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Transforming Banana Traceability with TraceX Blockchain Solutions
Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council (VFPCK) is a company established with the aim of comprehensive development of the fruit and vegetable sector in Kerala.  The GI authenticity of Nendran bananas is crucial for VFPCK as it safeguards the unique qualities of the bananas, enhances marketability, and protects against misappropriation. It ultimately plays a vital role in promoting and sustaining the agricultural enterprise associated with Nendran banana cultivation in Kerala.Â
AgribusinessÂ
Kerala, India
Proving GI authenticity with Traceability Solutions
VFPCK, a pioneering agricultural organization, partnered with TraceX to enhance traceability in their Banana production and processing project. The objective was to create a robust pre-harvest and post-harvest solution that ensures transparency, efficiency, and sustainability across the entire supply chain.
TraceX solutions in a multiuser environment were set up across 7 districts in Kerala across 45 villages with 126 planters. Site admins were registered at village level, District admins at district levels and overall, it was managed by the super admin who is the Director of VFPCK. The field staff were also configured as users. Presently, there are 60 active users in the platform.Â
Detailed farmer profiling involved capturing essential details such as plot ID, survey number, water source, soil type, and more. Farm geo-mapping ensured accurate mapping of farm boundaries through the mobile application.Â
The project focused on Banana crop production, requiring the configuration of crop varieties, input plans, and a comprehensive Package of Practice (POP). The POP was configured in alignment with the standard and sustainable cultivation practices. Crop Package of Practices is integral to sustainable agriculture as it provides a comprehensive set of guidelines that optimize resource use, preserve the environment, enhance soil health, and contribute to the long-term viability of agricultural practices. The adoption of PoP is a key strategy for farmers committed to sustainable and responsible farming. 36 activities were configured as a part of the package of practices. These activities included Planting, land management, Crop Management, Crop Soil Nutrition, Roguing, Pest, Weed and Disease Management, Staking, Suckers Management and Bunch Management. This data was meticulously managed through the application.
Daily crop activities were monitored in real-time to ensure adherence to recommended agricultural practices. The mobile application facilitated the addition of crops, allowing the field officers to update activities digitally.Â
Harvest planners are instrumental in aligning production with market demand, optimizing resource use, and enhancing overall efficiency in agriculture. They provide the necessary tools for farmers and sales teams to make informed decisions, improve collaboration, and meet the demands of a rapidly evolving agricultural landscape.Â
Harvest estimates and patterns for each configured crop variety were set up through the Harvest Planner, enabling single or multi-harvest types.Â
The web dashboard provided an overview of the harvested amount from various farmers, enhancing visibility.Â
Once the banana reaches the desired growth stage, farmers manually harvest it. The system, configured for Harvest Management, displays an estimated weight of the harvest based on the farmer’s acreage. The farmer then transports the harvest to SKS (controlled by the Government of Kerala) for domestic sales in the marketplace. SKS administrators accept the harvest (Goods Receipt – GRN), weigh the produce conduct auctions, , and sell it to traders or buyers. The weighing is done to ensure accuracy in weighing metrics for the purpose of traceability . At the SKS level, batches of banana harvest are visible in the web application’s inventory. QR codes can be generated at this stage and are tagged to the Thalir card.Â
Thalir, introduced by VFPCK, is a brand that prioritizes authenticity, quality, and sustainability in agricultural products. The inclusion of QR code tagging on Thalir products serves as a transparency measure, allowing consumers to access detailed information about the product’s origin, cultivation practices, and adherence to quality standards. This innovative approach not only enhances consumer trust but also positions Thalir as a reliable and transparent brand committed to delivering high-quality and sustainable agricultural goods. The QR code tagging system provides consumers with a direct link to the product’s journey, fostering confidence and loyalty in the Thalir brand.Â
For batches requiring processing activities, such as those intended for Ecoshops and international sales, the harvest is transferred to the Primary Processing Centre (PPC).
Batches requiring processing are moved to the Primary Processing Centre (PPC). The harvest undergoes a series of processing steps, and the final produce is packed into specific Stock Keeping Units (SKU). Â
SKUs serve as the backbone of traceability systems by uniquely identifying products, and printing plays a pivotal role in translating these identifiers into scannable codes on labels. The integration of SKUs and printing technologies ensures that traceability is accurate, reliable, and seamlessly integrated into the product’s lifecycle.Â
All processing steps at the PPC are recorded in the Post Harvest section of the web application by the PPC Admin or SKS Admin. After packing, a unique QR code is printed and affixed to the designated container or box. The container is then either sent for sale or stored in the cold storage until the optimal time for sales to buyers.Â
Domestic sales are of 3 types – Trader Purchase, D2C Sales and Ecoshop Center Sales. Â
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