The potential for blockchain to improve small-scale agri-food business’ supply chain resilience: a systematic review

PurposeWe conducted a systematic review to explore the potential for the application of blockchain technologies for supply chain resilience in a small-scale agri-food business context.Design/methodology/approachAs part of the research methodology, scientific databases such as Web of Science, Google Scholar and Scopus were used to find relevant articles for this review.FindingsThe systematic review of articles (n = 57) found that the use of blockchain technology in the small-scale agri-food business sector can reduce the risk of food fraud by assuring the provenance of food products.Research limitations/implicationsOnly a few papers were directly from a small-scale agribusiness context. Key challenges that limit the implementation of blockchain and other distributed ledger technologies include concerns over the disclosure of proprietary information and trade secrets, incomplete or inaccurate information, economic and technical difficulties, low levels of trust in the technology, risk of human error and poor governance of process-related issues.Originality/valueThe application of blockchain technology ensures that the risks and costs associated with non-compliance, product recalls and product loss are reduced. Improved communication and information sharing can increase resilience and better support provenance claims and traceability. Better customer relationships can be built, increasing supply chain efficiency and resilience

Understanding the winners and losers of agricultural expansion in Ghana

Ghana’s population is forecast to double by 2050, resulting in an increased need for food provision. Much of this will be achieved through agricultural expansion. But what are the impacts? Who benefits or loses – and why? How will agricultural expansion ultimately affect food security

Agriculture 4.0: is Sub-Saharan Africa ready?

A fourth agricultural revolution, termed agriculture 4.0, is gradually gaining ground around the globe. It encompasses the application of smart technologies such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, the internet of things (IoT), big data, and robotics to improve agriculture and the sustainability of food production. To date, narratives around agriculture 4.0 associated technologies have generally focused on their application in the context of higher-income countries (HICs). In contrast, in this perspective, we critically assess the place of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in this new technology trajectory, a region that has received less attention with respect to the application of such technologies. We examine the continent’s readiness based on a number of dimensions such as scale, finance, technology leapfrogging, institutions and governance, education and skills. We critically reviewed the challenges, opportunities, and prospects of adopting agriculture 4.0 technologies in SSA, particularly with regards to how smallholder farmers in the region can be involved through a robust strategy. We find that whilst potential exist for agriculture 4.0 adoption in SSA, there are gaps in knowledge, skills, finance, and infrastructure to ensure successful adoption

Serious gaming to inform local scale scenarios of land cover change to 2050 in North-Western province, Zambia

As pressure on agricultural land increases, there is an urgent need to develop easy-to-use tools, that are applicable at a wide range of geographic scales, to improve our understanding of the trade-offs between food production and the protection of ecosystems

Future trade-offs to 2050: land cover change, biodiversity and agriculture in Zambia

In Zambia, demand for cereal to feed a growing population is predicted to double by 2050. As pressure on agricultural land increases, there is an urgent need to develop tools to minimise conflicts between competing land uses

One Hundred Priority Questions for the Development of Sustainable Food Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa is facing an expected doubling of human population and tripling of food demand over the next quarter century, posing a range of severe environmental, political, and socio-economic challenges. In some cases, key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are in direct conflict, raising difficult policy and funding decisions, particularly in relation to trade-offs between food production, social inequality, and ecosystem health. In this study, we used a horizon-scanning approach to identify 100 practical or research-focused questions that, if answered, would have the greatest positive impact on addressing these trade-offs and ensuring future productivity and resilience of food-production systems across sub-Saharan Africa. Through direct canvassing of opinions, we obtained 1339 questions from 331 experts based in 55 countries. We then used online voting and participatory workshops to produce a final list of 100 questions divided into 12 thematic sections spanning topics from gender inequality to technological adoption and climate change. Using data on the background of respondents, we show that perspectives and priorities can vary, but they are largely consistent across different professional and geographical contexts. We hope these questions provide a template for establishing new research directions and prioritising funding decisions in sub-Saharan Africa

One hundred priority questions for the development of sustainable food systems in sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa is facing an expected doubling of human population and tripling of food demand over the next quarter century, posing a range of severe environmental, political, and socio-economic challenges. In some cases, key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are in direct conflict, raising difficult policy and funding decisions, particularly in relation to trade-offs between food production, social inequality, and ecosystem health. In this study, we used a horizon-scanning approach to identify 100 practical or research-focused questions that, if answered, would have the greatest positive impact on addressing these trade-offs and ensuring future productivity and resilience of food-production systems across sub-Saharan Africa. Through direct canvassing of opinions, we obtained 1339 questions from 331 experts based in 55 countries. We then used online voting and participatory workshops to produce a final list of 100 questions divided into 12 thematic sections spanning topics from gender inequality to technological adoption and climate change. Using data on the background of respondents, we show that perspectives and priorities can vary, but they are largely consistent across different professional and geographical contexts. We hope these questions provide a template for establishing new research directions and prioritising funding decisions in sub-Saharan Africa

Climate Change:Challenges and Responses for Business

Climate change caused by carbon emissions from anthropogenic causes such as fossil fuel burning, and their impacts have been at the core of policy discourses concerning the transition to a low-carbon economy. As time is ticking towards achieving the 1.5-2° C temperature limit by 2030, businesses have critical roles to play in leading this transition through transforming operational and organisational processes in line with the Agenda for Sustainable Development. While policy frameworks at local and international levels have been advanced to guide these business transformations, not much has been achieved by international businesses due to complex organisational, political, social and economic challenges such as the inaccessibility of climate financing for mitigation. Moreover, the Covid-19 pandemic has added a layer to the challenges faced by international businesses in transitioning to sustainability as resources are channelled toward promoting resilience to unexpected shocks to allow businesses to return to profitability. Hence, this chapter aims to evaluate the challenges climate change poses to international businesses and examine their responses in the context of global-level energy policies vis a vis the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement. Further, a framework for a sustainable business transformation will be advocated.</p