Advanced Grants given in 2021 We implemented the new Advanced Grant scheme in 2021 in collaboration with Philippines-based SEARCA3 with a Call for Research on Accelerating Transformation through Agricultural Innovation in Southeast Asia. The theme was selected in response to the COVID pandemic. We received 52 Advanced Grant applications for pre-screening, with 32 then sent out for external review and to SAC members. Twenty-seven (27) applications were recommended for continued consideration, with ten grants eventually awarded, as below.
DR BUI THI LAM, VIETNAM Moving toward a healthier diet: Consumer intention to eat more vegetables and less meat in Vietnam Since the 90s, the dietary pattern in Vietnam has remarkably shifted towards unhealthy diets high in animal protein but insufficient in fiber. While malnutrition is prevalent among a proportion of the rural population, cities are facing an increased rate of overweightness and obesity. Unbalanced diets that favour meat have been linked to large greenhouse gas emissions, therefore posing a considerable risk to the environment, as compared to plant-based diets. A healthier diet with less meat and more vegetables is the key solution for such a health and environmental crisis. This project will analyse the characteristics of distinct consumer segments across different stages of behaviour changes in meat and vegetable consumption in Vietnam; and investigate the intention to eat more vegetables and less meat, along with the association between the two practices. This project will contribute to the existing literature and provide comprehensive evidence-based recommendations to facilitate a shift toward more plant-based diets in Vietnam. DR OANH NGUYEN CONG, VIETNAM Potential for using some indigenous medicinal plants as feed additives relating to animal health, growth performance and meat quality of pigs in Northern Vietnam Overuse of antibiotics for growth promotion and disease prevention in animals can contribute to the emergence of antibiotic resistance and to increased human health risks. Phytogenics have been stu-
died and used in animal feeds as replacements for antibiotics. Some indigenous medicinal plants in pig diets can improve digestive health and growth performance while others can enhance carcass characteristics, sensory quality and fatty acid compositions of pork. However, little is known about the effect of locally phytogenic additives in pig diets on growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of pork. Thus, this project will survey availability and use of indigenous medicinal plants as feed additives in pig production in Northern Vietnam, and analyze their chemical constituents, bio-active compounds and antioxidant capacities. It is expected that the results of this project will be a good basis for scientists to develop feed production strategies for animals based on local resources of indigenous plants in Vietnam.
nity brought about by the quarantine affect food retailers and the foods they sell, and how they evolve to keep their food retail market in operation despite the pandemic. There is also a need to know if the safety net programs of the government were able to ameliorate poor people’s access to nutritious food based on the timing of quarantine restrictions imposed by the government. This study aims to provide holistic information on how the COVID-19 quarantine restrictions affect the households’ consumer behaviour and food security based on the changes in their food environment. This study is critical in developing post-pandemic policy recommendations towards improving the food environment and food security of the most vulnerable sectors of the population living in a peri-urban and varying landscape environment.
MS MILDRED GUIRINDOLA, PHILIPPINES Food environment and socio-ecological attributes as drivers of food security before and during enhanced and general COVID-19 quarantines in Cavite, Philippines
DR TRAN NGUYEN DUY KHOA, VIETNAM Application of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in larviculture of mud crab (Scylla paramamosain)
The Philippines is noted to have a stricter and longer duration of quarantines than in other parts of the world. The imposed quarantine, depending on its level of restrictions, heavily affected the mobility of people that resulted in decreased availability and affordability of food and loss of jobs and livelihoods. Currently, there is a gap in how the quarantine restrictions affect households’ food behaviour and food choices and their food security based on the way they obtain and or buy, prepare, store, cook, and consume their food with their inherent socio-ecological factors. There is also a gap on how the changes in food supply and demand in the commu-
Light, including its rhythms, quality and intensity, is a key environmental factor influencing the growth, culture and survival of aquatic organisms. Throughout development and evolution, organisms gradually adapt to different lighting conditions through changes in their physiology, morphology and behaviour. Based on the various physical and chemical properties of light, artificial conditions should therefore aim to simulate natural lighting characteristics to encourage the growth and development of aquatic organisms and promote a healthy and sustainable aquaculture industry. Mud crab (Scylla paramamosain) is a valuable aquatic species to the aquaculture induIFS ANNUAL REPORT 2021 *** 29
