A global blockchain-based agro-food value chain to facilitate trade and sustainable blocks of healthy lives and food for all

The article addresses the critical issue of global food insecurity, exacerbated by unsustainable practices, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the war in Ukraine. It highlights the interconnectedness of UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2 (zero hunger), 3 (good health and well-being), and 12 (responsible consumption and production). The study emphasizes the inefficiency and lack of traceability in current long and complex agro-food supply chains, contributing to significant food waste. The central research question is how blockchain technology can be sustainably deployed across the entire global agro-food value chain to improve tracking, tracing, and consumer trust, thereby contributing to achieving SDGs 2 and 3. The article investigates this through an examination of existing literature, outlining its methodology, discussing the transition from a supply chain to a value chain approach, and exploring the potential of blockchain technology.

The literature review reveals that while the potential of blockchain technology for achieving SDGs has been explored, its application in the agro-food sector remains fragmented. Existing research focuses on specific aspects or geographies. This study differentiates itself by examining the entire global agro-food value chain, using a case-study approach to address impediments at each level. The methodology integrates insights from operations management, trade and customs law, and scientific literature to create a comprehensive framework for both managers and policymakers.

The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining a qualitative desktop-based review of peer-reviewed literature from various disciplines with a case-study analysis of six successful blockchain implementations in the agro-food sector. The case studies illustrate how blockchain technology has been deployed at various stages of the value chain, from farm to fork, highlighting its potential to enhance traceability, transparency, and efficiency. The findings are synthesized into a flowchart to illustrate the farm-to-fork process and identify areas where blockchain intervention can maximize impact. The analysis considers the triple bottom line (environmental, social, and business dimensions) and aligns with the principles of sustainable development goals.

The case studies demonstrate the successful application of blockchain technology across different levels of the agro-food value chain: * **Walmart's pilot projects:** Showcased the significantly reduced time for product tracing and recall using blockchain compared to traditional methods. * **Axio Zen's Honu project:** Illustrated how blockchain can be used to raise awareness and funds for marine conservation. * **Barclays' trade finance initiative:** Demonstrated the ability of blockchain to drastically reduce the time for completing trade finance deals. * **TradeLens platform (Maersk/IBM):** Highlighted the potential for blockchain to streamline customs procedures and improve supply chain visibility. * **The Kenya-Netherlands flower trade project:** Showcased how blockchain can enhance efficiency in cross-border trade through digital certificate transfer and early customs clearance. * **NAFTA/CAFTA blockchain POC:** Demonstrated the feasibility of using blockchain to standardize and automate customs procedures. The analysis reveals that blockchain can address key challenges in the agro-food value chain, including high documentation costs, lack of transparency, limited traceability, and access to finance for SMEs. It can improve compliance with international trade rules, enhance consumer trust, and contribute to sustainable consumption and production patterns. The limitations of blockchain technology, such as the possibility of incorrect initial data entry, the vulnerability to '51% attacks,' scalability issues, and the need for interoperability, are also discussed.

The findings underscore the potential of blockchain technology to revolutionize the agro-food value chain, significantly contributing to the achievement of SDGs 2 and 3. By enhancing traceability and transparency, blockchain addresses crucial challenges related to food safety, quality control, and efficient resource management. The case studies illustrate practical applications across various segments of the value chain, from farm production to consumer consumption. The integration of blockchain with other technologies like IoT and AI offers further opportunities for optimization and enhanced decision-making. The successful pilot projects, while showcasing positive outcomes, also highlight the need for addressing the limitations of blockchain, particularly those concerning scalability and interoperability, to ensure widespread adoption.

This research provides a comprehensive framework for deploying blockchain technology across the global agro-food value chain. The case studies demonstrate its potential to enhance traceability, accountability, and efficiency, thus contributing to sustainable development goals and improved global trade. Future research should focus on addressing the identified limitations of blockchain technology, fostering public-private partnerships, raising awareness among stakeholders, and developing large-scale pilot projects to assess the full potential of a truly integrated farm-to-fork blockchain system. Investigating the synergistic potential of blockchain, AI, and IoT for creating a more efficient and sustainable agro-food ecosystem is also crucial.

The study relies primarily on secondary data and case studies of specific blockchain implementations. The generalizability of the findings might be limited by the context-specific nature of some case studies and the relatively early stage of blockchain adoption in the agro-food sector. The analysis focuses on the potential benefits of blockchain while acknowledging its limitations; further research is needed to fully assess its long-term impact and the challenges associated with its widespread implementation.