Globalisation is changing lifestyle and trends, especially in metro cities. Citizens in many countries are becoming aware of the food they eat and the food products they buy from the market due to their growing concern for food safety. Health problems such as food allergies, food prone illnesses and diseases are increasing as processed food is becoming an unavoidable part of the modern and busy lifestyle. Thus, consumers want to know everything about the food, from its origin to all processes it had gone through before it reached the market. It is addressed using the food traceability solutions that keep the food record and can be traced to roots.
The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) defines traceability as the ability to follow feed or food movement through the specified stage(s) of production, processing, and distribution. It identifies the origin of food, feed ingredients, and food sources, mainly when the food product is found defective or faulty. Traceability system helps locate the product through different operations and stages involved in growing, distributing, processing, manufacturing, and handling food, ranging from primary production to consumption.
Food production starts with seeds. Today, the global seed market provides a tremendous variety of seeds available for a single crop. The seed price fluctuations depend on genetic types and hybrid varieties of seeds that also influence local markets. Several traders sell low-quality or genetically modified non-certified seeds prone to weeds, diseases, and insects, leaving farmers with cheating and huge losses. Seed traceability can help farmers in choosing standardised, state-approved and government-approved certified varieties of seeds.
Seed traceability systems keep track of origin, variety, purity, vigour, germination percentage and appearance of seeds. This information helps both farmers and consumers when included in the packets. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is the primary agriculture technology allowing consumers to trace down their food information. The role of ICT in agriculture is significant as it leveraged machine-to-machine interaction without human intervention and has increased information transfer speed. Another notable role of ICT in agriculture is allowing widespread wireless sensor networks in the fields to collect data and provide a scientific approach to agriculture worldwide.
Seed traceability empowers consumers as well as agriculture companies by allowing them to check a history of origin. Healthy seeds lead to more nutritious crops and safe produce. High-quality, disease and pest-resistant, potent seeds improve crop health as well as its market value, for which seed traceability is the only solution!