Dear Colleagues,
Global food systems are entering a period of unprecedented stress, characterized by systemic risks arising from climate change, extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, zoonotic disease outbreaks, and trade disruptions. These interlocking shocks not only undermine food security and nutrition, but also erode the stability of agricultural supply chains that sustain global and regional economies. The resilience deficit is most evident in structurally fragile regions and among low-income populations, where declining incomes, volatile food prices, and reduced dietary diversity magnify vulnerability to food insecurity. Confronting these systemic risks requires advancing conceptual and empirical research to identify pathways for agricultural production systems that are resilient, sustainable, and inclusive.
Resilient agricultural production systems emphasize adaptability, diversity, and sustainability. They are capable of absorbing shocks, reorganizing under stress, and recovering rapidly while continuing to provide food, livelihoods, and ecosystem services. Building such systems requires innovations in crop and livestock management, integrated soil and water practices, diversified farming, risk-sharing mechanisms, and enabling policy and institutional environments. In this context, it is imperative to synthesize evidence and foster cross-disciplinary dialogue to advance understanding of how resilience can be embedded in agricultural production.
We are therefore organizing a Special Issue of Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (FASE) entitled “Building Resilient Agricultural Production Systems”. This issue will provide a platform for research that advances both conceptual and empirical understanding of resilience in agriculture, and that identifies pathways to design, evaluate, and scale resilient systems across regions.
We welcome original research articles, reviews, and perspectives on resilience in agricultural production, including but not limited to:
1. Frameworks and metrics for assessing resilience in farming systems
2. Climate-smart and agroecological practices that enhance adaptive capacity
3. Soil fertility, water management, and biodiversity in resilient production
4. Role of diversification, rotation, and mixed farming in reducing risks
5. Innovations in mechanization, digital technologies, and risk monitoring
6. Financial, insurance, and institutional mechanisms for buffering shocks
7. Policy, governance, and investment strategies for resilient agriculture
8. AI-powered predictive analytics and decision-support systems for enhancing agricultural resilience
Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering collects innovative papers that advance the understanding of scientific, technological/engineering, socio-economic, institutional/policy, and management factors that drive current and future agricultural productivity and sustainability globally. It is a Diamond Open-Access journal published bimonthly with no page charges. The Editor-in-Chief of FASE is Academician Prof. Qixin Sun, the president of China Agricultural University. The associate Editors-in-Chief comprise Hans Lambers from the University of Western Australia, Shenggen Fan and Yaofeng Zhao from China Agricultural University, Oene Oenema from Wageningen University, William J. Davies from Lancaster University and Peter Vitousek from Stanford University. All submitted manuscripts will undergo rigorous peer review by globally recognized experts. This process ensures high-impact, fair, and open science for all.
In view of your international standing as a research scientist, we cordially invite you to contribute to this special issue. To facilitate the review process, please submit a long abstract or a full draft to the FASE email address (fase@cau.edu.cn) by November 30, 2025. The editorial team will review your submission within 1 week and confirm whether it fits the scope of the special issue. Authors whose abstracts or drafts are accepted will be invited to submit their final full manuscripts through the FASE submission system by January 31, 2026. The FASE online submission system address is: http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/fase. Please indicate “Special Issue: Building Resilient Agricultural Production Systems” in your cover letter and manuscript.
Guest Editors
Shenggen Fan
Dean, Academy of Global Food Economics and Policy
Chair Professor, China Agricultural University
Thomas Cherico WANGER GUERRERO
Group Leader, Agroscope, Switzerland
Adjunct Full Professor, Academy of Global Food Economics and Policy, Beijing, China
Yuquan Chen
Associate Professor, China Agricultural University
Contact Email
chenyuquan_cem@cau.edu.cn
Dear Authors, Readers, and Reviewers,
We are pleased to announce that Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering will be renamed ENGINEERING Agriculture in the second half of 2026. This transition is part of a strategic initiative led by the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) to consolidate its portfolio of journals under the unified ENGINEERING journal brand. The move aims to enhance the journal's identity and boost its visibility and impact worldwide.
We want to emphasize that the journal's Aims and Scope, with a continued focus on agricultural green development and sustainability, will remain unchanged, For more details, please visit: https://journal.hep.com.cn/fase/EN/aims.
ENGINEERING Agriculture will continue to publish high-quality research and will remain a Diamond Open Access journal. All articles will be freely and permanently accessible, with no article processing charges (APCs) for authors.
Please note that all manuscripts accepted on or after September 10, 2025, will be published under the new journal name, ENGINEERING Agriculture.
We sincerely thank you for your continued support and look forward to publishing outstanding research in sustainable agriculture and agricultural engineering under our new name. For further information, please visit our website or contact the editorial office.
Best regards,
Editorial Office
Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering / ENGINEERING Agriculture
Young scholars are key drivers of scientific and technological innovation and essential to the sustainable development of agricultural science and engineering. As the official journal of the Agriculture Division of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (FASE) is committed to building a high-level academic platform that supports the translation of research into impact and fosters talent development in global agriculture.
With the growing influence of the journal, FASE is now recruiting for three key roles—Youth Editorial Board Member, Associate Editor, and Consultant Editor—to further strengthen the editorial board and enhance manuscript handling and academic quality (applications for multiple positions are welcome). We invite outstanding scholars in agricultural science and engineering to join us in advancing research and shaping the future of the field together.
I. Youth Editorial Board Member
Application Requirements
1. Candidates should hold a front-line scientific research position at a university or research institute, be aged 45 or younger, and hold the title of Associate Professor/Associate Research Fellow or above. Outstanding Lecturers/Assistant Research Fellows may also be considered.
2. Candidates should have an international academic perspective; preference will be given to those with overseas study or visiting experience.
3. Candidates must have published at least 5 SCI-indexed papers as the first author or corresponding author, demonstrating a solid research foundation and outstanding academic achievements in their field.
4. Candidates should strongly endorse the journal positioning of FASE and be willing to devote time and effort to contribute to the journal's development.
5. Research directions must align with the core academic fields of FASE (see FASE’s 12 topics: https://journal.hep.com.cn/FASE/EN/aims).
Main Responsibilities
1. Provide active input on journal development and contribute to discussions on key initiatives, including topic planning, special issues, and column optimization.
2. Help solicit high-quality submissions and recommend innovative research; undertake manuscript reviews with objectivity and fairness; assist in identifying suitable peer reviewers.
3. Help promote FASE at domestic and international academic conferences and scientific events to raise the journal's visibility and influence.
4. Actively participate in youth editorial board meetings, academic forums, and other activities organized by FASE.
Exclusive Rights
1. Receive an official certificate of appointment as a FASE Youth Editorial Board Member for a two-year term (renewable annually, subject to performance evaluation).
2. Have your profile featured in the Youth Editorial Board section across FASE’s journal publications, official website, and WeChat channel to enhance your academic visibility.
3. Enjoy priority publication for your own submissions or recommended manuscripts upon successful peer review.
4. Top performers will be prioritized for promotion to the FASE Editorial Board.
5. Receive complimentary print copies of FASE annually and enjoy priority access to academic training and cutting-edge forums organized by the journal.
II. Associate Editor
Application Requirements
1. Ph.D. required, with a current academic rank of Associate Professor/Associate Research Fellow or above, or a minimum of 5 years of senior research experience in a relevant field.
2. Deeply specialized in a specific subfield of Agricultural Science and Engineering (see FASE’s 12 topics: https://journal.hep.com.cn/FASE/EN/aims), with substantial academic expertise, extensive industry connections, and a strong grasp of field-specific research hotspots and trends.
3. A track record of at least 5 SCI-indexed papers as first or corresponding author; candidates with prior journal review or editorial experience are preferred.
4. Strong organizational skills and a high sense of responsibility, with the ability to efficiently manage the peer-review process and ensure timely progress.
5. Excellent written English skills, with proficiency in handling review communications for English-language manuscripts; prior experience as an editor for an international journal is an advantage.
Main Responsibilities
1. Oversee the complete peer-review process for assigned manuscripts: upon receipt, select and invite 3–5 suitable reviewers based on the manuscript's theme and research area.
2. Monitor review progress, communicate with reviewers to ensure timely submission of reports, and follow up on overdue reviews to maintain efficiency.
3. Synthesize all reviewer comments and, combined with an assessment of the manuscript's academic quality, formulate a preliminary decision (Accept, Revise, or Reject) for editorial office review.
4. For manuscripts decisioned as “Revise”, evaluate the authors’ responses and revisions to determine if they meet the reviewers’ requirements, and decide whether re-review is necessary.
5. Contribute to the journal’s strategic topic planning and column optimization, and assist in identifying potential sources of high-quality manuscripts and authors within the field.
Exclusive Rights
1. Receive an official FASE “Associate Editor” certificate for a 3-year term (renewable upon satisfactory performance). Your profile will be featured prominently on the journal’s official website and publications.
2. Be formally credited as an Associate Editor in the journal’s publications, enhancing your academic profile and recognition within the field.
3. Exercise decision-making input on manuscript handling, participating deeply in the journal’s academic quality control and indirectly guiding the field’s development.
4. Receive priority invitations to high-profile FASE events, such as international academic conferences and editorial board annual meetings, to network with leading global scholars.
III. Consultant Editor
Application Requirements
1. Ph.D. required, with an intermediate professional title or above, or a minimum of 3 years of relevant research experience in industry or research institutions.
2. Focused on a specific subfield of Agricultural Science and Engineering (see FASE’s 12 topics: https://journal.hep.com.cn/FASE/EN/aims), with solid professional knowledge and research experience, enabling accurate assessment of a manuscript's academic innovation and scientific soundness.
3. Published at least 5 SCI-indexed papers as first or corresponding author, demonstrating a deep understanding of the field; prior peer-review experience for domestic or international core journals is preferred.
4. Rigorous academic attitude and objective assessment skills, with the ability to complete reviews within the stipulated time (typically 2–3 weeks) and provide detailed, constructive comments.
5. Long-term commitment to supporting FASE, with the ability to review approximately 3–5 manuscripts per year.
Main Responsibilities
1. Conduct peer review of manuscripts upon invitation from Associate Editors, evaluating the soundness of research design, authenticity of data, reliability of conclusions, and overall academic innovation.
2. Submit structured review reports in accordance with journal guidelines, clearly outlining the manuscript’s strengths and weaknesses, suggesting revisions, and providing a justified recommendation (Accept, Revise, or Reject).
3. Promptly communicate with Associate Editors on any academic questions or disputes that arise during review, offering professional input as needed.
4. Assist Associate Editors by recommending suitable reviewers in your field, helping to expand the journal’s reviewer database and share relevant academic resources.
5. Keep abreast of research frontiers and trends, and periodically provide feedback to the editorial office on emerging hotspots and potential sources of high-quality submissions.
Exclusive Rights
1. Receive an official FASE “Consultant Editor” certificate for a 2-year term (renewal based on assessment of review quality and quantity). Your information will be listed in the journal’s “Consultant Editor Expert Database” on the official website.
2. Receive priority invitations to high-profile FASE events, such as international academic conferences and editorial board annual meetings.
3. Eligible to recommend one high-quality manuscript in your field per year for a “fast-track” review, reducing the review cycle by 50%.
4. Outstanding reviewers will receive an “Annual Excellent Consultant Editor” certificate and be prioritized for promotion to Associate Editor or Editorial Board Member.
Application Deadline
November 10, 2025 (based on the email sending time; late applications will not be accepted)
Required Application Materials
1. FASE “Position Application Form” (download)
2. Personal academic resume (in PDF format, including educational background, work experience, main research directions, representative papers (indicating SCI indexing status), research projects, awards, etc.)
3. Full texts of representative papers (in PDF format, maximum 5 papers, which must be as the first author or corresponding author)
Submission Method
Please compress all materials into a package, name the email subject as “Name+Applied Position (e.g., Taylor Swift+Youth Editorial Board Member/Associate Editor/Consultant Editor)”, and send it to the official FASE email address: fase@cau.edu.cn
Selection Process
1. Preliminary Review: The editorial office will verify qualifications and conduct an initial screening of all application materials.
2. Expert Review: A panel comprising the Editor-in-Chief and members of the editorial board will assess the academic qualifications and suitability of shortlisted candidates.
3. Announcement of Results: The final selection will be posted on the official FASE website, followed by a 5-working-day public notice period.
4. Official Appointment: If no objections are raised during the notice period, an official letter of appointment will be issued, and a relevant service agreement will be signed.
12 Topics of FASE
1. Agricultural Sustainability and Green Development
2. Soil Microbiology, and Soil and Plant Health
3. Agricultural Ecosystems, Biodiversity and Ecological Engineering
4. Crop Nutrient and Water Management
5. Crop Protection and Pest Management
6. Crop Breeding and Physiology
7. Agriculture Engineering, Mechanisation and Technology Adoption
8. Climate Change Impact and Adaptation in Agriculture
9. Application of Artificial Intelligence and Modelling in Agriculture
10. Animal Breeding, Nutrition and Physiology
11. Animal Health, Animal Production and Animal Welfare
12. Agricultural Policy, Regulation, and Economics
FASE looks forward to collaborating with scholars passionate about agricultural science and engineering. Together, we can harness expertise and professionalism to advance innovation and knowledge dissemination in global agriculture. If you meet the position requirements and are eager to contribute on a broader platform, we encourage you to submit your application. We look forward to welcoming you to our team!
Colleagues,
It is our great pleasure to introduce you to the Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (FASE), an international journal launched in 2014. FASE was founded jointly by the Chinese Academy of Engineering, China Agricultural University and Higher Education Press of China.
FASE’s mission is to report high quality and exciting progress from around the worldwide in the fields of agricultural science and engineering, including crop science, agricultural biotechnology, horticulture, plant protection, agricultural engineering, forestry engineering, agricultural resources, animal husbandry, veterinary medicine, applied ecology, forestry and fisheries. The aim of the journal is to provide a high level forum for investigators worldwide to publish their original findings in agricultural science and engineering, and to support those who endeavour to apply innovative science to benefit society.
We invite you to submit papers for consideration for publication in FASE. We welcome the submission of original research articles, reviews and letters dealing with above subjects. Contributors are requested to carefully read and follow the Instructions for Authors and, where no specified, the format of papers in recent issues.
FASE is an open access journal with no charges for submission or publication.
We appreciate your consideration of FASE as venue for publishing your work.
Regards
Fusuo Zhang
Editor-in-Chief
Special issue on “Farming Future: Innovations for Climate-Smart Agriculture”
in Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering
Brief Introduction on the Special Issue
Climate change poses significant challenges to global food production, necessitating innovative solutions for sustainable and resilient agricultural systems. This special issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research that enhances our understanding and implementation of climate-smart agricultural practices. It will explore strategies to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, enhance carbon sequestration, improve adaptation to climate variability, and optimize farming system designs for sustainable productivity. Agricultural sustainability requires integrating advanced technologies, novel farming system management strategies, and interdisciplinary approaches to balance productivity, environmental conservation, and economic viability. By addressing the complex interactions between crops, soil, livestock, and climate, this issue seeks to contribute to the development of resilient agroecosystems capable of sustaining food security under changing climatic conditions.
We invite researchers, policymakers, and industry professionals to contribute original research articles, reviews, short communications, perspectives, and comments that advance the science and practice of climate-smart agriculture. We encourage the submission of manuscripts that address, but are not limited to, the following topics:
Mitigation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Agriculture: Strategies for reducing methane, nitrous oxide, and CO₂ emissions in farming systems; Sustainable nutrient and manure management practices; Low-emission farming techniques and technologies;
Carbon Capture and Sequestration in Agroecosystems: Enhancing soil carbon sequestration through regenerative agricultural practices; The role of agroforestry and perennial cropping systems in carbon storage; Measurement and modeling of carbon flux in farmlands
Impacts of Climate Change on Agriculture: Climate change effects on crop productivity, pest dynamics, and soil health; Extreme weather resilience in different farming systems; Socioeconomic consequences of climate-induced agricultural shifts
Adaptation Strategies for Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Development and adoption of stress-tolerant crops; Decision support tools for climate-adaptive farming practices
Farming System Innovations for Climate-Smart Agriculture: Digital and precision agriculture for climate adaptation and mitigation; Integrated crop-livestock systems for enhanced sustainability; Circular and regenerative farming approaches to reduce environmental footprints
This special issue seeks contributions that explore interdisciplinary approaches, novel methodologies, and policy frameworks that support the transition to climate-smart agriculture.
Keywords: Climate change adaptation, sustainable agriculture, greenhouse gas mitigation, soil carbon sequestration, conservation agriculture, regenerative agriculture, agroecosystem resilience.
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserve the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
Time schedule
Determination of Co-Organizers: 30 April 2025
Invitation of Lead Authors: 15 May 2025
One page abstract submission: 30 September 2025
Online submission deadline: 31 December 2025
Scheduled publication date: Once the paper is accepted, it will be online with doi number; 2026 (Printed)
Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (FASE) collects innovative papers that advance the understanding of scientific, technological/engineering, socio-economic, institutional/policy, and management factors that drive current and future agricultural productivity and sustainability globally. It is an open-access journal with no page charges. The impact factor of 2023 is 3.6, the CiteScore of 2023 is 5.1. All submitted manuscripts will be peer-reviewed by experts of international standing.
The Editor-in-Chief of FASE is Academician Prof. Qixin Sun, based at China Agricultural University. The associate Editors-in-Chief comprise Hans Lambers from the University of Western Australia, Shenggen Fan and Yaofeng Zhao from China Agricultural University, Oene Oenema from Wageningen University, William J. Davies from Lancaster University and Peter Vitousek from Stanford University.
Guest Editors
Huadong Zang Ph.D.
Professor, China Agricultural University
zanghuadong@cau.edu.cn
College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Antonio Rafael Sánchez Rodríguez Ph.D.
Professor, University of Córdoba
antonio.sanchez@uco.es
Agronomy Department, University of Córdoba, Spain
Wen Yin Ph.D.
Professor, Gansu Agricultural University
yinwen@gsau.edu.cn
College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
Jie Zhou Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Nanjing Agricultural University
zhoujie@njau.edu.cn
College of Agronomy, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
Shang Wang Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Researcher, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research
shang.wang@ufz.de
Department of Soil Ecology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Theodor-Lieser-Strasse 4 | D-06120 Halle/Saale, Germany
Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (FASE) collects innovative papers that advance the understanding of scientific, technological/engineering, socio-economic, institutional/policy, and management factors that drive current and future agricultural productivity and sustainability globally. It is an open-access journal published quarterly with no page charges. The Editor-in-Chief of FASE is Academician Prof. Qixin Sun, China Agricultural University. The associate Editors-in-Chief are Prof. Hans Lambers, University of Western Australia; Prof. Shenggen Fan and Prof. Yaofeng Zhao, China Agricultural University; Prof. Oene Oenema, Wageningen University; Prof. William J. Davies, Lancaster University; and Prof. Peter Vitousek, Stanford University. All submitted manuscripts will be peer-reviewed by experts of international standing.
The regular topics of FASE are:
1. Agricultural Sustainability and Green Development
2. Soil Microbiology and Plant Health
3. Fertilizer and Nutrient Management
4. Agricultural Ecosystems, Biodiversity and Services
5. Soil Health and Management
6. Crop Protection and Pest Management
7. Agricultural Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering
8. Climate Change Adaptation and Crop Rotation in Agriculture
9. Others
Other related topics:
Rhizobiont for high nutrient use efficiency
1. Rhizobiont key interface interaction for high nutrient use efficiency
2. The mechanism of Rhizobiont system to improve nutrient use efficiency
3. The biological management for improving nutrient use efficiency
4. Others
Soils for food security
1. Remediation of soil constraint factors (compaction, acidification, salinization, soil sickness, etc.)
2. Soil health promotion (soil quality improvement, soil preservation, etc.)
3. Soil management and food security (technologies, policies, perspectives, etc.)
4. Others
Agricultural plastic’s application and problems
1. The behavior, fate and impact of plastics on soil, plant and microbial health in agricultural ecosystems;
2. The effect of plastics on soil element cycling and microbial ecology;
3. Socioeconomic and governance issues that lead to plastic pollution;
4. Solutions for remediating plastic contaminated soil and reducing usage of plastics such as novel plastic mulch alternatives and plastic removal approaches.
The innovation and application of green technology for increasing crop production and efficiency
1. Innovation in the principle of green technology for increasing production and efficiency of food crops, vegetables and fruit trees (in-season root-zone nutrient management, plant population design, improvement of soil fertility, etc.)
2. Technological breakthrough and product development of green technology for increasing production and efficiency of food crops, vegetables and fruit trees (integrated soil–crop system management, precision fertilization, etc.)
3. Model construction of green technology for increasing crop production and efficiency, and typical case analysis (regional model, policies, perspectives, etc.)
4. Others
Food systems transformation
1. Agricultural and food policies
2. Nexus between nutrition, food and environment
3. Food waste and loss
4. Environmental resources and sustainability
5. Multi-win technology innovation, adoption and diffusion
6. Climate resilience
7. Gender equity, youth incentive and smallholders
8. Others
Smart agriculture
1. Agricultural artificial intelligence (digitalization)
2. Agricultural equipment (mechanization, automation, etc.)
3. Unmanned farm
4. Intelligent field management (pest monitoring, water and fertilizer integration, etc.)
5. Agricultural robotics
6. Agricultural remote sensing
7. Agricultural sensors and information sensing (non-destructive testing, machine vision, etc.)
8. Phenotypic analysis of plants and animals
9. Agricultural security and resilience (disaster monitoring and prediction, yield forecasting, etc.)
10. Climate-smart agriculture
11. Agricultural traceability
12. Ecology and dual carbon (carbon capture, carbon-nitrogen cycle, nutrition, etc.)
13. Others
Recently, the agricultural sector has modernised numerous high-tech processes and equipment to protect against the evolving food crisis. Smart farming is the key to future consumption demands and incorporating various modern techniques to increase production quality and outcome. The recent smart farming initiatives have changed the agricultural field tremendously. Among various innovations coming up, embedded systems and embedded computing networks are some of the recent innovations being implemented for making smart farming approaches more resilient to the environment’s changing factors like climate and natural disasters. To create resilient agriculture for the future, farmers will require unlimited data about environmental factors like temperature, soil health, air quality, humidity, and various other parameters to understand the cultivating space. To help with this, embedded sensors play a significant role in collecting real-time and current farming data from the field to cloud servers. Specialised embedded algorithms are developing today to make accurate predictions of cultivation.
Beyond just gathering the data and distributing it to the servers, embedded systems strategically create digital platforms for farmers to access and view real-time data effectively. The best example for this would be embedded pest control sensors and irrigation sensors to analyse and reduce the use of pesticides and to recognise the water needed for particular crop growth. With these advanced sensors, we will be able to consume safer and healthier food and save a lot of water wasted in agricultural farms, which were done manually earlier. GPS techs have existed for a long time in the industry. However, when integrated with embedded computing systems, they are of more extensive uses, which typically help farmers handle the machinery, visions, automated tractors, robots, and monitoring effectively. Indeed, embedded computing systems have profound benefits in agriculture, which farmers can rely on to ensure high performance. Precision farming has been made possible by developing embedded and big data systems to help drones monitor the crop data and is assisting the farmers in viewing them and being precautious until the harvest. Likewise, the level of nutrition, water, and fertilisers can be easily observed with the help of embedded systems connected to Wi-Fi and the internet. Connectivity might sometimes be a challenge to embedded systems as farmers require seamless internet connectivity. Still, with the approaching modern techs, future embedded systems would be a breakthrough in agriculture. On the whole, this special issue spotlights the responsible innovations of embedded computing systems for developing resilient agriculture for the future. We invite scholars and researchers from this platform to submit more ideas falling under this context.
The subject of knowledge includes, but is not limited to the following:
● Precision farming and digital crop production: Embedded computing systems and their contribution
● Role of embedded technologies for automated trucks and harvesting methods
● Embedded computing algorithms for supporting smart farming: Automation robots and machineries
● Embedded farming technologies for environmental compatibility and sustainable farming
● New frontiers of embedded sensors and systems for food production and smart agriculture
● Intelligent monitoring systems with embedded platforms: Transformation towards agriculture 5.0
● Empowering smart farming solutions with modern embedded systems
● Big data and embedded computing: Smart farming yield estimation and production
● Role of embedded technologies to meet global food supply crisis
● Cloud computing and embedded technologies: Future of smart agriculture practices
● Automated embedded sensor techniques for smart harvesting and improved quality crop outcome
● Smart farming based on embedded computing networks: Growth in developing countries
● Responsible and resilient farming methods: Influence of embedded networks
Guest Editors:
Dr. Olatayo Moses Olaniyan
Department of Computer Engineering,
Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Nigeria
E-mail: olatayo.olaniyan@fuoye.edu.ng, olatayo.olaniyan@outlook.com
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?user=dZnvqUYAAAAJ&hl=en
Biography: Dr. Olatayo Moses Olaniyan holds a Bachelor of Technology degree in Computer Engineering from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Nigeria. A Master of Technology in Computer Science, and Ph.D. in Computer Science from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Nigeria. He is an Associate Professor of Computer Engineering in the department of Computer Engineering, Federal University Oye-Ekiti Nigeria. His research interests include Soft Computing, Embedded Systems, Computer Network, and Human Computer Interaction.
Dr. Temitayo Matthew Fagbola
Centre of Excellence for Data Science,
University of Hull, United Kingdom.
E-mail: temitayo-matthew.fagbola@hull.ac.uk
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=i-paDBQAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=sra
Biography: Dr. Temitayo Matthew Fagbola (Member, IEEE) received the B.Tech. degree in computer science from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria, in 2007, the M.Sc. degree from the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, in 2011, and the Ph.D. degree in computer science from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology in 2015. He is currently with the Centre of Excellence for Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Modeling (DAIM), University of Hull, United Kingdom. His research interests include smart data mining, AI for social good (AI4SG), natural language processing, and social aspects of human–computer interaction.
Dr. Abayomi Alli
Department of Computer Science,
Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria
E-mail: abayomiallia@funaab.edu.ng
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=TASL-CUAAAAJ&hl=en
Biography: Dr. Abayomi-Alli holds a B.Tech. Degree in Computer Engineering from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria, M.Sc. and Ph.D. Degrees in Computer Science from the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria and Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria, respectively. He is presently a Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science at Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAAB), Abeokuta, Nigeria. His research interest includes Pattern recognition, Machine learning, and Microprocessor based system.
Important Dates:
Submission deadline: March 10, 2025
Author notification: May 25, 2025
Revised papers due: July 30, 2025
Final notification: October 05, 2025
Brief introduction on the special issue: Plastic pollution has been recently listed as one of the top 10 global environmental problems by the United Nations Environment Programme and is now considered to be a major factor responsible for the worldwide decline in biodiversity. However, Governments and agencies have been actively encouraging the use of plastic mulch films within agriculture to enhance water conservation and promote crop yields. This issue is particularly acute in low and middle-income countries and is threatening the health and wellbeing of billions of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people. For example, it has been reported that one person dies from illnesses and diseases caused by plastic pollution in these countries every 30 seconds. The paradox between plastic pollution and food security calls for a holistic assessment of the impact of plastics on agroecosystem health and the development of interventions to reduce this plastic legacy, while still maintaining sustainable farming practices and livelihoods.
Although several thousand articles have been published on the amount, behavior and fate of microplastics in marine systems, our understanding of the impact of plastics on ecological functioning and the human food chain in terrestrial environments, remains poorly understood. This is surprising, considering that 80% of plastics arriving in the oceans were produced, used, and often disposed of on land. Globally, agriculture currently consumes 8 million tons of plastic per year with a predicted annual growth rate of 6.8% over the next 5 years. Although agriculture provides most food for humans, the potential ecological and humanitarian trade-offs of plastic use in agricultural systems remain poorly understood.
This Research Topic will help to provide new insights into the issue of plastic pollution in agriculture by combining disciplines of physicochemistry, biochemistry, and ecology, investigate the governance policy and farmer behaviour that leads to plastic abuse and pollution, seek solutions to remove plastic from contaminated agricultural and develop new plastic disposal routes.
We encourage submission of Original Research, Reviews, Mini Reviews, Methods, Perspectives, and Opinions related to plastic problems in agroecosystems. The topics covered may include, but are not limited to:
l The behavior, fate and impact of plastics on soil, plant and microbial health in agricultural ecosystems;
l The effect of plastics on soil element cycling and microbial ecology;
l Socioeconomic and governance issues that lead to plastic pollution;
l Solutions for remediating plastic contaminated soil and reducing usage of plastics such as novel plastic mulch alternatives and plastic removal approaches.
Keywords: plastic contamination, soil health, food safety, agricultural sustainability, remediation of plastic contamination, plastic removal
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
Time schedule:
Determination of Co-Organizers: 30 August 2024
Invitation of Lead Authors: 15 September 2024
One page abstract submission: 15 October 2024
Online submission deadline: 31 December 2024
Scheduled publication date: Once the paper is accepted, it will be online with doi number; 2025 (Printed)
Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (FASE) collects innovative papers that advance the understanding of scientific, technological/engineering, socio-economic, institutional/policy, and management factors that drive current and future agricultural productivity and sustainability globally. It is an open-access journal published quarterly with no page charges. The impact factor of 2023 is 3.6, the CiteScore of 2023 is 5.1. All submitted manuscripts will be peer-reviewed by experts of international standing.
The Editor-in-Chief of FASE is Academician Prof. Qixin Sun, based at China Agricultural University. The associate Editors-in-Chief comprise Hans Lambers from the University of Western Australia, Shenggen Fan and Yaofeng Zhao from China Agricultural University, Oene Oenema from Wageningen University, William J. Davies from Lancaster University, and Peter Vitousek from Stanford University.
Please submit your manuscripts through FASE online submission system at http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/fase and marked “Special Issue: “Agricultural plastic’s application and problems” in your letter or manuscript. The editors will strive to complete the first review process within one week and give you a quick response.
Guest Editors
Xuejun Liu
Professor, China Agricultural University
liu310@cau.edu.cn
College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Changrong Yan
Professor, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
yanchangrong@caas.cn
Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
Kai Wang
Associate Professor, China Agricultural University
kaiwang_ly@cau.edu.cn
College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Fan Ding
Associate Professor, Shenyang Agricultural University
dingfan1985@syau.edu.cn
College of Land and Environment, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110086, China
Mouliang Xiao
Lecturer, Zhejiang A & F University
xiaomouliang@zafu.edu.cn
State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A & F University, Hangzhou, 311300, China
Dave R. Chadwick
Professor, Bangor University
d.chadwick@bangor.ac.uk
School of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, LL57 2UW, UK
Davey L. Jones
Professor, Bangor University
d.jones@bangor.ac.uk
School of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, LL57 2UW, UK
Over the past several decades, both China and Africa have implemented various agricultural and food policy initiatives that have had significant impacts on national and global food systems. However, they now face new challenges that include different forms of malnutrition, such as micronutrient deficiency, overweight and obesity. Moreover, there are emerging challenges related to the degradation and depletion of natural resources, as well as the effects of climate change. Equally importantly, food systems in both China and Africa are now confronted with more frequent and intense weather events, such as droughts, floods, cyclones, and heatwaves. Plant and animal diseases and pests, including zoonic diseases like COVID-19 and Avian Flu, pose additional threats. Manmade regional conflicts and distorted global trade and markets further complicate the already complex food systems.
To effectively address these existing and emerging challenges, it is essential to reconsider technologies, food and agricultural policies. Comparative studies between China and Africa, based on their respective lessons and experiences, can provide valuable insights for developing appropriate strategies. Rethinking food and agricultural policies and developing new technologies and practices will help guide efforts to address these challenges and build more resilient and sustainable food systems.
We are therefore organizing a special issue of Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (FASE, http://journal.hep.com.cn/fase) entitled “Food Systems Transformation in China and Africa”. As a rapidly developing interdisciplinary subject, food systems transformation demands holistic research from multiple disciplines.
The special issue invites submission of original and innovative papers as well as reviews and opinion pieces relevant to food systems transformation such as:
1. Agricultural and food policies
2. Trade and value chains
3. Diet, nutrition, and health
4. Environmental resources and sustainability
5. Emerging technologies and practices
6. Climate resilience
7. Gender equity, youth incentive, and smallholders
8. Rural finance, ICTs, social protection, and insurance.
and all other relevant topics.
FASE collects innovative papers that advance the understanding of scientific, technological/engineering, socio-economic, institutional/policy, and management factors that drive current and future agricultural productivity and sustainability globally. It is an open-access journal published quarterly with no page charges. The Editor-in-Chief of FASE is Academician Prof. Qixin Sun, based at China Agricultural University. The associate Editors-in-Chief comprise Hans Lambers from the University of Western Australia, Shenggen Fan and Yaofeng Zhao from China Agricultural University, Oene Oenema from Wageningen University and Research, William J. Davies from Lancaster University, and Peter Vitousek from Stanford University. All submitted manuscripts will be peer-reviewed by experts of international standing.
In view of your international standing as a research scientist, we cordially invite you to write a review or research paper for this special issue related to one of the topics listed above with a due day of March 1st, 2024. We look forward to receiving a positive response and a one-page abstract from you before you start to draft the article. Please submit your manuscripts through the FASE online submission system at http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/fase and marked the “Special Issue: Food Systems Transformation in China and Africa” in your letter or manuscript. The editors will strive to complete the first review process within 1–2 weeks and give you a quick response.
Guest Editors
Shenggen Fan
Dean, Academy of Global Food Economics and Policy
Chair Professor, China Agricultural University
s.fan@cau.edu.cn
College of Economics and Management, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
Jingjing Wang
Assistant Professor, China Agricultural University
College of Economics and Management, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
Dear Colleagues,
Within the context of COVID-19 pandemic, the global food systems are still facing major interrelated challenges, including climate change, extreme weather events, natural resource depletion, biodiversity loss, emerging diseases, and trade shocks, which put threats to food security worldwide. The number of global population lacked access to adequate food shapely increased during the pandemic. Reduced incomes, food price spikes, and compounded multi-challenges will lead to severe and widespread increases in global food insecurity, affecting vulnerable households in almost every country. Addressing these challenges will require a transformation towards a more efficient, healthy, sustainable, resilient, and inclusive food systems.
We are therefore organizing a special issue of Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (FASE, http://journal.hep.com.cn/fase) entitled “Food Systems Transformation”. As a rapidly developing interdisciplinary subjects, food systems transformation demands holistic research from multiple disciplines.
The special issue invites submission of original and innovative papers as well as reviews and opinion pieces relevant to food systems transformation such as:
1. Agricultural and food policies
2. Nexus between nutrition, food and environment
3. Food waste and loss
4. Multi-win technology innovation, adoption and diffusion
5. Food production and consumption
6. Gender equity, youth incentive and smallholders
and all other relevant topics
Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering collects innovative papers that advance the understanding of scientific, technological/engineering, socio-economic, institutional/policy, and management factors that drive current and future agricultural productivity and sustainability globally. It is an open-access journal published quarterly with no page charges. The Editor-in-Chief of FASE is Academician Prof. Fusuo Zhang, based at China Agricultural University. The associate Editors-in-Chief comprise Hans Lambers from the University of Western Australia, Shenggen Fan and Yaofeng Zhao from China Agricultural University, Oene Oenema from Wageningen University, William J. Davies from Lancaster University and Peter Vitousek from Stanford University. All submitted manuscripts will be peer-reviewed by experts of international standing.
In view of your international standing as a research scientist, we cordially invite you to write a review or research paper for this special issue related to one of the topics listed above with a due day of 15 September 2022. We look forward to receiving a positive response and a one-page abstract from you before you start to draft the article. Please submit your manuscripts through the FASE online submission system at http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/fase and marked the “Special Issue: Food Systems Transformation” in your letter or manuscript. The editors will strive to complete the first review process within 1–2 weeks and give you a quick response.
Shenggen Fan
Guest Editor
Dean, Academy of Global Food Economics and Policy
Chair Professor , China Agricultural University
s.fan@cau.edu.cn
College of Economics and Management, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
Ting Meng
Guest Editor
Associate Professor, China Agricultural University
College of Economics and Management, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (FASE), 2017
Background, Objectives and Scope
Agriculture in arid areas is rapidly changing throughout the world. However, in most parts of the arid and semi-arid areas (esp. In northwestern China), the shortage of water resources, the deterioration of water and soil condition and low-efficient agricultural water use have become the roadblock for the regional agricultural production and economic development.
In order to share frontier research achievements and discuss the scientific challenges in this field, we plan to organize and publish Agriculture in Arid Areas in Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (FASE).
Authors are invited to submit letter, original research and critical review papers. In this special issue, we welcome contributions on:
1. Crop drought tolerance
2. Climate change and modelling
3. Agricultural science and technology
4. Regional hydrology and ecology
5. Grain production and water footprint
6. Sustainable use of land and water resources
Submissions open: 1 December 2016 –28 February 2017
Decision deadline: 28 February 2017
Expected publication date: June 2017
About the Journal and Submission Procedure
Published by Higher Education Press, Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (FASE) is an open access journal published both in print and online. More information of the journal is available athttp://engineering.cae.cn/fase.
Manuscripts will be reviewed with the same rigor as for other submissions to FASE. Please submit your manuscripts through the FASE online submission system at http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/fase and refer to the “Special Issue-Agriculture in Arid Areas” in the “Cover Letter”. The editors will strive to complete the review process within two months upon receipt of the submissions for rapid publication.
Guest Editor:
Pute Wu
Northwest A&F University University
Address: No.3 Taicheng Road,Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
Phone: 86-29-87091385; Fax: 86-29-87091269; E-mail: gizwpt@vip.sina.com
Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (FASE), 2017
Background，Objectives and Scope
With the development of genetic theoretics and technologies, major progress has occurred in the field of animal genetics and breeding. However, various challenges will remain to be faced, in quantitative genetics theory, in the evaluation of gene effects, in the maintenance of genetic variation, and considering possible future changes in the economic framework of animal breeding operations.
In order to share frontier research achievements and discuss the scientific challenges in this field, we plan to organize and publish a Special Issue on Animal Genetics and Breeding in Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (FASE).
Authors are invited to submit letter, original research and critical review papers. In this special issue, we welcome
contributions on:
1. Genome editing
2. Genomic selection
3. Functional genomics
4. Evolutionary genomics
5. Genetics of complex traits
6. Population genomics
Submissions open: 1 October 2016 –31 December 2016
Decision deadline: 31 December 2016
Expected publication date: March 2017
About the Journal and Submission Procedure
Published by Higher Education Press, Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (FASE) is an open access journal published both in print and online. More information of the journal is available at http://engineering.cae.cn/fase.
Manuscripts will be reviewed with the same rigor as for other submissions to FASE. Please submit your manuscripts through the FASE online submission system at http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/fase and refer to the “Special Issue-Animal Genetics and Breeding” in the “Cover Letter”. The editors will strive to complete the review process within two months upon receipt of the submissions for rapid publication.
Guest Editor:
Jun Ren
Jiangxi Agricultural University/State Key Laboratory of Pig Genetic Improvement and Production Technology
Address: Lushannan Road, 888, Nanchang, China
Phone: 86-791-83813080; Fax: 86-791-83813080; E-mail: renjunjxau@hotmail.com