Processing increases efficiency by which mechanism?

Processing increases efficiency by which mechanism?

• A. Food cost reduced by limiting post-harvest losses
• B. Food cost increases due to longer supply chains
• C. Post-harvest losses increase near processing plants
• D. No effect on post-harvest losses

Answer: (A)

Processing increases efficiency by reducing post-harvest losses. When crops are processed, they’re cleaned, preserved, and packaged in ways that slow spoilage and protect against damage. Techniques like drying, canning, freezing, and proper storage extend shelf life and make it feasible to transport and market products that would otherwise spoil. By keeping more of the harvested food usable, the edible portion can be sold or stored longer, lowering the cost per unit of food overall. Longer supply chains tend to add costs rather than reduce them, and post-harvest losses don’t typically rise just because processing occurs—processing actually helps minimize those losses.

Processing increases efficiency by reducing post-harvest losses. When crops are processed, they’re cleaned, preserved, and packaged in ways that slow spoilage and protect against damage. Techniques like drying, canning, freezing, and proper storage extend shelf life and make it feasible to transport and market products that would otherwise spoil. By keeping more of the harvested food usable, the edible portion can be sold or stored longer, lowering the cost per unit of food overall.

Longer supply chains tend to add costs rather than reduce them, and post-harvest losses don’t typically rise just because processing occurs—processing actually helps minimize those losses.