SourceTrace Systems & FGH Agro Consulting new partnership will help advance agriculture traceabi

SourceTrace Systems, Boston, MA., worldwide Ag software provider specialist in agriculture software mobile applications for developing economies with a primary focus on traceability, sustainable agriculture and empowerment of smallholder farmers, works in 3 continents and more than 300k farmers around the world, has officially signed with FGH Agro Consulting its partnership in Mexico, the leading Agribusiness Consulting firm in Latin America, with more than 25 yrs. experience in the region, FGH will be the exclusive long term licensee to implement this innovative agricultural software in Mexico. FGH has also secured project financing towards the establishment operations in the region. Future sites in Central and South America are currently also being explored.

The agreement appoints FGH Agro Consulting as the exclusive project developer for the region utilizing the SourceTrace agricultural software technologies employed in their commercial systems, its mobile platform provide complete visibility from field to market and tracks the value chain at the source – even in remote, low bandwidth environments.eService Everywhere (ESE™) helps to capture all interactions at the touch points of the smallholder farmers at the field level for enhanced traceability and improved accountability of the value chain.

ESE™ platform sets the industry standard for mobile applications in remote and low-bandwidth environments and has been successfully deployed in three continents. Real time information allows management to increase operational efficiencies and reduce costs and contributes to “smart” agriculture and incentivizes smallholder farmer organizations to embrace technology and increase their production.

U.S. total imports of agricultural products from Mexico totaled $23 billion in 2016, the largest supplier of agricultural imports. Leading categories include: fresh vegetables ($5.6 billion), other fresh fruit ($4.9 billion), wine and beer ($3.1 billion), snack foods ($2.0 billion), and processed fruit & vegetables ($1.5 billion). Mexico also exports more than $5 billion to other countries mainly the Asia Pacific Rim.

The FDA FSMA rule on Foreign Supplier Verification Programs (FSVP) for Importers of Food for Humans and Animals is final, and the first compliance dates begin May 30, 2017. The final rule requires that importers perform certain risk-based activities to verify that food imported into the United States has been produced in a manner that meets applicable U.S. safety standards.

FGH plans to partner with existing commercial farmers, brokers, agro insurance, financial institutions and certifying organizations in each region to help accelerate the platform application.

“We are very proud of the work that has already been accomplished at SourceTrace, and look forward to supporting the advancement of traceability and sustainable agriculture in Mexico”, said Dr. Venkat Maroju, Chief Executive Officer.

Javier Carrera, FGH Agribusiness Consulting, Latin America Director stated: “We expect to be operational within the next 1-2 months. We are working with local experts and stakeholders to support this platform. The interest level has been tremendous, particularly from the high volume produce exporters, as it will create a reliable near on-time traceability of fresh produce, and promote food security for all users that expect to comply with the new FDA-FSMA regulations and even for local consumption as well”.

“We’re extremely excited about formalizing our relationship with the SourcTrace team.” says Jordi Yuriar, who has been appointed as the General Director of this venture; past experience has been as a Manager Consultant in Central America and the Caribbean Region. “This will allow FGH Agribusiness Consulting to continue its strategic development of new projects across the region which has been consistently challenged by new safety food standards and regulations.” For more information ask FGH´s International Agribusiness, Latin America's leading Agribusiness Consulting firm.