PowerPoint Presentation

[Audio] Today I'll talk about Advantages and Examples of Blockchain Application in the Agri-Food Sector.

[Audio] In today's presentation, we'll go through the following topics: First, we'll look at the supply chain. Then we'll talk about traceability in the supply chain. We'll introduce Blockchain technology. We'll see examples of supply chains in the agri-food sector. We'll look at examples of data in the supply chain. We'll see companies that use Blockchain and companies that provide Blockchain services. And finally, we'll end with some conclusions..

[Audio] The supply chain includes all the activities related to the flow and transformation of goods, from the raw material stage to the end user, as well as the flow of information related to these activities. It consists of the links of goods supply, storage, production or processing, quality control, transportation, and final distribution to the consumer. The goal is to transport the right product, to the right place, at the right time, at minimum cost..

[Audio] Within the context of the supply chain, traceability can be defined as the ability to track the history, location, and destination of distributed products, through documented records of relevant information. So, every step that a product passes through is recorded, so that we can later reconstruct its entire journey..

[Audio] Although Blockchain was originally developed for managing cryptocurrencies, this technology has now expanded and offers a secure, transparent, and immutable method of recording transactions. It is essentially a decentralized digital register that allows every transaction to be recorded in real time, without the possibility of modification..

[Audio] Blockchain technology has been a revolution in many industries, including the agri-food sector. One of its most important applications in agriculture is food traceability, which allows food to be recorded and tracked transparently and securely. In this way, everyone involved – from producers to consumers – can track the route of food products, enhancing the reliability of the supply chain system..

[Audio] Using Blockchain in the supply chain offers several key advantages: It allows tracking food products "from farm to fork". This helps to quickly identify sources of contamination or fraud. The detailed and immutable records simplify the effective management of recalls and ensure the rapid removal of unsafe products from the market. Consumers can access detailed information about the origin, handling, and processing of their food, which leads to increased trust. Additional advantages include: Better coordination between participants in the supply chain, which leads to reduced delays. It enables real-time monitoring of inventory and shipments. The automation of record keeping and transactions reduces administrative costs and minimizes errors. Finally, the data is secure, reducing the risk of data hacking and unauthorized access..

[Audio] Moreover The stakeholders in the supply chain benefit from the sharing of data. Within a supply chain, a participant who needs to verify the validity of previous transactions with other participants downloads only the blockchain—the ledger—and nothing else. So, trust is built through shared, verified data..

[Audio] This is a typical food supply chain with the products reaching out the consumers either through catering or their homes.

[Audio] Here we see an example of a milk supply chain. Each stage—from the farm, to collection, processing, packaging, distribution, and finally the retailer—can be recorded on the blockchain, ensuring traceability and transparency throughout the process..

[Audio] At each stage—beekeeping, extraction, processing, packaging, and distribution—relevant data can be registered on the blockchain, so that consumers and stakeholders can verify the origin and quality of the honey..

[Audio] This example shows a wine supply chain. From vineyard cultivation, to harvest, vinification, bottling, and distribution, each critical step can be logged in the blockchain, providing a complete digital history of each bottle..

[Audio] Here we have the olive oil supply chain. The stages from olive cultivation, harvesting, milling, storage, bottling, and transportation can all be monitored and recorded. In this way, we can ensure traceability, authenticity, and quality for olive oil products..

[Audio] All the aforementioned supply chains seem similar, but the data are quite different depending on the product. In all these examples, the participants in the food supply chain must decide what kind of data they will register and share with each other. The choice of which information to record on the blockchain is crucial for achieving meaningful traceability and transparency..

[Audio] Let's look briefly at what kind of data farmers can record. Crop data Crop type and variety Sowing date Harvest date Field data Location (e.g. GPS or farm name) Field size Soil type Basic weather conditions Agricultural practices Fertilizers and pesticides used Water use for irrigation Cultivation methods Sustainable practices (e.g. organic methods, cover crops).

[Audio] Now, some examples of data that processors can record. Source info: suppliers, batch numbers, quantities received Quality control: checks performed and test results Processing: main steps, dates, equipment used, key conditions (e.g. temperature) Storage & stock: storage conditions and stock levels of final products Certifications: e.g. organic, non-GMO, fair trade.

[Audio] For distributors, typical data examples include: Shipment details: type of goods and quantity. Mode of transport: details of the method of transport used (e.g., truck, ship, plane). Carrier information: carriers involved in the transport. Route details: planned and actual transport routes, including stops and transit points. Shipment dates: departure and arrival dates at various points in the supply chain. Temperature records: continuous temperature records during transport and storage. Humidity levels: data on humidity levels to ensure product integrity, especially for sensitive products..

[Audio] An example from practice is Walmart. Walmart notes that the implementation of innovative Blockchain solutions helps them to receive detailed information about every event and to intervene based on accurate information. This transparency allows them to better manage suppliers, conduct more effective quality checks, and significantly reduce time and costs at various levels of the supply chain..

[Audio] Here we see more examples: The Spanish olive oil cooperative Conde de Benalúa, with more than 2,000 farmers, uses Blockchain to track the product's life cycle, ensuring traceability, authenticity, and quality. Dole uses Blockchain to track salads and fresh vegetables. Carrefour tracks the journey of chickens, eggs, and tomatoes from farm to store. Nestlé implements Blockchain in its luxury coffee brand Zoégas, securely recording production and transaction data..

[Audio] In food delivery, platforms such as: DoorDash Uber Eats Deliveroo Domino's Pizza Hut integrate Blockchain to improve the reliability and transparency of food delivery services..

[Audio] Well know companies provide Blockchain services for the agri-food sector and beyond, such as: IBM Food Trust Amazon Microsoft Oracle TE-FOOD FairChain R3 ConsenSys Peiko OpenSC Water Ledger.

[Audio] To conclude: Thanks to Blockchain technology, every stage of the supply chain – from production in the field to consumption – can be accurately recorded, ensuring the origin and quality of food. This is particularly critical in a world where the population is constantly growing and the need for safe and sufficient food is becoming increasingly urgent. Its use can be beneficial for everyone involved in the supply chain..

[Audio] Thank you very much for your attention.. Thank you.