Application of RFID in agri-food sector

RFID (Radio frequency identification) is an emerging technology that can usher enormous opportunities in Agri-food sector. Some of the current applications are automatic toll collection, library management, counterfeit or theft prevention system, animal traceability and access control system. Advancements in sensor technology, communication networks and their integration with RFID technology, are expanding the application domain including real time monitoring, quality control, food safety, traceability system, intelligent transportation and online information systems for end-user. Unique features of RFID systems presents a number of potential benefits like improvement in efficiency and speed of operations, increased accuracy of information, minimized labor cost, reduction of inventory losses. This paper is intended to provide readers an overview of recent implementations of RFID in various segment of Agri-food sector together with the obstacles hampering its wide adoption. Basics of RFID tag including types of tag, frequency ranges and standards available for data transmission are also discussed.