Blockchain Technology In Agriculture: Ensuring Transparency And Traceability In The Food Supply Chain

Introduction

Figure 1. Source : (Apruzzese et al., 2023).

Figure 1. Source : (Apruzzese et al., 2023).

Keyword Selection

Journal Selection And Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria

Descriptive Findings

This indicates sources (AJG 3 and later journals) that have published articles on the subject. Of all these sources, Annals of Operations Research contributed the most (13 articles), followed by Production Planning and Control (10), International Journal of Production Research (9), and Supply Chain Management: An International Journal (8) and IEEE. Transactions on Engineering Management and Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, each of which produced 6 publications during the study period. International Journal of Production Economics, International Journal of Operations and Production Management and Journal of Business Logistics published 5 articles. The articles on production and operations management and Omega are the fewest among the journals, and each journal has only one issue related to the topic during the research period. Journal distribution also suggests that the application of blockchain in SCM is an attractive research topic for operations management and operations research.(Zhang et al., 2024)

Figure 2. Source :(Zhang et al., 2024).

Figure 2. Source :(Zhang et al., 2024).

Enhancing Food Supply Chain Transparency through Blockchain

The utilization of blockchain technology presents a promising solution for enhancing transparency in the food supply chain by offering immutability, improved visibility, and data integrity.(Treiblmaier et al., 2020) With blockchain, the entire journey of a food item can be accurately documented and verified, starting from its origin to its destination. This level of transparency not only aids in preventing fraud and reducing counterfeiting but also empowers consumers to make informed decisions about the products they purchase. Furthermore, blockchain technology can bolster trust in the food supply chain by ensuring that claims regarding product quality and authenticity are backed by verified data.

Figure 3. Source: (Kawaguchi, 2019).

Figure 3. Source: (Kawaguchi, 2019).

Additionally, by integrating blockchain with other technologies such as IoT devices, the traceability and management of agri-food products can be greatly enhanced. Traceability plays a vital role in ensuring the management of food quality and safety .(Zhao et al., 2020)Traditional traceability systems in the food supply chain often lack in providing complete and transparent information to consumers. Blockchain technology has the potential to address these shortcomings by offering a decentralized and transparent system for recording and tracking food products.

Table 1. Source :(Tanwar et al., 2022).

Table 1. Source :(Tanwar et al., 2022).

Traceability in Agriculture: The Role of Blockchain

Blockchain technology has the potential to revolutionize the traceability of food supply chains, ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the entire process. (Salah et al., 2019) By utilizing blockchain technology, every step in the supply chain, from farm to fork, can be documented and verified, granting consumers access to comprehensive information regarding the origin and quality of their food.(Demestichas & Daskalakis, 2020)This innovative technology not only has the capability to enhance food safety but also to promote sustainable practices by enabling the monitoring of crucial sustainability metrics such as carbon footprint and water usage. (Guido et al., 2020; Mirabelli & Solina, 2020) By harnessing the power of blockchain technology, the agricultural industry can effectively address concerns pertaining to food traceability and sustainability. This encompasses reducing food waste, enhancing supply chain efficiency, and advocating for fair trade practices .(Kouhizadeh & Sarkis, 2018) Through the implementation of blockchain technology in agriculture, we can establish a more sustainable and transparent food supply chain, fostering ethical practices and minimizing waste. (Liu et al., 2018; Wang et al., 2019) Furthermore, blockchain technology empowers consumers to make informed decisions about the food they purchase, enabling them to support sustainable farming practices and contribute to a greener future. Overall, the utilization of blockchain technology in agriculture holds immense potential to significantly impact supply chain sustainability and promote a more transparent and ethical food system. (Kouhizadeh & Sarkis, 2018) By leveraging blockchain technology, the agricultural industry can effectively address concerns related to food traceability and sustainability, ultimately establishing a more sustainable and transparent food supply chain.

Figure 4. (Li et al., 2023).

Figure 4. (Li et al., 2023).

The Impact of Blockchain on Farm-to-Fork Transparency

Consumers are expressing growing concerns about the origins and production practices of their food, seeking information on its source, cultivation or raising methods, and adherence to ethical and sustainability standards. This rising interest in food transparency has created a demand for increased information and accountability across the entire supply chain. Blockchain technology emerges as a viable solution to address these concerns, providing a decentralized and immutable ledger that meticulously records every transaction and movement of food from farm to table (Demestichas et al., 2020; Rejeb et al., 2020). By leveraging blockchain, a transparent and traceable system is established, enabling consumers to easily access comprehensive information about their food's journey . Through blockchain technology, consumers gain access to detailed insights about the farm of origin, production methods employed, and the certifications obtained . This heightened transparency empowers consumers to make informed choices, supporting sustainable and ethical practices .

Furthermore, blockchain proves effective in preventing fraud and reducing the risk of counterfeit goods infiltrating the food supply chain. With a transparent and traceable system, the introduction of fraudulent or counterfeit products becomes considerably more challenging. This not only safeguards consumers but also ensures fair compensation for farmers and producers. Beyond enhancing transparency and accountability, blockchain technology streamlines and automates processes within the agricultural industry. Farmers can utilize blockchain to monitor their crops from planting to harvesting, ensuring compliance with quality standards and minimizing waste.(Chandan et al., 2023) Additionally, this technology optimizes logistics and supply chain management, leading to increased efficiency and cost reduction.

In summary, the incorporation of blockchain technology in the food supply chain has the potential to significantly elevate transparency, accountability, and efficiency. It empowers consumers to make informed choices, advocates for sustainable and ethical practices, and guards against fraud and counterfeit goods. The agricultural sector has already made notable strides in integrating blockchain technology, and its continued adoption promises further enhancements in the farm-to-fork supply chain.(Khan et al., 2022)

Figure 5. Source :(Tanwar et al., 2022).

Figure 5. Source :(Tanwar et al., 2022).

Revolutionizing Food Safety with Blockchain Solutions

Blockchain technology has the capacity to revolutionize the assurance of food safety by transforming the way we monitor the entire food production process. Through the integration of blockchain and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, a dependable and effective system for tracking and monitoring food production can be established.(Chang et al., 2019) This system engages all participants in the agricultural ecosystem, ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the food supply chain.

The utilization of IoT devices, in place of manual recording and verification, reduces human intervention and enhances efficiency.(Lin et al., 2022; Makhdoom et al., 2019) Furthermore, the incorporation of smart contract technology allows for prompt identification and resolution of issues. The adoption of a traceability system based on blockchain presents several advantages, including enhanced security, decentralization, immutability, and the ability to create smart contracts. These benefits address challenges linked to conventional centralized server-client systems, where consumers face difficulties accessing comprehensive transaction information and tracing product origins. (Sharma et al., 2023)The introduction of blockchain technology into the food supply chain facilitates sustainable food management and traceability.(Lin et al., 2022) (Srivastava et al., 2022)In summary, blockchain technology offers an innovative solution to enhance food traceability and safety.(Rejeb et al., 2019) Implementing a reliable food traceability system based on blockchain and IoT technologies has the potential to transform food safety by ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficiency throughout the entire food supply chain. (Rejeb et al., 2019)The incorporation of blockchain technology into the food supply chain can establish a trusted and effective system to monitor the entire life-cycle of food production, guaranteeing transparency and traceability.(Duan et al., 2020; Mohsin et al., 2019) Overall, blockchain technology holds the potential to revolutionize food safety and traceability by providing a dependable and efficient system for monitoring the entire food production process.

Figure 6. Source :(Tanwar et al., 2022).

Figure 6. Source :(Tanwar et al., 2022).

Blockchain Applications: Streamlining Agricultural Operations

Furthermore, the paper delves into case studies and real-world examples of how blockchain technology has been successfully implemented in agricultural operations, such as supply chain management, food traceability, and quality control.(Ellahi et al., 2023) . It highlights the benefits of using blockchain in agriculture, such as increased transparency, efficiency, and trust among stakeholders. The paper also discusses the potential impact of blockchain technology on smallholder farmers and developing countries, emphasizing the importance of inclusive and sustainable agricultural practices.

Figure 7. Source: (Tsoukas et al., 2022).

Figure 7. Source: (Tsoukas et al., 2022).

Overall, the paper serves as a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, and industry professionals interested in exploring the potential of blockchain technology in agriculture.(Duan et al., 2020)A content-analysis based literature review in blockchain adoption within food supply chain. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(5), )1784.It provides a comprehensive overview of the current landscape, challenges, and opportunities in this rapidly evolving field, offering insights into how blockchain can revolutionize agricultural operations and contribute to a more sustainable and transparent food system(Sugandh et al., 2023)

The Future of Agriculture: Blockchain-Enabled Supply Chains

Walmart Food Traceability in China: Walmart collaborated with IBM, Tsinghua University, and food suppliers to create a blockchain-based tracking system for pork and mangoes using Hyper-ledger Fabric blockchain. This system recorded product data, including farm source, batch numbers, processing details, expiration dates, and shipping information. The result was a significant reduction in tracing time, from days to just 2.2 seconds.

Agri Digital Grain Supply Chains: Agri Digital offers a cloud-based system where farmers input grain deliveries and quality data, linked to digital wallets and contracts on a blockchain. This not only ensures transparency but also automates transactions between farmers and commercial buyers.

Beef ledger Cattle Tracking: Beef ledger employs blockchain to record animal movements, health data, and slaughter details, providing a reliable monitoring system for the beef supply chain from farm to retailer. This enhances safety measures and prevents counterfeit meat trading.(Xu et al., 2019)

Fishery Transparency with Provenance: Provenance utilizes blockchain-enabled tagging for fresh tuna, tracing product attributes such as catch location, vessel, storage temperature, and processing facility. This ensures the verification of sustainability and food safety claims.(Probst, 2020)

HerdX Cattle Health and Location Monitoring: HerdX utilizes RFID tags, biosensors, and a blockchain ledger to deliver cattle health, genealogy, location, and environmental data to partners in the beef supply chain. This contributes to the prevention of animal diseases and ensures compliance.(Sharma & Koundal, 2018)

Ripe.io Food Safety for Fresh Produce: Ripe.io collaborates with farms, distributors, and grocers to record sensor, testing, and handling data for fresh produce shipments on the blockchain. This provides credible safety attestations to retailers and consumers.(Collart & Canales, 2022)

TE-FOOD Livestock Registration in Vietnam: TE-FOOD has successfully registered and tracked millions of chickens and livestock on a blockchain ledger throughout the supply chain in Vietnam. Unique identifiers enable continuous monitoring for quality control and food safety .(Vu & Trinh, 2021)

Figure 8. Source ;(Shi et al., 2019).

Figure 8. Source ;(Shi et al., 2019).

Conclusions

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