Majnun Mammadov: Investment in digitalization and logistics will reduce food losses

Azerbaijan is taking comprehensive measures to reduce food losses across the entire agricultural value chain, Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov said at a meeting of agriculture ministers held within the Zero Waste forum in Istanbul, Türkiye.

Report quotes him as saying that investment in the agricultural sector should help reduce losses, strengthen food supply chains, improve market access, and enhance national food security.

Mammadov emphasized that reducing post-harvest losses should be a key priority.

"For this, it is necessary to increase investment in logistics centers, storage infrastructure, transport networks, and digital technologies. Artificial intelligence, smart monitoring systems, precision farming technologies, and data analytics allow real-time tracking of products, improve supply chain efficiency, and reduce losses," he said.

Turkish Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı also noted at the event that 13% of global food production is lost after harvest, and another 19% is wasted in homes, stores, and restaurants.

"This means that one-third of all food produced is destroyed before it reaches the table. The annual damage to the global economy from food loss and waste is $1 trillion," he said.