Introducing QR Code in Agriculture: Read on to Know the benefits of QR Codes for Agribusiness Professionals

Quick Response code, commonly known as QR code, is quite a common term in today's technology driven world. The commonness of this term can be testified by the fact that this small black and white box is available with every vendor and professional, be it someone in a high street mall or a small tea shop situated in any nook and cranny.

The reach of QR codes has become so wide that agribusinesses are being able to reap the benefits of this technology. Recently, Kasaragod-based Central Plantation Crops Research Institute's (CPCRI) regional station initiated the distribution of coconut seedlings with QR code labels to systemize the quality check mechanism of the seedlings. Similarly, the Department of Botany at P.B Siddhartha College of Arts and Science in Vijaywada installed QR codes on their plants and trees to make it easier for the students to seek detailed information about the plants -  ranging from its scientific name to medicinal value and many more!

How QR Codes Work

QR codes are easy to scan but not everyone knows how it actually works. QR codes are able to represent 100 times more information than the barcodes that were used for decades on shipping labels and product codes. While old barcodes are read by scanning a single dimensional line across the bars, QR codes have both length and width, which can be read across both dimensions.

So how does it actually work? A QR code can direct the scanner to a number of different types of information. In simple words, once you scan the code installed in a tree, it will lead to a website where information about the tree is provided. Here, an essential point to be noted is that the site must be compatible with mobile device's browser so that it could be opened.

How to Use QR code for Agribusinesses

There are so many ways in which agribusinesses can take advantage of the QR codes. The most commonly prevalent use of QR codes is to direct the visitor to the website. As the visitor scans the code, it will land the visitor straight on your website. As the visitor will get exposed to the website, he/she can get to explore your website and could sign up for newsletters, or might be interested to see your videos or might be able to avail a discount on any product - there could be millions of possibilities for the visitor to explore on your website, which will eventually help you get the traction and leads.

QR codes can also be used to provide visitors with information such as the farm's location, a list of products grown or available at a particular time or days, location of other markets etc. QR codes can also be used for tracking your products while transporting. Another approach for using QR codes could simply be from a  marketing perspective. QR codes could be placed on brochures and other marketing materials. trucks/trailers, product packaging or signs.  

How to Generate a QR Code

1. Select a QR code generator (Kaywa Visualead , qr-code-generator.com, QR Code Monkey etc)

2. Select the type of QR code

3. Add content you want your consumers to see in the QR code generator's URL panel.

4. Customize the code as per your preference (colour, style etc)

5. Download it, print it and paste it on the poster