Workshop and field visits to Henan Province by university professors

BMRI is the partner of the STFC Food Network+ (SFN+) project funded by the Science & Technology Facilities Council  (STFC). The project involves the University of Roehampton, University of Bedfordshire, STFC Hartree Centre and Henan University, China and aims to improve sustainability and productivity of agri-food supply chains by promoting established good practices in Big Data and Internet of Things (IoT) applications.

As part of the project activities, a workshop was held in Henan University in Kai Feng on 14^th September.

Professor Ram Ramanathan and Professor Yanqing Duan delivered two keynote speeches: “Big Data, IoT and Blockchain in Agri-Food Supply Chains” and “The Applications of IoT, Big Data and AI in Agribusiness: Opportunities and Challenges”.

Other presenters from local industries, STFC and academic experts in different universities also shared their knowledge and experience on the applications of Big Data and IoT in agri-food supply chains.

Focus groups were organised to discuss the challenges and barriers to the Big Data and IoT adoption.

The project team carried out field studies, and visited a garlic logistic company and three science and technology backyard demonstration sites. The trip to Henan was very fruitful in terms of making impact on supporting Chinese Agri SMEs adopting emerging Big Data technologies. It also helped them to gain in-depth insights and understanding on addressing challenges and barriers to technology adoption, and develop suitable cost-effective business solutions.