Pilots Czech Republic

In Czechia, organic production and control are well-structured sectors regulated by national legislation and European Union standards. The country has seen a steady increase in organic farming practices, and organic production is increasingly popular with consumers’ growing interest in healthy nutrition. Czechia has developed a comprehensive system for the certification and control of organic products, ensuring that all organic goods meet strict organic standards. The oversight of organic production in Czechia is managed by the Ministry of Agriculture, under which several accredited certification bodies operate. These bodies are responsible for ensuring compliance with organic farming regulations, which include the prohibition of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, the use of environmentally sustainable practices, and the maintenance of high animal welfare standards.

Organic farming in Czechia covers a wide range of products, including crops, dairy, meat, and processed foods. The sector benefits from both government support and a growing consumer demand for organic products, driven by an increasing awareness of health and environmental issues. This demand is supported by various governmental and EU subsidies that encourage farmers to adopt organic practices.

Organic food accounts for around 1% of food consumption in the Czech Republic, presumably due to higher prices and lack of information. Also, the control mechanisms for organic production are rigorous. Certification agencies conduct regular inspections and audits to verify that organic farming practices are adhered to. This includes checking the absence of prohibited substances, ensuring proper record-keeping, and tracing the origin and flow of organic products from the farm to the consumer. Moreover, the Czech organic market is integrated into the broader EU organic market, which allows for the seamless export and import of certified organic goods within the EU, enhancing market opportunities for Czech producers. This integration also means that Czech organic products must meet the high standards set by EU organic regulations, which are among the strictest in the world.

The pilot project in the Klatovy region, the western part of the Czech Republic, is designed to boost awareness about the benefits of organic foods and implement innovative technologies to prevent mislabelling issues. The aim is to ensure the supply of products with the certified protected label Bioproduct, Šumava-original product, regional food of the Pilsen region and Klasa. This initiative focuses on enhancing the availability of organic foods by developing and deploying a new business model. By mapping local suppliers and retailers, the project aims to create a streamlined, transparent pathway for organic goods “from farm to table”, ensuring they meet stringent quality standards without adulteration.

This pilot targets various organic food products, prioritising those most susceptible to adulteration and those with significant demand among local consumers. Criteria for selecting these products include their popularity within the region, the feasibility of implementing tracking and verification technologies, and the need for improved supply chain transparency.

Critical aspects of the pilot also involve integrating advanced tracking technologies such as IoT sensors and QR/RFID tags to monitor the transport and handling of organic foods. This technological framework is complemented by blockchain technology, which will be utilised to create an immutable record of the origin and journey of each product, thereby ensuring the integrity and traceability of organic goods throughout the supply chain.

This comprehensive approach aims to protect consumers and empower local organic producers by providing them with the tools and visibility needed to compete in a larger market, thus fostering the sustainability of local farming communities. Through this pilot, the Klatovy region could become a model for organic food production and distribution, showcasing how technology can be harnessed to support food quality, sustainability, and local economies.

In the broader context of the Czech Republic, under the guidance of SUMAVA, the pilot will focus on implementing and validating various components of the THEROS toolbox. The key activities will include the roll-out of an innovative business model designed to bolster the availability of organic food via a dedicated Digital Marketplace. This platform will integrate advanced monitoring services and tools, utilising IoT sensor networks and QR/RFID technologies to track organic food shipments. Furthermore, these components will be integrated into a blockchain-based traceability system to ensure smooth data alignment and harmonization. The project will also include various awareness-raising and promotional activities aimed at engaging customers and gathering their feedback on the new systems.

THEROS components implemented in Czech pilot

The Digital Marketplace will be set up on exclusive infrastructure owned by pilot partners, guaranteeing a safe and regulated setting for its initial implementation. This deployment is strategically designed to ensure seamless communication between the marketplace and other essential components of the THEROS ecosystem through well-defined interfaces, promoting robust interoperability and data exchange.

Specifically for the Czech pilot, the marketplace architecture has been meticulously designed to leverage data from the IoT sensor network. This setup enables real-time monitoring and verification of product status during transportation, harnessing the advanced capabilities of IoT technology to enhance product authenticity and traceability. Additionally, the marketplace is integrated with the THEROS blockchain-based traceability system, which verifies the origin, current status, and quality of listed items, ensuring accurate representation and comprehensive traceability of all products.

The Czech pilot will gather data from multiple sources, including user interactions, transaction logs, and IoT sensor monitoring. Each data point can be crucial for understanding different aspects of marketplace operations, from user behaviour to supply chain dynamics. The implemented system should be able to summarise the existing data to identify patterns and trends. For instance, transaction data can be analysed to determine the most popular products or peak shopping times. Sensor data from the IoT network can provide insights into product conditions throughout the supply chain, helping identify potential quality degradation points.

Regular reports can be generated to inform stakeholders of the findings from data analyses. These reports might include performance metrics, progress towards goals (like increasing organic product sales), and recommendations for action.

The Czech pilot activities have been deeply rooted in comprehensive stakeholder engagement, reflecting a collaborative approach that integrates all parties’ diverse insights and needs. This process began with thoroughly identifying and categorising stakeholders, including organic food producers, distributors, retailers, technology providers, regulatory bodies, and consumers. This foundational work was essential for customizing engagement strategies to correspond with the distinct perspectives and contributions of each group. Surveys and questionnaires have been used, extending outreach to various stakeholders and effectively capturing various opinions and preferences, particularly from end consumers and small organic producers. Moreover, regular engagement meetings provided a dynamic platform for stakeholders to discuss the marketplace’s design and functionality, including integrating key technologies like the PrestaShop’s Multivendor module and IoT sensors measurements. These interactions facilitated immediate feedback and set the stage for ongoing dialogue through a continuous feedback loop, ensuring that the marketplace evolves in response to stakeholder input. A pivotal phase of this engagement involves pilot testing with selected users to assess the marketplace’s performance and suitability before a broader rollout. Throughout the project, regular updates and iterative reviews will continue to shape the development process, ensuring that the marketplace remains aligned with its users’ evolving needs and expectations. This structured engagement strategy underscores the project’s dedication to developing a marketplace that is not only technologically advanced but also deeply responsive to the needs of the organic food community.

The initial implementation can be accessed at https://trh.regionalnispeciality.cz/, serving solely for testing purposes with test data. Validation has been conducted on various types of boxes and sensors for transport monitoring. Discussions, testing, and resolution are ongoing regarding integration with other components of the THEROS system, particularly the IoT sensor network and the THEROS blockchain traceability system. This integration aims to ensure tamper-proof, reliable information flows, providing comprehensive visibility into the food supply chain. Data from all phases of the food chain will be shared in real-time among relevant stakeholders, thereby enhancing transparency, traceability, and trust. This integrated functionality will be available in the second Digital Marketplace implementation.

Integrating diverse technologies like THEROS blockchain-based traceability systems and IoT devices into a cohesive ecosystem presents considerable complexity. It requires ensuring compatibility across systems, data formats, and protocols, which demands extensive technical expertise. Adopting a modular architecture and employing API-first design principles can facilitate smoother integration. Early and ongoing collaboration with technology providers and experts will be crucial to navigate these challenges effectively.

Creating an intuitive and engaging user experience that accommodates the complexities of blockchain and IoT information alongside a large product catalogue is a significant challenge. The platform must cater to users with varying levels of technical proficiency. Improving user experience can be achieved through focused UX research and design efforts. By integrating user feedback into a continuous cycle of design improvements and making complex processes more user-friendly through clear instructions and visual aids, the overall usability of the interface can be elevated. Additionally, implementing personalisation algorithms can refine and tailor the shopping experience, making it more efficient and tailored t

To be updated