NAFED's partner AgNext uses AI to enable traceability in Arunachal's kiwi trade

AgNext Technologies, a leading agritech company, has partnered with NAFED in a first-of-its-kind initiative to digitize quality assessment for Arunachal Pradesh's organic kiwis. These organic kiwis were launched in New Delhi last week by Arunachal Pradesh Agriculture Marketing Board (APAMB) and NAFED as the marketing partner under the national 'One district One Product'scheme.

This is the first time in India, an AI-based technology is being used for rapid quality assessment of organic Kiwi. Through its quality monitoring platform 'Qualix', AgNext also enabled deep-tech-based comprehensive traceability. Using QR code mapping, the end-consumers can trace all the steps in the supply chain down to the origin.

Speaking on this partnership, AgNext's chief executive officer and founder, Taranjeet Singh Bhamra, said, "It is an honor to work with NAFED on India's first AI-based initiative to bring complete quality and traceability management solutions for Arunachal's renowned kiwi trade. To date, over 6000 kgs of Kiwi has been assessed and moved through our 'Qualix' platform, with proven benefits for the farmers, NAFED and the end-consumers. The impact of facilitating quality-based and traceability-enabled trade for kiwis will not only improve domestic demand but also help in boosting export potential of the fruit."

Subrat Panda, chief technology officer, AgNext explained the various intersections where technological deployment helped to bring about the traceability solution to the end-consumer, "NAFED connected us with the FPOs in Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh and we deployed our quality assessment solution right at the procurement center to measure the total soluble sugar (TSS), which is the key parameter to ascertain the ripeness of Kiwi. During the packaging process for retail distribution, each box of kiwis was labeled with a QR code through which one can access the complete inspection report and key traceability and quality parameters. The entire process is automated and led by an integrated AI-based system which significantly reduces the TAT for quality testing, logistics, and marketing of the fruit."

Pankaj Prasad, additional managing director, NAFED, said, "NAFED has successfully partnered with FPOs in Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh to help them create better market linkages for their certified organic kiwis. Digitized quality assessment helps streamline the fruit's inspection process, giving end-consumers a complete traceability report. This empowers both farmers and consumers, resulting in better price realizations, and also builds greater trust and transparency among all the stakeholders in the value chain. It is essential to increase technology adoption to truly capitalize on the potential of Indian agriculture, boost farmer income and enable quality-based trade."

Arunachal Pradesh's organic Kiwi's taste and quality were lauded on Twitter by Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Shri Kiren Rijiju, Minister of Law and Justice, Government of India.