Food Security Decoder

A breeding method where a hybrid organism is crossed with one of its parents or a genetically similar individual to achieve offspring with genetic traits closer to the parent. Related Terms: Hybrid, Genetics, Breeding

A chemical substance used to kill or inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria in crops, livestock, or food production. Related Terms: Pesticide, Fungicide, Antimicrobial

The fibrous by-product left after extracting juice from sugarcane or sorghum, often used as fuel, livestock feed, or in bioenergy production. Related Terms: Biomass, Residue, Renewable Energy

Fermented, high-moisture fodder that is baled and stored in airtight conditions for livestock feeding. Related Terms: Silage, Forage, Feed

The process of compressing and binding hay, straw, or other agricultural materials into compact bundles for storage and transport. Related Terms: Silage, Harvesting, Forage

A farm building used for storing crops, housing animals, or storing equipment. Related Terms: Shed, Stable, Granary

A stable form of charcoal produced by heating organic waste in a low-oxygen environment, used to improve soil fertility and sequester carbon. Related Terms: Soil Amendment, Carbon Sequestration, Sustainable Agriculture

A living organism, such as a predator, parasite, or pathogen, used to suppress pest populations naturally. Related Terms: Biological Pest Control, Integrated Pest Management, Beneficial Insects

Materials or substances that can break down naturally through the action of microorganisms, reducing waste and environmental impact. Related Terms: Compostable, Organic Matter, Sustainability

The variety of living organisms within a particular area, ecosystem, or on the planet, critical for maintaining healthy and resilient food systems. Related Terms: Ecosystem Services, Genetic Diversity, Conservation

A substance containing living microorganisms that promote plant growth by increasing the supply or availability of essential nutrients. Related Terms: Fertilizer, Organic Farming, Soil Health

A renewable fuel produced by the anaerobic digestion of organic matter, such as animal waste or crop residues, which can be used for energy or cooking. Related Terms: Renewable Energy, Circular Economy, Anaerobic Digestion

The use of living organisms such as predators, parasites, or pathogens to control agricultural pests, reducing reliance on chemical pesticides. Related Terms: Integrated Pest Management, Natural Enemies, Sustainable Farming

Organic material from plants and animals that can be used as fuel, energy, or raw material for various products. Related Terms: Renewable Energy, Crop Residues, Bioenergy

A type of pesticide derived from natural materials like plants, bacteria, fungi, or certain minerals that control agricultural pests. Related Terms: Pesticide, Organic Farming, Integrated Pest Management

Environmentally friendly pest control products derived from natural sources and considered less harmful to humans and ecosystems. Related Terms: Biopesticide, Organic Farming, Integrated Pest Management

The use of living systems and organisms to develop or modify products, often used in agriculture to enhance crop yield, pest resistance, or nutrient content. Related Terms: Genetic Modification, Genomics, Precision Agriculture

The scientific study of plants, including their structure, function, growth, and classification. Related Terms: Plant Science, Agronomy, Horticulture

High-quality, genetically pure seed produced by plant breeders and used to generate foundation or certified seed for wider farmer use. Related Terms: Seed Multiplication, Certified Seed, Plant Breeding

A measurement of the sugar content in fruits, vegetables, or plant juices, commonly used to assess quality and ripeness. Related Terms: Sugar Content, Crop Quality, Postharvest

A method of sowing seeds by scattering them evenly across the soil surface rather than planting them in rows or holes. Related Terms: Seeding, Aerial Seeding, Direct Sowing

A hand-operated tool with long tines and two handles, used to loosen and aerate soil without disturbing its layers. Related Terms: Soil Preparation, No-Till Farming, Garden Tools

A chemical herbicide formulated to control broadleaf weeds in crops without damaging grasses or cereal crops. Related Terms: Weed Control, Selective Herbicide, Crop Protection

A chicken raised specifically for meat production, usually harvested at a young age. Related Terms: Poultry, Meat Production, Fryer

A collective term for eggs, larvae, and pupae in a bee colony, or the young offspring of other animals kept for breeding. Related Terms: Apiculture, Reproduction, Livestock

The care and incubation of eggs by female birds or the artificial rearing of chicks under controlled heat and humidity. Related Terms: Poultry, Incubation, Chick Rearing

Dead or withered plant material left on the soil surface to decompose and enrich soil fertility, as an alternative to green manure. Related Terms: Mulching, Green Manure, Organic Farming

The grazing behavior of animals feeding on leaves, soft shoots, or fruits of trees and shrubs, as opposed to grasses. Related Terms: Herbivory, Grazing, Rangeland

A genetically modified crop engineered to express Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins for resistance to insect pests. Related Terms: GMO, Pest Resistance, Biotechnology

An adult, intact male goat. Related Terms: Billy Goat, Livestock, Breeding

A designated area between agricultural land and sensitive environments to reduce contamination, prevent erosion, or support biodiversity. Related Terms: Conservation Agriculture, Riparian Zone, Environmental Management

Agricultural goods such as grains, oilseeds, or fibers that are traded in large, undifferentiated quantities rather than as branded or processed products. Related Terms: Staple Crops, Commodity Market, Value Chain

An adult, intact male cattle, typically used for breeding. Related Terms: Steer, Ox, Livestock

A young bull or steer, sometimes used synonymously with ox, especially in draught work. Related Terms: Ox, Working Animal, Cattle

A crop that produces an unusually large or abundant yield in a particular season. Related Terms: Harvest, Yield, Record Production

A traditional farming practice where land is cultivated for a few years and then left fallow under natural bush regrowth to restore soil fertility. Related Terms: Shifting Cultivation, Soil Regeneration, Sustainable Land Management

A traditional unit of dry volume measurement commonly used for grains and other agricultural products, equivalent to about 35.2 liters. Related Terms: Grain, Crop Yield, Agricultural Measurement

A secondary product resulting from an agricultural or food production process, which can often be reused or repurposed. Related Terms: Crop Residue, Circular Economy, Value Addition