Dr. Prasanta Kalita

Offered By

Global Postharvest Loss Prevention: Fundamentals, Technologies, and Actors

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

About this Course

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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.

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Flexible deadlines

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Beginner Level

Approx. 13 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.56/5 (18 Ratings)

Dr. Prasanta Kalita

Director of the ADM Institute for the Prevention of Postharvest Loss

Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering

5,613 Learners

1 Course

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 13 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English

Offered by

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a world leader in research, teaching and public engagement, distinguished by the breadth of its programs, broad academic excellence, and internationally renowned faculty and alumni. Illinois serves the world by creating knowledge, preparing students for lives of impact, and finding solutions to critical societal needs.

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating97%(1,188 ratings)

Week

Week 1

2 hours to complete

Course Orientation

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

2 hours to complete

1 video (Total 12 min), 4 readings, 1 quiz

1 video

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

4 readings

Syllabus10m

About the Discussion Forums10m

Updating Your Profile10m

Social Media10m

1 practice exercise

Orientation Quiz30m

3 hours to complete

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.

3 hours to complete

3 videos (Total 41 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes

3 videos

1.1. Food Insecurity: An Overview and Some Potential Solutions 16m

1.2. Role of Water in Food Security: Global Perspectives15m

1.3. Overview of the Postharvest Supply Chain and the Role of Mechanization 8m

2 readings

Week 1 Overview10m

Week 1 Readings and Resources10m

1 practice exercise

Week 1 Quiz30m

Week

Week 2

3 hours to complete

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.

3 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 81 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes

6 videos

2.1. Overview of Grain Harvesting: Methods, Equipment, and Losses 21m

2.2.1. Grain Drying: Basic Principles of Drying 10m

2.2.2. Grain Drying: Drying Methods 10m

2.2.3. Grain Cleaning: Methods and Equipment 8m

2.3. Grain Storage and Management 12m

2.4 The Economics of Postharvest Loss: Structural Issues 18m

2 readings

Week 2 Overview10m

Week 2 Readings and Resources10m

1 practice exercise

Week 2 Quiz30m

Week

Week 3

3 hours to complete

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.

3 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 95 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes

9 videos

3.1. The Economics of Loss 13m

3.2.1. Asking the Most Useful Questions 11m

3.2.2. Tale of Two Cases: What Has Worked and What Hasn't Worked 9m

3.2.3. Enabling Good Decisions by Creating a Market-Like Environment 5m

3.3. Effective Extension for the Prevention of Postharvest Losses 12m

3.4. Working in Subsistence Marketplaces 7m

3.5. Modernizing Extension and Advisory Services 13m

3.6. Understanding Subsistence Marketplaces 11m

3.7. Designing Solutions 10m

2 readings

Week 3 Overview10m

Week 3 Readings and Resources10m

1 practice exercise

Week 3 Quiz30m

Week

Week 4

2 hours to complete

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.

2 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 50 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes

5 videos

4.1.1. Food Security on the Modern International Agenda 6m

4.1.2. Trends in International Awareness of Postharvest Loss: From Kissinger to 2015 9m

4.2. Solving Problems as an International Community: Benefits and Challenges of Collaborating for Food Loss Reduction 11m

4.3. SAVE FOOD Partnership and the Community of Practice on Food Loss Reduction 8m

4.4. The ADM Institute Approach to Postharvest Loss Prevention 15m

2 readings

Week 4 Overview10m

Week 4 Readings and Resources10m

2 practice exercises

Week 4 Quiz30m

Final Quiz30m

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Global Postharvest Loss Prevention: Fundamentals, Technologies, and Actors

Global Postharvest Loss Prevention: Fundamentals, Technologies, and Actors