The need for safe and sustainable food system through traceability
A country's economy depends heavily on agriculture, which is the backbone of many nations worldwide. It was a principal source of livelihood prior to the industrial revolution and with innovations in technology, it meets the increasing needs of food and fabric for human beings and animals depend on it for fodder. The technological advancements in the agricultural sector have led to revolutionary changes in food production, which has contributed to the degradation of the environment in the long run. The environment and posterity have to pay a heavy price due to the selfish greed of man.
We have little time left in our hands to take adequate steps to conserve nature and keeping a strict watch on deforestation, usage of chemical fertilizers, biodiversity loss, usage of natural resources, etc., can play a pivotal role in protecting our environment. Our climate and eco-balance are seriously threatened by the habitat devastation caused by modern agriculture methods. The need to adopt sustainable agricultural practices has become more prominent than ever before. There arises the need to showcase such sustainable practices as our actions have an explicit impact on mother nature.
The need for companies to comply with sustainability standards is the need of the hour to ensure the welfare of people and the planet. Our blockchain-integrated traceability tool can help showcase sustainability standards and pave the way toward achieving ESG goals. Incorporating state-of-the-art, science-based practices that maximise productivity and profit with minimal environmental impact should be prioritised by all business ventures. Blockchain as the next industrial revolution with a shared ledger helps track the supply chain of products catering to end-to-end visibility. By scanning the QR code of products, one can track and trace the product roots and be well-informed about the environmental practices, carbon footprint, usage of fertilisers, etc. Adequate training can be provided to farmers regarding sustainable practices on soil management, proper crop rotation, the impact of pesticides, hazards of encroaching the forests, protection of endangered species and its consequences on nature. The environmentally friendly production of food and other agricultural goods, as well as the advantages they provide to humanity in terms of food security, nutrition, and livelihoods, depend on maintaining this biodiversity.
A well-run production yields a significant result that ensures the welfare of both people and the environment. Responsible production entails adherence to sustainability principles and consumers are demanding transparency in terms of the source of products to ensure better quality and reliability. Products that carry the ‘green label’ are much in demand as responsible consumption is a responsibility that people of mother earth are entitled to. The role of international organisations in achieving goals on sustainability standards can be realised only if everyone is proactively involved in it.
Modern agri-tech companies may play a significant role in enhancing farmer income, empowering farmers, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, reducing crop losses, and deepening domestic and international market links. Traceability plays a key role in involving all stakeholders in the supply chain trajectory, which includes production, distribution, manufacturing, transportation and end-retailers. It can play a vital role in waste management as the suggested measures towards conservation of the environment are ‘reduce, reuse and recycle.’ Traceability can be crucial to the recycling of goods that promotes environmental preservation. It is feasible to restrict or decrease the use of plastic and take the required activities to promote environmentally friendly behaviour.
Deception of the environment is unforgivable because of the endless fortunes it has bestowed upon us. By redefining our corporate objectives with the well-being of people and the world in mind, we can avoid harming biodiversity and threatened species. Traceability can bring a sea change in operational procedures and help in fostering these objectives of conservation of nature.