Blockchain is a technology that can bring breakthroughs in the Agri sector with its potential.
Blockchain agriculture improves food safety by allowing information to be traced across the food supply chain. The capacity of blockchain to store and manage data enables traceability, which is utilized to assist in the development and implementation of technologies for intelligent farming and index-based agriculture insurance.
It represents a significant advancement in the field of modern agriculture. But how exactly does it work, and how does it make food safer?
What is Blockchain Technology?
With the growing popularity of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, you’ve probably heard a lot about blockchain technology, but it may surprise you to hear that it’s being used in agriculture.
ICT (information and communication technology) is now being employed for databases to track data and maintain information flow. Blockchain technology is a novel method of powering these databases. Instead of a single server and administrator, they give rights to all network members. Multiple parties may then access and validate new additions to the database, providing more security and reducing the possibility of corruption.
Uses of Blockchain Technologies in Agriculture
Blockchain technologies can track all types of information about plants, such as seed quality, and crop growth, and even generate a record of the journey of the plant after it leaves the farm. This data can improve supply chain transparency and eliminate concerns associated with illegal and unethical operations. In the case of a recall, they can also make it easier to track any contamination or other issues back to their source. The primary goals of these technologies are sustainability and food security.
When consumers have this amount of transparency, they can make informed purchasing decisions. They frequently utilize this information to reward farmers and producers that implement good farming methods.
Barriers to Using Blockchain Technologies
There are concerns that blockchain technology may be misapplied or exploited, endangering food security. Privately owned blockchains, for example, are simpler to tamper with and less secure. Because these blockchains rely on regulations imposed by private organizations, it is simple to understand how the wrong individuals may use them to their benefit. Meanwhile, small-scale farmers who lack sufficient size, technological know-how, and scalability to use blockchain technology may be left behind.
Many issues must be resolved before blockchain technology can be completely incorporated into agriculture.
First, blockchain implementation must be decentralized to accommodate small farmers and rural dwellers. Otherwise, food security will remain a problem. Implementation must enable sustainable and equitable food systems, allowing consumers to make a better decisions.
Those who do not have the necessary digital literacy to participate in blockchain technology must be educated. This is part of the process of decentralizing the system. The worlds poor may be unable to engage due to the aging infrastructure and a lack of digital literacy.