LOS BAÑOS, Laguna --The Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development (AJAD) published by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) has released its June 2021 issue featuring studies on policy and institutional structures and contextualized assessment tools that promote sustainable agriculture and food security.

AJAD is an international refereed journal listed in nine recognized indices, such as the Web of Science Emerging Sources Citation Index and EBSCO.

AJAD provides evidence-based information and analysis on topics within the broad scope of agriculture and development, said Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio, SEARCA Director.

He explained that AJAD publishes articles resulting from empirical, policy-oriented, or institutional development studies, as well as articles of perspectives on agriculture and development, political economy of rural development, and trade issues. AJAD accepts submissions year-round.

An analysis paper showed the potential of environmental sustainability and food safety attributes in influencing the purchasing decisions of consumers of fish and fishery products in Davao City.

The productivity and competitiveness of garlic production in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, a major garlic producer in the country, is discussed in another paper.

An eight-item scale called Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) was adapted in another study to assess poor communities in India. The scale is a tool used in measuring access to food within the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Another study about India explores a more responsive agricultural extension using information and communication technology.

Meanwhile, a study about Vietnam tackles information acquisition and conservation farming practices. Another study about the country delves on a comprehensive set of evaluation indicators to assess climate smart agriculture in Vietnam are proposed in the second research. Based on international tools and approaches customized for the Vietnamese Mekong Delta, the indicators measure food security, adaptation, mitigation, and applicability. Of the five rice-based models tested using the indicators, rice-shrimp and rice-lotus rotations are most profitable, low-risk, and applicable on a larger scale.

A paper on Thailand’s organic agriculture cites the potential of cooperatives in influencing the switch to low-carbon and low-pesticide agriculture. With a review of state policies, the author urges the government for more coherent support through synchronous work with cooperatives and non-government organizations, the main drivers of organic agriculture in Thailand.

Two book reviews complete the AJAD June 2021 volume. One is on “Surpassing the Middle Income Trap” and the other is on “Waking the Asian Pacific Co-operative Potential.”

“To be more responsive to the needs of the scholarly community, AJAD recently started publishing pre-prints to disseminate peer-reviewed articles at least one month ahead of the full issues published in June and December each year.,” said Dr. Cielito F. Habito, AJAD Editor-in-Chief, who is currently a Professor of Economics at the Ateneo de Manila University.

Dr. Habito also shared that “SEARCA has started using digital object identifiers (DOIs) in AJAD issues and articles published since December 2019 for a more convenient and permanent access by the public. These improvements, along with a more searchable and mobile-friendly website, are all part of AJAD’s goal to be SCOPUS and/or SSCI indexed by 2025.”