APEDA's mobile app for Farmers : HORTINET

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has developed a mobile app named “Hortinet”  for farmers to facilitate registration, testing and certification of certain fruits and vegetables. The app “Hortinet” is an integrated traceability system developed by APEDA for providing internet-based services to the stakeholders.

This mobile app has been developed to harness the potential of mobile technology, APEDA has developed a mobile app for online farmer's application, their Approval by State Government and Lab Sampling by authorized Laboratories. This app allows farmer to apply online application for farm registration and track status of applications.

Mobile app also assists State Horticulture Departments to capture details of farmers, their farms and products & farm inspections etc. in real time straight from field. This app has in-built GPS capabilities to identify the farm location. Other key features of the app include Online Farm registration application and status tracking, Processing and approval on online Farmer applications by State Horticulture department. Registration of Farmers, Farms and products by State Horticulture department and Sample collection by APEDA authorized Laboratories.

The app will facilitate “farm registration, testing and certification of grape, pomegranate and vegetables for export from India to the European Union in compliance with standards”. This initiative is expected to increase the accessibility and reach of the traceability software system among farmers and other stakeholders. 

The app would also assist state horticulture and agriculture departments to capture real time details of farmers, farm location, products and details of inspection. The use of mobile app and traceability system is a great tool in identifying farmers and laboratories from where the produce was sourced and tested. APEDA should make efforts in enrolling larger number of farmers and exporters through the new technology. There is a need to move towards adoption of similar standards for domestic and export markets since the Indian consumer is also expecting and entitled to the best quality product.