IoT–based Traceability Systems for Fresh Fruit and
           Vegetable Supply Chains - Abstract

   Aristotelis C. Tagarakis1, Dimitrios Kateris1, Christos Arvanitis1, Charalampos
  Myresiotis1, Dionysis Bochtis1, Nikolaos Tsotsolas2, Eleni Koutsouraki2, Christos
                                      Koidis3
       1
        Institute for Bio-Economy and Agri-Technology (iBO), CERTH, Greece; e-mail:
                                     a.tagarakis@certh.gr
                          2
                           Green Projects SA, R&D Department, Greece
                   3
                    Engineers for Business (EfB) SA, R&D Department, Greece



Summary

   In the era of farm digitalization and smart farming, sensing systems, automations,
and technologies for agricultural applications have found great acceptance leading
towards the farming of the future. Technologies concerning the so-called Internet of
Things (IoT) show great potential for applications in the agri-food sector contributing
to better decision making, at the field level, and advanced management of the food
supply chain securing food safety and limiting food waste.
   In this work, the analysis of the requirements for the development of an integrated
traceability system is implemented. The system uses advanced IoT technologies in
order to constantly and seamlessly follow the processing of the produced fresh fruits
and vegetables trough the agri-food supply chain. Traceability begins in the field level
where IoT sensing systems are used to monitor the growing conditions and production
management practices. Specific protocols are followed in order to secure
communication between all the components of the system. The communication
between the devices of the system is established using LoRaWAN network with
communication range that reaches 20 km. In addition, RFID, Beacons, and Bluetooth
communication are utilized for specific services. RFID technology is utilized to follow
the route from field to the packaging facility and throughout the packaging procedures.
The packaged products will carry the product information to the store shelf using RFID
and beacon technologies. Finally, RFID technology is utilized for the management of
the organic waste produced along the supply chain.
   The proposed IoT based system will be the principal step for the development of a
holistic traceability system that will resolve or limit important issues in the agr-food
supply chain leading to efficient management of agri-logistics, while supporting the
operation of circular economy approach. It will serve as a tool that secures food safety
and public health while limiting waste through better post-harvest management of
fresh agricultural products and by establishing organic waste management procedures.

       Keywords: IoT; traceability; supply chain.




                                           586
Acknowledgment. This research has been co-financed by the European Union and
Greek national funds through the Operational Program Competitiveness,
Entrepreneurship and Innovation, under the call RESEARCH – CREATE –
INNOVATE (project code:T1EDK05348) AgroTRACE “Integrated System for
Traceability and Agro-logistics of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables”




                                    587