Strategies for optimizing agricultural transportation and distribution in Angola using Agriculture 4.0

Agriculture has been a central focus of the Angolan government's policies and initiatives, given the country's vast arable land and diverse climatic conditions, which are conducive to the cultivation of various agricultural products. However, in recent years, population growth, currently estimated at 32.9 million, has posed significant challenges to food sustainability in Angola. These challenges are further exacerbated by inefficiencies in the logistics chain for the distribution and transportation of agricultural products to urban centers. To address and mitigate the impacts of population growth, Agriculture 4.0 has emerged as a strategic approach, enabling more efficient and informed decision-making to optimize agricultural production and distribution. In this context, this study proposes a solution to the challenges associated with agricultural transportation, recognizing that reports from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MINAGRIF) highlight critical issues, including poor road infrastructure, limited storage and transportation capacity, and restricted access to government support programs for agribusiness. These factors significantly hinder the efficient movement of agricultural products from rural areas to urban centers. The methodology employed in this study consists of four stages, designed to systematically explore global and national solutions for agricultural transportation. The research identifies and analyzes existing challenges using diagnostic tools such as the Ishikawa diagram and SWOT analysis. Based on the identified weaknesses and threats, an innovative solution is proposed that leverages Agriculture 4.0 technologies to enhance transportation efficiency in Angola and minimize post-harvest losses.