{"id":35248,"date":"2026-03-31T17:37:52","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T14:37:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clusters.org.ua\/?p=35248"},"modified":"2026-03-31T17:37:54","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T14:37:54","slug":"a-digital-traceability-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clusters.org.ua\/en\/news-en\/a-digital-traceability-system\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cShchedre Opillia\u201d Cluster Initiative. Implementation of a Digital Traceability System from Field to Packaging"},"content":{"rendered":"

How can a small farmer be convinced to deliver their harvest for processing today and receive payment several months later? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer from the Ternopil-based initiative \u201cShchedre Opillia\u201d is absolute digital transparency. By implementing a \u201cfield-to-packaging\u201d traceability system, the cluster not only automatically met strict HACCP requirements for EU exports but also introduced a unique \u201c50\/50\u201d financial model. This is a story of how data replaces informal agreements, and small producers become export partners, earning from finished products rather than low-margin raw materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cWhen a farmer sees in the system how much output their batch yielded after freezing, trust stops being abstract,\u201d <\/em>\u2014 Taras Andriichuk, Coordinator<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Practice Passport<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Practice Title<\/strong><\/td>Creation of a digital crop accounting system and transparent revenue-sharing model (\u201c50\/50\u201d)<\/td><\/tr>
Cluster \/ Source Organization<\/strong><\/td>\u201cShchedre Opillia\u201d Cluster Initiative<\/td><\/tr>
Region<\/strong><\/td>Ternopil region<\/td><\/tr>
Implementation Period<\/strong><\/strong><\/td>Pilot \u2192 scaling (since 2021)<\/td><\/tr>
Cluster Maturity Level<\/strong><\/strong><\/td>Cluster initiative (active growth stage)<\/td><\/tr>
Number of participants<\/strong><\/td>Over 20 MSMEs (farms)<\/td><\/tr>
Thematic Areas<\/strong><\/strong><\/td>Twin transition (digitalization), value chain development, SME services<\/td><\/tr>
Target Audience<\/strong><\/strong><\/td>Agro-clusters aiming to move from a raw-material model to deep processing and joint exports, requiring tools for transparent profit distribution<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Context and Problem Addressed by the Practice<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial situation in the berry sector of Ternopil region was typical for many regions in Ukraine: hundreds of small farms produced high-quality raw materials but had no access to added value. Without their own freezing facilities, farmers were forced to sell harvests to intermediaries at minimal \u201cfield prices.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What did not work before implementation?<\/strong>
Attempts to create cooperatives often failed due to lack of trust. Farmers feared that their high-quality berries would be mixed with lower-quality produce and that profits would be distributed unfairly. Additionally, the absence of documented traceability for each batch made it impossible to obtain international HACCP certification. Without a digital trace, products remained \u201cgrey,\u201d and access to premium EU markets was closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Description of the Practice Mechanism (\u201cWhat\u2019s Under the Hood\u201d)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The practice combines an IT solution with a unique financial cooperation model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digital traceability chain<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The cluster implemented specialized software integrated with hardware tools (scanners, label printers, scales).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Process flow:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n