Call for papers/Topics

Topics of interest for submission include any topics related to:

1. Organic Agriculture

This pillar focuses on ecological production management systems that promote and enhance biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity.

  • Soil Health and Management:

    • Composting and organic matter stratification.

    • Cover cropping and green manures.

    • Soil microbiome preservation and mycorrhizal fungi.

  • Pest, Disease, and Weed Management:

    • Biological pest control (beneficial insects, natural predators).

    • Crop rotation and companion planting.

    • Botanical and mineral-based biopesticides.

  • Genetic Resources and Livestock:

    • Heritage and non-GMO seed preservation.

    • Organic livestock husbandry (free-range, organic feed, pasture-based).

    • Ethical animal welfare standards.

  • Certification and Regulations:

    • National and international organic standards (e.g., USDA Organic, EU Eco regulation).

    • Accreditation, inspection, and peer-review certification systems.

    • Transition periods and compliance costs for conventional farms.

2. Food Security

This pillar addresses the state of having reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.

  • The Four Dimensions of Food Security:

    • Availability: Food production levels, stock levels, and net trade.

    • Access: Economic and physical access to food (affordability, infrastructure).

    • Utilization: Nutritional well-being, clean water, sanitation, and food preparation.

    • Stability: Resilience of availability and access over time (weather, economic shocks).

  • Supply Chain and Logistics:

    • Post-harvest loss mitigation and food waste reduction.

    • Cold chain management and storage facilities.

    • Global vs. localized food distribution networks.

  • Socio-Economic Factors:

    • Food deserts in urban environments.

    • Poverty, safety nets, and food assistance programs (e.g., SNAP).

    • Land rights, tenure security, and smallholder farmer economics.

3. Public Health

This pillar focuses on protecting and improving the health of people and their communities through education, policy-making, and research.

  • Epidemiology and Nutrition:

    • Macro- and micronutrient deficiencies (malnutrition, stunting).

    • Diet-related non-communicable diseases (obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues).

    • Foodborne illnesses and pathogens (Salmonella, E. coli).

  • Environmental Health:

    • Toxicological impacts of synthetic chemicals and heavy metals.

    • Air and water quality degradation from industrial activities.

    • Occupational health hazards for laborers.

  • Healthcare Systems and Policy:

    • Preventative medicine and lifestyle interventions.

    • Health literacy and community wellness programs.

Interrelated Topics & Cross-Cutting Themes

Organic Agriculture & Public Health (The Health Nexus)

  • Pesticide Exposure Mitigation: The reduction of occupational chemical hazards for farmers and lower synthetic pesticide residues in consumer diets.

  • Antibiotic Resistance (AMR): How organic livestock bans on prophylactic antibiotics help combat global antimicrobial resistance.

  • Nutrient Density: Comparative research on antioxidant levels, polyphenols, and omega-3 fatty acid profiles in organic versus conventional foods.

Organic Agriculture & Food Security (The Yield & Sustainability Balance)

  • The Yield Gap Paradox: The ongoing debate regarding organic agriculture's lower average crop yields compared to conventional farming, balanced against its long-term soil resilience during droughts.

  • Economic Viability for Smallholders: Higher market premiums for organic goods versus increased labor demands and certification costs for vulnerable farmers.

  • Agroecological Resilience: Utilizing biodiversity to buffer food production against climate change-induced weather extremes.

Food Security & Public Health (The Nutrition & Access Interface)

  • The Double Burden of Malnutrition: The co-existence of undernutrition (wasting/stunting) alongside overnutrition (obesity) within the same communities or households.

  • Food Safety and Sanitarian Infrastructure: The reliance of food utilization on clean drinking water and sanitary food preparation to prevent chronic gut inflammation (environmental enteropathy).

  • Nutritional Security: Shifting the global policy focus from merely providing "calories" (food security) to providing "nutrients" (nutritional security).

The Triple Intersection: Organic Ag, Food Security, and Public Health

  • One Health Approach: A collaborative, multisectoral approach recognizing that the health of people is closely connected to the health of animals and our shared environment (soil -> crop -> human).

  • Sustainable Diets: Creating dietary guidelines that are both nutritionally adequate for public health and produced via environmentally sustainable, organic-aligned methods.

  • Policy and Food Sovereignty: Empowering local communities to control their own mechanisms of food production and distribution, ensuring healthy, culturally appropriate, and sustainably grown food for all.