As global food security faces increasing challenges due to population growth, resource shortages, and climate change, innovative solutions are essential. A recent study conducted by Yonghao Hu and colleagues from China Agricultural University, the National Development and Reform Commission, and Xi”an Jiaotong University has identified the potential of Internet technology to mitigate postharvest maize loss in China.
The research involved field surveys with 832 farming households across 18 provinces in China”s primary maize-producing areas. Utilizing an econometric model, the team systematically examined how access to agricultural information via the Internet influences postharvest maize loss. This study addresses a significant gap in previous research that often relied on expert opinions or secondary data, providing essential empirical evidence for the role of digital technology in preventing agricultural losses.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China, as the world”s second-largest maize producer, experiences annual on-farm food loss ranging from 7% to 11% of total output. In contrast, developed nations like Japan and those in the EU report losses of less than 2%. The findings of this study, published in the journal Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (DOI: 10.15302/J-FASE-2025605), underscore the critical nature of addressing postharvest loss for food security.
The survey revealed that average loss rates were 4.5% during harvest, 4.0% during drying, and 3.7% during storage. Based on national maize output figures from 2022, these losses translate to approximately 19 million tons annually, costing around 51.69 billion yuan. This wastage equates to the resources used for 2.48 million hectares of arable land, 0.94 million tons of fertilizer, and results in significant carbon emissions and water waste.
Importantly, the research found that farmers who utilized the Internet for agricultural information experienced notably lower loss rates at all stages. Specifically, harvest losses decreased by 3.2%, drying losses by 1.5%, and storage losses by 3.6%. If all maize growers in China could achieve the loss control levels seen among Internet users, the annual supply of maize could increase by nearly 7.89 million tons. This improvement could also save substantial amounts of arable land, fertilizer, water, and reduce carbon emissions while significantly boosting farmers” incomes by approximately 21.3 billion yuan.
The research team identified three primary mechanisms through which the Internet aids in loss reduction: reducing information search costs, providing knowledge for better production management, and delivering timely weather alerts to prevent losses from extreme conditions. However, the study also highlighted that only 34% of farmers currently leverage the Internet for agricultural information. Barriers such as inadequate rural information infrastructure and low digital literacy were identified as significant obstacles.
In light of these findings, the research team advocates for government initiatives to accelerate the development of rural information infrastructure. They suggest lowering barriers to Internet access for farmers by subsidizing smartphones and offering digital literacy training, particularly for elderly, low-educated, and low-income groups. Such efforts would not only enhance food supply chain efficiency but also contribute significantly to agricultural sustainability and rural development.
