Global Postharvest Loss Prevention: Fundamentals, Technologies, and Actors

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Global Postharvest Loss Prevention: Fundamentals, Technologies, and Actors

Instructor: Dr. Prasanta Kalita

11,558 already enrolled

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5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

178 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

97%

Most learners liked this course

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

178 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

97%

Most learners liked this course

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

6 assignments¹

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Taught in English

91% of learners achieved a positive career outcome

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There are 5 modules in this course

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.

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

What's included

1 video4 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt1 plugin

1 videoTotal 12 minutes

What is Postharvest Loss and Why is it a Global Issue?12 minutes

4 readingsTotal 40 minutes

Syllabus10 minutes
About the Discussion Forums10 minutes
Updating Your Profile10 minutes
Social Media10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Orientation Quiz30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Getting to Know Your Classmates10 minutes

1 pluginTotal 15 minutes

Welcome! Please tell us about yourself.15 minutes

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.

What's included

3 videos2 readings1 assignment1 peer review

3 videosTotal 41 minutes

1.1. Food Insecurity: An Overview and Some Potential Solutions 17 minutes
1.2. Role of Water in Food Security: Global Perspectives16 minutes
1.3. Overview of the Postharvest Supply Chain and the Role of Mechanization 9 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

Week 1 Overview10 minutes
Week 1 Readings and Resources10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Week 1 Quiz30 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 120 minutes

Week 1 Peer Assessment120 minutes

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.

What's included

6 videos2 readings1 assignment1 peer review

6 videosTotal 81 minutes

2.1. Overview of Grain Harvesting: Methods, Equipment, and Losses 21 minutes
2.2.1. Grain Drying: Basic Principles of Drying 10 minutes
2.2.2. Grain Drying: Drying Methods 11 minutes
2.2.3. Grain Cleaning: Methods and Equipment 8 minutes
2.3. Grain Storage and Management 13 minutes
2.4 The Economics of Postharvest Loss: Structural Issues 18 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

Week 2 Overview10 minutes
Week 2 Readings and Resources10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 40 minutes

Week 2 Quiz40 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 120 minutes

Week 2 Peer Assessment120 minutes

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.

What's included

9 videos2 readings1 assignment1 peer review

9 videosTotal 95 minutes

3.1. The Economics of Loss 14 minutes
3.2.1. Asking the Most Useful Questions 11 minutes
3.2.2. Tale of Two Cases: What Has Worked and What Hasn't Worked 9 minutes
3.2.3. Enabling Good Decisions by Creating a Market-Like Environment 5 minutes
3.3. Effective Extension for the Prevention of Postharvest Losses 13 minutes
3.4. Working in Subsistence Marketplaces 7 minutes
3.5. Modernizing Extension and Advisory Services 13 minutes
3.6. Understanding Subsistence Marketplaces 11 minutes
3.7. Designing Solutions 10 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

Week 3 Overview10 minutes
Week 3 Readings and Resources10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 40 minutes

Week 3 Quiz40 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 120 minutes

Week 3 Peer Assessment120 minutes

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.

What's included

5 videos2 readings2 assignments1 plugin

5 videosTotal 50 minutes

4.1.1. Food Security on the Modern International Agenda 6 minutes
4.1.2. Trends in International Awareness of Postharvest Loss: From Kissinger to 2015 9 minutes
4.2. Solving Problems as an International Community: Benefits and Challenges of Collaborating for Food Loss Reduction 12 minutes
4.3. SAVE FOOD Partnership and the Community of Practice on Food Loss Reduction 8 minutes
4.4. The ADM Institute Approach to Postharvest Loss Prevention 15 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

Week 4 Overview10 minutes
Week 4 Readings and Resources10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 116 minutes

Week 4 Quiz40 minutes
Final Quiz76 minutes

1 pluginTotal 15 minutes

How was the course?15 minutes

Instructor

Instructor ratings

(48 ratings)

Dr. Prasanta Kalita

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

1 Course11,558 learners

Offered by

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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Reviewed on Nov 17, 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

Reviewed on Jan 28, 2022

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

Reviewed on Nov 27, 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.

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