Journal summary 2018 from Editor in Chief

First, I would like to congratulate the contributing authors, reviewers, and the managing team on a very successful 2018. AIMS Agriculture and Food has continued, during this year, to gain visibility and recognition. The very productive and effective efforts of all those who have been involved with our journal this year have collectively propelled our journal to significant accomplishments. The journal has attracted more authors than in previous years and a record number of 127 manuscripts has been submitted. Out of these, 39 have already been published, and 35 are currently at different stages of reviewing. Two special issues have been published in 2018. The journal is currently indexed in: AGRICOLA, AGRIS, Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Web of Science and Scopus. The continuum that spans from agriculture through food production, processing and consumption draws on a broad array of basic and applied disciplines. This diversity is well reflected in the articles that have been published this year. We continue to be absolutely committed to promote and publish manuscripts that carry high level of scientific merits and relevance. We continue to thrive at improving and enhancing the quality and impact of our journal and submit all of the manuscripts to a fair, thorough, effective and relevant review process. The editorial board, reviewers and the managing team are committed to a fast review process and in 2018 the average time for the first decision about a submitted manuscript was 42 days. The journal attracts authors from all over the world and provides an effective platform for presenting and discussing issues of relevance to developed as well as developing countries and societies. The 21^st century presents very significant challenges that jeopardize that availability of sufficient food and feed that is needed in order to sustain the growing global population. These challenges and potential approaches to address them are well reflected in papers that have been published this year. Sustainability of agricultural community, effective agricultural processes and concepts, efficiency of food processing, climate-impact, waste reduction etc., are among the relevant challenges that have been addressed in the published articles. During 2018, the journal has continued to enhance its visibility and competitiveness. The published articles have attracted the attention of a growing population of readers and 10 of these articles have been downloaded 10,310 times, a 29% increase from 2017. There are many different opportunities for authors to publish and present their work and we hope to continue in 2019 making AIMS Agriculture and Food the journal of choice to a growing circle of authors. The success of the journal is dependent on the quality and relevance of the submitted manuscripts and on the dedication and efforts of our reviewers. On behalf of the editorial and managing team, I would like to thank the authors that have submitted their work to the journal this year and to the reviewers that have worked very hard in assessing these submissions. I hope that the growth and success of 2018 will continue in 2019 and that AIMS Agriculture and Food will continue to evolve in terms of both quality and reputation. Success in meeting these goals depends on our collective input and contribution. As the Editor in Chief of the journal, I call upon all the members of the editorial board to promote the journal among their students, colleagues and peers as well as to set an example by submitting at least one manuscript in 2019. The Editorial Board, the managing team and I will spare no effort in ensuring the high quality and success of our journal. I am confident that our collective efforts will allow us to meet and even exceed the goals and objectives that we have set for our journal. I would like to thank you for your continuous support and I wish you a very successful and productive 2019.

Moshe Rosenberg, D.Sc., Editor in Chief

Professor and Specialist

Department of Food Science and Technology

University of California, Davis

Davis, CA 95616

USA