Abstract:
This review examines how circular economy (CE) principles can be applied to reduce post
harvest losses (PHL) in agriculture, particularly in developing nations where PHL significantly
undermines food security, economic stability and environmental sustainability. Implementing CE
principles helps reduce waste by transforming agricultural by-products into resources and
reusing them within the supply chain, thereby minimizing the ecological footprint. The study
analyses the literature to understand how CE approaches such as 3R model (Reduce, Reuse,
Recycle) cradle-to-cradle design, industrial symbiosis and regenerative practices can be applied.
A total of 27 relevant English language peer-reviewed articles published from 2014 to 2024 were
identified through searches on ScienceDirect and Google Scholar. The review identifies critical
post-harvest stages that can significantly benefit from the implementation of CE principles.
Examples include converting food waste into compost or bioenergy, upcycling surplus food into
new products or ingredients, using waste materials to replace raw resources, adapting
sustainable packaging, utilizing renewable energy for cold storage, fostering inter-company
collaboration to share resources, employing technology to trace food throughout the chain and
converting waste into energy. These measures focus on reducing waste, reusing by-products and
optimizing resource utilization. Successful adoption of CE also depends on technological
innovations and active cooperation among all stakeholders. Case studies from Nigeria, India and
the United Nations provide insights into multiple CE implementation models, challenges
encountered and the benefits of incorporating CE into agricultural policies and rural development
strategies. In conclusion, adopting CE principles within agri-food systems holds considerable
potential to reduce PHL, enhance food security and strengthen environmental and economic
resilience. These findings provide a valuable foundation for guiding future research, policy
formulation and the broader transition toward sustainable circular agriculture.
