Exploring the effects of increasing underutilized crops on consumers’ diets: the case of millet in Uganda

Known in the literature as underutilized, neglected or orphan crops, these crops have been cited as having the potential to improve food and nutritional security. The literature also highlights however that consumers in developing countries are increasingly abandoning their traditional diets that these crops are part of, and are replacing them by western diets. In this context, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the consumption and nutritional implications of expanding the participation of underutilized crops in current diets. This was done using a modified version of the microeconomic consumer problem. This was augmented with a linear constraint using generalized rationing theory that can be found in the economics literature. The method was applied to the case study of the consumption of millet (finger millet, botanical name: Eleusine coracana) by rural, urban-poor and urban-affluent Ugandan socioeconomic groups. The results indicated that millet could contribute to improving the intake of macronutrients and of some micronutrients, though the overall picture is complex. However, under current preferences and given its demand inelasticity, to achieve a substantial increase in the quantity of millet in the diet will require a significant reduction of its price. Otherwise, the net impact on nutrition as measured by the mean adequacy ratio will be only slightly positive for rural and urban-poor households. Our findings indicate that supply-side initiatives aimed at increasing the productivity of underutilized crops (reducing crop price) are likely to produce disappointing results in restoring their importance unless accompanied by specific interventions to expand demand.

Set difference operation for regular Petri net languages for the producer/consumer problem with the bounded buffer

We consider a Petri net for the producer/consumer problem (one of the classical synchronization problems) with the bounded buffer of size n and the regular formal languages Ln, generated by the net. The objective of this paper is to obtain a regular expression for the set difference of languages Ln \ Lm, n > m. For this purpose, we give the finite automaton which accepts the set difference of mentioned languages, and then we use the state elimination method to obtain the regular expression in the recursive form. The main result is illustrated by the examples. In an appendix, we consider the problem with two producers and two consumers with the bounded buffer of size 1. We give a reachability graph and propose the method for obtaining the regular expression. The explicit formulas are given for the problem with two producers and one consumer and also for the problem with one producer and two consumers.

Abuse of Right by a Consumer: Problem Setting and the Search for a Solution

Balanced relations between retail market participants largely ensures the competitiveness and stability of the entire Russian economy. Hence, the state pays close attention to consumer protection issues. But, like any sphere of civil law regulation, relations with the participation of consumers are inherently abused, including by the consumers themselves. This article proves in both practical and theoretical aspects that consumer dishonesty is a significant legal problem. The solution of this problem requires not only systematic change in the current legislation, but also a broad public discussion. After all, the modern legal consciousness of the consumer is perceived exclusively as the weak counter party. It is obvious that in such conditions it is a difficult task to realize the existence of this problem and even more so to take real steps to solve. Nevertheless, one cannot remain idle. Consumer abuse of right, being an independent form of abuse of subjective civil right, has its own specifics related to the role and legal status of participants in the legal relations under consideration, so there is an objective need for legislative consolidation of this concept, with which the fight against this kind of behavior should begin.

Ambulant Market Foods: Consumer Problem or Solution?

Background: The sale of food by street vendors is an activity of economic, sanitary, and nutritional importance, but these foods can pose a high risk to the health of consumers in inadequate conditions of preparation and storage. The aim of this study was to investigate the preparation conditions and the hygienic-sanitary quality of food sold by street vendors in the vicinity of four campuses of a University Center in Maceió, Brazil. The aim was to verify the sanitary hygienic conditions of the preparation site as well as to carry out a microbiological analysis of the commercialized foods. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the microbiological analyses were carried out on different foods following the multiple tube technique for coliforms and surface sowing method and pour-plate assay for Salmonella sp., molds, and yeasts. In addition, an observational checklist was applied involving 21 trailer tent owners in the vicinity of the four campuses of the University Center. Inclusion criterion included adult vendors selling food near four campuses at the Centro Universitário de Maceió, Brazil. Exclusion criteria consisted of street vendors due to the difficulty in locating them. Results: The findings showed high presence of microorganisms; a high degree of risk was observed in 100% of the studied places. Conclusion: Hygienic-sanitary interventions are necessary to train these vendors on the importance of good manufacturing practices, since this will probably not result in food-borne outbreaks.

The Consumer Problem

The theory of a rational consumer characterized by an incomplete preference order is developed using distance functions and the zero-minimum (zero-maximum) principle. The essential comparative-static properties of the associated quantity-dependent and price-dependent demand structures are characterized. Utility functions are derived from distance functions for preference structures satisfying a complete ordering assumption. The Marshall-Hicks demand theory that is based on a utility-maximizing consumer is derived as a special case of rational consumer behavior. The Hicks-Allen demand decomposition is reviewed and a conjugate profit function approach to utility maximization is developed and used to discuss Revealed Preference Theory. The Chapter closes by examining the structural consequences of the independence axiom for d(x,y;g).