The Role of Digital Technologies in Reducing Food Waste and Loss in Agricultural Supply Chains

• Author(s): Dr. Olushola Adeborode, Kolawole ; Kolawole Owoigbe
• Paper ID: 1708373
• Page: 479-487
• Published Date: 10-05-2025
• Published In: Iconic Research And Engineering Journals
• Publisher: IRE Journals
• e-ISSN: 2456-8880
• Volume/Issue: Volume 8 Issue 11 May-2025

Abstract

Food waste and loss within agricultural supply chains constitute a major global issue, jeopardizing food security, economic stability, and environmental sustainability (FAO, 2019; World Bank, 2020). Numerous interventions have been investigated, with digital technologies identified as transformative solutions for mitigating inefficiencies across various stages of the supply chain (Kamilaris et al., 2019; Srivastava, 2022). This study examines the role of digital technologies, including the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain, and data analytics, in reducing food waste and loss. An extensive review of existing literature and real-world case studies demonstrates that precision farming, smart logistics, cold chain monitoring, and predictive analytics enhance decision-making, reduce spoilage, and improve supply chain coordination (Alexander et al., 2020; van Dijk et al., 2021). This study investigates the obstacles to technology adoption, focusing on cost, infrastructure constraints, and farmers' digital literacy, particularly in developing nations (Fahimnia et al., 2021; Ojo et al., 2023). Research demonstrates that digital innovations effectively reduce food loss from farm to fork, with their impact being enhanced through integration with policy support, stakeholder collaboration, and sustainable business models (OECD, 2021). Increased investments in smart agricultural infrastructure, farmer training programs, and policy frameworks that promote the adoption of digital solutions are advisable. This study advances the discussion on utilizing technology for sustainable food systems and offers insights for policymakers, agribusinesses, and researchers (United Nations, 2022).

Keywords

Food Waste and Loss, Digital Agriculture, Supply Chain Management, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain Technology, Post-Harvest Loss, Sustainable Food Systems

Citations

IRE Journals:
Dr. Olushola Adeborode, Kolawole , Kolawole Owoigbe "The Role of Digital Technologies in Reducing Food Waste and Loss in Agricultural Supply Chains" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 8 Issue 11 2025 Page 479-487

IEEE:
Dr. Olushola Adeborode, Kolawole , Kolawole Owoigbe "The Role of Digital Technologies in Reducing Food Waste and Loss in Agricultural Supply Chains" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 8(11)