Sustainable Food Packaging: Recent Advances in Biodegradable and Smart Packaging Technologies

Year : 2026 | Volume : 15 | Issue : 02 | Page : 59 68
    By

    Neelesh Kumar Maurya,

  • Latika Yadav,

  • Shailendra Kumar Maurya,

  • Poonam Maurya,

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Allied Health Sciences, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
  2. Assistant Professor, Department of Home Science, Vijay Singh Pathik Government PG College, Kairana, Shamli, , India
  3. Doctor of Medicine (MD), General Medicine, Grodno State Medical University, , India
  4. Professor, Department of Pharmacy, Shambhunath Institute of Pharmacy, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Fish farming is a vital source of livelihood, income, and nutritional security, especially in regions where aquaculture is embedded in local economies and culture. In India’s Mithila region (Bihar), fish (machh) holds substantial cultural, economic, and nutritional significance. This research analyzes the economics of pond-based fish production in Madhubani district, focusing on Benipatti Block, an area with high pond density. The study investigates determinants of productivity, profitability, and resource utilization, while examining socio-demographic and cultural factors influencing production outcomes. A dual methodological framework was employed, integrating primary field surveys with quantitative and econometric analysis. A total of 116 fish farmers were selected and categorized by pond size: Category I (smaller than two acres) and Category II (larger than two acres). Data collected included human labor (male, female, family, hired), pond area, input utilization (seed, feed, lime, fertilizers), and total production costs. Analytical tools included descriptive and inferential statistics, Cobb-Douglas and Constant Elasticity of Substitution production functions, Total Factor Productivity estimation, benefit-cost analysis, and correspondence analysis. Results show that pond size is a critical determinant of productivity and profitability. Larger ponds (Category II) yield higher absolute returns, emphasizing the importance of scale. Human labor is a central input, with male labor (ages 31–45) contributing most significantly. Female labor shows greater age diversity, with younger women in smaller ponds and older women in larger ponds. Family labor plays a crucial role in cost management, particularly for smaller ponds, enhancing economic efficiency. Capital inputs (land rent, irrigation) dominate cost structures, accounting for approximately 70% of total expenditures. Benefit-cost ratios consistently exceed one across all age groups and pond sizes, confirming economic viability. Older farmers (ages 46–60) exhibit higher efficiency due to lower input costs, optimal family labor use, and accumulated experience. Correspondence analysis reveals a significant association between farmer age and the political economy of fishing, reflecting socio-demographic influences on resource access and decision-making. The study highlights aquaculture’s broader contributions: employment generation, enhanced household income, and food security. Key interventions include improving access to quality fish seed, promoting modern scientific methods, supporting small-scale farmers, optimizing labor allocation, and ensuring efficient capital use. The study concludes that pond-based fish farming in Madhubani represents a profitable, culturally embedded, and scalable economic activity with significant potential for poverty reduction and rural transformation, provided that institutional, infrastructural, and marketing constraints are systematically addressed.

Keywords: Sustainable packaging, biodegradable polymers, smart packaging, active packaging, intelligent packaging, PLA, PHA, nanocomposites, food safety, shelf-life extension

[This article belongs to Research & Reviews : Journal of Food Science & Technology ]

How to cite this article:
Neelesh Kumar Maurya, Latika Yadav, Shailendra Kumar Maurya, Poonam Maurya. Sustainable Food Packaging: Recent Advances in Biodegradable and Smart Packaging Technologies. Research & Reviews : Journal of Food Science & Technology. 2026; 15(02):59-68.
How to cite this URL:
Neelesh Kumar Maurya, Latika Yadav, Shailendra Kumar Maurya, Poonam Maurya. Sustainable Food Packaging: Recent Advances in Biodegradable and Smart Packaging Technologies. Research & Reviews : Journal of Food Science & Technology. 2026; 15(02):59-68. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rrjofst/article=2026/view=249885


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Regular Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 15
Issue 02
Received 29/05/2026
Accepted 03/06/2026
Published 16/07/2026
Publication Time 48 Days
19

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