Papaya (Carica papaya) is a tropical fruit valued for its nutritional benefits and economic importance, yet it is highly vulnerable to post-harvest decay, especially soft rot caused by Rhizopus stolonifer. This review explores the biology of R. stolonifer, the pathology of soft rot in papaya, and its detrimental effects on post-harvest quality and marketability. Emphasis is placed on innovative, eco-friendly strategies for managing this disease, including biological control agents, edible coatings plant-based antimicrobials modified atmosphere storage, cold plasma, UV-C irradiation, nanotechnology and smart packaging. These approaches promise to reduce post-harvest losses while ensuring food safety and sustainability.