KAU–APEDA Workshop Pitches Blockchain and AI as Game-Changers for Safer, Fully Traceable Food Supply Chains

 

A national workshop hosted by the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has thrown the spotlight firmly on the future of India’s food export ecosystem — one where blockchain, AI, and real-time monitoring are expected to define trust, transparency, and trade.

Held under the theme “Traceable Trade – From Source to Shipment,” the one-day event stressed that global markets are tightening quality and sustainability demands, making digital traceability a non-negotiable requirement for exporters.

Digital Traceability Takes Centre Stage

Inaugurating the workshop, A. Manickavasagan of the University of Guelph, Canada, said that advanced tools such as blockchain-led monitoring systems, AI-based verification, and continuous data capture are quickly becoming the backbone of modern agri-trade.

He noted that importing nations increasingly insist on knowing:

• Where a product came from
• How it was grown
• Who handled it
• Whether it complies with safety and sustainability norms

This, he said, makes reliable digital tracking essential for securing market access and building buyer confidence.

Boosting Farmer Income and Market Access

Mani Chellappan, Dean, College of Agriculture, pointed out that traceability does more than satisfy regulations — it empowers farmers directly. By making supply chains more transparent, farmers can command better prices, ensure quality consistency, and integrate more deeply into global value chains.

APEDA Outlines Roadmap for Export-Ready Traceability

Man Prakash Vijay, DGM at APEDA, outlined the agency’s initiatives to strengthen digital traceability across a range of export commodities, including:

• Spices
• Coffee
• Fruits & vegetables
• Organic produce

He emphasised that capacity-building and wider adoption of technology are vital if India is to meet rising international compliance requirements.

Startups as the Backbone of Traceability Innovation

Highlighting the role of startups, K. P. Sudheer, Professor & Head, Agribusiness Incubator (ABI), said that Kerala’s agri-tech ecosystem is well-positioned to build scalable digital systems. Support through KAU’s RAFTAAR Agribusiness Incubator is helping innovators pilot solutions that farmers and exporters can integrate with ease.

Further inputs from Sureshkumar P. K. and Gayathri Das reaffirmed the shared commitment to developing a transparent, technology-enabled food supply chain.

Ground-Level Success Stories

Farmer groups, FPOs, and startup founders from Kerala’s spice and coffee belts shared practical insights on how digital documentation has:

• Reduced quality disputes
• Improved traceability in multi-stage supply chains
• Strengthened buyer confidence
• Simplified certification processes

Tech Demos and Policy Conversations

Technical sessions spotlighted:

• Blockchain-integrated platforms
• Data security frameworks
• Digital verification protocols
• Real-time monitoring dashboards

A panel of industry leaders and producer representatives explored the policy foundations needed to accelerate adoption—especially for smallholder-dominated sectors like spices.

A drone demonstration highlighted precision monitoring as a powerful complement to traceability, offering high-resolution field documentation for compliance and certification.

Toward a Future-Ready Export System

As global trade increasingly hinges on safety assurance, compliance, and consumer trust, the workshop provided crucial direction for India’s agri-export community.

The KAU–APEDA collaboration reinforces that the path ahead lies in credible, tech-enabled, end-to-end traceability—ensuring every shipment leaving Indian shores tells a verifiable story from farm to freight.