Page 574 - 5G Basics - Core Network Aspects

1 Applications

Figure III.1 – Product flow between producers and consumers

It is important to note that lack of packaging facilities may be one of the constraints in the product flow
control of small-scale farmers during the transition from subsistence to commercial farming. Significant post-
harvest losses occur when especially vulnerable crops and fruits are subjected to mechanical damage.
Therefore, management of packaging and distribution should be taken into consideration in the development
of product flow control systems during the post-production stage.

III.3.1 Product distribution flow at the post-production stage
Integrated post-production networks can be developed by forming clusters of producers and determining
the optimum gathering centres (GCs) linking goods producers, distributors, and consumers/retailers enabling
coordinated distribution of local goods products and facilitating the integration of food distribution in the
local products supply systems into large scale product distribution channels as shown in Figure III.1. Detailed
gathering and distribution routes can be analysed using product flow control functions. It can be noted that
coordinating and integrating the product flow control activities of local product delivery systems may reduce
the number of routes, transport distances and transport times. Such post-production network integration
can produce positive improvements towards potential markets, product flow efficiency, environmental
issues and traceability of product quality and product origins.

Figure III.2 – Product distribution flow at the post-production stage

The dotted line in Figure III.2 indicates the case of direct delivery from producer to customers. Coordination
and network integration in the local product supply chain increases distribution efficiency, potential markets
and access to information while reducing environmental impact. Forming the best gathering and distribution
centres (DCs) for locally produced product can be very important. Such location decisions can be supported

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