What role will information technology play in the future?
Information and its use will be a critical ingredient to future competitiveness. Current research and development activity in the global markets is focussed on the manner in which information will be transferred and efficiently used along the supply chain and how information and IT technology should be used in agribusiness trade. Areas of development include: • the refinement of computer technology and communications, • the most appropriate manner in which how to create direct consumer feedback to the chain, • the use of multi-media systems and technology, • the functioning of real time response computer systems, • quick response ordering systems and so on. For example, global sourcing/ordering systems are being set up in Sydney, as mentioned above. The chains will have to facilitate feedback to the producers on the performance of their products at the processing/packaging stage and at the retail point of sale. Producers and processors will need to monitor the levels of demand for each
