Agriculture is one of the most essential sectors in the world, and yet it is also one of those sectors that are most threatened by risks, especially as far as crop production, storage, and transportation go. Poor storage, inappropriate handling, and inefficiency in the supply chain cause quality loss, which subsequently harms the products and their dependent livelihoods.
The Food and Agriculture Organization reports that a third of all food produced worldwide is lost or wasted every year, with most losses taking place after harvest. Losses of this nature do not only affect the farmer’s livelihood but also exacerbate hunger and put more pressure on the planet’s natural resources. This brings to light the need for intervention and change to minimize such losses.
What is Post-Harvest Losses?
Post-harvest losses arise between the time of harvesting and when the produce eventually reaches the consumer. These are usually caused by a wide range of factors and affect all parts of the agriculture supply chain.
Farmers face certain challenges with their produce like improper & delayed quality checks, poor storage conditions, logistical challenges and market inefficiencies. These challenges create significant financial losses across the agri-supply chain. However, artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how we address these issues, especially in agri warehousing, providing a chance to solve these persistent challenges.
The Benefits of AI-Driven Interventions
Integrating AI into post-harvest risk management yields numerous benefits, both for SLCM and the entire agricultural value chain:
- Reduction in Losses: AI’s precision allows for early detection of potential risks, significantly reducing spoilage and wastage. By enabling smarter decision-making, SLCM helps stakeholders across the supply chain avoid unnecessary losses.
- Cost Efficiency: By optimizing storage, logistics, and market strategies, AI reduces resource wastage and operational costs for farmers, traders, and warehouses. SLCM has implemented these technologies to drive cost savings and improve efficiency at every step of the supply chain.
- Sustainability: Precision interventions, such as AI-driven storage management, reduce the environmental footprint of agriculture. By curbing excessive use of resources like, energy, and chemicals, SLCM is helping make agriculture more sustainable.
- Enhanced Profitability: By ensuring that more produce reaches the market in optimal condition, SLCM supports farmers and traders in increasing profitability. AI-driven insights and efficient operations help maximize the value of agricultural products.
Innovations in the Sector
We, at SLCM, constantly develop integrated systems of predictive analytics, IoT, and ERP that ensure seamless and efficient supply chains. Our AI-powered warehouse management systems adjust dynamically to fluctuations in environmental conditions, traffic, and commodity consumption patterns for the best possible quality of agricultural products, reducing waste and maximizing profitability.
These innovations are therefore cost-reducing, rather empowering farmers, traders, among other stakeholders, with relevant tools and technologies to maximize their operations. SLCM is creating a gap between traditional methods of agriculture and the actual future of agri-supply chains by integrating highly advanced AI technologies.
Conclusion
AI has ushered in an era of precision in agriculture by providing transformative solutions to problems that have plagued humankind for centuries: post-harvest losses. SLCM is pioneering new ways to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the agri-supply chain, from AI-based quality checks to predictive analytics for storage and market intelligence.
We are going to see further change in agriculture with AI and will develop smarter and more sustainable agricultural practices as we move into the future. SLCM remains committed to driving innovation for farmers, traders, and the overall agri-ecosystem, preparing them to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
