Gov’t turns to RFID to screen agri imports

The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) has teamed up with homegrown FMC Research Solutions to leverage digital technology in intensifying the inspection of imported agricultural goods.

In a statement on Friday, the state agency said the partnership is critical in preventing the entry of unsafe food products and controlling the spread of potential diseases linked to food imports.

BPI Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban said the two partners will conduct a pilot testing program involving rice imports. This will run for three and a half months at no additional cost to the government.

Panganiban told the Inquirer that RFID (radio frequency identification) technology will be used “to track incoming rice imports and trace where they are in the value chain (such as ports of entry, warehouse, etc.).”

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Meanwhile, FMC Research co-founder Melody Chua said they were aiming to secure an end-to-end system designed to counter the present issues on food safety and the smuggling of agricultural goods.

“Our proposed solution ensures comprehensive coverage to enhance the monitoring and audit functions of regulatory agencies by providing the needed reports and business analytics to aid the [BPI],” she added.

Panganiban said the RFID technology, which uses radio waves to track and monitor tagged items, will provide them with additional verification points for agricultural products.

“This initiative will complement the existing tools of BPI, allowing us to be more proactive in ensuring the availability of safe, pest-free and disease-free agricultural commodities,” he said.

Panganiban said the BPI is continuously exploring technological solutions to bolster inspection and quarantine capabilities to prevent the proliferation of smuggled goods.