How might blockchain technology be used in the food supply chain? A systematic literature reviewAll authorsRetno Astuti & Luki Hidayatihttps://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2023.2246739Published online:29 August 2023Display full sizeThe complexity of the food supply chain necessitates the implementation of traceability systems. The traceability system optimized the food supply chain management. Blockchain technology promises a new distributed ledger, which provides various uses by solving several traceability issues. Unfortunately, the present study does not completely address the use, opportunities, and challenges of blockchain technology in the food supply chain. Therefore, this study investigates the general knowledge regarding blockchain technology (the concept, features, and type of blockchain) and its use in the food supply chain. The findings of this study assist in gaining a better understanding and information regarding how to strengthen the traceability system in the food supply chain by optimizing the use of blockchain technology. The findings confirmed that the use of blockchain technology in the food supply chain was primarily for traceability, with public/private blockchain assisting as a popular platform. The transaction data is about the product origin information, transaction information, and product label information. The use of blockchain in the food supply chain has the benefit of enhancing food supply chain traceability and transparency. The challenges are the need for significant financial, human resources, and infrastructure investment, limited technical knowledge of stakeholders, significant product changes, the rapid development of the global supply chain, the potential for data manipulation, and policy change.
The structure of the grain-and-oil-food-supply chain has the characteristics of complexity, cross-regionality, a long cycle, and numerous participants, making it difficult to maintain the safety of supply. In recent years, some phenomena have emerged in the field of grain procurement and sale, such as topping the new with the old, rotating grains, the pressure of grades and prices, and counterfeit oil food, which have seriously threatened grain-and-oil-food security. Blockchain technology has the advantage of decentralization and non-tampering Therefore, this study analyzes the characteristics of traceability data in the grain-and-oil-food-supply chain, and presents a blockchain-based traceability model for the grain-and-oil-food-supply chain. Firstly, a new method combining blockchain and machine learning is proposed to enhance the authenticity and reliability of blockchain source data by constructing anomalous data-processing models. In addition, a lightweight blockchain-storage method and a data-recovery mechanism are proposed to reduce the pressure on supply-chain-data storage and improve fault tolerance. The results indicate that the average query delay of public data is 0.42 s, the average query delay of private data is 0.88 s, and the average data-recovery delay is 1.2 s. Finally, a blockchain-based grain-and-oil-food-supply-chain traceability system is designed and built using Hyperledger Fabric. Compared with the existing grain-and-oil-food-supply chain, the model constructed achieves multi-source heterogeneous data uploading, lightweight storage, data recovery, and traceability in the supply chain, which are of great significance for ensuring the safety of grain-and-oil food in China.
Coffee is a popular drink all over the world. Its composition and characteristics are influenced by several factors, such as geographical and plant origin, harvesting and roasting conditions, and the brewing method used. With the increasing consumption of coffee, the demand for its high quality and authenticity naturally increases as well. Unfortunately, at the same time, there is a lot of counterfeiting of coffee due to the lack of distribution transparency to support coffee sales, and this is a problem that becomes an issue in this research. The low transparency of coffee distribution is one of the crucial problems faced by the coffee industry. This problem arises because there is no transparent and accountable coffee distribution monitoring mechanism. On the other hand, blockchain technology can make transactions with high transparency and data security. Therefore, as a solution to the problem of coffee counterfeiting, we offer the adoption of distribution and sales using blockchain technology to increase the transparency of coffee distribution from coffee farmers to customers. The research method uses a qualitative approach by identifying problems through literature reviews and interviews with stakeholders involved in coffee distribution. The result of this research is a conceptual model of coffee distribution using blockchain technology. At the end, a simulation with sample data will be shown using the blockchain algorithm.
Rizwan Matloob Ellahi, Lincoln C. Wood, Alaa El‐Din A. Bekhit
With the rise of globalization and technological competition, the food supply chain has grown more complex due to the multiple players and factors involved in the chain. Traditional systems fail to offer effective and reliable traceability solutions considering the increasing requirement for accountability and transparency in the food supply chain. Blockchain technology has been claimed to offer the food industry a transformative future. The inherent features of blockchain, including immutability and transparency, create a dependable and secure system for tracking food products across the whole supply chain, ensuring total control over their traceability from the origin to the final consumer. This research offers a comprehensive overview of multiple models to understand how the integration of blockchain and other digital technologies has transformed the food supply chain. This comprehensive systematic review of blockchain-based food-supply-chain frameworks aimed to uncover the capability of blockchain technology to revolutionize the industry and examined the current landscape of blockchain-based food traceability solutions to identify areas for improvement. Furthermore, the research investigates recent advancements and investigates how blockchain aligns with other emerging technologies of Industry 4.0 and Web 3.0. Blockchain technology plays an important role in improving food traceability and supply-chain operations. Potential synergies between blockchain and other emerging technologies of Industry 4.0 and Web 3.0 are digitizing food supply chains, which results in better management, automation, efficiencies, sustainability, verifiability, auditability, accountability, traceability, transparency, tracking, monitoring, response times and provenance across food supply chains.
Romeo Bandinelli, Gabriele Scozzafava, Bianca Bindi, Virginia Fani
The importance of traceability in food products in regard to consumer preferences, the difficulty of certifications in communicating credence attributes, and concerns about food safety, have led consumers to ask for more information about the credibility of information reported on the label with the product itself, due to the importance of traceability in food products. An objective of this study is to analyze the benefits of implementing blockchain technology in the supply chain for ancient wheat, as a technology capable of sharing reliable information about the products easily along the entire value chain. In particular, the aim is to evaluate how the consumer reacts when confronted with a package of ancient wheat pasta for which all the information on its origin and processing methods is available. In order to achieve these results, a survey based on the Technology Acceptance Model has been developed and conducted in the Italian country. Result indicates the importance of identifying an independent variable that represents the degree of security when faced with a threat that creates a circumstance, condition or event that can lead to economic hardship, for example, data destruction, disclosure, modification, fraud, waste, and abuse. The strength of blockchain lies precisely in its ability to guarantee the immutability of data throughout the supply chain, providing the end consumer with a high-quality product.
E. Bharat Babu, K. Ritvik, L.V.A. Sainath, M. Gopi Krishna Sai
Blockchain technology can be used in agricultural supply chain management to increase transparency and traceability of products, improve efficiency, and reduce costs. All parties involved in the supply chain can get access to and share data regarding the place of origin, the flow of goods, and the quality of agricultural products by utilizing a distributed digital ledger. This can help to improve food safety, reduce fraudulent activities, and increase consumer trust in the products. Additionally, the use of smart contracts can automate and streamline various processes, such as payments and product certifications.
Eva Nurhazizah, Prenzeline Tyasamesi, Andry Alamsyah, Rathimala Kannan
The Indonesian coffee bean industry faces significant challenges in exporting to countries with stringent standards, primarily due to a lack of trust. Recent legislation in European countries has intensified scrutiny of imported agricultural products, highlighting the crucial role of cultivation processes. The lack of transparency and traceability poses hurdles for Indonesian coffee exports in effectively promoting their products and meeting the demanding quality standards of these countries. Blockchain technology, with its distributed ledgers and smart contracts, holds immense potential for providing supply chain traceability, enhancing transparency, and safeguarding against unauthorized data manipulation. We explore the capabilities of blockchain technology in the coffee supply chain and propose a solution model to overcome export-related obstacles, with a specific focus on enhancing supply chain transparency. The research centers around a coffee bean company's aspiration to expand its international operations. To ensure optimal development and performance of the model system, we adopt the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) methodology. The model system in this study has been successfully implemented and tested, resulting in the realization of transparency and traceability measures to ensure coffee quality.
Abstract Consumers’ interest in product information, such as nutrition, environment, and social aspects, is increasing in the food market. Blockchain technology can enhance credibility of quality signals on labels through transparency and accountability in the supply chain. This study examines the impact of blockchain technology on reducing consumer uncertainty about credence attributes and facilitating informed choices. It is particularly relevant for food policies, as greater consumer awareness promotes proactive involvement in sustainability and public health. We conducted a choice experiment with 300 Italian consumers, focusing on craft beer and analysing how blockchain technology in strengthens organic and DOP certification. The results provide valuable insights for producers and policymakers to develop voluntary approaches that engage society in objectives that concern the collective well-being. They highlight the potential of blockchain technology in communicating credence attributes and empowering consumers. However, our study reveals that the impact of blockchain technology on choices is influenced by a different level of trust, likely due to the complexity of understanding its functioning.
Purpose The primary objective of this study is to investigate the application of blockchain technology (BCT) in the agri-food supply chain, focusing on traceability and food safety. Design/methodology/approach The study employed a semi-structured interview method with representatives from the cherry supply chain to evaluate their awareness and acceptance of BCT's impact. Additionally, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was utilized to determine digital investment priorities in supply chain strategies. By applying the supply chain operations reference (SCOR) model framework to the cherry supply chain, the study aimed to address the question “Which process model is suitable for implementing BCT in the agri-food supply chain?” Findings The global agri-food supply chains are characterized by significant food losses, escalating prices along the chain, and food safety risks. Concurrently, consumer concerns regarding food safety, quality and transparency are on the rise. BCT, with its ability to ensure data integrity, immutability, and seamless tracking of chain movements, presents immense potential as a secure infrastructure in the agri-food supply chain traceability. Originality/value The developed analytic framework and the study's findings can be adapted to different sectors and different sub-sectors within agri-food supply chains.
M. Harini, D. Dhinakaran, Darshan Prabhu, S. M. Udhaya Sankar · 6 authors
India’s agriculture industry is diversified and has the capacity to feed the second-largest population in the world. Despite of its significance the existing agriculture methodology suffers due to various issues like no proper supply chain management and the transparency in the data. Thus, blockchain Technology has greatly increased in popularity across a variety of industries due to its distinctive qualities of immutability, transparency, and security. The work is concerned with remarkable growth of the agriculture sector with the help of blockchain technology. Blockchain technology can assist in lowering the number of middlemen in the supply chain, which will lower transaction costs and boost farmer profit margins. Blockchain technology can also help reduce fraud, improve food safety and quality management, and guarantee fair prices for farmers. It involves the use of IOT sensors to generate data from the crops like climatic changes, soil moisture etc. The generated data is analyzed by using machine learning algorithms like image processing for crop disease prediction. The organized content is subsequently saved as a block in the blockchain ledger. A smart contract is made between the stakeholders involved which leads to the transparency of the transaction and this promotes a good growth in the supply chain management. It also makes it easy for the farmers to claim their insurance as each data is stored in an immutable and transparent ledger. Thus, the proposed methodology of combining blockchain with agriculture boost the efficiency and potential of the agriculture sector.
Soumya Mohapatra, Banda Sainath, Anirudh K.C., H. Lal · 8 authors
Purpose Blockchain technology (BCT), since its emergence touted to be disruptive, is gaining momentum, especially in the agri-food system owing to its multiple benefits. Design/methodology/approach The authors attempted to conduct a systematic bibliometric visualization analysis of the BCT in the agri-food system. The analysis investigated the list of countries and institutions that conducted research on BCT in agriculture, growth trend analysis in research publications, bibliographic coupling of journals using the VOSviewer tool, and the countries and institutions researching BCT. Findings The authors discovered that China, the USA and India were the highly active countries in BCT research and publication. However, India has only limited research collaboration with other countries as compared to China and the USA. The keyword analysis indicates the role of BCT in order to maintain the transparency of the supply chain by means of protecting the privacy of the personal data of the stakeholders. Research limitations/implications More research related to the implementation of BCT in livestock, fishery and agro-forestry sector is recommended. Social implications The case examined is of particular interest as it is concerned with efficient supply chain management. Originality/value This study adds value and evidence to the scope and benefits of BCT by providing a comprehensive literature review, with a special focus on the opportunities and challenges concerned with implementation of BCT in the Indian agri-food system. Highlights Blockchain technology (BCT) – a promising tool to resolve issues in agriculture supply chain. BCT ensures transparency and protection of information along the supply chain transactions. China, the USA and India are the highly active countries in BCT research and publication. Multiple potential benefits to stakeholders are attributed to the BCT in the agri-food system. The key challenge is to bridge the digital gap between developed and developing nations. Future research on BCT should aim at easing and undistorted competition among stakeholders.
In recent years, BCT has garnered significant attention from researchers worldwide. The technology in question is a distributed database system characterised by its decentralised nature and lack of reliability. BCT has been widely adopted by numerous governments and scholars across various sectors for a number of years. Blockchain technology also involves highly innovative and advanced concepts. Given the increasing interest among scholars in the academic community regarding the agrifood supply chain, the objective of this study was to investigate BCT and its potential for application in the fields of food and agriculture. This research paper presents a bibliometric analysis of articles on the utilisation of BCT in the fields of food and agriculture. This study discusses scholarly articles that have been published in esteemed academic journals and conferences. Through our bibliometric analysis, we aimed to discern the recurring trends and themes within the research on BCT in relation to agrifood systems. Furthermore, this study examines a diverse array of research domains, prominent scholarly publications, leading publishing platforms, prominent funding institutions, and the prospective trajectory of future research. This study also presents the prominent patterns and themes within this field through an analysis of the most influential scholarly articles, authors, countries, and keywords found in the existing literature. Hence, this research employed various analytical techniques, including analyzing the co-occurrence of author keywords, bibliographic coupling analysis, network view map analysis, and co-citation analysis. This study holds promise as a valuable learning resource for aspiring researchers seeking to acquire compelling and pertinent information about research outcomes from studies on the utilisation of BCT in the field of smart agriculture.
Arnold Adimabua Ojugo, Patrick Ogholuwarami Ejeh, Christopher Chukwufunaya Odiakaose, Andrew Okonji Eboka · 5 authors
<span lang="EN-US">Agriculture has since become a major source of livelihood for Nigerians. It also accounts for over 85% of the total food consumed within her borders. The sector has maintained improved productivity and profitability via a concerted effort to address critical issues such as an unorganized regulatory system, lack of food safety data, no standards in agricultural produce, non-adaptation to precision farming, and non-harmony via inventory trace supports. This study proposes blockchain-based trace-support in a continued effort to ensure food quality, consumer safety, and trading of food assets. It uses the radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor to register and track livestocks, farms/farmers, and abattoir processes as well as provisions a databank to trace livestock data. Results show the model adequately perform about 1,101 transactions per seconds with a response time of 0.21 s for queries and 0.28 s for https pages respectively for 2,500 users. Also, it yields a slightly longer time of 0.32 s for queries and 0.38 s for https pages respectively with an increased 5,000 users via the world-state as stored in the blockchain’s hyper-fabric ledger. Overall, the framework can directly query and retrieve data without it traversing the whole ledger. This, in turn, improves the efficiency and effectiveness of the traceability system.</span>
In the last ten years, several new challenges have emerged regarding food: from the production crisis caused by wars and the climate change to the unsustainable food waste in the occidental societies or the health problems associated to processed food, additives and other equivalent substances. Resilient and sustainable food systems are needed to survive against all these risks. The Food and Agriculture Organization has envisioned that this only would be possible if we put together large urban centers, the conglomeration of smaller cities in their surrounds and the surrounding and interspersed peri-urban and rural hinterland in a unique City-Region Food System (CRFS). CRFS, however, will be only an opportunity if all food agents in the area collaborate together as part of the same network. This collaboration must overcome the potential conflict of interest and the lack of trust among the different agents, so transparency and accountability must be improved in all transactions. Therefore, in this paper we describe a data-driven blockchain-based marketplace where food agents in a CRFS can share and get transparent and accountable information about other industries, users, or producers in the region. To motivate food agents to join the platform, information in the marketplace is not free and consumers must pay a fee before getting it, generating new income flow for participants. The system is supported by Ethereum network and web technologies. An initial experience was carried out to validate the proposed marketplace in the context of a CRFS living lab in Spain.
The management of the cold chain in transportation is a crucial issue as it affects the quality and safety of perishable goods such as food, pharmaceuticals, and medical supplies. To ensure proper temperature control and monitoring during transportation, the certification of data is essential. Traditional methods for data management, like paper-based records and manual processes, can be unreliable and cause errors, leading to potential food waste. The integration of Internet of Things and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) presents a promising solution for the challenges in cold chain management and can help to improve the overall efficiency of the process. Internet of Things devices can gather and transmit sensor data in real-time, while DLT can ensure the authenticity and immutability of the data. The combination of these technologies can offer a transparent and reliable solution for cold chain management, improving the safety and quality of perishable goods during transportation. Additionally, DLT eliminates the need for intermediaries, enabling direct exchange of data between stakeholders, leading to greater efficiency and accountability. In this paper, we propose a system architecture focused on the cold chain management in transportation that integrates Internet of Things and DLT. In such a system, the Internet of Things component provides real-time data collection whereas the DLT component ensures a secure data management.
Purpose This research attempted to establish the underlying dimensions of supply chain management practices, blockchain technology and supply chain performance in the Indian dairy industry. Additionally, the study proposes a conceptual model that shows the mediating effects of blockchain technology in the relationship between supply chain management practices and supply chain performance. Design/methodology/approach Structural equation modelling (SEM) is incorporated to examine the proposed model using SPSS and AMOS version 24. The study population includes 119 registered Indian dairy processing units operating in Uttar Pradesh and New Delhi ( source: Dairy – India ). Individual registered dairy processing unit's top four executives, that is Head of the Dairy Processing Plant, Supply Chain head and Marketing Head, and IT head are chosen as the respondents of the study, which renders the sample size of 476. Judgmental sampling based on the organisation's market position and plant production capacity (i.e. one lakh litre per day) has been set as the benchmark for selecting the dairy processing units. The executives are selected as respondents as they are well-versed in the phenomenon of supply chain management practices, blockchain technology and supply chain performance compared to other staff working in the dairy industry. The data was collected from December 2021 to March 2022 through judgmental sampling. The target sample size was 476, but only 286 questionnaires were received in a completed state and were further used for analysis. Findings Manufacturing practices, information sharing, distribution management, inventory management and blockchain technology have a significant and positive impact on supply chain performance in the Indian dairy industry. Furthermore, the research demonstrates that blockchain technology partially mediates the relationship between supply chain management practices and supply chain performance in the context of the Indian dairy industry. Research limitations/implications This research is focused on the Indian dairy industry operating in only two states, namely New Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. More research is needed to determine whether SCM practices and the prospects for blockchain technology among channel members are universally applicable to merchants in non-dairy products. Similar investigations should be carried out on dairy industry operating in various formats and in numerous geographic locations. Further, case studies can be conducted by future researchers to learn how supply chain management methods are deployed, what precisely these practices entail and what costs and time demands are required by these practices in context of small independent retailers across different germane expanse. Originality/value While the available literature on the research area is spread out, the influence of blockchain technology in the Indian dairy industry has not yet been sufficiently analysed. Therefore, the research article focused on exploring underlying dimensions of the constructs of supply chain management practices, blockchain technology adoption and supply chain performance in the context of the Indian dairy industry.
At present, the application of blockchain in the traceability system has become a mainstream technology to ensure the quality and safety of agricultural products. However, blockchain is designed to ensure open and transparent data and tamper-proof, and there is a deficiency in the privacy protection of data. In this study, a novel blockchain-based model for agricultural product traceability system is proposed, which has good generality and can protect the privacy of the agricultural product information in the traceability system. First, we designed a multi-channel data collection and uploading architecture, with one channel corresponding to the collection and uploading of information of one type of agricultural product, so as to meet the actual traceability needs of various types of agricultural products. Then, the information of agricultural products uploaded by each channel is encrypted by using the hierarchical encryption algorithm, and the encrypted information is stored in the blockchain to realize the secure sharing of agricultural product information. Finally, we evaluated the system model on the Hyperledger Fabric platform.
Due to recurring food quality and safety issues, growing segments of consumers, especially in developed markets, and regulators in agri-food supply chains (AFSCs) require a fast and trustworthy system to retrieve necessary information on their food products. With the existing centralized traceability systems used in AFSCs, it is difficult to acquire full traceability information, and there are risks of information loss and data tampering. To address these challenges, research on the application of blockchain technology (BCT) for traceability systems in the agri-food sector is increasing, and startup companies have emerged in recent years. However, there have been only a limited number of reviews on the application of BCT in the agriculture sector, especially those that focus on the BCT-based traceability of agricultural goods. To bridge this knowledge gap, we reviewed 78 studies that integrated BCT into traceability systems in AFSCs and additional relevant papers, mapping out the main types of food traceability information. The findings indicated that the existing BCT-based traceability systems focus more on fruit and vegetables, meat, dairy, and milk. A BCT-based traceability system enables one to develop and implement a decentralized, immutable, transparent, and reliable system in which process automation facilitates the monitoring of real-time data and decision-making activities. We also mapped out the main traceability information, key information providers, and challenges and benefits of the BCT-based traceability systems in AFSCs. These helped to design, develop, and implement BCT-based traceability systems, which, in turn, will contribute to the transition to smart AFSC systems. This study comprehensively illustrated that implementing BCT-based traceability systems also has important, positive implications for improving AFSC management, e.g., reductions in food loss and food recall incidents and the achievement of the United Nations SDGs (1, 3, 5, 9, 12). This will contribute to existing knowledge and be useful for academicians, managers, and practitioners in AFSCs, as well as policymakers.
The aim of this research study is to investigate how blockchain technology can enhance transparency and responsibility within the food supply chain. with a focus on three supply chains: dairy, agriculture, and seafood. The challenges associated with these supply chains, including issues related to food safety, sustainability, and labor practices, are discussed. This research study proposes three different solutions based on blockchain technology to address these challenges. Firstly, a framework model for traceability in the dairy supply chain is presented. Secondly, a proposal for a theoretical framework of an agriculture food supply chain system that utilizes blockchain technology. Finally, a blockchain-based solution is presented to enhance traceability and accountability in the seafood supply chain. In the agriculture supply chain, the current centralized system has communication gaps and lacks product origin information. This research study proposes a fully decentralized and secure system using smart contracts for transaction coordination, which ensures transparency and integrity in the supply chain. Food traceability is a critical issue for dairy products globally, but reliable solutions are lacking. This research study discusses the need for advancement in traceability solutions for domestic dairy brands to enhance food safety. The dairy industry's concerns regarding traceability and food safety can potentially be addressed by exploring the use of blockchain and its related technologies. A review of the use of blockchain in the fish supply chain, suggests that while it is a promising concept that creates a transparent, supervisable, safe, and convenient supply chain, it is still immature and challenging to implement due to its complexity. The review highlights the need for further research and development in this area to fully realize the potential of blockchain technology in the fish supply chain.
As global agricultural production and supply chains become increasingly complex, the demand for food safety and transparency is also growing. Agricultural traceability, as a process of tracing products from production to consumption, can help relevant departments locate the problematic links when agricultural products have issues. However, traditional agricultural traceability carries the risks of tampering with traceability data, as well as problems of information silos and opacity. Blockchain technology provides a reliable solution for agricultural traceability, ensuring data security and transparency, while also improving the efficiency and accuracy of traceability. This paper proposes a method based on blockchain smart contracts for millet information traceability. The method includes the architecture and algorithms of millet traceability based on blockchain smart contracts, as well as the interaction and process between the main participants and the smart contract. In addition, we conducted a performance evaluation of the designed smart contract.
Lovina Yogarajan, Mohammad Masukujjaman, Mohd Helmi Ali, Norlin Khalid · 6 authors
This study examines the effect of blockchain adoption on the agri-food supply chain. A systematic literature review approach was used to analyze and synthesize the findings from the existing literature, focusing on fundamental research themes, research gaps, and the direction of future research on the impact of blockchain adoption in the agri-food supply chain. Twenty-seven full-length articles were considered and thematically analyzed in this study. The authors identified eight themes from the literature, including factors responsible for blockchain adoption and new research areas such as digitalization and the impact after adoption. These themes shed light on the agri-food supply chain practices following the adoption of blockchain technology. Moreover, this study provides a foundation for strategic and policy initiatives in the agri-food industry involving blockchain technology. The findings indicate that critical factors driving blockchain technology adoption in the agri-food industry include ensuring food traceability and transparency, food safety and security, food supply and logistics, food integrity, environmental awareness, and reducing food waste. Additionally, this study highlights the importance of guidelines and policy-level involvement after adopting blockchain technology, particularly in facilitating accurate quantification and promoting digitalization to address challenges and streamline processes. The study concludes by suggesting future research avenues for blockchain technology in the supply chain domain.