Back to Global Postharvest Loss Prevention: Fundamentals, Technologies, and Actors
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Global Postharvest Loss Prevention: Fundamentals, Technologies, and Actors

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.

Status: Supply Chain
Status: Food and Beverage
BeginnerCourse18 hours

Featured reviews

MI

5.0Reviewed Feb 12, 2021

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

LL

5.0Reviewed Nov 18, 2020

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

DP

4.0Reviewed Aug 1, 2018

Definitely a good course. Peer review process is not satisfactory. Enjoyable experience.

ME

5.0Reviewed Nov 28, 2016

A wonderful piece and a great eye opener on issues of post harvest losses and food security in general. Thanks for the course , nice move.

SK

4.0Reviewed Jul 31, 2025

i would recoomend like to increase the amount of topic coverage

EN

5.0Reviewed Dec 11, 2019

I found the course interesting, educative and knowledge packed

PJ

5.0Reviewed Jan 6, 2021

Thank you so much and Happy New Year. It is a wonderful experience indeed.

NB

5.0Reviewed Aug 26, 2022

The course was a wonderful one.I was thrilled with all the modules and I am on course to becoming a great actor in issues of Postharvest losses

MS

5.0Reviewed Nov 26, 2016

Very good course , much informative and useful. Thanks to the instructors and coursera.

MD

5.0Reviewed Jan 3, 2025

An interesting course with clear information and good knowledge from lecturers.

AS

5.0Reviewed Aug 1, 2020

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

LM

5.0Reviewed Dec 11, 2020

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! Thank you so much!

All reviews

Showing: 20 of 49

Abasaheb Haral
5.0
Reviewed Mar 27, 2017
madhav subedi
5.0
Reviewed Nov 27, 2016
Leo Mark S. Laid
5.0
Reviewed Nov 18, 2020
JOHN QUINCY
5.0
Reviewed Jun 5, 2017
Nimak Roman
5.0
Reviewed Nov 29, 2020
PORTUKARAN SHARON ANDREWS URK18FP090
4.0
Reviewed Jul 21, 2020
donlucey
4.0
Reviewed May 26, 2017
Siddhesh Bagwe
5.0
Reviewed Feb 23, 2019
A S M Younus Bhuiyan Sabbir
5.0
Reviewed Apr 21, 2020
Dayanand Peter
5.0
Reviewed Aug 29, 2016
Eric Prieur
5.0
Reviewed Sep 2, 2016
Lakshmi Shravani Pulijala
5.0
Reviewed Apr 26, 2020
Deeksha Poojari
5.0
Reviewed Jul 1, 2020
SIBOMANA Athanase
5.0
Reviewed Oct 15, 2020
Lira Mora
5.0
Reviewed Dec 12, 2020
Joshua Adablah
5.0
Reviewed Feb 11, 2021
NDI Betrand BONGJO
5.0
Reviewed Aug 27, 2022
Abhishek Sankrit
5.0
Reviewed Aug 2, 2020
MBA EDWARD EJIKE
5.0
Reviewed Nov 28, 2016
Muhammad Bilal Ilyas
5.0
Reviewed Feb 12, 2021