Intelligent CIO Europe Issue 06 | Page 56

COUNTRY FOCUS: UK “ WE BELIEVE THAT FARMERS, AGRONOMISTS AND EVERYONE ELSE IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN SHOULD OWN AND CONTROL THE DATA THEY COLLECT. • Two in three businesses are increasing investment in supply chain technology • Customers are 170% more likely to cite higher sales among their top benefits from using supply chain technology • In the UK, retailer standards (e.g. size, shape and blemish criteria of fruit and vegetables) can reject up to 40% of edible produce (avoidable waste), which may never reach market • In the UK, over 2 million tonnes of fresh produce is lost or wasted each year in the supply chain alone. It is estimated that, through action to reduce or prevent this waste, the UK fresh produce industry could make savings of between £400 million and £500 million a year A key issue outlined by McCracken is the need to better meet contract specification from buyers. Elements of the horticulture sector and outside of agriculture in the automotive industries, were given as examples of turbulent trades that have adapted and thrived after implementing instant electronic communications, priming them to take advantage of the data revolution. McCracken emphasised the potential for data integration to make the agricultural industry more profitable and productive at every level. “Farmers, manufacturers, distributors and processors should be operating hand-in-hand to deliver the most efficient and profitable supply chains,” said McCracken. “Data will make specifications more specific and empower farmers to meet them by providing the insight to measure and manage the process. For example, consistently producing into a tighter specification will increase margin across the whole supply chain. Farmers will earn more because a higher percentage of output is meeting the correct spec and processors will gain because the spec is tighter, so they are able to deliver more end product.” McCracken closed with a call for involvement from everyone across the entire sector: “Potatoes, oats, dairy products, biofuel, meat, grain; the list of commercial applications is endless. An adaption of data-driven supply chains will make the UK more competitive; vital given the uncertainty surrounding our post-Brexit environment. The Brexit vote and the re-evaluation of the support system can prove a stimulus for adopting cutting-edge technology and supporting investment to create an actively dynamic sector, encouraging innovation and attracting new talent.” Farmplan, part of Proagrica, is also paving the way towards a more innovative agricultural industry using IT. The company has announced the release of Gatekeeper Express, a new entry level, cloud-based crop recording solution. Gatekeeper Express builds on the success 56 INTELLIGENTCIO www.intelligentcio.com