In the heart of Amsterdam, Levi Kingfisher, a researcher at the Faculty of Science, Athena Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, is delving into a future where blockchain technology could revolutionize our food systems. His latest study, published in the journal ‘Frontiers in Blockchain’ (translated from Dutch as ‘Frontiers in Blockchain’), isn’t just about the tech; it’s about the people who will make or break its success. Kingfisher and his team have been exploring the tensions and opportunities that blockchain presents for a sustainable food future, and their findings are as complex as they are compelling.
Imagine a world where every apple, every grain of rice, can tell its story—a tale of origin, journey, and impact. This is the promise of blockchain technology in the food system. But as Kingfisher and his colleagues discovered, the path to this future is fraught with tensions that could either propel or hinder progress.
The research team conducted a series of eleven co-creative workshops with over 100 participants, including farmers, researchers, blockchain developers, policymakers, and agribusiness companies. These workshops were designed to co-create visions of blockchain-enabled future food systems and to identify the barriers and strategies to overcome them.
One of the most striking findings was the tension between decentralization and control. “Some stakeholders see blockchain as a way to decentralize power, to give more control to farmers and consumers,” Kingfisher explains. “But others see it as a tool for big corporations to consolidate their power.” This tension is not just about technology; it’s about who gets to decide how our food is produced, distributed, and consumed.
Another significant tension revolves around inclusion. While blockchain promises transparency and traceability, there’s a risk that it could also exacerbate inequalities. Small-scale farmers, for instance, might struggle to adopt and benefit from blockchain technologies, further marginalizing them in the global food system.
The study also highlights the tension between transparency and privacy. While consumers might want to know every detail about their food, producers might be reluctant to share sensitive information. “It’s a delicate balance,” Kingfisher notes. “We need to find ways to ensure transparency without compromising privacy and security.”
Then there’s the question of tokenization—the process of converting rights to a physical asset into a digital token on a blockchain. While tokenization could open up new markets and revenue streams, it could also lead to the commodification of food and the environment.
So, how might this research shape future developments in the field? For one, it underscores the need for inclusive, multi-stakeholder dialogues in the development and implementation of blockchain technologies. It also highlights the importance of addressing power dynamics and inequalities in the food system.
For the energy sector, the implications are significant. As the food and energy systems become increasingly interconnected, the tensions and opportunities identified in this study could have ripple effects. For instance, blockchain could enable more efficient and transparent energy trading in the food system, from farm to fork. But it could also exacerbate inequalities if not implemented inclusively.
As Kingfisher and his team continue to explore these tensions, one thing is clear: the future of our food system is not just about technology; it’s about people. And it’s about finding ways to ensure that this technology serves us all, not just the privileged few. The journey is complex, but the destination—a sustainable, equitable food future—is worth the effort.