Acceptability of Radio Frequency Animal Identification in Rural KZN

Started as an investigation of acceptability of radio-frequency animal identification, the study discovered that not only is RFID critical for identification of animals it plays an important role in the supply chain. The study found that, although this technology first became popular when it was used to monitor military air crafts during the World War II, it has since been incorporated into the supply chain of many modern industries. In livestock production, RFID enhances a ¿farm-to-fork¿ trace-ability system, thus increasing consumer confidence and as a result profitability. While poor resource farmers may have the appetite for this technology, there are critical questions of affordability and sustainable use and management of RFID information system to be dealt with. Countries that have adopted RFID animal identification have gained access to premium meat markets internationally. Inversely, stone-age-countries struggle to convince international customers of food safety especially after an animal disease outbreak.