CTA awards 4 grants to support blockchain use in agriculture

CIAT via Wikimedia Commons

The grants were awarded following a call for proposals in September 2018. The implementation of the four projects kicked off following a workshop held at CTA’s headquarters in Wageningen, Netherlands, from 28 to 29 May 2019, which helped CTA and project implementers to finalise plans that will ensure effective results.

With blockchain, every transaction within a supply chain can be traced from the moment produce leaves a farm to the point of purchase. The technology can be applied to entire value chains, reducing reliance on intermediaries, improving efficiency, reducing waste and improving food traceability and safety.

"At CTA we are focused on the innovative use of technology for the digitalisation of key value chains. In supporting new use cases we seek to accelerate the transformation of agriculture and believe the use of blockchain may play a valuable role in accomplishing this," said Ken Lohento, senior programme coordinator ICT4Ag at CTA.

Bioversity International’s project will focus on the use blockchain technology for cocoa farming quality; CIAT on deploying spatial risk indicators for supply-chain management; Ebra 96 on vegetable traceability; and Nitidae on cocoa traceability.

"We are thrilled about this partnership with CTA as it supports our objective of increasing quality and promoting excellence in cocoa farming and the creation of trust, transparency and traceability from farmers to consumers across three countries," said Brigitte Laliberte, of Bioversity International, Scientist in Cacao Genetic Resources and Coordinator of the Cocoa of Excellence Programme.