POST-HARVEST TECHNOLOGIES AND FOOD SECURITY: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Post-harvest technologies play a pivotal role in enhancing global food security by reducing losses, improving food quality, and ensuring the availability of agricultural produce throughout the year. This literature review synthesizes current research on post-harvest innovations, focusing on storage, processing, packaging, and transportation systems. The review highlights how technological advancements—from low-cost solar dryers and hermetic storage to IoT-based monitoring systems—can minimize post-harvest losses, particularly in developing nations where infrastructure is often inadequate. Moreover, the review underscores the role of capacity building, policy frameworks, and stakeholder collaboration in scaling these technologies sustainably. Key gaps in knowledge, including the need for localized, climate-resilient solutions and better integration of traditional and modern methods, are also addressed. The findings reaffirm the importance of investing in post-harvest systems as a critical strategy for achieving food security and agricultural sustainability.