Blockchain technologies and grapes make an odd couple, suitable? Wrong. Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda), beneath the ministry of commerce, has integrated a Blockchain option into its GrapeNet traceability platform. It has been implemented as a hybrid option combining its standard net-based SaaS (Software as a Service) model for its stakeholders, augmented by a permissioned, private Blockchain layer for additional information safety and authentication.
The GrapeNet is a net based certification and traceability software program technique for monitoring fresh grapes exported from India to the European Union. The Blockchain option, named Apeda Trust Chain, will assist track all the particulars of the consignment, suitable down to the place of the vineyards. It will maintain a record of all the processes involved which can be traced by international shoppers at the finish of the chain to validate the authenticity and top quality of the grapes.
“The introduction of a Blockchain based layer will provide an added layer of comfort to importers on the trustworthiness of data security in Apeda’s systems,” says M Angamuthu, chairman, Apeda. “It also enables future integration of India’s supply chain data with the global supply chain data network of fresh produce, as all these various Blockchain initiatives are likely to get integrated to ensure smooth sharing of data on movement of fresh produce in future. This shall lead to timely information sharing which will result in reduction in potential losses in handling and spoilage.”
Blockchain technologies guarantees a shared, immutable ledger that facilitates the method of recording transactions and tracking assets in a business enterprise network. The technologies is best for delivering that information and facts simply because it offers quick, shared, and totally transparent information and facts stored on a digital ledger that can be accessed only by network members. Blockchain technologies is increasingly obtaining use in banking, monetary services, international trade and logistics sectors. Attempts are getting produced to use Blockchain for traceability options in the meals provide chain to guarantee meals security, specifically for residue monitoring, item standardisation, and recognize higher production and top quality locations.
In 2019-20, India exported 1,93,690 metric tonnes of fresh grapes worth Rs 2177 crore. Grape cultivation covers 140,000 hectares with an annual production of 3.4 million metric tonnes, with the important making states getting Maharashtra, Telangana and Karnataka. The Netherlands is the quantity one location for Indian grapes, followed by Russia, United Kingdom, Bangla-desh, UAE and Saudi Arabia. The Netherlands is also the most essential trade hub for fresh fruits in Europe, and introduction of the Blockchain technologies will add a layer of credibility to exports from India.
The Apeda Trust Chain initiative records information such as identification of farmers and vineyards like farm place, lab sampling at the farm level, test reports, pesticide residue levels, harvest information at farm level, procurement at packhouses by way of farmer lots, Agmark grading of farmer lots at pack homes, export consignment designed at pack homes and phytosanitary certificate concerns to export consignments. Participants in GrapeNet contain more than 45,000 farms, 200 pack homes, more than one hundred exporters apart from officials from state governments and Apeda.
Gurugram-based IT options provider Logicsoft has created and created GrapeNet as effectively as other traceability systems for Apeda. Apeda’s technical group worked with Logicsoft to implement the Apeda Trust Chain and integrate GrapeNet with it. “While Apeda is currently testing out the Blockchain implementation in the table grapes export supply chain, it has plans to extend this solution for other horticulture products and organic products in the future,” says Sudhanshu, secretary, Apeda. The apex export body also supports such initiatives for agri solutions promoted by other organisations. Recently, a method was initiated for the export of red banana backed by Blockchain technologies by Tirupur-based fruit exporter Green Agro Products in collaboration with MABIF beneath Nabard.
As a component of its export promotion initiatives, Apeda has implemented certification and traceability systems in the export provide chain for a quantity of solutions. Among these are GrapeNet for table grapes, Peanut.Net for peanut solutions, Tracenet for organic solutions), Meat.Net for buffalo meat.
These systems have helped Indian producers and exporters to assure importers of the top quality practices followed in the provide chains. Blockchain introduction is anticipated to additional improve the credibility of Apeda’s certification and traceability systems. A marketplace intelligence and trade facilitation portal named AgriExchange and a quantity of traceability systems have been implemented to assist make marketplace access and top quality assurance for exporters. Apeda is also exploring developing AI based information mining options on the big international trade information acquired more than the years to make forecasting systems for exports.