An Analysis of the Strategic Space of Apple Waste Management in the Supply Chain of Tehran Province

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD Graduate, Department of Agricultural Development and Management, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.

2 Professor, Department of Agricultural Development and Management, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.

3 Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Development and Management, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.

4 Associate Professor, Department of Horticultural Sciences and Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.

10.30490/rvt.2023.359571.1477

Abstract

Introduction
The issue of agricultural product wastage poses a significant challenge to Iran's agriculture sector, particularly within the horticulture sub-sector. Much of this wastage along the supply chain is attributed to inadequate waste management practices. Therefore, there is a pressing need to develop effective waste management strategies in the country. This study aims to analyze the strategic space of apple waste management within the supply chain of Tehran province.
Materials and Methods
This study employed a mixed research approach, combining semi-structured interviews and surveys. The target population consisted of experts in the apple supply chain, with 21 individuals purposefully selected for the study. Data was primarily collected through researcher-designed interviews and questionnaires. During field research on the apple supply chain in Tehran province, experts were interviewed to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats within the chain. Subsequently, the strategic space of the chain was analyzed using SWOT analysis methodology, leading to the formulation of improvement strategies.
Results and Discussion
The findings of this study indicate that the apple supply chain exhibits numerous weaknesses and threats, predominantly characterized by a defensive strategic orientation (WT) with a final weight of 0.41. Analysis of the internal environment revealed that weaknesses outweigh strengths. Similarly, external threats surpass opportunities. Experts identified the ability to maintain high shelf life of apples at the household level as the supply chain's most significant strength. Conversely, the lack of experienced managers and associates in value and supply chains emerged as a critical weakness, underscoring the pivotal role of management in enhancing chain performance and efficiency. The favorable climate for cultivating quality apples represents a key opportunity, while underdeveloped supply and value chains, along with their instability, pose significant threats. Priority strategies proposed by experts include increasing the export share of apples in the agricultural sector, training competent managers in apple value and supply chains, and enhancing and integrating existing organizations. Based on the prioritized strategies and the emphasis on defensive or fallback strategies (WT), it is imperative to adopt defensive measures to create room for implementing contingency and competitive policies, and ultimately growth and development strategies, aimed at enhancing the apple supply chain while addressing waste management concerns. Considering the current circumstances, the initial step involves establishing a sustainable supply chain and value chain, facilitated by collaboration among relevant government and private sectors, as well as stakeholders within the chain. This entails recruiting skilled managers and trained personnel to oversee the integration of chain structure and management.
Conclusions
Given the apple supply chain's weak points, the initial focus is on addressing these weaknesses to leverage existing opportunities and mitigate external threats. Recommendations include creating a sustainable supply chain, integrating relevant stakeholders, offering training courses on waste reduction and marketing, and facilitating export growth through macro-level policies aligned with product quality and market dynamics.act

Keywords

References

  1. Abi Tarabay, P., Chahine-Tsouvalakis, H., Tawk, S.T., Nemer, N. & Habib, W. (2018). Reduction of food losses in Lebanese apple through good harvesting and postharvest practices. Annals of Agricultural Sciences, 63(2), 207-213.
  2. Asadi, A., Gholifar, E. & Akbari, M. (2012). An investigation of the factors affecting apple wastes in Zanjan province, Iran. Iranian Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development Research, 43(2), 281-292. [in Persian]
  3. Azkia, M., Zare, A. & Imani, A. (2008). Approaches and methods of qualitative research in rural development. Tehran: Ney Publication. [in Persian]
  4. Barati, A.A., Kalantari, Kh., Nazari, M.R. & Asadi, A. (2017). A hybrid method (ANP-SWOT) to formulate and choose strategic alternatives for development of rural cooperatives in Iran. Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology, 19(4), 757-769.
  5. Boliko, M.C. (2019). FAO and the situation of food security and nutrition in the world. Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology, 65(Supplement), S4-S8.
  6. Buzby, C. (2014). Overview of food loss in the United States. The Last Food Mile Conference: Food Loss and Food Waste in the U.S. Supply Chain” University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Available at: https://repository.upenn.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/086ec6f1-a80b-4b05-9ce8-44a6d7474137.
  7. Chaboud, G. & Daviron, B. (2017). Food losses and waste: Navigating the inconsistencies. Global Food Security, 12, 1-7.
  8. (2016). Global initiative on food loss and waste reduction. Key facts on food loss and waste you should know. Available at: https://twosides.info/includes/files/upload/files/UK/Myths_and_Facs _ 2016_Sources/18-19/Key_facts_on_food_loss_and_waste_you_should_know-FAO_2016.pdf.
  9. (2020). Top 20 Countries Production of Apples 2020. Available at: https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#rankings/countries_by_commodity.
  10. Godfray, H.C.J. & Garnett, T. (2014). Food security and sustainable intensification. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 369(1639), 20120273. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2012.0273.
  11. Gustavsson, J., Cederberg, Ch., Sonesson, U., Van Otterdijk, R. & Meybeck, A. (2011). Global food losses and food waste. Save Food Congress, Germany: Düsseldorf.
  12. Haghani, F. (2017). Analysis of management performance of horticulture sub-sector in 2014-2015. Tehran: APERDRI. [in Persian]
  13. Hajnajari, H. & Eshghi Hasanabadi, M. (2013). Influence of harvest time on sensorial traits of native early apple cultivars during cold storage. Jornal of Horticulture Science (Agricultural Sciences and Technology), 27(3), 275-285. [in Persian]
  14. Hunger, J.D. & Wheelen, T.L. (2005). Essentials of strategic management, Translated by: Arabi S.M. & Izadi, D. Tehran: Cultural Research Bureau.‏ [in Persian]
  15. Hanson, C., Lipinski, B., Robertson, K., Dias, D., Gavilan, I., Gréverath, P., Ritter, S., Fonseca, J., VanOtterdijk, R. & Timmermans, T. (2016). Food loss and waste accounting and reporting standard. WRI: The World Resources Institute. Available at: https://policycommons.net/artifacts/1360255/food-loss-and-waste-accounting-and-reporting-standard/1973602/.
  16. Kader, A.A. (2013). Postharvest technology of horticultural crops-An overview from farm to fork. Ethiopian Journal of Applied Science and Technology, (1), 1-8.
  17. Kafaei Lotfi, Sh., Chizari, M. & Pezeshkirad, Gh.R. (2007). Extension educational factors preventive of apple postharvest losses, az viewed by Damavand township apple producers, Iran. Iranian Journal of Agricultural Sciences (Journal of Agriculture), 38(2), 359-368. [in Persian]
  18. Keshavarz, A., Shariatmadar, M.H., Khosravi, A., Sheikh Mehrabadi, A.A., Biki Khoshk, A., Shabani, M., Bakhshayesh, M., Kiyan Pour, R. & Fakari, B. (2016). Estimating the economic value of the lost water due to wastes of agricultural products (irrigated crop and garden) from the harvest to before taking. Journal of Water and Sustainable Development, 3(1), 73-82. [in Persian]
  19. Kotykova, & Babych, M. (2019). Economic impact of food loss and waste.AGRIS on-line Papers in Economics and Informatics. 11(3), 55-71. DOI: 10.7160/aol.2019.110306.
  20. Kummu, M., De Moel, H., Porkka, M., Siebert, S., Varis, O. & Ward, P.J. (2012). Lost food, wasted resources: Global food supply chain losses and their impacts on freshwater, cropland, and fertiliser use. Science of The Total Environment, 438, 477-489.
  21. Masood, M. (2011). An assessment of apple post–harvest losses: The case of Nerkh district, Afghanistan. MS Diss., University of Applied Sciences, Van Hall Larenstein, Netherlands.
  22. Ministry of Agriculture - Jahad. (2008). The document of managment of control and reduction of agricultural products waste. [in Persian]
  23. Ministry of Agriculture - Jahad. (2020). Agricultural statistics. https://amar.maj.ir/. [in Persian]
  24. Ocicka, B. & Raźniewska, M. (2018). Food waste reduction as a challenge in supply chains management. LogForum, 14(4), 549-561.
  25. Organization of Agriculture- Jahad- Tehran. (2020). The image of agriculture of Tehran province. Available at: https://www.tehran-agri.ir/. [in Persian]
  26. Panah, H., Rashidpoor, L. & Soleymani Rasooli Azar, S. (2014). Analysis of effective factors of apple reduction waste in West Azarbaijan province. The first national conference on agriculture and sustainable natural resources. Tehran. Available at: https://civilica.com/doc/258209/. [in Persian]
  27. Parfitt, J., Barthel, M. & Macnaughton, S. (2010). Food waste within food supply chains: Quantification and potential for change to 2050. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal society B: Biological Sciences, 365(1554), 3065-3081.
  28. Peykar Parsan, M., Shaabanali Fami, H., Daneshvar Ameri, J. & Khodabakhshi, A. (2013). Factors influencing the application of waste management operations in apple production in Abhar county. Iranian Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development Research, 44(2), 329-341. [in Persian]
  29. Rahmani, M. (2006). Investigating the role of food industries in waste reduction and export development of horticultural products. Ravand, 49, 201-230. [in Persian]
  30. Rezaei, M., & Liu, B. (2017). Food loss and waste in the food supply chain. International Nut and Dried Fruit Council, Reus, Spain.
  31. Rosenberg, M. (2021). Thoughts about food security, food loss and waste and what has to be done. AIMS Agriculture and Food, 6(3), 797-798.
  32. Santeramo, F.G. (2021). Exploring the link among food loss, waste and food security: What the research should focus on? Agriculture & Food Security, 10(1), 26.
  33. Springael, J., Paternoster, A., & Braet, J. (2018). Reducing postharvest losses of apples: Optimal transport routing (While minimizing total costs). Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 146, 136-144.
  34. (2021). Global export of fresh apple. Available at https://www.tridge.com/intelligences/apple/export.
  35. Yahia, E.M., Fonseca, J.M. & Kitinoja, L. (2019). Postharvest losses and waste. Postharvest technology of perishable horticultural commodities, 43-69.

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics