b' The authority or permission to carry out certain activitiesactors, both public and private, with greater visibility over (permissioned or permissionless) - Permissioned blockchainssupply chains and almost real time information over transac-permit just a select group of users to write (i.e. generate transac- tions, the use of blockchains can also limit opportunities for tions for the ledger to record) and commit (i.e. verify new blocksfraud and illegal practices.for addition to the chain). In contrast, permissionless block- The use of smart contracts in combination with blockchain chains allow anyone to contribute and add data to the ledger. technology can support the automation of organisational activ-ities, replacing old and burdensome processes to deliver greater ES: HOW CAN BLOCKCHAINS BE USED IN THEefficiency. Agricultural insurance built on the blockchain could AGRICULTURAL AND SEED SECTORS AND WHAT AREallow key weather incidents to be directly related to pay-outs THE BENEFITS? via smart contracts [footnote 4]. These could be linked to mobile CG:Blockchains hold numerous possibilities in the agriculturalwallets with weather data being provided regularly by sensors sector, from digitizing agricultural land registries to improvingin the field and correlated by data from proximity weather sta-supply chain traceability. tions. This would facilitate immediate pay-outs in the case of a Complex agricultural value chains are often character- drought or flooding in the field.ised by information asymmetry. Blockchains can enable secureA number of organizations and companies in the seed sector and efficient data exchange between multiple stakeholdershave established pilot projects and initiatives to better understand and improve access to information. Not only could this help tohow blockchain technologies can support their activities and address concerns regarding competition but improve processesobjectives. For example, the Canadian Seed Growers Association and transactions, helping farmers to sell commodities at fairis using a private/permissioned blockchain to monitor and trace prices and lowering fees. the life cycle of soybeans through an identity preserved program. In the agri-food sector particularly, blockchains can addThe system will provide a story from plant breeding Institution value to the end-product by giving consumers information aboutto end consumer and tap into growing consumer demand for food how their food has been produced and processed. A number oftransparency while building additional value into certified seed. well-known agri-food businesses, such as Walmart, Nestl andHarvestPlus, part of the CGIAR global research consortium, is Unilever have already started to introduce blockchain technol- exploring the feasibility and desirability of applying blockchain ogies in their supply chains to improve traceability. technology to a biofortification value chainin this case, for vita-Blockchain technology has received particular attention formin A-biofortified orange maize in Nigeria.its potential to support quality control and safety, in particu-lar identifying the source of errors in supply chains. Recently,ES: WHAT, IF ANY, ARE THE POTENTIAL CHALLENGES?the OECD explored the potential for blockchain technologiesCG:It is important to recognise that blockchain technology is only to address fraud in pesticide supply chains [footnote 3]. Globalone piece of a digitalisation puzzle that complements other tech-trade in illegal pesticides has been steadily growing in recentnologies, such as tools that facilitate the tokenisation of physical years, posing serious threats to agriculture, the environment,products (e.g. QR codes) or AI technology that is used in smart human health, and the economy. By providing supply chaincontracts [footnote 5]. It is not a solution on its own.EUROPEAN-SEED.COMIEUROPEAN SEED I 27'