About 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.
Who is this class for: No specific background is required. An interest in food security issues, sustainability, global agriculture, and international development is helpful.
Taught by: Dr. Prasanta Kalita, Director of the ADM Institute for the Prevention of Postharvest Loss
Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering
| Level | Beginner |
| Commitment | 4 weeks of study, 3-5 hours/week |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
- Video: What is Postharvest Loss and Why is it a Global Issue?
- Reading: Syllabus
- Reading: About the Discussion Forums
- Practice Quiz: Orientation Quiz
- Reading: Updating Your Profile
- Discussion Prompt: Getting to Know Your Classmates
- Reading: Social Media
- Reading: Week 1 Overview
- Reading: Week 1 Readings and Resources
- Video: 1.1. Food Insecurity: An Overview and Some Potential Solutions
- Video: 1.2. Role of Water in Food Security: Global Perspectives
- Video: 1.3. Overview of the Postharvest Supply Chain and the Role of Mechanization
- Reading: Week 2 Overview
- Reading: Week 2 Readings and Resources
- Video: 2.1. Overview of Grain Harvesting: Methods, Equipment, and Losses
- Video: 2.2.1. Grain Drying: Basic Principles of Drying
- Video: 2.2.2. Grain Drying: Drying Methods
- Video: 2.2.3. Grain Cleaning: Methods and Equipment
- Video: 2.3. Grain Storage and Management
- Video: 2.4 The Economics of Postharvest Loss: Structural Issues
- Reading: Week 3 Overview
- Reading: Week 3 Readings and Resources
- Video: 3.1. The Economics of Loss
- Video: 3.2.1. Asking the Most Useful Questions
- Video: 3.2.2. Tale of Two Cases: What Has Worked and What Hasn't Worked
- Video: 3.2.3. Enabling Good Decisions by Creating a Market-Like Environment
- Video: 3.3. Effective Extension for the Prevention of Postharvest Losses
- Video: 3.4. Working in Subsistence Marketplaces
- Video: 3.5. Modernizing Extension and Advisory Services
- Video: 3.6. Understanding Subsistence Marketplaces
- Video: 3.7. Designing Solutions
- Reading: Week 4 Overview
- Reading: Week 4 Readings and Resources
- Video: 4.1.1. Food Security on the Modern International Agenda
- Video: 4.1.2. Trends in International Awareness of Postharvest Loss: From Kissinger to 2015
- Video: 4.2. Solving Problems as an International Community: Benefits and Challenges of Collaborating for Food Loss Reduction
- Video: 4.3. SAVE FOOD Partnership and the Community of Practice on Food Loss Reduction
- Video: 4.4. The ADM Institute Approach to Postharvest Loss Prevention
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Very informative course on Post Harvest loss.
A variety of lecturers.
Some of the information could be updated now as the video are 4 or 5 year old.
You need to meet the weekly assignment deadline, otherwise your paper may not be peer reviewed. This will delay you receving your certificate of completion.
I am very grateful to faculties for this course, Dr Prasantha Kalitha and his colleagues for such a informative and ultimate course on 'Global PH Losses'. This course is very important to all learners from developing and developed countries, since world's growing population facing acute food shortage, thereby saving losses becomes need of the hour.
In fact this is my first time for such online course, but enjoyed the course due to support of all the colleagues in the course.
"Saving the food is producing the food" and this course will help to accomplish this global goal.
Thanks and regards,
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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Disturbing yet hopeful in that 1/3 pho can be ideally saved. Thanks.