Postharvest Management in Agricultural Value Chains
Summary
Postharvest management encompasses the suite of practices deployed from the moment of harvest to the point of consumption or processing, with the aim of preserving quality, mitigating losses and maximising value throughout agricultural value chains. Losses incurred after harvest undermine food security, erode farmer incomes and exert pressure on natural resources, making effective management central to sustainable food systems. Key interventions span improved on-farm and commercial storage, hygienic handling, temperature control, transport infrastructure and packaging innovations. Technology options such as hermetic storage, mechanical drying aids and cold-chain logistics complement low-cost solutions like tarpaulin drying and optimised stacking techniques. Success relies on the integration of infrastructural upgrades, market linkages, extension services and policy support that align stakeholder incentives. By reducing postharvest losses, these strategies contribute directly to nutritional outcomes, rural livelihoods, climate resilience and the realisation of zero-hunger targets across diverse geographies.
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Postharvest Management in Agricultural Value Chains publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in postharvest management in agricultural value chains across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Postharvest losses: Reduction in quantity or quality of agricultural produce occurring after harvest due to biological, physical or chemical deterioration.
Hermetic storage: Airtight containment of grain or produce in moisture- and oxygen-limited conditions to prevent pest infestation and spoilage.
Value chain: Series of stages through which a commodity passes from production to final consumption, including handling, processing and distribution.
Tarpaulin drying: Use of plastic sheeting laid out to dry grains or commodities in the sun, reducing moisture and limiting microbial growth.
Cold-chain logistics: Temperature-controlled supply chain processes designed to maintain product quality and safety from farm to consumer.
References
- Adoption and impacts of improved post-harvest technologies on food security and welfare of maize-farming households in Tanzania: a comparative assessment. Food Security (2023).
- Improved on-farm storage reduces seasonal food insecurity of smallholder farmer households – Evidence from a randomized control trial in Tanzania. Food Policy (2021).
- Post-harvest losses of crops and its determinants in Ethiopia: tobit model analysis. Agriculture & Food Security (2022).
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