AGRICULTURE SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT AGSC504

AGRICULTURE SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT: CEREAL CROPS (RICE, MAIZE, AND WHEAT) IN BHUTAN

Research Gap: Integrating Blockchain Technology for Enhancing Traceability and Transparency in Bhutan's Cereal Crop Supply Chain

Traceability and transparency are crucial aspects of agricultural supply chain management, particularly for cereal crops like rice, maize, and wheat. In Bhutan, the traditional supply chain for these crops often lacks visibility and faces challenges in tracking the movement of products from farm to consumer (Penjor et al., 2020). Additionally, ensuring the authenticity and quality of cereal crops remains a significant concern, as counterfeit or adulterated products can pose health risks and undermine consumer trust (Rinzin et al., 2021).

While various efforts have been made to improve supply chain management in Bhutan's agriculture sector, the integration of advanced technologies, such as blockchain, remains largely unexplored. Blockchain technology offers immutable and decentralized record-keeping, enabling transparent and secure tracking of transactions and product movements along the supply chain (Galvez et al., 2018). However, the application of blockchain in Bhutan's cereal crop supply chain has not been extensively researched or implemented.

The existing literature primarily focuses on traditional supply chain management practices and challenges faced by cereal crop farmers and traders in Bhutan (Penjor et al., 2020; Rinzin et al., 2021). However, there is a significant research gap in exploring the potential of blockchain technology to address these challenges and improve traceability, transparency, and trust in the cereal crop supply chain.

By integrating blockchain technology, stakeholders along the supply chain, including farmers, traders, processors, and retailers, could potentially benefit from:

1. Enhanced product traceability: Blockchain-based systems can record and track the movement of cereal crops from farm to consumer, providing detailed information about their origin, handling, and processing (Galvez et al., 2018; Kshetri, 2018).

2. Improved transparency and accountability: Blockchain's decentralized and immutable nature can provide transparency into supply chain operations, enabling stakeholders to verify the authenticity and quality of cereal crops, reducing the risk of counterfeiting or adulteration (Kshetri, 2018; Saurabh & Dey, 2021).

3. Streamlined supply chain processes: By leveraging smart contracts and automated data sharing, blockchain can potentially simplify and optimize supply chain processes, reducing paperwork, increasing efficiency, and minimizing human errors (Galvez et al., 2018; Kshetri, 2018).

4. Enhanced consumer trust: By providing transparent and tamper-proof information about the origin, handling, and quality of cereal crops, blockchain technology can foster consumer trust and confidence in the integrity of the supply chain (Saurabh & Dey, 2021).

While the benefits of blockchain in agricultural supply chains have been explored in other contexts, there is a notable research gap in investigating its application specifically in Bhutan's cereal crop supply chain. Addressing this gap through empirical research and pilot projects could provide valuable insights into the feasibility, challenges, and potential benefits of integrating blockchain technology in this context.

Furthermore, research is needed to understand the readiness and willingness of various stakeholders, such as farmers, traders, and government agencies, to adopt blockchain-based solutions. Factors such as technological literacy, infrastructure availability, and regulatory frameworks need to be considered to ensure successful implementation and adoption.

By bridging this research gap, relevant stakeholders can gain a better understanding of how blockchain technology can be leveraged to enhance traceability, transparency, and trust in Bhutan's cereal crop supply chain, ultimately contributing to improved food safety, consumer confidence, and overall supply chain efficiency.