Digital Technologies and Pig Traceability in Rural Areas: Design of the PORKAVANS Web Platform for Food Management
摘要
Rural pig farming is undergoing a digital transformation, yet significant challenges remain—particularly in the area of traceability. In rural areas of Colombia, small-scale pig farming, such as in La Madera, Ocaña, and Norte de Santander, faces several challenges due to a lack of up-to-date work systems. Manually monitoring farm finances, animal health, and feed reduces efficiency, increases costs, and hampers crucial decision-making. This article explores the current landscape of digital technologies used in rural pig farms, identifies the main barriers to effective traceability, and reviews successful technological solutions implemented in similar contexts. The study focuses on creating a computer system capable of storing and analyzing key data on the amount of feed consumed, medications administered, and the nutritional status of pigs. This proposal seeks to improve monitoring and operational management, while also promoting animal welfare, production gains, and the economic expansion of small and medium-sized producers. The results of the initial use of the platform, as evidenced by the traffic of collected products, support the applicability of the system in real-life scenarios, indicating a progressive improvement in food tracking and collection, allowing for more informed and sustainable decisions. Additionally, it includes an affiliate system that allows third parties to promote pork products in exchange for sales commissions, thus expanding digital marketing channels in rural areas.