Blockchain: The evolutionary next step for ICT E-Agriculture
This article (PDF) by the Environments journal, reviews blockchain-based concepts associated with ICT-based technology. Moreover, it proposes a model ICT e-agriculture system with a blockchain infrastructure. An evaluation tool is presented to determine context specific technical and social requirements of blockchain technology for ICT e-agriculture systems. The proposed system and tool can be evaluated and applied to further developments of e-agriculture systems. According to this article, ICT e-agricultural with a blockchain infrastructure is the next step in the evolution of ICT e-agriculture. Blockchain distributed networks do not require pubic trust in a centralized authority. E-agricultural can increase economic efficiencies, food safety, and reduce uncertainty risk while achieving sustainable agricultural development. When ICT e-agricultural systems with blockchain infrastructures are immutable and decentralized record management systems, baseline agricultural environmental data is safeguarded. The model of an ICT e-agricultural system with blockchain infrastructure compiles water quality data from irrigation water monitoring data collected by remote sensors throughout Taiwan. Further development and incorporation of agricultural data is required. Though centralized databases may be suitable for agriculture environmental data management programmes within ICT e-agriculture systems, technical and social needs can change. The evaluation tool can dual-assess the technical and social requirements. Blockchain technology, while still challenged with key limitations, will become ubiquitous as the fast pace of technological advancement proceeds. Future work on the implementation of blockchain technology in real-world e-agriculture case studies or current agricultural environmental monitoring systems, such as our prototype, may further elucidate the feasibility of applying this technology in environmental data and agricultural monitoring initiatives and national ICT e-agriculture in general.