Beyond the Fields: Navigating Postharvest Losses

Summary

The webinar transcript focuses on strategies to mitigate post-harvest losses in the agricultural sector, emphasizing food security, economic, and sustainability impacts worldwide. Distinguished experts discuss critical issues, such as the importance of proper storage conditions, temperature management, and humidity control in reducing food waste. They explore solutions like decentralized cold rooms, passive cooling systems, and the use of technology for better post-harvest handling. The discussion also introduces an Operators Manual as a resource for smallholder farmers to improve cold storage practices.

Takeaways

• 📚 The webinar focused on navigating post-harvest losses, aiming to address critical issues related to food security, economies, and sustainability worldwide.
• 🌍 The panel consisted of experts from various fields, including solar cooling engineering, post-harvest technology, and agricultural sciences, indicating a multidisciplinary approach to the problem.
• 🌡️ Temperature management is a key driver in post-harvest losses, with both too high and too low temperatures causing different types of damage to produce.
• 💧 Humidity control is also crucial, as improper levels can lead to condensation, microbial growth, and moisture loss, affecting the quality and shelf life of fruits and vegetables.
• 🛠️ Technical knowledge is vital for selecting the right cooling technologies, such as evaporative cooling and vapor compression, each with their advantages and disadvantages.
• 🌱 The importance of product knowledge was emphasized, understanding the physiological processes post-harvest and the optimal storage conditions for different types of produce.
• 🌿 Ethylene management in multi-commodity storage is essential to prevent ripening effects on sensitive crops, which can lead to reduced quality.
• 🔄 The concept of an uninterrupted cold chain from field to fork was highlighted as critical to maintaining product quality and preventing spoilage.
• 📈 The use of sensors and data logging in monitoring temperature and other conditions within cold storage can help optimize storage conditions and reduce waste.
• 📚 An Operator's Manual was introduced as a resource for best practices in cold room operation, particularly beneficial for smallholder farmers and those in low and middle-income countries.
• 🌞 The potential of passive cooling solutions was discussed, offering a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to active cooling systems, especially in suitable climates.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the webinar discussed in the transcript?

The webinar focuses on navigating post-harvest losses, particularly in the context of food security, economies, and sustainability worldwide. It aims to shed light on critical issues and effects of post-harvest losses and propose solutions to address these challenges.

What roles do Sonia Metalita and Josiel play in their respective fields?

Sonia Metalita is the Chief Operating Officer at Solar Cooling Engineering Germany, focusing on solar-powered cooling solutions mainly for the agricultural sector. Josiel is a researcher in post-harvest technology at Wageningen Food & Biobased Research in the Netherlands, working to improve post-harvest handling processes and reduce post-harvest losses.

How does the supply chain of fresh fruits and vegetables typically operate?

The supply chain of fresh fruits and vegetables can be domestic or export-oriented. It involves steps such as sorting, packing, cooling, storage, and transportation to factories or retail outlets. For export, specialized containers with cool temperatures are used to maintain freshness during transit.

What are some of the challenges faced in the post-harvest supply chain?

Challenges include maintaining optimal storage conditions like temperature and humidity, preventing pests, and managing the complexity of the supply chain. These factors can lead to food waste and loss of nutrients, impacting food quality and health.

What is the significance of temperature management in post-harvest storage?

Temperature management is crucial as it directly affects the rate of quality loss in fresh produce. High temperatures can accelerate spoilage, while low temperatures can cause chilling injury. It is essential for maintaining freshness and extending the shelf life of produce.

How can decentralized cold rooms near farms and markets help reduce post-harvest losses?

Decentralized cold rooms can help maintain optimal storage conditions close to the source of production, reducing the time produce is exposed to unfavorable conditions. This can minimize moisture loss, maintain freshness, and prevent spoilage, thereby reducing post-harvest losses.

What are some passive cooling systems that can be utilized for storing fruits and vegetables after harvest?

Passive cooling systems include evaporative cooling, which uses the principle of cooling by adding water to warm and dry air, and other natural ventilation techniques that do not require electricity or refrigerants.

Why are passive cooling solutions underutilized, especially in low and middle-income countries?

Passive cooling solutions may be underutilized due to a lack of awareness, limited access to appropriate technology, and the initial costs associated with setting up such systems, despite their potential long-term benefits.

What are some technical considerations for cooling providers when designing post-harvest storage cold rooms?

Technical considerations include understanding the physiological processes of the produce after harvest, knowing the optimal storage conditions, selecting appropriate cooling technologies, and ensuring energy efficiency and sustainability, such as using natural refrigerants.

How can the use of natural refrigerants contribute to the sustainability of cold rooms?

Natural refrigerants, such as R600a or R290, can reduce the environmental impact of cold rooms by lowering greenhouse gas emissions. They align with global efforts to reduce the CO2 footprint of the cooling sector, as mandated by the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.

What steps can be taken to increase the efficiency and sustainability of cold rooms?

Steps include developing heat pumps suitable for tropical climates, finding the best energy mix, using thermal storage to increase autonomy, improving insulation materials, using natural resources for insulation, local production, upcycling materials, and ensuring modularity in cold room design.