4.8
stars
143 ratings

Dr. Prasanta Kalita

8,432 already enrolled

Offered By

Global Postharvest Loss Prevention: Fundamentals, Technologies, and Actors

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

About this Course

9,656 recent views

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.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 13 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: French, Portuguese (European), Russian, English, Spanish

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 13 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: French, Portuguese (European), Russian, English, Spanish

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.6/5 (35 Ratings)

Dr. Prasanta Kalita

Director of the ADM Institute for the Prevention of Postharvest Loss

Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering

8,432 Learners

1 Course

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.

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating97%(1,620 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

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

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

Reviews

4.8

43 reviews

5 stars
76.22%
4 stars
23.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

Build employee skills, drive business results

Discover Coursera for Business

Global Postharvest Loss Prevention: Fundamentals, Technologies, and Actors

Global Postharvest Loss Prevention: Fundamentals, Technologies, and Actors

About this Course