ASSOCIATIONS
CGA updates
By Justin Chadwick
The citrus grower ’ s association ( CGA ) updates on recent activity : developing information platforms , mutual country agreements and recognition of the dedication of long-serving directors .
Considering the information platforms that have been created or developed up to this point via PPECB , Agrihub , eCert , Phytclean and Transnet , there is a minefield of opportunities that can be created by integrating the information that is available to radically enhance the export capabilities of the industry .
At this point , information relative to production is largely collected from PPECB and export information is largely collected from Agrihub . On the production side , the data collected from PPECB gives an indication of the production volume broken down mainly by variety , count size and area . The data gives a relatively accurate account of the packing flows but only about a week after the product has been inspected and approved for export .
On the side of Agrihub relative to export data , the accuracy of the information is dependent on all loading facilities providing Agrihub with the data – its 99 % there and the data is submitted to Agrihub on a daily basis for extraction . If the industry is to really monitor market supply and shipping optimally , there needs to be a way to track and trace product from source to destination on time and on a live end basis .
What is emanating from the online data platforms developed ( or in process of being developed ) is that the data integration can now potentially be developed for this purpose . The CGA Board have recognised that information development is necessary to ensure the longevity and competitiveness of the industry as production increases towards the 200 million 15kg eqv . carton mark .
The CGA are in the process of procuring resources with the skill set needed to unlock this potential . The first order of business in this regard is to establish with the data companies their willingness and agreement to participate in this process . Understandably there are hurdles to climb in so far as regulation governing information and competition is concerned .
Creative Commons
The CGA are in the process of procuring resources with the skill set needed to unlock the potential in data from the market .
However , the data sets that are required fall well within these parameters .
The end goal is to have direct line of sight of product coming into the ports for export with detail on what product it is and where it is destined . Then on the export side is to have line of sight of actual shipments with traceability to end destination . Other major spin offs of this data is to monitor the logistics chain ’ s
18 www . coldlinkafrica . co . za COLD LINK AFRICA • June 2021