Optimizing post-harvest management through data collection

Creating an effective post-harvest management system can be challenging. Farmers, handlers, and traders need to secure their commodities to ensure quality preservation and decrease food losses.

Issues such as insect and vermin infestation, mold growth, and spoilage can be avoided by carefully managing crops during the post-harvest period. It is not enough to simply store commodities, one must find ways to secure them throughout that period as well.

One important and effective way of doing that is through monitoring and collecting data.

Collecting data about harvested commodities is important because it helps improve the system in place. Aside from monitoring purposes, data may indicate many things such as whether or not certain preparations both pre- and during harvest are effective.

Technology is readily available to aid farmers and handlers in monitoring the state of the commodities. Advancements and innovations create opportunities to protect commodities as well as help integrate technological developments into traditional practices when it comes to agriculture.

Additionally, variables such as moisture content and humidity can now be monitored so that farmers and handlers can adapt in order to lessen the damage that can be caused by these. Problems caused by such variables can be limited by the use of technology. If for example it was monitored that mold growth had begun, then solutions can be applied instantaneously.

Another important facet of monitoring and collecting data is that it is a climate-smart agricultural practice. Because of the extreme changes that the environment is going through, it is imperative to be able to withstand those conditions and integrate solutions that mitigate problems caused by climate change.

Storage solutions and post-harvest management are priorities that farmers and handlers must give attention to. Holistic agricultural practices must be adopted so that commodities are protected throughout the whole season. Click the button below to learn more.