Networking and traceability
systems in the organic fresh
produce value chain
By
Josphat Njenga Gichure
Introduction
• A value chain is the network of all the activities/
actors involved in delivering a product/service to the
customer
• Sourcing of raw materials, bulking, trade, distribution,
delivery
• This network promotes information sharing along
chain
• Despite this, information asymmetry is often a
characteristic present in food value chains
•
high information asymmetry reduces trust and may
compromise food safety and quality
Introduction cont...
• Important information include: product location,
production process, farm & processor identity,
harvesting time, status of organic certification,
storage time, storage condition, etc
• Traceability should bring out how information
flows thro’ communication linkages among
actors.
• The information should also identify, verify and
isolate cases of non-compliance to sector
standards.
Aim & Observation
• To design an information sharing
“traceability” system for the organic fresh
produce value chain
Methodology
• Two- step approach was used:
1. Identifying certified organic producers and traders
2. Evaluating the factors that contribute to
implementation of traceability among these actors.
• Semi-structured questionnaires as guide to
interviews.
• A total of 38 organic kale farmers, 10 traders and
2 organic farmers’ market officials were
interviewed.
Fresh produce value chain
Results
• No standard way of sharing information exists.
• Some basic information that ought to be shared
was delinked along the value chain.
• There exists limited backward and forward
feedback
Conclusion
• The major factors that contribute to adequate
traceability are:
– Close Monitoring and verification of quality systems
– Certification by quality management systems such as
EAOPS
– Training of personnel on quality systems.
– product identification
– supply chain actors
– process characterization
– product movement
– data input and analysis
– information storage and transmission