A smart phone based dodel for tracing beef products in Kenya
Date
2014
Authors
Chebet, Esther
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Strathmore University
Abstract
Food traceability has been faced with challenges like lack of records, paper work challenges and lack of
rapid response to trace back. Most food safety outbreaks are traceable to the processing or slaughter house
but cannot be traced to individual feedlots or ranches. At present, beef products can be traced from retail
back to the processor, but not to the producer or animal. In light of recent food safety crises and
international trade concerns associated with food or animal associated diseases, traceability has once again
become important in the minds of public policy-makers, business decision makers, consumers and special
interest groups.
This study aims at proposing a mobile Model that can be used to trace beef products from the animal to the
distributor/ retailer. Mobile based traceability system takes advantage of the existing telecommunication
infrastructure. A mobile Model was developed to be used for data collection to enhance the efficiency of
traceability. It traces farming activities by using handheld mobile device to capture information of day to
day livestock operations. Each livestock is uniquely identified and details stored on a central database. The
frontend service application uses the mobile device while the backend uses a webserver where retailers can
access traceable information from a website.
The techniques employed in the study was applied research design. This was because the study focused on
developing a mobile application to capture a farmers day to day livestock operations. This data is then stored
on a central database that is used for the traceability of a particular beef product from farm to the
retailer/distributor.
Key findings in the research was used for traceability of beef products and this also helped farmers keep
records of their livestock.
The model was tested through simulation of various modules. 15 participants took part in the exercise.
66.67% of the participants who took part in the exercise received an immediate response on the history of a
particular livestock while the remaining 33.33% received the same feedback but with some delay. The
Model was therefore successful in tracing a beef product to its origin.
Description
Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master in Information Technology
Keywords
ICT, Mobile phone, Beef, Marketing, Kenya, Beef product tracing