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: Capacity Planning
Status: Supply Chain
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

SA

5.0Reviewed Oct 14, 2020

Now I know that just Production is not enough.Through this course, I gained enough and deep understanding on how Losses happen, solutions.Very well organized course with quality and clear content s.

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

MS

5.0Reviewed Nov 26, 2016

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

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.

JQ

5.0Reviewed Jun 4, 2017

Disturbing yet hopeful in that 1/3 pho can be ideally saved. Thanks.

DD

5.0Reviewed Aug 17, 2021

Very useful and a great course agriculture students. Looking forward for similar courses

AC

5.0Reviewed Jan 29, 2022

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

GG

4.0Reviewed May 26, 2020

A thought provoking course which keeps you engaged in it during the course period.

RV

5.0Reviewed Aug 26, 2021

Highly informative course. Great lectures for anyone interested in the field and otherwise.

All reviews

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