THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE
Smart farm renaissance possible
Agriculture could benefit from digital technology, such as blockchain, to provide product traceability, which is increasingly important for consumers, according to a new report. The report by the University of Stellenbosch Business School recommends that agriculture engage consumers, who are becoming better informed about food safety, quality, the traceability of products and the use of chemicals. The opportunity is for producers to market their brands, as consumers have an increasing influence on retailers to stock products that meet specific requirements and seek out niche products to purchase directly from producers, the report says. The researchers recommend that producers turn to blockchain technology to provide verifiable information to track food origins. Blockchain, or the distributed ledger system, has given rise to cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin. The system uses independent computers to synchronise transactions online without the need for independent validation. A resear...
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