Global Postharvest Loss Prevention: Fundamentals, Technologies, and Actors from Coursera

This course provides an overview of the issue of postharvest loss of grains by exploring essential physical, technical, and social dimensions of postharvest supply chains and loss prevention methods globally.

Each year, estimates suggest that 1/3 of all food produced is lost or wasted, making postharvest loss a critical global food security and sustainability issue of today. Key knowledge areas are presented including:

-An overview of postharvest loss

-Supply chain activities such as harvesting, drying, and storage

-Economics and markets

-An introduction to the network of actors working in this field

We face the immense challenge of feeding over 9 billion people by the year 2050. To meet these demands, yields will have to more than double using the same amount of natural resources. In recent years, postharvest loss has been recognized by major institutions including the US government, the United Nations, the CGIAR Research Consortium, and several others as a significant opportunity to impact food security and improve livelihoods. Despite this increased attention, a lack of knowledge, technical capacity, and resources remain obstacles for stakeholders worldwide to act on these issues. This course will, for the first time, provide you as professionals, practitioners, and students, with a comprehensive introduction to postharvest loss processes and begin building capacity for loss prevention worldwide.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Orientation

In this module, you will become familiar with the course, your instructor, your classmates, and our learning environment.

Week 1: Problem: Global Postharvest Loss

This module will provide you with an overview of the issue of postharvest loss (PHL) and how this impacts global food security and sustainability. It will also define the postharvest supply chain.

Week 2: Causes: Major Causes & Encounters for PHL

This module will introduce you to technical, social, and economic factors and situations that lead to postharvest losses. Harvesting, drying, and storage phases will be specifically covered as stages that are both vital in the grain supply chain and in which a great deal of postharvest losses are experienced.

Week 3: Solutions: A Prevention Framework for PHL

This module will introduce you to a conceptual framework for how losses can be prevented. Theories, methods, and case examples on prevention will be covered.

Week 4: Actors: A Network of Global Stakeholders

In this module you will explore how the international community is responding to the issue of postharvest loss. The module will cover the current state of the postharvest loss prevention field, as well as provide background as to how it developed. Some key projects, initiatives, and approaches will be highlighted.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores postharvest loss (PHL) and its negative impact on global food security and sustainability

Provides a comprehensive introduction to postharvest loss processes and prevention worldwide

Coursework builds capacity for loss prevention worldwide and addresses the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger

Examines the postharvest supply chain, including stages like harvesting, drying, and storage, where significant losses occur

Introduces a conceptual framework for preventing losses, covering theories, methods, and case examples

Taught by instructors knowledgeable in postharvest loss prevention

Reviews summary

Engaging course on postharvest loss prevention

Learners say this course is engaging and informative with great lectures. It is highly recommended for agriculture students and professionals interested in gaining a foothold on the subject of post-harvest losses. This course delves into methods of harvesting, post-harvest treatments, and the challenges faced when produce reaches the market. Students gain a clearer sense of the complexities and strategies involved in reducing post-harvest losses.

Interesting and informative presentations.

"Great lectures for anyone interested in the field and otherwise. "

Clear and organized content.

"course is very easy. I enjoy this course. This course is very good and more knowledgeable and informational."

"Very well organized course with quality and clear content s."

"This course was dealt greatly with clear understanding and assessment."

In-depth coverage of postharvest loss prevention.

"It is a fruitful course to the agriculture student and addresses the real world issues of food challenges"

"This course has been so helpful to me in further enriching my understanding on situations around the world and the need to reduce global postharvest losses!"

"Now I know that just Production is not enough.Through this course, I gained enough and deep understanding on how Losses happen, solutions."

"This course was really a good experience. I came to know about a lot of things here which I was truly unaware about"

Highlights the importance of reducing global postharvest losses.

"This course has been so helpful to me in further enriching my understanding on situations around the world and the need to reduce global post harvest losses!"

Valuable for those in the field.

"The online course is good for students and even professionals. This will help upskill the student and review past knowledge for the professionals."

"This course was really a good experience. I came to know about a lot of things here which I was truly unaware about."

Applicable solutions and strategies.

"It is a wonderful course based on research that make it highly practical course and increase understanding & knowldege of Postharvest losses."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Global Postharvest Loss Prevention: Fundamentals, Technologies, and Actors with these activities:

Follow the "Postharvest Loss Reduction" tutorial series

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This tutorial series provides practical guidance on how to reduce postharvest loss.

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Watch the tutorial videos
Complete the tutorial exercises
Apply what you have learned to your own work

Write a blog post about postharvest loss

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Summarizing what you learn in a public blog post will enhance retention and understanding.

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Choose a topic that you are interested in
Research your topic: gather facts and data from credible sources
Write your blog post in a clear and concise style
Proofread your blog post carefully before publishing it
Publish your blog post on a platform that is relevant to your audience

Join a study group to discuss postharvest loss

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Talking with your peers and collaborating to solve postharvest challenges can reinforce learning.

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Find a few classmates that share an interest in assisting with postharvest efforts
Decide how often the group will meet
Discuss course readings, assignments, and case studies

Three other activities

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Show all six activities

Develop a postharvest loss reduction plan for a specific crop

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Applying what you learn in the course to a concrete project will deepen your understanding.

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Choose the crop you want to focus on
Develop monitoring methods
Identify the major causes of postharvest loss for the crop
Develop and implement strategies to reduce postharvest loss
Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of your strategies

Attend a workshop on postharvest loss reduction

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Workshops can introduce you to new ideas and provide opportunities for networking with experts in the field.

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Find a workshop that you are interested in
Register for the workshop
Attend the workshop and participate in the activities
Follow up with the workshop organizers or participants after the event

Participate in a postharvest loss reduction competition

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Competitions can motivate you to learn more about postharvest loss and find creative solutions.

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Find a competition that you are interested in
Read the competition rules and regulations
Develop a project that address the competition's goals
Submit your project to the competition

Career center

Learners who complete Global Postharvest Loss Prevention: Fundamentals, Technologies, and Actors will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Agricultural Engineer

Agricultural Engineers work to improve the safety and efficiency of agricultural practices, including postharvest handling and storage. By taking this course, you will gain insight into the factors that contribute to postharvest loss and the strategies that can be used to prevent it. This knowledge will be valuable for your career as an Agricultural Engineer, as it will help you to design and implement postharvest systems that minimize losses and ensure the quality of food products.

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Agricultural Economist

Agricultural Economists analyze the economic factors that affect the production and distribution of agricultural products, including postharvest loss. By taking this course, you will learn about the economic costs of postharvest loss and the strategies that can be used to reduce it. This knowledge will be valuable for your career as an Agricultural Economist, as it will help you to develop policies and programs that promote sustainable agricultural practices.

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Agronomist

Agronomists work to improve the production and quality of crops, including grains. By taking this course, you will learn about the factors that contribute to postharvest loss in grains and the strategies that can be used to prevent it. This knowledge will be valuable for your career as an Agronomist, as it will help you to develop crop management practices that minimize losses and ensure the quality of grain products.

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Food Scientist

Food Scientists work to develop and improve the quality and safety of food products, including postharvest handling and storage. By taking this course, you will learn about the factors that contribute to postharvest loss and the strategies that can be used to prevent it. This knowledge will be valuable for your career as a Food Scientist, as it will help you to develop food processing and storage technologies that minimize losses and ensure the quality of food products.

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Food Technologist

Food Technologists work to develop and improve the quality and safety of food products, including postharvest handling and storage. By taking this course, you will learn about the factors that contribute to postharvest loss and the strategies that can be used to prevent it. This knowledge will be valuable for your career as a Food Technologist, as it will help you to develop food processing and storage technologies that minimize losses and ensure the quality of food products.

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International Development Specialist

International Development Specialists work to improve the lives of people in developing countries, including by promoting sustainable agriculture practices. By taking this course, you will gain insight into the factors that contribute to postharvest loss in developing countries and the strategies that can be used to prevent it. This knowledge will be valuable for your career as an International Development Specialist, as it will help you to design and implement programs that promote food security and improve livelihoods.

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Logistics Manager

Logistics Managers oversee the movement and storage of goods, including food products. By taking this course, you will learn about the factors that contribute to postharvest loss during transportation and storage and the strategies that can be used to prevent it. This knowledge will be valuable for your career as a Logistics Manager, as it will help you to design and implement transportation and storage systems that minimize losses and ensure the quality of food products.

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Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts research and analyze public policies, including those related to food and agriculture. By taking this course, you will learn about the economic and social costs of postharvest loss and the strategies that can be used to reduce it. This knowledge will be valuable for your career as a Policy Analyst, as it will help you to develop and advocate for policies that promote sustainable agricultural practices.

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Project Manager

Project Managers oversee the implementation of projects, including those related to postharvest loss prevention. By taking this course, you will gain insight into the factors that contribute to postharvest loss and the strategies that can be used to prevent it. This knowledge will be valuable for your career as a Project Manager, as it will help you to design and implement projects that minimize losses and ensure the quality of food products.

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Program Manager

Program Managers oversee the implementation of programs, including those related to food and agriculture. By taking this course, you will gain insight into the factors that contribute to postharvest loss and the strategies that can be used to prevent it. This knowledge will be valuable for your career as a Program Manager, as it will help you to design and implement programs that promote sustainable agricultural practices and reduce postharvest loss.

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Research Scientist

Research Scientists conduct research on a variety of topics, including postharvest loss prevention. By taking this course, you will learn about the factors that contribute to postharvest loss and the strategies that can be used to prevent it. This knowledge will be valuable for your career as a Research Scientist, as it will help you to conduct research that leads to new and innovative solutions to the problem of postharvest loss.

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Supply Chain Manager

Supply Chain Managers oversee the flow of goods and services from suppliers to customers, including food products. By taking this course, you will learn about the factors that contribute to postharvest loss during transportation and storage and the strategies that can be used to prevent it. This knowledge will be valuable for your career as a Supply Chain Manager, as it will help you to design and implement supply chain systems that minimize losses and ensure the quality of food products.

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Warehouse Manager

Warehouse Managers oversee the storage and distribution of goods, including food products. By taking this course, you will learn about the factors that contribute to postharvest loss during storage and the strategies that can be used to prevent it. This knowledge will be valuable for your career as a Warehouse Manager, as it will help you to design and implement storage systems that minimize losses and ensure the quality of food products.

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Field Technician

Field Technicians provide technical assistance to farmers and other agricultural producers, including on postharvest loss prevention. By taking this course, you will gain insight into the factors that contribute to postharvest loss and the strategies that can be used to prevent it. This knowledge will be valuable for your career as a Field Technician, as it will help you to provide farmers with the information and resources they need to minimize losses and improve the quality of their products.

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Extension Agent

Extension Agents provide educational and technical assistance to farmers and other agricultural producers, including on postharvest loss prevention. By taking this course, you will gain insight into the factors that contribute to postharvest loss and the strategies that can be used to prevent it. This knowledge will be valuable for your career as an Extension Agent, as it will help you to provide farmers with the information and resources they need to minimize losses and improve the quality of their products.

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