Call for papers/Topics

Topics of interest for submission include any topics related to:

1. Organic Agriculture: 

This pillar focuses on the methods and ecological standards of food production.

  • Soil Health and Biodiversity

    • Soil microbiome and nutrient cycling.

    • Carbon sequestration and regenerative practices.

    • Crop rotation and polyculture vs. monoculture.

  • Input Management

    • Bio-fertilizers and green manure.

    • Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and botanical pesticides.

    • Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) vs. heirloom seeds.

  • Certification and Economics

    • Global certification standards (USDA, EU Organic, IFOAM).

    • Transition costs for smallholder farmers.

    • The "Organic Premium" and market accessibility.

2. Food Security: 

This pillar focuses on the availability, access, and stability of the food supply.

  • Production and Availability

    • Yield comparisons: Organic vs. Conventional farming.

    • Resilience of organic systems to climate change (drought and flood resistance).

    • Local vs. Global food supply chains.

  • Accessibility and Equity

    • Food deserts and the cost-prohibitive nature of organic goods.

    • Smallholder farmer livelihoods and food sovereignty.

    • Urban agriculture and community-supported agriculture (CSA).

  • Waste and Stability

    • Post-harvest loss reduction in organic supply chains.

    • Resource efficiency (water use and energy inputs).

3. Public Health: 

This pillar examines the physiological and environmental impacts of the food system on human health.

  • Nutritional Quality

    • Phytonutrient and antioxidant concentrations in organic produce.

    • Fatty acid profiles (Omega-3 vs. Omega-6) in organic dairy and meat.

    • Bioavailability of micronutrients.

  • Toxicology and Exposure

    • Pesticide residue and endocrine disruption.

    • Antibiotic resistance in livestock and zoonotic diseases.

    • Heavy metal accumulation in soil and crops.

  • Diet-Related Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

    • Links between organic consumption and obesity/diabetes rates.

    • The "Clean Label" movement and processed food reduction.

4. Interrelated Themes (The Nexus)

These topics sit at the overlap of all three fields, driving policy and research.

  • The Microbiome Connection: How organic soil health influences the human gut microbiome via the food we eat.

  • Environmental Health: The reduction of nitrate leaching into groundwater and its impact on community drinking water safety.

  • Climate Change Mitigation: How organic practices reduce the carbon footprint of the food system, thereby protecting long-term food security and reducing climate-related health risks.

  • Policy and Governance: Government subsidies for conventional vs. organic farming and their long-term impact on national healthcare costs.

  • Ethical Consumption: The psychological impact of "food citizenship" and its influence on community mental health and social cohesion.