives: Study the cohabitation between agricultural land and gold panning. This involves studying the effects, if not the impacts, of one on the other. Methodology: To carry out the study, our approach is based on empirical research methods. First, we carry out a documentary analysis in order to pose the problem of the study. Secondly, we carry out field surveys using individual and collective interview guides with the stakeholders concerned, in particular farmers, gold miners, local and regional authorities, and managers of farmers' defense NGOs. For the analysis of the data collected in the field, we favored the analysis of thematic content according to our centers of interest. The data collected in the local "Bambara" language were transcribed into French for this purpose. Results: The results of the study reveal that the idleness of rural and urban young people explains their rush to gold panning areas. It also shows that gold panning seriously impacts agriculture, particularly family farming. The impacts are of several orders. Encroachment or invasion on agricultural areas, flight of agricultural labor, decline in agricultural productivity, decline in agricultural income and land conflicts between farmers and gold miners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

State land acquisition for national defense or security purposes and socio-economic development in the national or public interest is driven by the inevitable demand for national development. This activity is based on the general theoretical issues of agricultural land acquisition for national defense or security purposes, socio-economic development in the national or public interest, and the theory of damage determination and compensation upon State land acquisition. In particular, the concepts of agricultural land, agricultural land acquisition, and compensation for damage must be clarified and specified in relevant legal provisions to serve as grounds for practical implementation by the State and people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article raises the issue of changes in the value of land plots depending on their quality characteristics. This study investigated the change in indicators of the monetary assessment of individual agricultural districts (NAD) in connection with the indicators of agricultural production groups of soil quality valuation score. Using the normative indicators of the monetary valuation of land plots, the normative monetary valuation was calculated for 10 natural and agricultural districts of the Kyiv region of Ukraine. Thus, in the Skvyrskyi NAD, the normative monetary value is UAH 37,950.08 per 1 hectare, and the average soil quality valuation score in this area was 55 points by level, which is the highest value of this indicator in the Kyiv region. The lowest credit rating score (15) was recorded in the Chornobyl-Borodyansky NAD, where the norm of capitalized rental income was UAH 10,347.52 per 1 hectare. From 42 to 110 agro-production groups of soils are counted in each of the NADs. Based on the Kyiv region, the average indicators of humus content range from 1.91 to 2.47 %. We established a directly proportional relationship between the soil quality valuation score and humus content, in particular, the correlation coefficient between these indicators ranges from 0.8743 to 0.9376. The research results can be used to carry out land evaluation works on agricultural land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides a comparative analysis of the legal basis for the use of agricultural land in Ukraine and Canada. It has been established that the current state of land resources in the majority of Ukraine can be characterized as a crisis, with a tendency towards deterioration, which significantly complicates the socio-economic development of Ukraine. The main reasons for this situation are, first of all, the irrational use of the state's land resource potential, the deterioration of the quality of the land, the irregularity of the change in the nature of the functioning of the land as a means of production in market conditions, and other negative factors. However, agricultural land, which occupies a special place in the structure of the land fund of Ukraine, needs even greater legal protection. Irrational use of agricultural land is one of the potential threats to Ukraine's food security. In this regard, there is an urgent need to define an effective management mechanism in the field of land use, including agricultural use. In this context, the issue of land turnover is important in connection with the adoption in March 2020 of the Law of Ukraine «On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine Regarding the Movement of Agricultural Land». In order to build an effective and competitive land market, it is necessary to have a strong legal basis, and for this it is advisable to turn to foreign experience in this area, especially to the experience of countries with the best functioning land market, such as Canada. The Canadian experience shows the importance of detailed regulation of land use at all levels of government and the need for a coordinated approach to ensure the proper use of agricultural land. The Canadian Constitution gives the provinces the exclusive right to decide virtually all land matters, including those related to the use of agricultural land. The presence of a market for agricultural land in Canada promotes the attraction of additional capital in the form of internal and external investments in the agricultural sector, which in turn stimulates its sustainable development. Ukraine can take this experience into account in the process of improving its land policy and ensuring the sustainable development of agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subject of research in the paper will be the right of foreign citizens to inherit real estate and agricultural land in the Republic of Serbia. By using the methodologicaltheoretical framework, the aim of the work will be the analysis of the inheritance institute, which represents the basis of acquisition of property rights on real estate and agricultural land by foreign citizens. The era of globalization favors the movement of people between countries, but each country determines the availability and scope of rights of foreign nationals according to its interests. Therefore, in order to analyze the research subject, we will use historical, descriptive, normative and content analysis methods. The conclusion will summarize the results of research on inheritance as a basis for acquiring property rights on real estate and agricultural land by foreign citizens.rights over real estate and agricultural land by foreign citizens.

Land use conversion in estuary wetlands may affect the transmission of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), while the risk rank of the ARGs and the change of clinically relevant ARGs under various land-use types are not well understood. This study used metagenomics to reveal the diversity and abundance of ARGs across five distinct land uses: reed wetland, tidal flat, grassland, agricultural land and fallow land, as well as their distribution and potential health risks. Results showed that high numbers of ARG subtypes and classes were detected irrespective of land-use types, notably higher in agricultural land (144 ARG subtypes). The most shared ARG subtypes were multidrug resistance genes across all the land uses (29 subtypes, 4.7 × 10−2-1.5 × 10−1 copies per 16S rRNA gene copy). Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were primary ARG hosts, with 18 and 15 ARGs were found in both of them, respectively. The ARG subtype mdtB was the most dominant clinical ARG detected with 90 % amino acid identity. The change of ARGs exhibited a consistent trend across land uses in terms of health risk ranks, with the highest observed in fallow land and the lowest in reed wetland. This study reveals the distribution pattern of ARGs across various land-use types, and enhances our understanding of the potential health risks associated with ARGs in the context of coastal wetland conversion in estuary areas.

The enduring existence of pollution presents a substantial danger to human health, natural systems, and social welfare. Human activities mostly generate greenhouse gas emissions, namely carbon dioxide, which negatively impacts the environment. This study used annual datasets to examine the association between maize crop production, maize yield, fertilizer consumption, agricultural land use, and environmental quality in China. In order to identify the positive and negative shocks with the assessment of short- and long-run dynamics, the study used an asymmetric Nonlinear Autoregressive Distributed Lag (NARDL) approach. A Robust Least Squares method was also used to locate the parameters nexus in order to assess the series' robustness. Results from the long-run interaction indicate that the maize crop production and agricultural land use has a positive impact on CO2 emissions with probability values of (0.000), (0.000), and (0.001), (0.780), respectively, via both positive and negative interruptions. Additionally, maize yield exposed a detrimental effect on environmental quality. Results of the robust least squares analysis showed that maize crop production, fertilizer consumption, and agricultural land use had a positive influence on environmental quality, with probability values of (0.000), (0.004), and (0.949), respectively. However, there is an unfavourable relationship between variable maize yields and CO2 emissions. China should play a significant role in seeking to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and adopt the beneficial policies necessary to ensure the environment's long-term sustainability, since these emissions are now a rising issue around the world.

The problem of heavy metal pollution in agricultural fields has emerged as a pressing global environmental concern, significantly affecting agricultural productivity, food security, human health, and the integrity of ecosystems. Conducting soil heavy metal pollution prevention and remediation efforts to ensure environmental and food safety has become a critical practical requirement in the environmental field. This study investigates the levels of heavy metals, risk status, pollution sources, and contributions in rural, urban–rural interface, and urban agricultural lands in Chengdu, China. Additionally, it discusses the relationship between potential pollution factors and pathways and varying human pressures, aiming to assess the overall state of heavy metal pollution in agricultural lands in Chengdu, China. The research results indicate that rural, urban–rural interface, and urban agricultural lands in Chengdu exhibit varying degrees of heavy metal pollution, with arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) being the most severe pollutants. The concentrations of arsenic (As) (17.5 %, 15 %, 18.33 %) and cadmium (Cd) (23 %, 0.4 %, /) in soil samples from these areas all exceed the risk thresholds (Cd-0.6 mg/kg, As-20 mg/kg, pH > 8). Furthermore, the spatial variability of arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) is high (CV > 35 %), suggesting significant influence from anthropogenic activities. Geostatistical analysis using the Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo) and Enrichment Factor (EF) indicates that As and Cd are present at slight to moderately pollution and enrichment levels across all areas, with some areas also showing slight pollution/enrichment levels of nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn), while lead (Pb) pollution was not detected. The APCS-MLR (Absolute Principal Component Scores-Multiple Linear Regression) analysis reveals that the sources of pollution in rural, urban–rural interface, and urban agricultural lands primarily include livestock manure and natural sources, as well as agricultural activities. In urban agricultural lands, pollution sources are more complex, including industrial activities. Livestock manure and natural sources contribute significantly to the presence of nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn), and lead (Pb) (45.09 %–93 %), whereas agricultural activities have a high contribution rate to arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) (27 %–72 %). Industrial sources significantly influence the levels of Zn (44.03 %) and Ni (35.55 %) in urban agricultural lands, and they also affect the concentrations of arsenic (As) (5.15 %) and cadmium (Cd) (20 %) to a notable extent. Building on existing literature, this study focuses on the characteristics of heavy metal pollution in agricultural lands across different areas of Chengdu under varying anthropogenic pressures. It emphasizes the influence of areal organizational functions and socio-industrial structures on the levels of heavy metal risk in agricultural soils by establishing a robust APCS-MLR model and employing integrated data analysis methods that incorporate Geo-accumulation (Igeo) and Enrichment factor (EF), this research provides valuable insights into the risk level, pollution sources, and contribution of heavy metals in agricultural land in Chengdu, China. These findings facilitate a prompt comprehension of the sources of metals in soil, and then formulate targeted control measures. To better solve the problem of heavy metal pollution in agricultural land in Chengdu, China.

The expansion of agricultural land through deforestation is becoming a serious problem in several regions of Ethiopia. The research was carried out in the Adami Tulu Jido Kombolcha district due to the observed expansion of agricultural land at the expense of forests. Therefore, this study aims to identify direct and indirect factors affecting land use and land cover change from forest to agriculture. Data was collected using household surveys, key informant interviews (KIIs), and focus group discussions (FGDs). Household surveys were conducted on 244 randomly selected households. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the DPSIR framework to develop relationships between drivers, pressures, conditions, influences, and responses. The result shows that most farmers clear forests to expand their agricultural land. Further, the results showed that the proximate causes of the conversion of forest to agriculture were charcoal production, large-scale agriculture, and small-scale farming, as well as poverty, unemployment, and lack of enforcement of forestry laws, and weak forest policy were identified as the main indirect causes of agricultural land expansion at the expense of forests. In addition, the results indicate that the consequences of changing land use from forestry to agriculture are loss of biodiversity, increased soil erosion, floods and droughts, and shortages of wood, buildings, and fuel. The study results suggest that awareness-raising activities on the use of natural resources and the impacts of deforestation, as well as forest policies and strict enforcement of forestry laws, are important to establish and maintain appropriate use of land in that particular area.

The agricultural sector's output holds paramount significance for the global population, serving as an indispensable resource for survival and consumption. Consequently, alterations in agricultural landscapes bear substantial implications for the world's food supply. The objectives of this research are to investigate the depletion of agricultural land, with a specific focus on Samut Songkhram Province—an agriculturally prominent region in Thailand renowned for supplying seafood and fruits to Bangkok. By employing advanced remote sensing and change detection methods and incorporating indices like NDVI, NDWI, and NDBI, the study meticulously analyzed land-use changes. The outcomes were rigorously scrutinized through supervised classification, validated by on-site inspections, and corroborated with data from pertinent agencies. Findings revealed that Samut Songkhram had sustained its prominence in agricultural land, constituting around 70% of the province's total area over the past two decades. However, this expanse has undergone persistent transformation during the last 20 years. Notably, the most substantial surge was observed in the conversion of agricultural land to urban and developed areas, particularly in the urban zones of Amphawa District, followed by Mueang Samut Songkhram and Bang Khonthi districts. This investigation illuminates a consistent downward trend in agricultural land, a vital source of sustenance for Thailand's population and the global community. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2024-08-02-020 Full Text: PDF

The article raises the issue of changes in the value of land plots depending on their quality characteristics. This study investigated the change in indicators of the monetary assessment of individual agricultural districts (NAD) in connection with the indicators of agricultural production groups of soil quality valuation score. Using the normative indicators of the monetary valuation of land plots, the normative monetary valuation was calculated for 10 natural and agricultural districts of the Kyiv region of Ukraine. Thus, in the Skvyrskyi NAD, the normative monetary value is UAH 37950.08 per 1 hectare, and the average soil quality valuation score in this area was 55 points by level, which is the highest value of this indicator in the Kyiv region. The lowest credit rating score (15) was recorded in the Chornobyl-Borodyansky NAD, where the norm of capitalized rental income was UAH 10347.52 per 1 hectare. From 42 to 110 agro-production groups of soils are counted in each of the NADs. Based on the Kyiv region, the average indicators of humus content range from 1,91 to 2.,47 %. We established a directly proportional relationship between the soil quality valuation score and humus content, in particular, the correlation coefficient between these indicators ranges from 0,8743 to 0,9376. The research results can be used to carry out land evaluation works on agricultural land.

Contemporary human-made activities are responsible for the emission of more than 30 billion tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. The current study's primary purpose is to examine the key elements that contribute to the elevated levels of the release of CO2 into the environment in Pakistan. The research used Pakistan's annual data spanning from 1970 to 2020, along with the STIRPAT (Stochastic Impact by Regression on Population, Affluence, and Technology) model. The relationship between the emission of CO2 into the atmosphere and other chosen factors is examined using the ARDL (Auto Regressive Distributive Lag) model and the ECM (Error Correction Model). These models help to establish the credibility of the acquired findings. The paired Granger causality analysis revealed the presence of both unidirectional and bidirectional causation between the specified variables in the study activity. Pakistan must prioritize tackling the fundamental challenges afflicting its farming industry, particularly those pertaining to the efficiency of its livestock and crop production. The novelty of this study comes in its investigation of the interaction between hitherto undiscovered macro-level properties and the emission of CO2 into the environment of Pakistan. The findings may assist policymakers in formulating an environmental and agricultural strategy aimed at promoting the use of sophisticated low-carbon technology.

Introduction. Environmental pollution prevention, including prevention of water bodies, with nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) when they are removed from agricultural lands with possible runoff is a topical problem that requires a timely solution. The studies have found that the removal of nutrients is a result of geochemical processes, fertilization, and other factors. In this regard, mathematical modeling of the process of removal of nutrients from agricultural lands and their possible entry into water bodies is an urgent task. Aim of the Study. The study is aimed at modeling and predicting the process of possible removal of nutrients from agricultural lands to water bodies. Materials and Methods. When conducting the study, there were used well-known modeling methods. They are the methods for calculating the removal of nutrients from agricultural objects into water bodies, based on the minimum amount of initial information for predicting the eutrophication of water bodies and agrochemical methods taking into account the structure and size of field and agricultural areas, crop yields, and removal nutrients with the harvest. Results. Based on an analysis of the literature and expert judgment, a list of the most significant indicators influencing the process of nitrogen and phosphorus removal was justified. There have been developed mathematical models to determine and predict the input of nutrients from agricultural lands to water bodies. There have been found significant indicators influencing the amount of input of nutrients, such as the amount of applied fertilizers, the volume of moisture, soil water capacity, field area, depth of cultivation, etc. There is given an example of calculating the amount of input of nutrients into water bodies with a rainfall intensity of 50 mm per hour. Discussion and Conclusion. The essence of the proposed mathematical models comes down to the synthesis of numerous indicators in the complex process of removal of nutrients and their impact on water quality. The proposed mathematical models make it possible to predict the removal of nutrients from agricultural lands and to develop and implement technical and technological solutions to prevent environmental pollution.

The article demonstrates the results of a study of the landscape structure of the Chornobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve (Ukr.: Chornobylskyi radiatsiino-ekolohichnyi biosfernyi zapovidnyk – ChREBR). Because of radioactive pollution, a sharp drop in human activity, and the granting of the territory the status of a protected object, the process of area rewilding took on certain characteristics and led to the return of ecosystems’ natural processes. The studies cover a 7-year period from 2016 to 2022, i.e., from the moment this territory was granted protected status. That territory was abandoned by people more than 37 years ago and the former rural and urban landscapes have either already been transformed or are in the process of being transformed into natural ones. The scale of forest massifs has changed during the previous seven years, which has caused increased pasture overgrowth. huge forest massifs have been lost because of enormous forest fires and floods, particularly along the Pripet and Uzh rivers. Semi-natural successions occur in the gardens, and wooden homes are almost extinct. From orbit, a number of communities no longer resemble settlements. They are cloaked in bushes and trees instead. For places that have been ploughed, the same holds true. The last seven years show that change is happening more slowly than in the decades before. The pattern of natural processes in ecosystems, including periodic fires, the blocking of reclamation channels, and other factors, is the primary driver of changes in the composition of the land cover.

This article generalizes the urbanization process and its impact on agricultural land use in Vietnam. The high rate of urbanization has led to a great demand for purchasing agricultural products, especially high-quality ones, and as a result, this affects agricultural development. On one hand, it offers new chances to expand the domestic market and to encourage exports. On the other hand, the conversion of agricultural land into non-agricultural land under accelerated urbanization leads to a large area of arable land being abandoned or polluted, consequently affecting food security and sustainable development. Therefore, to meet the people’s food needs in the context of urbanization, it is necessary to have proper solutions to improve the efficiency of agricultural land use, such as: implementing land laws aimed at developing agricultural production in the direction of large-scale, concentrated commodities; executing land-use planning, performing agricultural production planning towards specialized cultivation with a stable term to ensure profitable investment; boosting the restructuring of the agricultural sector; developing collective and cooperative economics in agriculture; having policies to support, forecast, and search for markets for consumption and the processing of agricultural products; creating a transparent land-use rights market.