About

Ariun Ishdorj, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Intercollegiate Faculty of Agribusiness at Texas A&M University. He serves as the Regional Director for the Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture and Development. His educational background includes a B.S. in Mathematics from the National University of Mongolia, an M.S. in Mathematics from the University of Idaho, and a Ph.D. in Economics from Iowa State University. Prior to joining Texas A&M, he conducted post-doctoral research at the Center of Agricultural and Rural Development at Iowa State University. His primary research areas include applied econometrics, agricultural economics, health economics, labor economics, and consumption and demand analysis. His work focuses on the economics of food, nutrition, and health, with particular emphasis on the cost and effectiveness of food and nutrition assistance policies and interventions, consumer demand analysis, issues related to food insecurity and disability, and the impacts of food environments on diet quality and health among low-income populations. He has extensive experience in statistical modeling using large primary and secondary data related to food and nutrition.

Research topics

• Sociology
• Environmental health
• Medicine
• Political Science
• Social Science
• Biology
• Business
• Gerontology
• Psychology
• Nursing
• Marketing
• Demography
• Geography
• Public relations

Selected publications

• Consumer preferences and willingness-to-pay for sustainable protein products

  Food Quality and Preference · 2026-03-19

  articleOpen accessCorresponding

  As global protein demand continues to rise, insect-based products are gaining attention as sustainable alternatives to conventional sources. This study examines U.S. consumers' willingness-to-pay (WTP) for cricket protein powder relative to whey and plant-based powders and evaluates the effects of health- and sustainability-related labeling. Using a discrete choice experiment with 513 participants, we analyze consumer preferences for protein type, omega-3 and carbon footprint labels, and price through a random parameter logit model. Results show that consumers, on average, require a $4.11 per serving discount to select cricket protein powder over whey, indicating substantial reluctance. An omega-3 label increases WTP by 3.10 dollars per serving, while a carbon footprint label showed no significant effect, suggesting environmental claims alone are insufficient to offset consumer hesitance. Younger participants were more receptive to cricket protein, whereas older and more educated consumers showed displayed stronger resistance. Overall, acceptance of insect protein remains limited, but health-focused messaging and targeted audience approaches may be more effective than sustainability claims in shaping early market adoption. • U.S. consumers discount cricket protein powder by about $4 per serving versus whey protein. • Omega-3 label increases willingness to pay by about $3.10 per serving, highlighting the effectiveness of health claims. • Carbon footprint labeling has no significant impact on consumer valuation of protein powders. • Preferences are highly heterogeneous, suggesting niche market segments open to insect protein.

  PublisherDOI

• From sweet tooth to healthy choices: How Chilean food policies are changing household diets

  Agribusiness · 2024-02-02 · 4 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Abstract Using data from a nationally representative household survey, this study investigates whether changes in food‐at‐home (FAH) purchases occurred following the introduction, modification, and implementation of the Chilean food labeling and marketing regulations. This study further examines whether changes in sugar, sodium, saturated fat, or calorie intake occurred. The results provide evidence of some improvements in dietary intake. In particular, sugar intake decreased primarily due to food modifications—that emerged as a supply response to regulations. This improvement in dietary intake was only found among those households who mainly buy FAH or shop mostly at grocery stores. Considering that across all households, nearly 10% of total FAH calories come from products with added sugars, the results suggest that there are missing opportunities that policy could leverage to improve food choices, especially among those less likely to be influenced by existing regulations—those who mainly spend on food away from home or those who primarily shop at alternative FAH outlets. [EconLit Citations: D22, L51, Q13].

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• The Quality of Lunches Brought from Home to School: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

  Advances in Nutrition · 2024-06-12 · 8 citations

  reviewOpen access

  This systematic review and meta-analysis, spanning studies published between 1995 and 2021, investigates various aspects of lunches brought from home (LBFH) to school by children. These meals, in contrast to those provided by the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), lack strict nutritional standards. Despite the availability of NSLP lunches, ∼40% of US children opt for LBFH. This review aims to assess the food content and nutritional quality of LBFH, their adherence to NSLP standards in terms of nutrition and cost, effectiveness of intervention programs designed to enhance their nutritional quality and parental and student perceptions of LBFH. The comprehensive literature search yielded 28 eligible papers, with 16 included in meta-analysis. LBFH commonly include fruits (50%), yet vegetables (17%) and dairy (25%) are less prevalent. They frequently contain snacks (50%), sweets (48%), and sugar-sweetened beverages (31%). Compared with school lunches, LBFH exhibit lower levels of calcium, protein, iron, fiber, and vitamin A, and higher levels of carbohydrates and saturated fat. Intervention programs had no effect on quality of LBFH. On average, LBFH ($1.81) cost slightly less than lunches served at school ($1.98), without accounting for free/reduced-price meals in the calculation. The cost of school lunch for pre-k and kindergarten children became $11.32, nearly 4 times higher than that of LBFH ($2.92), after replicating the meal at home and accounting for meal preparation time. Parents preferred LBFH over school lunches because of concerns related to the quality of school meals served. This study concludes that LBFH are generally less nutritious compared with lunches provided by NSLP. Future research needs to further explore ways to improve parent perception of NSLP. Especially with many states making free meals available to all children, identifying effective ways in promoting and increasing NSLP participation can ensure more children have access to nutritionally balanced and affordable lunches.

  PublisherDOI

• Collaboration in agricultural value chains: a scoping review of the evidence from developing countries

  Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies · 2024-04-05 · 11 citations

  reviewOpen access

  Purpose Collaboration in agricultural value chains (AVCs) has the potential to increase smallholders’ participation in international value chains and increase their benefits from participation. This scoping review explores existing collaboration models among stakeholders of AVCs in developing countries, examines enablers and constraints of collaboration and identifies policy gaps. Design/methodology/approach We systematically searched three databases, CAB Abstracts, Econlit (EBSCO) and Agricola, for studies published between 2005 and 2023 and included 59 relevant studies on AVC collaboration. Findings The primary motivations for collaboration are to enhance market access and improve product quality. Key outcomes of collaboration include improvements in farmers’ welfare, market participation and increased production; only a few studies consider improved risk management as an important outcome. Robust support from government and non-governmental entities is a primary enabler of collaboration. Conversely, conflicts of interest among stakeholders and resource limitations constrain collaboration possibilities. Collaboration involving high-value crops prioritizes income increases, whereas collaboration involving staple crops focuses on improving household food security. Research limitations/implications This study may have publication bias as unsuccessful instances of collaboration are less likely to be published. Originality/value This study is unique in highlighting collaboration models’ characteristics and identifying AVC policy and programmatic areas where private firms, farmers’ groups, local governments and donor agencies can contribute.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Policies enhancing agricultural value chains in developing countries: An Evidence Gap Map

  Journal of Agriculture and Food Research · 2024-09-18 · 4 citations

  articleOpen access

  Strengthening agricultural value chains (AVCs) and ensuring continuous supply of food is of upmost importance especially for developing countries where food security and malnutrition remain vital threats. However, effective and efficient coordination of AVCs in developing countries continues to remain an issue due to capacity constraints and inefficiencies of interventions. An Evidence Gap Map (EGM) is used to systematically retrieve, organize, and map existing knowledge on AVCs and identify gaps in the literature that will suggest future areas for effective policy interventions. The marginal increase in knowledge of a project focusing on an area of a knowledge gap may be larger than that of a project which focuses on an area with many studies. A total of 4745 studies were retrieved from a systematic search, however only 165 studies meeting inclusion criteria are included in EGM. Most policy interventions address inputs supply stage of value chains with specific focus on subsidies and agricultural loans. Governance and issues related to gender, poverty and social groups are underexplored. Most frequently mentioned outcomes subcategories were yield, agricultural profits, family income, and technology adoption. Outcomes related to risk management and product movement in time and space had the smallest frequency of occurrence. As noted, underexplored areas provide opportunities for future research. • Evidence shows that most of the interventions were implemented in the inputs stage of the value chain. • Gaps in the literature exist in outcomes related to risk management and product movement in time and space. • In resource limited settings, policymakers should prioritize enhancing market access, production, and post-harvest handling.

  PublisherDOI

• Food Security Amid Natural Disasters and Geographic Impacts: A Study of the 2017 Hurricane Harvey's Effect on U.S. Retail Baby Food Markets

  2023-10-12

  articleSenior author

  The research analyzes the influence of Hurricane Harvey on baby food demand, emphasizing its surge amid the disaster and the subsequent spatial variations in Texas counties. By employing Nielsen retail scanner data and a Bayesian spatial Durbin error model, the study exposes the differential impacts of the disaster on consumption patterns. Pre-disaster demand, predominantly shaped by socioeconomic factors and store types, was significantly transformed during the disaster with an increased preference for the Gerber brand and milk formula. Post-disaster resilience was marked, albeit with persistent effects of the hurricane. Unveiling crucial spatial spillover effects, the research underscores the interconnectedness of consumer behavior in crisis scenarios. These findings serve as a foundation for the baby food industry stakeholders in the development of disaster response strategies.

  PublisherDOI

• P24-036-23 Hydroponic Farming at Food Pantries in Urban Food Swamps To Improve Fresh Produce Access and Address Food Insecurity: A Qualitative Study

  Current Developments in Nutrition · 2023-07-01

  articleOpen access
  PublisherDOI

• A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Fruit and Vegetable Waste From School Lunch

  Current Developments in Nutrition · 2022-06-01 · 2 citations

  reviewOpen accessSenior author

  To synthesize findings from studies that assessed fruit and vegetable (F&V) plate waste from school lunches to i) estimate the level of waste, ii) determine whether there is a difference in F&V waste pre- and post- implementation of the new National School Lunch Program's (NSLP) meal standards, and iii) identify factors associated with plate waste. The systematic review followed the Cochrane Collaboration Guidelines, USDA's Nutrition Evidence Library (NEL) Bias Assessment, and USDA NEL Conclusion Statement Evaluation Criteria. Meta-analysis of selection and percentage of waste was performed in STATA-16. Thirty-two studies were included in the systematic review and thirty in meta-analysis. The estimated mean percentage of students that selected fruits and vegetables were 61% (95% CI: 50%-72%, n = 14), and 48% (95% CI: 37%-59%, n = 14), respectively. The percentage of students who selected fruits increased significantly after the implementation of the new standards. This increase was consistent across all the studies and ranged from 5% to 24%. Fruit waste was estimated to be 39.5% (95% CI: 33.8%−44.5%) and vegetables waste was 50.5% (95% CI: 42.5%−57.4%). No significant differences were found between pre- and post-implementation for fruit or vegetable waste. Child related factors, such as age, gender, and ethnicity/race, were not statistically significant to explain the aggregate waste across studies. Only few studies on plate waste explored the effect of preferences or attitudes, preparation methods, availability of competitive food, and time devoted to eating on F&V waste. However, no relationships could be established beyond the descriptions provided in the original studies. The change in NSLP meal standards has had a positive effect in increasing the number of students selecting fruits. Further research is warranted to improve the overall F&V selection and reduce waste, especially for dark green vegetables, to maximize the nutritional impact of the NSLP. USDA/ARS; The Alliance for Potato Research and Education.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Gender Differences in Nutritional Quality and Consumption of Lunches Brought from Home to School

  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · 2021 · 8 citations

  • Sociology
  • Social Science
  • Environmental health

  Gender difference in the lunches brought from home to school and the amount consumed by elementary and intermediate school students were examined using data collected from 12 schools in Texas. The amount and nutritional quality of food items brought and consumed was evaluated, by comparing the results to the 2012 school meal standards, and Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs). Almost all lunches brought from home contained grain and meat/meat alternatives, and the amount brought and consumed exceeded the NSLP standards. The majority of students did not bring fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods, but those who brought consumed most of what they brought. Among elementary school students, only 9% of boys and 14% of girls brought vegetables and the amount brought and consumed did not meet the standards. Although carbohydrate and protein consumption were adequate for boys and girls, the intakes of micronutrients and fiber did not meet the requirements across both genders at both school levels. Overall, lunches brought from home were not well balanced and did not meet NSLP standards and DRIs. It is imperative to identify strategies to improve the nutritional quality of lunches brought from home considering gender difference in food choice and educating parents and children on what is a healthy well-balanced lunch.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Examining the Dietary Diversity of Children in Niger

  Nutrients · 2021 · 13 citations

  • Demography
  • Medicine
  • Environmental health

  < 0.05) than the children in urban areas, therefore becoming more susceptible to malnutrition.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Helen H. Jensen

  Iowa State University

  20 shared

• Oral Capps

  Texas A&M University

  18 shared

• Mary Kay Crepinsek

  Mathematica Policy Research

  10 shared

• David P. Anderson

  9 shared

• Ju Won Jang

  9 shared

• Jayna M. Dave

  Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine

  7 shared

• Peter S. Murano

  Texas A&M University

  6 shared

• Maureen L. Storey

  5 shared

Education

• B.S.

  National University of Mongolia

• M.S.

  University of Idaho

• Ph.D.

  Iowa State University