Food loss continues to be a major global challenge that impacts environmental sustainability, economic stability and food security. An inventive strategy for lowering food loss across the supply chain is AI-driven monitoring. The foundation of human civilization has always been agriculture, which supplies the vital resources needed for growth and nutrition. Higher quality crops with improved nutritional value, increased resilience to pests and diseases and improved adaptability to varying climatic conditions are in greater demand as the world's population continues to grow. Despite their effectiveness, traditional agricultural methods frequently fail to effectively meet these objectives; therefore, an innovative strategy for raising crop quality is the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) into agricultural operations. This paper examines the role of AI-driven monitoring in reducing food loss, focusing on its applications, benefits and implications for the food industry. AI driven technologies like machine learning, IoT-based smart sensors and computer vision can enhance efficiency in food production, storage, transportation and retail. By utilizing AI-driven solutions, stakeholders can optimize resource utilization, reduce waste, and contribute to sustainable food systems. AI-assisted processing can optimize various stages of crop production, from planting and growing to harvesting and postharvest management, thereby improving the overall quality of agricultural produce.

This study aimed to compare three orange tomato cultivars and three red tomato cultivars in terms of their biochemical composition and sensory quality in order to support breeding programs and applications in the food and industrial sectors. The results clearly distinguished the two groups. The orange tomatoes had an ascorbic acid content of 12.8 to 22.6 mg/100 g, while the red tomatoes had higher values, ranging from 16.2 to 24.5 mg/100 g, indicating their superior potential as a vitamin C source. Orange tomatoes had higher total soluble solids (Brix) values (5.2–7.3° Brix) than red tomatoes (4.8–6.7° Brix), indicating greater sugar accumulation during ripening. The orange tomatoes' fructose and glucose levels, which ranged from 4.3 to 5.4 g/100 g and 4.3 to 5.5 g/100 g, respectively, also reflected these trends. These sugars were slightly lower in the red tomatoes, with fructose ranging from 3.8 to 5.1 g/100 g and glucose ranging from 3.9 to 5.3 g/100 g. Additionally, the orange cultivars had higher pH values (4.2–4.68 vs. 3.95–4.4) and a higher citric acid content (1.7–2.0 g/100 g) than the red cultivars (1.4–1.8 g/100 g), suggesting a profile with a more evenly distributed balance between sweetness and acidity. For a more comprehensive characterisation, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to identify non-destructive biochemical differences between the samples. The higher absorbance of the red tomato juices at 1745 and 1620 cm1 suggests that they contain more lycopene and phenolic compounds. Orange tomatoes, on the other hand, had distinct absorption peaks at 2920 and 2850 cm1, indicating higher concentrations of lipid- and beta-carotene-associated compounds. Each cultivar's genetic focus on increasing beta-carotene in orange varieties and lycopene in red varieties is reflected in these spectral characteristics. The spectrum traits of each cultivar reflect its genetic emphasis on enhancing beta-carotene in orange variants and lycopene in red ones; also, this study was emphasised the need of integrating HPLC and FTIR approaches for accurate and speedy tomato freshness evaluation. FTIR, may help with breeding programs, the development of healthier meals, the identification of different types and their vegetable quality, and the calculation of fruit and vegetable nutritional content.

To date, farmers seldom feel the impact of agricultural innovations either because they have no access to such vital information or because it is poorly disseminated. The study assessed the influence of village adoption program on the level of utilization of NSPRI postharvest Technologies among arable crop handlers in Alapa Community of Kwara State, Nigeria. The study was carried out in Alapa Community in Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria. The population of the study includes all the arable crop handlers in the study area. A multistage sampling procedure was employed to select 48 respondents for the study. The primary data were obtained with the aid of a well-structured questionnaire and structured interview guide. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (Linear Regression model). Majority of the respondents were educated (87.5%) with a mean age and household’s size of 38.31±10.743 years and 5.48±1.203 respectively. Similarly, majority of the respondents utilized NSPRI parabolic solar dryer (75.0%) and yam barn (47.9%) on high level. Lack of training (WMS = 2.10) was the major challenge faced in the utilization of NSPRI postharvest Technologies in Alapa community. The result of linear regression model revealed that educational level (t = 7.452***) was significantly related with the level of utilization of NSPRI postharvest technologies. Since educational level is an important determinant of technology utilization, there is adequate need for advocacy for acquisition of quality education to further enhance effective utilization of technology with attending better output and higher return to investment.

The article analyzes the controversies generated by the use of neonicotinoids in Romanian agriculture, in the context of successive derogations issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in contradiction with European Union regulations on the protection of pollinators. The study starts from the case of the derogation of December 2024 and follows the legal, ecological and socio-economic implications of the administrative decisions, balancing the divergent positions of the actors involved: authorities, farmers, beekeepers and environmental organizations. By analyzing official documents and public positions of the authorities, the article highlights the tensions between the objectives of agricultural production and the need to protect biodiversity. The preliminary conclusions emphasize the need for a coherent public policy based on scientific data to facilitate the transition to sustainable agricultural practices, without compromising food security or ecosystem health.

This study investigated the proximate composition and calorific value of fermented and sprouted rice-sesame composites formulated at varying ratios. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed across moisture, ash, crude protein, crude fiber, crude fat, carbohydrate contents, and energy values among the blends. The 50:50 rice-to-sesame ratio (FR50S50 and SR50S50) exhibited the highest moisture (10.62–11.70%), ash (1.89–1.99%), fat (11.52–15.42%), protein (24.39–25.35%), crude fiber (1.25–1.31%), and calorific values (397.76–422.06 Kcal/100 g), indicating enhanced nutritional quality with balanced seed proportions. Conversely, blends with higher rice content (FR90S10 and SR90S10) showed lower values in these parameters but higher carbohydrate content (71.38–73.08%) compared to pure rice (R100, 85.16%). These findings demonstrate that incorporating sesame seeds, particularly at equal ratios with rice, significantly improves the nutritional profile of fermented and sprouted rice-based composites, suggesting their potential as nutrient-dense functional food ingredients.

This study evaluated the impact of plant extracts from Chromolaena odorata, Aspilia africana, Datura stramonium, and Gongronema latifolium on the physiological and yield parameters of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus). The study aimed to assess the potential of these extracts to enhance plant development and productivity. Okra plants were treated with 500 mg/ml of the extracts as a soil drench. Physiological parameters such as shoot length, stem size, number of leaves, and root length were measured at 20-day intervals for 90 days. Yield parameters, including the number of fruits per plant and fruit weight, were also recorded. The results demonstrated that the growth and yield parameters of treated plants were significantly improved compared to the control (p≤0.05). These findings suggest that applying plant extracts has the potential to influence the growth and yield parameters of okra, offering a sustainable approach to improve crop performance. Further research is needed to optimize application methods and identify the mechanisms behind these observed effects.

This study evaluated the suitability of some soils developed under two geological formations (that is, basement complex rocks and the sedimentary rocks) in Niger State, for maize (Zea mays) production. Four sites two each under the formations were selected for the study. Gidan Mangoro (GDM) and Mutun Daya (MTD) represented the basement complex while Enagi (ENG) and Ndayako (NDY) represented the sedimentary rocks. In each site, a mini profile pit (1m x 1m x 1m) was dug, described and sampled according to FAO guidelines. The samples were analyzed in the laboratory following the standard analytical procedures. Square root method was used in the suitability evaluation of the soils. The results showed that, the texture of GDM, was loamy sand at topmost horizon (Ap), underlain by sandy clay loam at Bt horizon over sandy loam texture at Btv horizon. The texture of MTD was sandy loam at topmost horizon (Ap), underlain by sandy clay loam at Btv1 and Btv2 horizons. ENG, and NYK were sandy loam all through. The current (actual) status of the sites revealed temporally not suitable (N1) with indices of 21, 20, 22 and 17 for GDM, MTD, ENG and NYK respectively due to soil fertility and nutrient retention limitations. After correcting the limitations, the sites showed potentials for the production of maize with indices of 31 (S3), 28 (S3), 47 (S2) and 43 (S2) for GDM, MTD, ENG and NYK respectively. The soils under the sedimentary rock formation showed more potential for maize production. Key Words: Parent materials; basement complex and sedimentary rocks, Land suitability evaluation, maize production.

The study examines the dynamics of European funds absorption in Romania, using official data published by the Ministry of Investments and European Projects as of July 31, 2025. The analysis uses descriptive and applied statistics to assess general progress as well as differences between programs. Findings highlight significant variability in performance and a concentration of absorption around infrastructure programs, while social and digital sectors face persistent delays and compliance challenges. The assessment of financial efficiency reveals notable discrepancies across programs, indicating the need for operational adjustments and strengthened institutional capacity. Projections for the 2025–2027 period suggest that the final trajectory will depend on the administrative ability to streamline procedures, establish strategic priorities, and accelerate implementation. The overarching conclusion emphasizes that optimizing EU funds absorption requires diversifying performance drivers and reducing reliance on a limited number of dominant programs.