Post-harvest management of perishable products from field to table using systems engineering approach: A review

Abstract

Perishable food products are indispensable in maintaining good health. However, the rate of its loss/waste globally is quite alarming due to its effects of food shortage, economy instability and environmental threats due to the disposed waste. The scope of this study is to assess the level and effect of food loss/waste through literature reviews and to analyze how effective post-harvest management from planting to harvesting stages can help minimize food loss/waste in the global world. The system engineering approach, System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) was used to solve this problem. This approach explains the how the selection of a suitable farm site, planting/harvesting at the optimum time can contribute to reducing food loss/waste. The paper revealed that for good post-harvest management practice, there is a need to consider some key factors, which include selection of a suitable farm site (free of acidity), proper irrigation system, fertilization, harvesting at the right time and with the right tool, proper handling from field to the end users and across the supply chain, and the need for government intervention/support to provision of adequate, suitable storage facilities. The study confirms that public awareness of the implication of food loss/waste in the global world, intervention and proper monitoring/management of the perishable foods across the supply chain actors and support from the government towards the provision of accessible, affordable, and suitable processing and storage facilities will go a long way to curb food loss/waste, secure the growing population against hunger and our environment from environmental hazards.