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The main objective of this dissertation was to assess whether cultivated area in Iraq, as estimated using satellite remote sensing, changed during and as a result of war and sanctions. The first study used MODIS NDVI data during OIF and the end of UN sanctions to study changes in cultivated area for Iraq as a whole and to identify spatial patterns. The results revealed significant changes in cultivated area for Iraq as a whole, with cultivated area decreasing over 35,000 ha per year. Regionally, there was little change in cultivated area in northern governorates in the Kurdish Autonomous Region, significant decreases in governorates in central Iraq, and initial increases in governorates containing the southern marshlands followed by decreases related to drought. The second study used Landsat images converted to NDVI to study changes in cultivated area in central Iraq for four periods of conflict, and relates those changes to effects on food security. The results indicated that cultivated area changed little between the Iran-Iraq War (1980 to 1988) and the Gulf War (1990 to 1991), increased by 20 percent (from 1.72 to 2.04 Mha) during the period of United Nations sanctions (1990 to 2003), and dropped to below pre-sanction levels (1.40 Mha) during Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003 to 2011). Finally, the third study builds on findings from the second study to address patterns of agricultural land abandonment in central Iraq. The largest areas of abandoned land were those cultivated during the Late Sanctions period (2000-2003). Further, the results indicate that proximity to surface water and roads are strong indicators of continuity of agricultural land use, and that abandoned lands are positioned in peripheral regions more distant from surface water and the transportation grid. We also found that surface soil salinity is increasing in the cultivated lands of central Iraq, regardless of whether it was cultivated during every period or during only a single period. The overall findings indicate that the UN sanctions had the greatest impact on cultivated area, which increased during sanctions, when food imports all but ceased, and then decreased after sanctions ended and food imports resumed. / Ph. D.

With a rapidly growing world population and increased threats of climate change, Sub-Saharan Africa is most at risk for lower crop yields and facing hunger. Within Sub-Saharan Africa, Senegal has some of the highest levels of anemia and micronutrient deficiencies among women and children. Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek] is a pulse crop that has recently been successfully introduced in Senegal to diversify a primarily cereal-based diet consisting of millet, maize, and rice. The potential for mungbean to be harvested as a leafy green as well as a pulse could allow for a more balanced and nutrient-rich diet. This diversification could help combat micronutrient deficiencies while earlier harvest of the leaves could help alleviate the pressures of the "hunger season." To understand the effects of leaf harvest on mungbean grain yield, yield components, and nutrition, a field trial was conducted in Blacksburg, Virginia for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022. In a split-plot design, four frequencies of leaf harvest (0x, 1x, 2x, and 3x) on seven accessions of mungbean were tested in triplicate. The objective of this experiment was to determine if mungbean can be used as a dual-purpose crop as a leafy green vegetable without decreasing grain yield in Senegal. It was found that mungbeans could undergo up to two leaf harvest of immature leaves without reducing yield, total dry matter (TDM), or yield components. The harvested leaves were also found to be highly nutritious with 22.0% protein, 12.3% fiber and 8.5% ash with no significant differences between leaf harvest treatments. These results indicate that mungbean can be used as a dual-purpose crop for harvest as leafy greens and pulse in Senegal. Further, mungbeans were studied as a viable crop in southside Virginia. The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of mungbeans as an alternative crop to tobacco farmers in Virginia. Field trials were conducted on farmers' fields and at Virginia Tech's Southern Piedmont Agricultural Research and Extension Center in 2021 and 2022. A split-plot experimental design was used with early and late planting dates in the beginning and end of June as the whole plots and two commercially-available cultivars, Berken and OK 2000, as the sub-plots. Due to highly variable rain patterns in 2021 and 2022, as well as differing management practices, there were no consistent effects of genotype or planting date on yield, plant height, pods per plant, seeds per pod, or seed size. Yield ranged from 0.19 MT ha-1 to 1.18 MT ha-1 with an average yield of 0.84 MT ha-1 in 2021 and 0.38 MT ha-1 in 2022. Though there was variation in yield, across planting dates, cultivars, locations, and years, the highest yield was higher than global averages. It was concluded that while there is great potential with the growing mungbean market, more studies of breeding and supply chain issues and development of a production guide are needed for mungbean to be successful in Virginia. A final study compared soybean, edamame, and mungbean nutritional components and volatiles, two characteristics of importance to breeding objectives and food processing regarding plant alternative proteins. It was found that mungbean had significantly less protein (21.1%) than soy (36.2%) and edamame (38.3%). Mungbean also had lower fat (0.769%) compared to soy (13.5%) and edamame (14.0%). Analysis of aromatic compounds revealed that soybean, edamame, and mungbean each had unique profiles that could be advantageous to the production of specific plant protein foods. Overall, these studies demonstrate the growing importance and potential of mungbean in both Senegal and in the United States. / Master of Science / With a rapidly growing world population and increased threats of climate change, Sub-Saharan Africa is most at risk for lower crop yields and facing hunger. Within Sub-Saharan Africa, Senegal has some of the highest levels of anemia and micronutrient deficiencies among women and children. Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek] is a pulse crop that has recently been successfully introduced in Senegal to diversify a primarily cereal-based diet consisting of millet, maize, and rice. The potential for mungbean to be harvested as a leafy green as well as a pulse could allow for a more balanced and nutrient-rich diet. This diversification could help combat micronutrient deficiencies while earlier harvest of the leaves could help alleviate the pressures of the "hunger season." To understand the effects of leaf harvest on mungbean grain yield, yield components, and nutrition, a field trial was conducted in Blacksburg, Virginia for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022. In a split-plot design, four frequencies of leaf harvest (0x, 1x, 2x, and 3x) on seven accessions of mungbean were tested in triplicate. The objective of this experiment was to determine if mungbean can be used as a dual-purpose crop as a leafy green vegetable without decreasing grain yield in Senegal. It was found that mungbeans could undergo up to two leaf harvest of immature leaves without reducing yield, total dry matter (TDM), or yield components. The harvested leaves were also found to be highly nutritious with 22.0% protein, 12.3% fiber and 8.5% ash with no significant differences between leaf harvest treatments. These results indicate that mungbean can be used as a dual-purpose crop for harvest as leafy greens and pulse in Senegal.

Ohio is one of the largest agricultural producers in the United States and yet Ohioans experience food insecurity at a rate two percent higher than the national average. An analysis of Ohio's agricultural sector in relation to the current global food system suggests that the neoliberal imaginary orders social and ecological relations at both the international and domestic levels. This ordering perpetuates and justifies the continued exploitation of both labor and land and is based on ontological separation of human and ecological systems. This imaginary has given rise to the framework of food security, which has become the singular framework under which solutions to food and climate challenges are outlined by both local policy makers and major development and agricultural organizations. This effectively limits the possible solutions to only those solutions that fit within this imaginary. In considering the continued prevalence of food insecurity in both national and international contexts, it is necessary to explore other avenues for proposing solutions to the current food challenges, which will only grow as the impacts of climate change worsen. Food sovereignty, more specifically urban food sovereignty, offers an alternative ontological framework that expands the realm of possible solutions to food insecurity as a feature of the food sovereignty movement's recognition of multiple ways of being. / Master of Arts / Ohio is one of the largest agricultural producers in the United States and yet, Ohioans experience food insecurity at a rate two percent higher than the national average. An analysis of Ohio's agricultural development in relation to the rise of the current global food system illustrates the ideological connections between the two systems, and the dependencies of these systems on the continued exploitation of both land and labor. Thus, these systems and the food security framework that has arisen from the same ideology or imaginary, can only provide limited solutions to food insecurity at the national or international level. The solutions that have been proposed and implemented under the security framework maintain dependency and vulnerability of insecure populations. As the impacts from climate change worsen and threaten to disrupt food systems, there is the need to move away from the food security framework towards a framework of food sovereignty and the incorporation of urban spaces into the solutions proposed.

Since 2015, a U.S. Agency for International Development and Virginia Tech Education and Research in Agriculture collaboration has introduced and tested mung bean as a potential crop to alleviate malnutrition and food insecurity in Senegal. This MS thesis describes a study conducted to assess the impact of mung bean on dietary diversity of Senegalese women and children in the Kaolack, Matam and Bakel localities of Senegal. A mixed-methods research approach included individual surveys to determine dietary diversity scores (DDS) and focus groups to assess the perceived impacts of mung bean. The dietary diversity survey was conducted with 194 participants including adult women, ages 15 to 70 years (n=109) and children, ages 0-10 years (n=85). Half (52%) of the population were mung bean consumers. The dietary diversity surveys revealed an average DDS of 5.73 on a scale of one to 10, with 5.83 and 5.62 for mung bean and non-mung bean consuming groups, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in DDS between mung-bean consuming women and both mung bean and non-mung bean children, and between mung bean and non-mung bean consumers in Bakel; however, there was no significant difference between overall mung bean and non-mung bean groups DDS. Focus groups (n=11) with mung bean consuming women identified perceived agricultural, health, and financial benefits associated with mung bean consumption. These results can increase our understanding of how mung bean may influence policy-relevant issues for the Senegalese population, including agricultural, health and financial outcomes that are not reflected in dietary diversity surveys. / Master of Science

Globally, more than two billion people suffer from deficiencies in micronutrients that are essential for human health. Low-income populations in low- and middle-income countries are especially vulnerable to these deficiencies. There are three priority interventions used to reduce micronutrient deficiencies and improve overall nutrition status — supplementation, fortification, and diet diversity. As the share of food purchases made by low-income households has been increasing, there is increasing interest in the role the private sector can play in these interventions. Currently, there is little known about the potential for a market-based approach to contribute to improvements in diet diversity. Proven to be one of the most effective ways of improving nutritional status, increasing diet diversification among low-income populations will be essential for reducing micronutrient deficiencies in the long-term. The purpose of this research is to contribute evidence on the potential for a market-based approach to increase diet diversity among low-income households in Mozambique. This research starts by examining the extent to which low-income consumers in Nampula, Mozambique make diverse food purchases and the amount they are willing to pay for such diversity. Since diet diversification is intended to improve health, the connections between individual-level health constructs and diversity of food purchases is subsequently investigated. These studies are then used as the basis for a participatory community-based intervention that explores if health constructs influence modifications in food purchases and the barriers and enabling factors that exist to using the market to increase household diet diversity. The findings of this work reveal that there is potential for markets to contribute to the diversity of foods consumed by low-income households; however, concerted efforts between the private, public, and civil sectors will likely be required for the success and longevity of market-based approaches. / Doctor of Philosophy / Though we usually think of hunger in terms of not getting enough to eat, there is another form, known as 'hidden hunger', which refers to not eating enough of the right types of foods. This results in not getting enough of the nutrients, such as iron or vitamin A, that are essential for human health and development. People living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are especially vulnerable to this type of hunger, as their diet typically is comprised of calorie-rich but nutrient-deficient foods. One of the most effective ways to reduce hidden hunger, is to eat a variety of foods that are rich in micronutrients (e.g., fruits, vegetables, legumes, meat). In LMICs, governmental and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have created programs to encourage this so-called 'diet diversity' by encouraging households to produce different types of food crops or plant kitchen gardens. These programs have been successful in increasing diet diversity, however, significant portions of the population in LMICs still lack diversity in their diets. We now know that an increasing number of low-income households in LMICs are purchasing at least some of their foods from markets. Thus, there is increasing interest in the role that businesses and food purchases can play in increasing the diversity of the diet among households that may be suffering from hidden hunger. The purpose of this research was to explore this possibility. First, I investigated if low-income consumers are already purchasing diverse foods from the market in Mozambique, and, if they are, how much are they willing to pay for this diversity. Second, I explored how the diversity of these purchases are related to what individuals believe about the connection between diet diversity and health. Then I conducted a community-based intervention, where low-income households participated in a nutrition and food-purchasing education and worked with facilitators to find ways that worked for them to increase the diversity of the foods they purchased from the market. The findings of this study show that it may be possible to use the market and food purchases to increase the diet diversity of low-income households, but that support from governments and NGOs will likely be required in order to be successful in reducing hidden hunger in the long-term.

Farm and industry workers are a growing population in the United States (U.S.) and are critical to the success of the agriculture industry. In 1993, the Migrant Legal Services estimated that there were 42,000 migrant and seasonal farm workers in the state of Virginia (Wilson, 1998). These workers are essential in the state's production of fruits, vegetable crops, and poultry. The 1995 National Agricultural Worker Survey (NAWS) indicated that 80% of farm workers in the U.S. are of Latino origin. Data from the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES) reveals that Hispanics in the U.S. are at a greater risk for developing serious health problems, such as tuberculosis, cancer, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension, than the general population (HHANES, 1990). Latino farm and industry workers are reported to be at a high risk or developing nutrition-related health problems as a result of their low socioeconomic status and migratory lifestyles (Loria et al., 1995). Farm and industry workers also are at an increased risk of food insecurity due to low incomes, low literacy, poor health, migratory lifestyles, and lack of transportation (Shotland, 1989). The evidence from the literature suggest that long work hours, low wages, inconsistent work opportunities, and linguistic and cultural barriers may make it difficult for Latino farm/industry workers to meet their nutritional needs (Kowalski et al., 1999). About 30% to 40% of the Latino population fails to meet the minimum nutrient standards of the World Health Organization primarily due to poverty (Kittler and Suchar, 1998). A study was conducted to assess the nutrition, health, and food security problems, concerns, and perceived barriers of Latino farm/industry workers in Virginia because Virginia Cooperative Extension is concerned about the nutrition and health status of this important agricultural workforce. Triangulation techniques employing qualitative (focus group discussions and participatory activities) and quantitative (questionnaires) methodologies were utilized. Six focus group sessions were conducted with a total of 51 Latino farm/industry workers. Lack of money, time, transportation, and linguistic barriers were predominant themes that emerged from the focus group discussions related to health and nutrition concerns and barriers. Farm workers reported osteoporosis, anemia, urinary tract infections, and HIV/AIDS as top health concerns. Industry workers indicated gastritis, arthritis, and cancer as their top health concerns. Apples, bananas, oranges, and watermelon were the most commonly consumed fruits. Beans, tomatoes/onions, potatoes, and chili peppers were the most commonly consumed vegetables. Participants indicated that they preferred learning about health and nutrition from non-interactive sources, such as cassettes, radio, brochures, and television, due to lack of time and their migratory lifestyles. The Cornell/Radimer Food Security Questionnaire was administered to assess hunger and food insecurity. Approximately 98% of the 49 Latino farm and industry workers surveyed suffer from food insecurity. Females were more food insecure when compared to males. Data obtained from this study will be used to develop useful and culturally appropriate nutrition education strategies to improve dietary habits and overall health and nutrition status of Latino farm/industry workers and their families. / Master of Science

Achieving food security in Bangladesh remains an arduous task, as the country struggles with several challenges. These challenges include the effects of climate change, occurrence of natural disasters, lack of proper access to credit facilities, and the anthropogenic modification of the agricultural landscape. The vulnerability of agricultural practice in the northern regions to drought, flood, and riverbank erosion, as well as the increased occurrence of coastal surges, waterlogging, cyclones, coastal floods, shrimp aquaculture and soil salinity in the southwestern region, poses a major threat to Bangladesh’s attainment of food security. In this context, we analyze the anthropogenic factors such as land use and land covers change, waterlogging, soil salinity and agriculture credit facilities which combinedly affecting the food security in the southwestern and northern regions of Bangladesh. Findings revealed that in the southwestern regions agricultural lands have decreased because of an increase in shrimp farming. Waterlogging and soil salinity are increasing due to increased shrimp farms also for poor drainage infrastructure and human modification. In our studied three interior coastal districts agricultural land in 2011 was 19,657.12 acres, 12,750.14 acres and 38,774.70 acres which changed to 12,668.70 acres (-36%), 7,151.27 acres (-44%) and 32,809.30 acres (-16%) in 2021. By utilizing CMIP5 data and RCP 4.5 scenarios, we also projected temperature and precipitation in the northern and southwestern regions for the years 2030, 2040, 2050, and 2060 the results indicated substantial variations between pre- and post-monsoon temperatures, with projected maximum, minimum, and mean temperature differences of > 5°C, < 3°C, and < 4°C, respectively. Structural equation modeling reveals that shrimp farming has a significant negative impact on farmers' income and dietary habits. Land use and land cover analyses in the exposed coastal area indicate that agricultural land has decreased by 321.83 km2 over more than thirty years. Structural equation modeling also revealed that agricultural credit influences the food security of marginal farmers. Our study serves as a guide for policymakers in Bangladesh and other developing countries, providing insights into the implementation of effective and sustainable agriculture and climate policies to address the constraints and challenges associated with food security.

In Jackson, Mississippi, basic needs like access to food and water are critical issues. This research reveals efforts and actors working to improve food access within Jackson’s foodscape. This study uses interview and mapping methodologies, which unearth the challenges and opportunities for food efforts in Jackson. Current food work is analyzed through a cultural lens – How is the work influenced by the unique conditions and aspects of Jackson? – and a temporal lens – How does time impact access? What are historic changes and future visions for Jackson? These investigations contribute to opportunities for developing sustainable food systems, determining spatial, infrastructural, and temporal inaccessibility, increasing understanding of opportunities and challenges for food security, and adding to existing literature on the foodscape. By documenting food security organizations, the built environment, and social dynamics in the current context, this research emphasizes how landscape architecture can contribute to building a more equitable, sustainable food future.