## **1. Introduction**
In an era defined by global integration and interconnected markets, supply chains play a pivotal role in shaping the world economy. The intricate journey from extracting raw materials to delivering the final product to consumers involves a complex network of entities. Industries such as Cotton, Wood, Oil, Rubber, and Jute embody this complexity as they navigate through a web of suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors. While this interconnectedness enhances operational efficiency, it also introduces challenges, emphasising the critical importance of transparency and traceability in promoting sustainability and responsible business practices.

## **2. Industry Landscape**
The agri-supply chain, with a focus on various agricultural processes, stands at the forefront of our case study. This sector is crucial for global trade and commerce, providing raw materials for a myriad of products. Agricultural products, as major contributors, require an elevated level of examination and responsibility owing to their extensive range of uses. The complexities within this landscape necessitate innovative solutions to streamline processes and ensure the authenticity of the supply chain.

Peterson Control Union, present in 80+ countries and since over 100 years as well as one of the world’s leading certification bodies for commodities, had the vision of leading state of the art innovation through blockchain backed traceability on certificates. 

## **3. Supply Chain Dynamics**

The agri-supply chain certification program involves a diverse range of stakeholders, each playing a pivotal role in the production and certification process. To streamline these operations, the certifying bodies can utilize a blockchain-enabled platform, providing transparency and efficiency across the supply chain. 
Throughout the certification process, various administrative actions contribute to the seamless operation of the agri-supply chain. These actions encompass the validation and approval of organizations seeking certification, ensuring that only eligible entities enter the process. Subsequently, administrators take charge of scheduling and planning audits, orchestrating activities to align stakeholders for a smooth certification process. Administrative staffs conduct thorough examinations of supply chain units, documenting results comprehensively to highlight areas requiring attention. Another pivotal administrative role holds the final authority in the certification process, reviewing inputs from applicants and granting approval to deserving companies. Once approved, certified companies gain access to a custom dashboard and receive the necessary documentation.
The certification process extends to specific products under the registered program, overseen by administrators who manage the receipt or claiming of inventory. This step involves defining products with detailed information, including unit specifics, composition, source details, transport, and invoice documents. This comprehensive approach ensures traceability for each certified product back to its origin.
The final administrative role involves meticulous examination of product certification claims, verifying the accuracy of details provided by companies. Once validated, certified products receive a unique Transaction Certificate. Enhanced with a QR code, this certification serves as a digital passport, allowing stakeholders and consumers instant access to detailed product information. This sequence of administrative actions, guided by transparency and traceability, reinforces a robust and accountable supply chain within various agricultural industries.

By delineating roles and responsibilities across the supply chain, the blockchain-enabled platform has brought unprecedented transparency and efficiency to the certification process. The seamless integration of auditing, certification, and product-level traceability ensures a robust and accountable supply chain, reinforcing the commitment to sustainable and responsible business practices in various agricultural industries.

![cu_trace.png](https://emertech-cms-bucket.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/cu_trace_7fc89a1fd2.png)

_Sample trace: Upon scanning the QR code on a transaction certificate, the entire trace of the goods represented in the certificate is available, with information related to farmers, geography of various preceding processes, etc_ . 


## **4. The Blockchain Harvest: Sowing Seeds of Security and Transparency**


To address the complexities within agri-supply chains, the certifying bodies can leverage the power of blockchain technology. The introduction of blockchain-backed certification and traceability revolutionizes the traditional certification processes. It creates a secure and transparent platform, organizations within the supply chain can register their units and products under the certification programs.

A digital fingerprint of the rewarded Certificate is created and stored on a public blockchain, ensuring the immutability and transparency of the data displayed on the certificate. Its integrity can be verified at any moment by end-users.

Through this innovative blockchain solution, the certifying bodies can successfully cultivate a more secure, transparent, and streamlined certification process for agri-supply chains. The adoption of blockchain technology sows the seeds of accountability, traceability, and sustainability, fostering responsible business practices in various agricultural industries.


## **5. Beyond Certifications** 
Beyond specific sectors like agri-supply chains, the application of this blockchain enabled system, extends to a wide array of certifying bodies, offering a standardized and secure method for authenticating achievements and credentials. This versatile solution ensures transparency and tamper resistance, benefiting individuals, organizations, and stakeholders involved in diverse certification processes. The decentralized nature of blockchain enhances the reliability of certification practices, fostering accountability and traceability across different domains. The adoption of blockchain technology in certification processes exemplifies a forward-thinking approach, sowing the seeds of accountability, traceability, and sustainability across various industries.

Moreover, In June 2023, the European Union introduced Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 by the European Parliament and the Council, addressing the availability of specific commodities and products related to deforestation and forest degradation. As per the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), individuals or entities involved in placing commodities such as soy, beef, palm oil, wood, cocoa, coffee, and rubber on the EU market or exporting them are required to demonstrate that these products are not sourced from recently deforested areas or have contributed to forest degradation.


The blockchain-enabled certification system presented here aligns seamlessly with the stringent requirements of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). By leveraging blockchain technology, certifying bodies can ensure a transparent, tamper-resistant, and accountable process for verifying the origins and sustainability of commodities. Each step in the certification process, from validation to final approval, is securely recorded on the blockchain, providing an immutable and auditable trail of compliance. This not only meets the demands of EUDR but also establishes a robust framework for certifying bodies to navigate complex compliance landscapes across various industries. The adoption of blockchain technology, in this context, not only supports the broader goals of sustainability and responsible business practices but also positions certifying bodies as pioneers in meeting and exceeding regulatory standards.


blockchain_certificate_1417ef389a.png

Explore the transformative potential of blockchain technology in certifications in agri-supply chains. Our case study delves into the intricate dynamics of the certification process, showcasing how a blockchain-enabled platform streamlines roles and responsibilities. 

Certifications and Supply Chain traceability enabled by Blockchain for Peterson Control Union

![mahindra.jpg](https://emertech-cms-bucket.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/mahindra_8a990922f2.jpg)

_Team Emertech Innovations at Catapult by Mahindra Logistics on Dec 11, 2023 at Sahara Star, Mumbai_ 

## **1. Introduction**
In the contemporary business landscape, enterprises often grapple with intricate and multi-layered and multi-system workflows, involving numerous roles and departments. These processes, while necessary, can lead to inconsistencies and operational inefficiencies, primarily due to multi-party involvement and multi-system approach. Mahindra Logistics recognized the need to optimize their workflow, seeking transparency and data integrity in every action performed within their platform.

## **2. Industry Landscape**
Mahindra Logistics operates in a dynamic industry where streamlined processes are crucial for operational excellence. The logistics sector, with its diverse and complex workflows, demands efficient solutions to ensure a seamless and reliable supply chain. Emertech Innovations embarked on a journey to address these challenges, leveraging blockchain technology to optimize workflows and enhance data integrity.

## **3. Workflow Dynamics**
The workflow optimization initiative involved the creation of a blockchain-enabled platform that tracks and traces data flowing through the system. Emertech Innovations introduced a series of administrative actions that contribute to the efficiency and transparency of the workflow. These actions include validation and approval processes, scheduling and planning of tasks, comprehensive documentation of workflow units, and final approvals, all orchestrated through blockchain technology.
Administrators play a pivotal role in overseeing the workflow, ensuring that each step is transparent, traceable, and consistent. The platform allows for the recording of every action performed, creating an immutable record that enhances data integrity. As the workflow progresses, administrators can access real-time data, fostering accountability and reliability in the operational processes.

## **4. Blockchain Implementation: Fostering Efficiency and Reliability**
To address the challenges in multi-layered workflows, Emertech Innovations introduced a blockchain platform that revolutionized traditional processes. This platform enables Mahindra Logistics to register and track every action, ensuring transparency and consistency throughout the workflow.
The record of the workflow activities performed within the system is stored on a private-permissioned blockchain, ensuring the immutability and transparency of the data. This innovative solution allows Mahindra Logistics to streamline their workflows, minimizing inconsistencies and operational inefficiencies. The adoption of blockchain in workflow optimization sows the seeds of efficiency, reliability, and accountability, fostering responsible business practices in the logistics industry.
This eventually led to :

 - Automation of maker checker processes involved in the billing ecosystem
 - Shorter TATs for various processes
 - Reduced human resource involvement
 - Increasing the accuracy of data which would be stored on blockchain, and
 - Increased transparency and accountability


## **5. Beyond Logistics: A Versatile Solution for Workflow Optimization**
The application of this blockchain-enabled system extends beyond logistics, offering a versatile solution for workflow optimization in various industries. Emertech Innovations' platform provides a standardized and secure method for tracking and tracing actions within complex workflows. The decentralized nature of blockchain enhances the reliability of workflow processes, fostering accountability and traceability across different domains. The adoption of blockchain technology in workflow optimization exemplifies a forward-thinking approach, sowing the seeds of efficiency, reliability, and sustainability across various industries.



mahindra_cover.png

Emertech Innovations implemented a Blockchain application that acts as a single source of truth to improve operational efficiencies for Mahindra Logistics. From tracking multi-layered processes spanning multiple systems to ensuring transparency and integrity, witness the transformation towards a more efficient and reliable workflow.

Blockchain based Operational Efficiencies for Mahindra Logistics

## 1. Introduction
Income earned by a small and marginal landholding farmer in India depends on multiple extraneous factors thereby making farming a financially perilous profession. Lack of infrastructure, less bargaining power, lack of storage facilities and marketing resources have been the prime challenges for the small landholding Indian farmer. Thus, economies of scale are becoming important for basic sustainability which can be enabled with collectivisation, more so for those intending to grow traditional specialty crops/cultivars. At the same time, modern consumers are also becoming health conscious and socially aware regarding farming practices and ensuring farmer equity. But lack of transparency leads to food fraud which costs the global food industry an estimated $30-40 billion annually. Consumers want to know more about the journey (harvest-to-shelf), freshness, authenticity, integrity and ingredients of the food they consume. On the other hand, the small-landholding Indian farmer has always been operating in a domain where lack of transparency dictates nearly every facet of life, right from isolation from market trends till exploitation by middlemen. The initiative by Farmer Producer Companies to form integrated value chains to ensure that fair equity is ensured among the value chain partners is critical for betterment of the entire rural economy. 
We will explore a case study of how Blockchain technology is being leveraged to bring transparency throughout the value chain from farmer till the consumer. The research questions to be answered in the paper are: (1) How can collectivization of farmers ensure better equity to the small landholding Indian farmer? (2) How can Blockchain technology be leveraged by farmer groups to bring transparency in the value chain? 

## 2. Industry Landscape

Lack of accessibility to the benefits of mechanisation, modern irrigation, and other investment-based technological improvements leading to suboptimal productivity. A perpetual debt cycle, post-harvest losses, exploitation by middlemen, increasing input costs, fluctuating supply resulting in price volatility, are some of the major problems faced by the Indian farmer. 
As explained by Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, in the ‘Policy and Process Guidelines for Farmer Producer Organizations’, ‘Collectivization of producers, especially small and marginal farmers, into producer organizations has emerged as one of the most effective pathways to address the many challenges of agriculture but most importantly, improved access to investments, technology and inputs and markets. A Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) or a Farmer Producer Company (FPC) enables every farmer to have equal voting rights regardless of their shareholding, thereby bringing democratization. Only farmers can become shareholders within an FPO or FPC, although an FPO or FPC can invest and hold equity in other organizations (Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, 2013). As per the latest information, there are more than 8,000 registered Farmer Producer Companies in India, and the government is making policies and plans to boost their number. 

## 3. Supply Chain Dynamics



![Whats_App_Image_2024_01_29_at_8_41_17_PM.jpeg](https://emertech-cms-bucket.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/Whats_App_Image_2024_01_29_at_8_41_17_PM_fa5fa53d28.jpeg)


For implementing this solution for fruits and vegetables for SFPCL, four attributes of every unit of produce needed to be transparently recorded at stock keeping unit (SKU) level across multiple operational locations: origin, pricing, provenance, quality & safety through certificates. Each location captured this information during operational processes and stored it onto the blockchain. Real life movement of produce necessitated a four-location design. The value chain began at cultivated plots called origins where the produce was harvested. Information about origins was recorded onto a blockchain verified registry of farmers and their fields. Harvested produce was purchased by Sahyadri Farms and transported to a production and packaging location that performed quality assessment. Critical information about the price given to the farmers and transport timestamp was recorded onto the blockchain. Accepted produce quantities were then moved to assembly lines for production into freshly packaged SKUs (stock keeping unit). At this stage, information about the production costs and timestamp were calculated as per the weight of each SKU and recorded onto the blockchain. Finished SKUs were then dispatched to multiple distribution centers that serviced either physical retail stores or direct delivery to consumers in designated geographical zones. Transport timestamps and storage costs incurred by distribution centers and retail stores were calculated as per the weight of each SKU and recorded onto the blockchain. Due to the perishable nature of the products being tracked, it was extremely important that data was captured in real time or near real time, validated as per predefined business rules and committed to blockchain

## 4. 5.2 million QR codes for 110 varieties of Fruits and Vegetables, and 50,000+ QR codes for Cotton-to-Tshirts Traceability


Upon scanning the QR code of the item, customer can see - Know Your Farmer, Know Your Money, Know Your Journey and Know Your Food, along with Sahyadri Farms brand logo and ‘Why Blockchain?’ content for making consumers aware about the technology. A cropped sample of a real QR code scan of an SKU is provided in the image of the trace screen. in which one can see the amount received by the farmer with respect to how much the end consumer is paying for the final product and other information. Owing to the nature of the data availability and data capture, the QR codes could show varying degrees of information. Transparency regarding how much money goes to the farmer defined per SKU is a first of its kind initiative in India. Consumer awareness and consciousness is now being channelized by offering them visibility of what happens in the journey of the food that they consume. The rising awareness, along with maintenance of food quality and safety standards, leads to more consumers for the farmer collective which in turn enables the collective to offer better prices to the farmers. As of 28th June, 2022, more than 5.2 million QR codes have been printed for fruits and vegetables. For cotton-to-tshirts, over 50,000+ T-shirts are equipped with a Blockchain-backed QR code. The successful implementation has been covered by the mainstream media for Blockchain-based traceability and transparency.


![agrotrust_trace_1.png](https://emertech-cms-bucket.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/agrotrust_trace_1_d9adc36d5b.png)
![agrotrust_trace_2.png](https://emertech-cms-bucket.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/agrotrust_trace_2_b272b2ca18.png)

#### Our work acknowledged by Mainstream Media 

![agrotrust_news.png](https://emertech-cms-bucket.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/agrotrust_news_ce971037b9.png)


#### Our Blockchain case study with Sahyadri Farms is published in the Special Issue of 'Indian Journal of Plant Genetic Resources’ Special Issue Vol 35 (3), 2022 
![agrotrust_paper.png](https://emertech-cms-bucket.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/agrotrust_paper_f3a4d01ce7.png)


#### Popular Marathi Web Series- BE Rojgaar by Bh.Di.Pa. the portions on Blockchain and Digital Twin are inspired by our startup’s work 

![agrotrust_webseries.png](https://emertech-cms-bucket.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/agrotrust_webseries_33d72e7f7a.png)







Whats_App_Image_2024_01_29_at_8_37_39_PM_4eae76138c.jpeg

Our first Blockchain project as a startup, working with Sahyadri Farms, Nashik. It’s India’s largest group of Fruits and Vegetables farmers, globally well known. Our team worked and lived in the premises of Mohadi, Nashik, for about two years, and were able to print 5.2 million QR codes in Fruits and Vegetables, and also over 50,000+ QR codes on T-shirts by tracking cotton to t-shirts. 

Sahyadri Farms Case Study

### Revolutionary Blockchain Technology Enhances Tradition: The Kolhapuri Chappal Journey

In an unprecedented melding of traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology, Emertech Innovations, in collaboration with the Leather Industries Development Corporation of Maharashtra (LIDCOM), has launched a pilot project that infuses the rich heritage of Kolhapuri Chappals with blockchain-backed traceability. This initiative, a global first, was inaugurated by an assembly of distinguished guests including Dr. Nitin Karir, Chief Secretary, Maharashtra Government; Mr. Sumant Bhange, Secretary, Social Justice Department; and Mr. Dhammajyoti Gajbhiye, MD of LIDCOM, along with the pioneering team from Emertech Innovations.

Kolhapuri Chappals, known for their distinctive design and durability, have been a symbol of Indian craftsmanship since the 12th century. Today, they step into the future through a project that tracks every pair from leather sourcing to the final quality checks and Geographical Indication (GI) Tag certification. This leap forward was designed to fully map the value chain, involving inventory management, artisans, and retailers, all contributing data to create a comprehensive trace for each chappal.

This blockchain implementation is powered by the public Polygon network, which secures critical data at every stage of the chappal's creation. Consumers and stakeholders can now access this data through unique QR codes and NFC tags embedded in the soles, offering a transparent view of the craftsmanship and the artisan's journey behind each pair.

The initiative aims not merely to track and trace but to narrate the authentic story of the Kolhapuri Chappal, connecting wearers with the legacy and meticulous craftsmanship of these iconic shoes. Beyond the technology's practical application, the project seeks to weave a narrative that celebrates the heritage and artistry of traditional Indian craftsmanship.

Emertech Innovations' approach extends the conversation on how blockchain technology can serve as a tool for preserving and enhancing traditional crafts. The insights gained from this pilot are expected to shed light on both the promise and the limits of blockchain in such unique contexts, setting the stage for the public launch of traceable Kolhapuri Chappals by LIDCOM.

This initiative also caught the attention of Bollywood icon Aamir Khan at a Paani Foundation event, where he was presented with a pair of the new line of traceable Kolhapuri Chappals. The gesture underscored the project's innovative spirit, marrying the age-old tradition with modern technology to ensure authenticity and traceability.

The origins of Kolhapuri Chappals trace back to the 12th century, evolving from a local tradition into a renowned symbol of Indian craftsmanship, now poised to gain a new level of international recognition through this groundbreaking project. With a GI tag since July 2019 and a significant market share, both domestically and internationally, the Kolhapuri Chappal stands as a testament to the enduring appeal and sustainability of traditional crafts.

As this innovative project unfolds, Emertech Innovations and LIDCOM are not just preserving a piece of cultural heritage; they are opening a new chapter in the narrative of traditional craftsmanship, ensuring that the legacy of Kolhapuri Chappals continues to stride forward, grounded in its rich history but adapted for the modern world. This story is not just about shoes but about how innovation can breathe new life into tradition, making ancient crafts relevant in a digital age and showcasing the potential of blockchain technology as a bridge between the past and the future.


Khas-kapashi.png

Emertech Innovations and LIDCOM introduce the world's first leather-to-footwear Traceability Project, blending Kolhapuri Chappals' tradition with blockchain technology, ensuring transparency and celebrating craftsmanship, endorsed by Bollywood icon Aamir Khan.

Case Studies

Certifications and Supply Chain traceability enabled by Blockchain for Peterson Control Union

Blockchain based Operational Efficiencies for Mahindra Logistics

Sahyadri Farms Case Study

World’s first leather-to-footwear Traceability Project