Are all the organic foods genuinely organic? Information technology application can now help ensure genuineness of organic crops.
Already, various foreign countries have started adopting this technology that involves use of sensors in the soil, where the crop is grown, to record various parameters, including the nature of inputs provided. The data from the sensors would be incorporated in the form of a bar code on the package containing the organic food. Consumers could read the bar code using the relevant app in their mobile phones to confirm that what they are eating is genuinely organic.
In addition to this, they would also know the source of their produce such as the place of cultivation and the farmers’ groups that have grown the crop. This technology is set to be tried on a pilot basis in Karnataka for the first time.
CES, a Chinese company, has joined hands with Honeywell to take this up. Anand, director of Honeywell’s Sensor division, told The Hindu that the Karnataka government had shown interest in the project and the pilot scheme may begin in three months. It may be tried on paddy and corn, to begin with. He said the project would need a minimum of 1,000 acres so that the financial burden would not be huge on farmers.
According to Karen Zha of CES, the sensor-based technology would not only inform consumers about the authenticity of organic character, but would also indicate to farmers about the condition of crops at various stages of growth. According to her, it may cost about Rs. 1 lakh to adopt such a technology for nearly 1,000 acres of land. It is aimed at increasing the confidence of consumers, she said.
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