TraceHarvest Launches A Blockchain For Agriculture
Data from seed to sale to table, that’s the ambition of TraceHarvest, a blockchain network launched by BlockApps.
After two years of testing its supply chain tracing technology with Bayer in the U.S. and Brazil, the startup says it’s ready to expand its digitization of agriculture.
“Blockchain isn’t a shiny tool that people are excited about, it really is the best technology to create an industry wide traceability technology,” says Kieren James-Lubin, President and CEO at BlockApps. “You can do traceability without blockchain, but it requires a lot of coordination across a lot of chains, and input suppliers. To create traceability there needs to be data reconciliation, that includes everyone’s ERP, farm management software, etc. And people have been unwilling or unable to do it to date.”
James-Lubin explains Blockchain automates and simplifies the existing hurdles in data collection, storage and sharing. The goal of TraceHarvest, which is developed as an agricultural-specific blockchain, is to improve supply chain information, with use cases such as carbon offset credits or food safety recalls.
The two-year test program in collaboration with Bayer included corn and soybean crops from sale and planting through harvest.
“The TraceHarvest platform will enable our traditional and non-traditional business partners throughout the food value chain to explore new products, services and business models. Trusting in the stewardship of agricultural products is essential to navigating the complex ecosystem of modern farming,” Michael Pareles, Digital Strategy and Growth Lead at Bayer Crop Science said in a news release. “Using TraceHarvest in production has allowed us to drive operational efficiencies, create value and have greater visibility, transparency and compliance throughout the entire food supply and value chain.”
Sid Siefken, Director of Business Development at BlockApps, says blockchain technology such as TraceHarvest will ensure quality data is easily shared and trusted because the blockchain ensures that even the busiest of seasons can’t allow for a breakdown in the processes and data collection.
“At the distribution and ag retailer level, in the busy spring season, paper records in the warehouse have to be reconciled with the corporate ERP,” Siefken shares as an example. “Or a farmer takes 10% more product than they need just so they don’t run out in the field, and inventory management gets trickier.”
The BlockApps leaders say the two-year testing has also provided them with a good foundation for ease in onboarding users.
On the backend, TraceHarvest uses its company’s cloud-based STRATO platform, which is an Ethereum-based blockchain that can be easily scalable. The company says it also provides excellent data security and it incentivizes greater cooperation and collaboration between the members.
The members, which would include farmers, manufacturers, distributors and processors, select how they share and review the data.
“By enabling the traceability of products throughout the food supply chain, TraceHarvest will provide a basis for new solutions and services around the food quality and transparency questions that are top-of-mind for farmers and consumers,” Sascha Israel, Bayer Crop Science CIO and Head of Digital Transformation, said in a news release.
