Role of Agricultural Engineering in prevention of losses of agricultural commodities.pdf

Role of Agricultural Engineers in Loss Prevention of Agricultural Commodities

In this insightful presentation, we explore the critical contributions of agricultural engineers in minimizing losses of agricultural commodities throughout the production and supply chain. Discover how mechanization in harvesting enhances efficiency and reduces waste, while advanced storage facilities safeguard produce from spoilage and pests.

We delve into innovative strategies for reducing post-harvest losses, emphasizing the importance of processing techniques that add value to raw materials. Additionally, learn about soil and water conservation practices that ensure sustainable farming and resource management.

The presentation also highlights the significance of training farmers in current and innovative technologies, empowering them to adopt best practices that enhance productivity and profitability.

Join us on this journey to understand how agricultural engineers are pivotal in creating a resilient agricultural sector, ensuring food security, and promoting sustainable development. Perfect for professionals, students, and anyone interested in the future of agriculture!

1. Role of Agricultural Engineering
in prevention of Agricultural
Commodity Losses
Presentation by-
Maneesh Sonkar
Role and Impact of Different Processsing Machines
and Technologies on Loss Prevention

2. Introduction
•CurrentScenario:20-30%ofglobalfoodproduction
lostannuallyduetoinefficienthandling,storage,and
transportation.
•NeedforImprovement:Agriculturalengineersare
drivinginnovationtoreducetheselossesandenhance
foodsecuritybydevelopingadvancedtechnologiesfor
everystageoftheagriculturalprocess.
•Agriculturalengineeringplaysacrucialrolein
minimizinglossesofagriculturalcommodities
throughoutvariousstages,fromproductiontopost-
harvesthandling.
•Thismultidisciplinaryfieldintegratesprinciplesfrom
engineering,biology,andenvironmentalscienceto
enhancefoodsecurityandensuresustainable
agriculturalpractices.

3. Mechanization in Harvesting
•CurrentTechnologies:
•MechanicalHarvesters:Machineslikecombineharvestersintegratecutting,
threshing,andwinnowing,improvingefficiencyandreducingphysicalcrop
damage.
•Threshers:Theseminimizespillageduringgrainseparation.
•TechnologicalImprovements:
•AI-PoweredHarvesters:Autonomousmachineswillusereal-timedatato
determineoptimalharvesttiming,reducinglossescausedbyoverripeorunripe
harvesting.
•PrecisionMachineries:Robotsequippedwithsensorswillensureminimal
physicaldamageduringdelicateharvestingprocesses(fruits,vegetables),
reducingwastesignificantly.
RoleofEngineers:AgriculturalengineersdesignandimplementtheseroboticandAItechnologies,ensuring
theyareadaptedtodifferentcroptypesandfarmingenvironments.

4. Transportation and Supply Chain Technologies
•CurrentTechnologies:
•Climate-ControlledTrucks:Usedfortransportingperishables,thesevehicles
maintainstabletemperaturestoreducespoilageduringtransit.
•OptimizedRoutePlanning:GPS-basedsystemsoptimizeroutes,minimizing
delaysandreducingexposuretodamagingconditions.
•TechnologicalImprovements:
•AutonomousVehicles:Autonomousvehicleswilltransportgoodsfasterand
moreefficiently,particularlyinremoteorhard-to-reachareas.
•AI-DrivenSupplyChains:Real-timemonitoringandpredictiveanalyticswill
optimizelogistics,reducebottlenecks,andminimizelossesduringtransitby
forecastingmarketneedsanddeliverytimes.
Role of Engineers: Engineers develop and integrate these autonomous systems and AI solutions into supply
chains, ensuring faster, more reliable delivery with minimal loss during transportation.

5. Reducing Post-Harvest Losses
●Asignificantportionofagriculturalproduceislostduringpost-harvestprocessesduetoinadequate
handling,storage,andprocessingtechniques.
●Agriculturalengineersfocusondevelopingandimplementingbettersystemstomanagethese
processeseffectively.
●DesigningStorageFacilities:Engineerscreateoptimizedstoragesolutionsthatmaintainideal
conditionsforvariouscrops,reducingspoilageandpestinfestations.
●ImprovingTransportationSystems:Efficienttransportationnetworksaredesignedtominimizedelays
andlossesduringthemovementofgoodsfromfarmstomarkets.
●ImplementingProcessingTechnologies:Advancedprocessingmethodshelppreservethenutritional
qualityandsafetyoffoodproducts,therebyextendingtheirshelflife

6. Storage Innovations
•CurrentTechnologies:
•HermeticStorageBags:Theseprovideairtightstorage,protectinggrainsfrom
moistureandpests.
•ColdChainSystems:Widelyusedforperishablecommoditieslikefruitsand
vegetablestoextendshelflife.
•TechnologicalImprovements:
•SmartStorageSystems:IoT-basedsensorswillcontinuouslymonitortemperature,
humidity,andgascompositioninsidestorageunits,triggeringautomatedclimate
controltomaintainidealstorageconditions.
•AutomatedSilos:SiloswithadvancedsensorsandAIwillautomaticallymanage
airflowandtemperaturetopreventspoilageandgraindeterioration.
Role of Engineers: Agricultural engineers are crucial in integrating IoT sensors and AI systems into storage
infrastructure, creating responsive environments to safeguard crop quality.

7. Processing and Packaging Technologies
•CurrentTechnologies:
•OpticalSorting:Machinesuseopticalsensorstosortproducebasedoncolor,
size,andquality,reducingprocessingwaste.
•VacuumPackaging:Extendstheshelflifeofprocessedgoodsbyreducing
exposuretoairandmicrobialcontamination.
•TechnologicalImprovements:
•AI-BasedSortingSystems:Machinelearningalgorithmswillenhancesorting
accuracy,detectinginternaldamageandimperfectionsthatcurrentoptical
sortersmiss.
•SmartPackaging:Packagingthatmonitorsproductfreshnessinreal-time,
usingsensorsthatalertconsumersordistributorstospoilagerisks.
RoleofEngineers:Agriculturalengineersareresponsiblefordevelopingmoreaccuratesortingalgorithmsand
innovativepackagingtechnologiesthatenhanceproductpreservation.

8. Waste Reduction
Role of Engineers: Agricultural engineers innovate waste-to-energy systems and design bio-refineries that
turn agricultural residues into valuable products, contributing to a circular economy.
•CurrentTechnologies:
•BiogasPlants:Convertagriculturalwasteintoenergy,reducingcropresidue
waste.
•CompostingSystems:Efficientlymanageorganicwastefromfarms,producing
nutrient-richcompostforsoil.
•TechnologicalImprovements:
•Bio-Refineries:Advancedfacilitieswillconvertagriculturalwasteintobiofuels,
bioplastics,andotherhigh-valueproducts,maximizingresourceutilization.
•AI-BasedWasteManagement:Smartsystemswilloptimizethecollectionand
processingofagriculturalwaste,ensuringmoreefficientwaste-to-energy
conversionandby-productcreation.

9. Sustainability and Environmental Engineering
•CurrentTechnologies:
•DripIrrigation:Ensureswaterefficiencybydeliveringpreciseamountsofwater
directlytothecroprootzone,reducingwaterwastage.
•HydroponicsandVerticalFarming:Efficientlyutilizespaceandresources,
minimizinginputwastagewhilemaximizingyieldsincontrolledenvironments.
•TechnologicalImprovements:
•AdvancedFarmingSystems:Robotswithprecisiontoolsforplanting,watering,
andharvestingwillenhanceefficiencyandresourceuse.
•SustainableModels:AIwillpredictresourceneedsbasedonclimate,soil,and
cropconditions,ensuringminimaluseofwater,fertilizers,andpesticideswhile
maximizingyields.
RoleofEngineers:Agriculturalengineersdevelopthesesustainabletechnologies,ensuringthatfarming
practicesaremoreefficientandenvironmentallyfriendly,reducinglossesduetoenvironmental
degradation.

10. Conclusion
●Theroleofagriculturalengineeringisvitalinpreventingthelossofagriculturalcommoditiesthrough
innovativedesign,effectivemanagementstrategies,andsustainablepractices.
●Byfocusingonpost-harvesttechnologies,mechanization,resourcemanagement,foodsecurity
enhancement,andfarmereducation,agriculturalengineerscontributesignificantlytotheefficiencyand
sustainabilityoftheagriculturalsector.
●Thismultifacetedapproachnotonlysecuresfoodsupplybutalsosupportseconomicdevelopmentinrural
areas.
●Agriculturalengineersarecriticalincreating,optimizing,andimplementingbothcurrentandfuture
technologiestoreducelossesinagriculturalcommodities

11. Thank You
Do you have any questions?