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Agricultural Management: the Art of Loss-Free Agriculture

Agricultural Management: the Art of Loss-Free Agriculture. Steve Sonka, Research Professor May 7, 2014. Why Reduce Post-harvest Loss? Some Hypotheses. Estimates suggest 1/3 of agricultural production is “wasted” and doesn’t reach food consumer Investment required to reduce PHL could be modest

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Agricultural Management: the Art of Loss-Free Agriculture

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  1. Agricultural Management:the Art of Loss-Free Agriculture Steve Sonka, Research Professor May 7, 2014

  2. Why Reduce Post-harvest Loss?Some Hypotheses • Estimates suggest 1/3 of agricultural production is “wasted” and doesn’t reach food consumer • Investment required to reduce PHL could be modest • Technology advances should make reduction more feasible and less expensive • Arable land, water, energy are in limited supply – reducing PHL can lessen pressure on scarce resources

  3. Agricultural Managementand the Art of Loss-Free Agriculture

  4. Agricultural Managementand the Art of Loss-Free Agriculture Iowa

  5. Agricultural Managementand the Art of Loss-Free Agriculture Not really that young ! Started work young

  6. Agricultural Managementand the Art of Loss-Free Agriculture Actually rode pony to herd cattle

  7. Agricultural Managementand the Art of Loss-Free Agriculture Hammermill

  8. Econ 101 $s Cost of Reduction S 1/3rd of production is lost Reduced Loss (%) D Original Setting 100 % Reduction

  9. Econ 101: From Loss to Gain Gain $s Cost of Reduction S S1 Loss to be Captured Cost of Doing Business D1 Enhanced Quality Reduced Loss (%) D Original Setting 100 % Reduction

  10. Econ 101: Converting MoreLoss to Gain Gain Loss to be Captured $s Cost of Reduction S S1 S2 Cost of Doing Business D2 D1 Enhanced Quality Reduced Loss (%) D Original Setting Setting 1 100 % Reduction

  11. Change did occur (cont’d) But not all technologies adopted http://richardnilsen.com/2013/11/24/central-appalachians/

  12. Changes Which Could Reduce Loss (IRRI, 2013)

  13. More Changes Which Could Reduce Loss (IRRI, 2013)

  14. ??How?? Did Change Occur? • Parents never took the Econ 101 class • But changes to reduce loss did occur • Availability of effective technologies/Financial capability --- necessary, not sufficient • Local experience w/ adaptation • Multiple, credible, confirming sources of info • Assurance of technical support • Organizational innovation Soft Infrastructure

  15. Summary Thoughts • The art of loss-free agriculture begins with understanding the farmer’s & manager’s perspective • of “loss” that can be converted to gain versus • “loss” which is a cost of doing business.  • Urgent need is research & engagement focused on: Why farmers don’t employ the proven and relatively simple technologies and practices that are known to reduce loss?   

  16. Email: ssonka@illinois.eduWebsite: http://postharvestinstitute.illinois.edu

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