IBM and Farmer Connect tackle coffee traceability on blockchain

The supply chain of coffee still too opaque for more and more demanding consumers? The agritech startup Farmer Connect partners with IBM in order to operate its blockchain technology to ensure the traceability of coffee sold in stores.

The great technology fair in Las Vegas, the THESE, opened its doors on January 6, 2020. The meeting is notably the occasion for IBM and Farmer Connect to present their developments in the field of blockchain.

As of last September, the agricultural universe startup (agritech) announced the participation of several coffee producers in a project blockchain aimed at improving traceability in the global coffee supply chain.

In early 2020, the company, associated with IBM, whose application uses the blockchain platform, provides details. Farmer Connect thus presents its application " Thank My Farmer ", Which should allow consumers to find out exactly where a coffee comes from.

Blockchain for sustainable and equitable agriculture

A real concern for consumers? According to a study, this is particularly true for people aged 19 to 24, who favor sustainable agriculture in their purchases. The coffee supply data (presented in the form of an interactive map) recorded on the blockchain must respond to these concerns.

The application Thank My Farmer will be launched in the first quarter of this year. However, all brands of coffee available on the shelves are not affected. In the United States and Canada, only the brand 1850 First, provide this traceability data stored on the blockchain. These are accessible via a QR Code on the packaging.

In Europe, the first product to participate is Beyers 1769 from Beyers Koffie. It is now for Farmer Connect to convince other industrialists in the sector. The startup also wishes to involve businesses and consumers in the funding of local projects.

For the provision of these services, the agritech therefore relies on a platform identical to that operated within the framework of the IBM Food Trust Network – without being a member, however. And the startup intends to use it in the future also for fields other than coffee.

“The platform is able to work with any commodity or asset. The company plans to expand to other smallholder commodities, such as tea and cocoa, once the project for the coffee industry has been approved, "she said.