Marto Farms in Bundy Australia has partnered with FreshChain Systems, a local tech company, to develop a blockchain solution that would help consumers monitor the source of the watermelon fruit.
Local news outlet Bundabergnow reports today that the solution would further be utilized by consumers to understand the entire production process of the product ranging from paddock to plates.
“The world has changed, and people simply want to know more about their food, its location and those who produce it,” the farm’s owner, Andrew Martens, stated in the report.
Martens added that the idea to develop a blockchain solution for its watermelon produce sprung up during the Bundy’s food tour, where he had the opportunity to interact with different consumers.
He stated that he realized that most consumers are interested in understanding the production process of agricultural produce.
How the Blockchain Solution Works
According to Martens, the tech will be embedded in the form of a QR code on the watermelon’s label, which will require users to download an app on their smartphones to scan the codes.
As per the report, the QR code, when scanned, will provide vital information about the product, such as harvest procedures, current conditions of the product, as well as certifications.
Also, the QR codes would allow users to rate the produce and possibly leave comments that would be taken into consideration for future productions.
Notably, the tech will be upgraded to support other agricultural produce and subsequently allow other farmers to use on a global scale, Martens added.
Blockchain is gradually being unveiled to offer different solutions in the world’s agricultural industry, ranging from providing tokenized funds for farmers to ensuring the traceability of these products.
As previously reported, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) partnered with Dutch NGO, FairChain, to create a blockchain solution that would provide an additional source of funding for Cocoa farmers in Ecuador.
