With challenges from global climate change, it is imperative to enhance food production using climate-smart technologies and maximize farm efficiency. Fifty-six households in Rudhiapada and Badamahulidiha, Odisha, India were selected to evaluate farmers’ efficiency using conservation agriculture (CA) cropping system practices. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) and regression analysis were used to estimate farmer efficiency and the determinants of yield. Conventional tillage with the local maize cultivar was compared to reduced tillage with improved maize cultivar and maize intercropped with cowpea. Badamahulidiha outperformed Rudhiapada in yields for all cropping systems. This could be attributed to lower input use and exposure to NGO training. The current efficiency level of farmers’ productivity was between 0.4 and 0.7. Inputs such as labor, seed, and fertilizers were found to be significant in increasing yield except for female labor and phosphate. This finding suggests conservation agriculture cropping system is female friendly. The conservation agriculture cropping systems improved maize yields by 60% to 70% when compared to conventional farming system. Combining conservation agriculture practices with improving efficiency of farmers in optimal use of the inputs can contribute substantially to productivity, thus enhancing food security and nutrition in the face of climate change in India and other tropical areas.

Coffee berry borer (CBB) is considered the most damaging insect pest of coffee worldwide. CBB was first detected on Hawai‘i Island in 2010, and quickly spread throughout the state’s coffee-growing regions. With the introduction of this pest, Hawaii’s small yet economically important coffee industry was changed forever with growers facing significantly higher production and labor costs, as well as decreased yield and coffee quality. We assessed the economic benefits of managing CBB based on three strategies that emerged in Hawaii over the last decade: (1) the use of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana alone, (2) early integrated pest management (IPM), which combined monitoring and sanitation with spraying B. bassiana, and (3) research-based IPM, which focused on CBB biology in Hawaii, optimization of monitoring, B. bassiana applications, and cultural controls. From 2011 to 2021, the economic benefits from managing CBB were USD 52 million using B. bassiana alone, USD 69 million from early IPM, and USD 130 million from research-based IPM, for a total of USD 251 million from all management. Our findings suggest that all types of management provide economic benefits to Hawaii growers, but management strategies based on Hawaii-specific research have provided the greatest gains in coffee yield, price, and revenue.

This chapter examines the impact of internalizing trade-off costs in agricultural water pricing on water allocation for local food production and watershed ecosystem health. Water is critical in the agricultural value chain and significantly influences food production. Consequently, this study provides decision-making insights at both industry and policy levels. Primary data was collected through an online conjoint choice experiment survey involving 202 water users in Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi. The multinomial Logit (MNL) model was employed to estimate the trade-off cost associated with water allocation. The results recommend implementing a quasi-efficient partial social cost pricing policy for agricultural water. This approach aims to enhance water use efficiency while ensuring ecological sustainability. By formulating such a policy, we can achieve sustainable water allocation that balances local food production needs with preserving watershed health. Implementing the proposed pricing policy may positively impact the economic well-being of water users in Hawaiʻi and elsewhere.

Aquaculture and wild-caught seafood contribute to the global seafood demand, but ocean resources have exceeded a sustainable yield. To promote a sustainable future, we must educate adolescent seafood consumers on factors that have the greatest impact in driving consumption preferences. Targeting adolescents can make a difference in their present food habits and lead to conscious consumers in the future. A pre- and post-survey was developed to assess high school students' knowledge and preference for aquaculture versus wild-caught seafood before and after the implementation of an educational program. The educational program, A.Q.U.A. (A Quest to Understand Aquaculture) was developed by the Center for Tropical and Subtropical Aquaculture (CTSA) covering five lessons. Survey responses were collected from three high schools across the island of Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi. Using a mental model analysis, education was found to be effective at increasing the knowledge of aquaculture and the preference for aquaculture seafood based on all four factors: ‘taste’, ‘environmental impact’, ‘health concerns’, and ‘what they eat at home’. Using analysis of variance tests, schools were found to have a significant impact on the change in knowledge of aquaculture. The study provides useful information needed to implement an effective education program into school curricula to enhance students' knowledge and promote conscious consumption for the benefit of a sustainable future. Keywords: aquaculture seafood, wild-caught seafood, education, consumption preferences, dietary behaviors DOI: 10.7176/JEP/14-34-01 Publication date: December 31^st 2023