June 07, 2024 | Intelligent Computing |
Researchers from Multimedia University and Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka developed an e-marketplace system aimed at supporting small-scale farmers in Malaysia. Due to the country's tropical climate, Malaysia is rich in diverse fruit species, cultivated both commercially and on a smaller scale. However, existing procurement systems, which demand consistent supply and quality, often exclude smaller farmers from the market. Additionally, the perishable nature of fruits necessitates quick sales, and the involvement of intermediaries often leads to increased consumer prices.
The newly developed e-marketplace system addresses these challenges by providing small-scale farmers with a platform to sell their local fruits directly to consumers. The system includes essential features for product transactions and tools such as bidding functions, business analytics, and intelligent promotional and depletion strategies. These tools help farmers manage fruit sales efficiently from harvest to the end of the shelf life. The platform is designed to connect farmers with end consumers, allowing them to independently market their products, offer healthier options, and maintain reasonable pricing for buyers.