Digital Technologies, Sustainability, and Efficiency in Grain Post-Harvest Activities: A Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

Post-harvest grain processes play a crucial role in food supply chains. Recent research focuses on how digital technologies can minimize grain losses, enhance food safety, and reduce their environmental impacts. The relationship between technologies and efficiency and sustainability needs more clarity, particularly concerning critical control points in post-harvest activities. The purpose of this article is to establish a connection between digital technologies used in food supply chains and critical control points within post-harvest systems. The research method is a bibliometric analysis. A literature survey identified thirteen digital technologies. The most published technologies are simulation, automation, and artificial intelligence. The least is augmented reality. Previous research identified nine critical control points in post-harvest engineering solutions, responsible for most losses in efficiency and environmental impacts. A framework using a sample of recent case studies was constructed to relate digital technologies and critical control points. The primary contribution of the study is a categorized list of the most influential technologies corresponding to each control point. The significance and novelty lie in providing managers and practitioners in engineering solutions for post-harvest systems with a practical guide for decision-making in the selection of technologies for future projects. Ultimately, this aids in reducing losses and environmental impact.