Hello everyone!

Thank you to everyone who joined the Scaling ICTforAg Solutions collaboration meeting on Scaling Resources for Agricultural Innovations. We truly appreciate your participation. 

Here are the key tools and platforms discussed during the session:

Scaling Readiness – A tool to assess innovation readiness and design scaling strategies. 

GenderUp – A framework for responsible scaling, ensuring inclusivity and minimizing unintended consequences. 

Scaling Scan – A structured approach to understanding and navigating scaling efforts.

CGIAR Innovation Dashboard – A database of validated agricultural innovations.

TAAT e-Catalogs – A collection of validated agricultural technologies for decision-makers.

Innovation & Scaling E-learning Course – A free course on innovation and scaling strategies. 

Scaling Community on LinkedIn – Join ongoing discussions with experts in agricultural scaling.

The presentation used during the session has also been uploaded to the 'Data' section of this collaboration. Check it out!

If you have any questions or would like to continue the conversation, feel free to drop a comment!

As we explore best practices for scaling, share what you hope to learn and any challenges you've faced in moving from successful pilots to large-scale implementation.

What insights or questions do you have about making digital solutions more accessible and impactful at scale? Let’s discuss!

Hey everyone!

A big thank you to all who joined our first collaboration meeting - it was great to see such an engaged group ready to collaborate and scale ICTforAg solutions.

Quick recap:

We started with introductions and learning about each other's work. Then, we dived into key priorities:

1. Collaboration & resource sharing – Making it easier to access the right tools.
2. Practical support – Online courses, proposal development, and other useful resources.
3. What’s next? – A work plan to equip us with essential materials and key contacts.

Action items:

1. The moderator and collaborators will create a resource library in the data section of the Scaling ICTforAg Solutions collaboration, where key resources will be uploaded.
2. A spreadsheet containing contacts - including names, organizations, and digital technologies - will be created and shared with collaborators on request for their reference and use.
3. Collaborators who wish to connect with relevant resource persons are encouraged to reach out to Kate Fehlenberg (katefehlenberg@outlook.com) with an outline of their work.
4. Events related to scaling ICTforAg solutions will be posted within the collaboration.

Turn on notifications to receive updates about Collaborative Spaces activity by clicking on your Learning Network profile icon at the top right corner of your device and clicking on “Notification Settings.” You may want to click on “Instant” to get updates about activity in real time.

We appreciate your active participation - this is just the beginning! Drop a comment if you have questions, ideas, or additional input. 

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to connect with the ICTforAg Learning Network community! At our upcoming virtual Collaborative Spaces Roundtable on January 8th, you'll hear directly from Collaborative Space leads as they:

• Introduce the objectives for each public Collaborative Space
• Share insights on plans for future Collaborative Space engagement
• Answer your questions and explore new ideas together

This interactive session is open to the public—bring your ideas, questions, and passion for shaping the future of ICT in agriculture! 

Registration is required and space is limited! Register Now.

Event Details:

• Date: Wednesday, January 8
• Time:
• 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM IST
• 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM WAT
• 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM EAT
• 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM CST
• 6:30 AM – 8:00 AM PST
• Location: Live on Zoom (register here)

Be part of the conversation to help shape future collaboration on the Learning Network and across digital agriculture. We look forward to seeing you on the 8th!

In an era of growing consumer demand for transparency and accountability in food production, blockchain technology is emerging as a promising solution for enhancing food traceability in agricultural supply chains. But how practical is its application in real-world scenarios? And what are the tangible benefits and challenges of implementing blockchain in agriculture?

Blockchain technology, a decentralized digital ledger, records transactions tamper-proof and transparently. Each step in the supply chain—harvesting, processing, transportation, and retail—can be tracked in real-time, creating an immutable record of the product’s journey.

Use Case: Walmart and Mangoes

Walmart’s partnership with IBM Food Trust offers a practical example of blockchain in agriculture. By employing blockchain to trace mangoes from farm to shelf, Walmart reduced the time required to trace a product’s origin from 7 days to 2.2 seconds. This improvement enhances food safety by enabling quick responses to contamination issues, ensuring that only safe products reach consumers.

Other Examples

• Provenance (UK): This blockchain platform allows consumers to verify seafood origins, ensuring sustainability and ethical sourcing.
• AgriDigital (Australia): Tracks grain from farm to market, improving trust between farmers, buyers, and processors.

Benefits of Blockchain in Food Traceability

1. Enhanced Transparency
   Blockchain provides all stakeholders with a real-time view of the supply chain. This reduces fraud, ensures authenticity, and fosters consumer trust.
2. Improved Food Safety
   In the event of a contamination or recall, blockchain enables rapid identification of affected batches, minimizing waste and health risks.
3. Reduced Fraud
   Counterfeit food products are a significant issue in global trade. Blockchain’s immutable records help verify claims such as organic certification or geographical origin.
4. Operational Efficiency
   Automation of record-keeping reduces manual errors, streamlines logistics, and lowers administrative costs.
5. Empowering Farmers
   Smallholders can prove their compliance with safety or sustainability standards, opening access to premium markets.

Challenges of Blockchain Implementation

1. High Initial Costs
   The infrastructure required for blockchain—hardware, software, and training—can be expensive, particularly for small-scale farmers.
2. Digital Divide
   Many farmers in developing regions lack internet access or the digital literacy needed to participate in blockchain systems.
3. Scalability Issues
   As supply chains grow, the volume of data can overwhelm blockchain networks, increasing costs and slowing processing times.
4. Standardization Gaps
   Blockchain requires standardized data inputs across stakeholders. Without industry-wide agreements, the technology’s potential is limited.
5. Resistance to Change
   Some stakeholders may be reluctant to adopt blockchain due to fears about data sharing, loss of competitive advantage, or lack of understanding.

Is Blockchain Practical for Food Traceability?

The practicality of blockchain in agriculture depends on the context. For large-scale operations with high-value products, such as export-oriented crops or premium organic foods, blockchain’s benefits often outweigh the costs. Conversely, smallholder-dominated supply chains with limited resources may struggle to adopt the technology without external support.

Recommendations for Implementation

• Public-Private Partnerships: Governments and NGOs can subsidize blockchain projects to promote adoption among smallholders.
• Interoperability Standards: Industry-wide standards can ensure seamless integration across diverse supply chains.
• Capacity Building: Training programs can bridge the digital divide and help farmers understand the value of blockchain.

References

1. IBM Food Trust - Walmart Case Study
2. Provenance: Traceability Solutions for Seafood
3. AgriDigital - Blockchain for Grain Supply Chains

Join us for a virtual info session on November 26th to explore how the ICTforAg Learning Network’s Innovation Showcase can amplify your innovation. Learn how to showcase your work, enhance your profile, and receive hands-on support with registering your innovation on the platform!

Session Options:

• November 26, 6-7am PST | 8-9am CST | 3-4pm WAT | 5-6pm EAT | 7:30-8:30pm IST
•  November 26, 6-7am PST | 8-9am CST | 3-4pm WAT | 5-6pm EAT | 7:30-8:30pm IST

What to Expect:

• Platform walkthrough and feature highlights
• Guidance on enhancing your profile and increasing visibility
• Hands-on assistance with the registration process, if needed

 Space is limited! Register now to secure your spot at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYrf-qprjgvGtHgxAMrP-SVXyi326KsNEky#/Do not miss this opportunity to take the next step in sharing your work with the world.

Register now to secure your spot!

HI all, Glad to see folks joining. I will be co-moderating this space with Satish Nagaraji of CIMMYT. Early topics will be

• How do we know if an innovation or research product is scalable? Criteria, metrics and assessment experiences that are pragmatic and helpful.
• Beyond Carbon Markets to Nature Assets: how CG scientists lead on quantifying (and verifying/ MRV) carbon capture, biodiversity enhancement, clean water protection soil health and other value-additions to sustainable ag that investors are looking for 

Looking forward to a fruitful discussion!