Use of digital technologies in post-harvest management of horticultural crops

Post-harvest technology plays a crucial role in enabling industries to provide consumers with safe, nutritious, and fresh horticultural products, bridging the gap from farm to table. Substantial food wastage occurring in the post-harvest period could be mitigated through research advancements. Currently, numerous innovative technologies and techniques are being deployed to minimize losses experienced during harvesting, packing, transportation, wholesale and retail markets. There are several types of digital technology used in post-harvest management of horticultural crops such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, block chain, Big Data, robotics and smart sensors. These technologies can be used by the entire supply chain, from farm or field to the fork (F2F). The main objective of these technologies is to improve productivity, reduce food safety risks and enhance the sustainability of the entire supply chain. Efforts are needed to further refine these approaches, reducing losses effectively and maintaining cost-effectiveness for widespread application across diverse economic levels. Enhancing post-harvest practices can also help cut down expenses associated with additional processing steps. Post-harvest innovations and the greening of food value chains can have a big impact on preventing food loss, slowing down food loss, and recovering food value. It implies that decision-makers and policy makers must consider these approaches, especially as they significantly enhance food security, reduce the effects of climate change and create job possibilities. Future research should focus on integrating emerging technologies with post-harvest practices, and improved methods should be incorporated into existing value chains and marketing systems.