Blockchain technology in agriculture: digitizing the Iraqi agricultural environment

Abstract

Despite first being developed to encrypt digital currency, blockchain technology has now found broad usage in various other industries, including agriculture. This is because blockchain technology has surpassed the limitations of the financial sector. It is a ledger of accounts and transactions written by all participants and preserved by the ledger. This article examines the impact of blockchain technology on Iraq’s agribusiness and food supply chains. Presents projects and initiatives, discusses the overall implications, challenges, and potential benefits, and takes a critical look at the maturity of these projects. It promises to be a reliable source of truth about the state of farms, stocks, and contracts in agriculture. Our study shows that blockchain technology might create a transparent food supply chain, and numerous efforts are happening across a broad spectrum of food items and challenges. This technology has the potential to be especially effective when integrated into a larger AI-based framework. Yet, numerous barriers and problems remain in the way of broad adoption among farmers and food production systems. The current study explores the possible benefits of using the framework to enhance food safety and succeed in sustainable agricultural practices via data management, enhanced transparency, and traceability.

Full text

Vol.:(0123456789)
Environment, Development and Sustainability
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-024-04623-4
1 3
CASE STUDY
Blockchain technology inagriculture: digitizing theIraqi
agricultural environment
GhassanFaisalAlbaaji1,2 · S.S.VinodChandra1
Received: 1 June 2023 / Accepted: 7 February 2024
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2024
Abstract
Despite first being developed to encrypt digital currency, blockchain technology has now
found broad usage in various other industries, including agriculture. This is because block-
chain technology has surpassed the limitations of the financial sector. It is a ledger of
accounts and transactions written by all participants and preserved by the ledger. This arti-
cle examines the impact of blockchain technology on Iraq’s agribusiness and food supply
chains. Presents projects and initiatives, discusses the overall implications, challenges, and
potential benefits, and takes a critical look at the maturity of these projects. It promises to
be a reliable source of truth about the state of farms, stocks, and contracts in agriculture.
Our study shows that blockchain technology might create a transparent food supply chain,
and numerous efforts are happening across a broad spectrum of food items and challenges.
This technology has the potential to be especially effective when integrated into a larger
AI-based framework. Yet, numerous barriers and problems remain in the way of broad
adoption among farmers and food production systems. The current study explores the pos-
sible benefits of using the framework to enhance food safety and succeed in sustainable
agricultural practices via data management, enhanced transparency, and traceability.
Keywords Blockchain· Smart farming· Artificial intelligence· Sustainability· Iraq’s
agriculture
The contribution was equal for both authors.
* Ghassan Faisal Albaaji
ghassan.albaaji88@gmail.com
S. S. Vinod Chandra
vinod@keralauniversity.ac.in
1 Department ofComputer Science, University ofKerala, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala695581,
India
2 Directorate ofAgriculture, Wasit Governorate, Wasit52001, Iraq

G.F.Albaaji, S.S.V.Chandra
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1 Introduction
Food availability is crucial to social existence and significantly influences the global sus-
tainability of life Jena and etal. (2023). Farmers and the agricultural sector have a direct
positive role in the sustainability and supply of the food industry Demestichas and etal.
(2020). Consequently, agricultural production is considered a vital part of a country’s econ-
omy, as well as for the welfare of its people and the quality of their nutrition and health.
Countries are also considered stable if they have a permanent agricultural basis, as in the
industrial sector Mohammadi-Nasrabadi and etal. (2023). The degree of complexity, insuf-
ficient accuracy, and openness in food supply process chains are often one of the causes
of a lack of supplies, in addition to their influence on food safety, which directly impacts
the health of society Kay Behnke (2020). Producers in many rising agricultural organiza-
tions have recently implemented cutting-edge technology and scientific ideas to boost crop
yield, particularly artificial intelligencebased strategies. The research and development of
techniques that enhance learning and improve analytical abilities might be referred to as
the utilization of artificial intelligence, which aims to replicate human thinking and behav-
iour Chandra etal. (2021). Automation technologies in agriculture can enhance operational
efficiency for farmers, leading to improved crop yields and promoting sustainable farm-
ing practices. Consequently, new chances and challenges have opened up for all coun-
tries, including Iraq, which must overcome all the issues that follow from a position of
increased structural weakness. Countries such as Iraq, in particular, must overcome limited
economic growth, decreased investment, and stagnating productivity. As a result, a strong
push toward economic, social, and environmental sustainability will be required, which
may result in progressive structural transformation based on innovation, active renewal,
and technological integration to diversify the production system Hariram (2023).
Blockchain technology is gaining popularity in agriculture and related sectors. A decen-
tralized, shared ledger system records information transacted safely and transparently using
cryptographic methods in blockchain technology. Everyone has access to this agriculture
data and makes minor changes openly and transparently. The disclosed data is immutable,
meaning it cannot be changed or deleted. This technology might improve agricultural sup-
ply chain efficiency and food production sustainability Krithika (2022). Blockchain tech-
nologies are one of the most noticeable technological breakthroughs of the last two decades
due to their ability to benefit companies and industries. This innovative technique improves
agriculture, one of humanity’s most vital businesses. It might solve several industry issues
in supply chain management. Creating a reliable record of agriculture-related transactions
and data may increase transparency, accountability, and information sharing among farm-
ers, food producers, consumers, and government agencies Xiong and etal. (2020).
One of the significant difficulties currently facing the food supply chain is that many
firms provide buy-and-sell systems. The key goals of this platform are to avoid food
contamination and provide fresh and wholesome agricultural products. Farmers usually
cultivate and harvest agricultural products, which are distributed to consumers via sev-
eral nodes of intermediaries. Due to transportation and other circumstances, some food
degrades and gets damaged. Some companies address the issue by letting farmers sell
their produce on their apps or websites. However, these companies occasionally steal
customer data, breach databases, leak data, or get fortunate with order and refund trans-
parency. Thus, a blockchain-based agriculture goods website was attempted Parvathi
and etal. (2022). The easier it is to discover tainted food, the less waste and contamina-
tion there is. Because blockchain creates a block for each transaction, we can readily

Blockchain technology inagriculture: digitizing theIraqi…
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track what occurred or where. Blockchain-based agricultural logistics avoids delays and
false product information because, unlike the original databases, a new block is created
before every transaction, which is visible to everyone Sajja and etal. (2023).
Subsequently, it demonstrates how blockchain technology helps livestock devel-
opment by accurately identifying animals. Aggregating data from farms and multiple
sources on the blockchain can help track health records, vaccinations, nutrition, and
other animal health information and improve management and planning. Recording
cases and wealth factors can combat epidemic diseases and improve animal welfare.
Disease transmission can be monitored and prevented quicker and better on the block-
chain Makkar and Costa (2020). Due to the expanding rise of blockchain, this study
evaluates the literature and analyzes contemporary blockchain applications in Iraqi agri-
culture, focusing on food management and supply chains. There is a need to track down
incorrect agricultural practices and issues, such as the widespread use of chemical fer-
tilizers and pesticides, to shorten the ripening period and increase production. One of
the main problems facing the quality of agricultural products is hazardous waste that
reduces their health and nutritional value and endangers consumers S. Qazi and etal.
(2022).
1.1 Technologies inagriculture
Understanding that soil comprises various chemical and physical elements, micro and
macronutrients, moisture, texture, and PH levels is essential S. Qazi and etal. (2022).
These characteristics collectively represent a suitable definition of soil and are used
for analysis by artificial intelligence-powered software to provide optimal guidance to
stakeholders Faisal (2023). Emerging technologies are improving the efficacy of agricul-
ture, seed quality, soil monitoring, climate forecasting, agricultural forecasting, markets,
and distribution networks. We can increase agricultural productivity using the strengths
of cloud computing infrastructure, data ecosystems, the Internet of Things (IoT), and
machine learning. We can concentrate on the growth of the digital agricultural indus-
try Mirabelli and Solina (2020). The initial phase of IoT was sensorbased agriculture.
The typical strategy was to place numerous sensors to gather data. It remains stored in
the storage device connected to the sensors and is subsequently evaluated and utilized.
However, this strategy proved ineffective since many circumstances required live data
and real-time answers. Using the AI-based SoS framework that was earlier proposed,
integrating IoT sensors into the SoS for various agricultural fields requires deploying
a set of sensors to collect data with blockchain technologies Albaaji and Chandra S.S.
(2023). This will be one of the components of the SoS, which in turn will make the food
supply process more transparent and reliable for the benefit of all relevant stockholders,
including stakeholders, merchants, and even ultimate consumers, beginning with the
disclosure of information on the quality of the soil that was used in the plant product’s
cultivation up until it is served on a consumer’s table. Figure1 illustrates the architec-
tural layout of an IoT farm model that aligns with blockchain technology. This inte-
grated system facilitates the transfer of data collected by sensors, including soil compo-
sition, chemical fertilization techniques, and the analysis of agricultural practices and
their reception among consumers. The data is archived in a cloud storage unit and made
accessible to all participants within the network of blockchain nodes. Ensuring a high
degree of transparency is essential to optimizing the benefits derived from performance.

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1.2 Blockchain technology inagriculture
Iraq faces many challenges, including political instability, corruption, and economic strug-
gles. Incorporating blockchain technology could significantly address issues related to
transparency and accountability in Iraq. It could help secure and verify critical records like
land ownership, financial transactions, and government contracts, thereby minimizing cor-
ruption and ensuring trust in these systems. Additionally, blockchain could enhance the
efficiency of aid distribution and management, ensuring that resources reach those in need
while reducing the risks of fraud or misallocation.
Embracing blockchain could be a pivotal step in fostering greater transparency and
trust in Iraq’s governance and economic systems. Figure2 shows a general map of Iraq,
the appropriate agricultural sites for growing wheat, and the wheat production percentage
based on the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Blockchain technology distributes data over a chain of computer devices to make
it accessible to everyone without needing an intermediary. This is accomplished using
mathematical processes and cryptographic technologies that safeguard data against
fraud and modification. Blockchain technology is often associated with digital currency
but has uses in various other sectors, including agriculture. According to the United
Nations, the global population has expanded three times since the mid-twentieth cen-
tury. In light of this growth, the food supply in the future poses the most significant
Fig. 1 The Architecture of IoT as an ally with blockchain technology in farms

Blockchain technology inagriculture: digitizing theIraqi…
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problem. The most substantial priority for consumers recently has been the purity of the
produce they get. They have no idea what kind of fertilizer the farmers use or where a
particular fruit or vegetable is brought. Specifications and associated data for these agri-
cultural products might be helpful if we utilize blockchain to monitor things. An.
entire end-to-end supply chain comprises the market rates at which farmers sell their
products. Figure3 shows a high-level overview of blockchain architecture. Blockchain
technology acts as a crucial aspect in conveying information about the purity of crops,
which reflects the genuine concern of customers currently in terms of the sort of fer-
tilizers, the areas of acquisition of these crops, and other pertinent facts. Blockchain
technology also plays a vital role in providing information about the origin of crops
Sugandh. and etal. (2022).
Imagechain is a cryptographic framework that employs hash interactions to connect
digital images. The most crucial element distinguishing it from blockchain is that the
images are not kept inside the blocks. Instead, the block and the picture are integrated
during the embedding phase. As a result, the imagechain is constructed from standard
graphic files that may be utilized similarly to any other image. Still, each also includes a
data block that connects it to a previous piece of the chain Vinod (2021). It can provide
a highly accurate and counterfeit-resistant scheme for marketing strategic grains in Iraq
Fig. 2 Iraqi wheat-producing regions

G.F.Albaaji, S.S.V.Chandra
1 3
between farms and government agencies. This results from the protracted process by
which farmers sell their goods to government agencies, which the Ministry.
of Commerce represents. During these processes, a significant amount of material
resources are used up, beginning with the harvesting and loading the crop. Government
officials do not receive it until after it has been processed through a series of middle-
men. Figure4 illustrates the process of transporting the wheat crop from the agricultural
fields, which holds significant strategic importance in Iraq. After the crop is harvested
and loaded onto transport vehicles, it undergoes testing for quality in laboratories. Sub-
sequently, individuals who pass the laboratory examination successfully proceed to
deliver the crop to state-owned warehouses and silos. Blockchain technology has a dual
purpose in bread and flour production. It functions as a technological instrument that
enables control over the agricultural crop and safeguards it from tampering during vari-
ous stages of transit and inspection. This technology is then used at a later stage to facil-
itate the production of bread flour. Hence, it can be inferred that all involved stockhold-
ers would be aware that the crop obtained during the final step corresponds precisely to
the crop sent during the first stage regarding quality and quantity.
In this study, we investigate how the application of blockchain technology in agri-
culture is impacted. We assess the potential for integration and positive aspects of this
technology in agricultural settings and investigate the potential barriers to applying it in
Iraq’s agricultural sector.
Fig. 3 Information distribution in blockchain nodes

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1.3 Supply chain management
Blockchain technology could strengthen agricultural supply chain management by
obtaining and tracking information about agricultural products and services. Trans-
fers, logistical transactions, payments, and contracts are all recorded in blockchains
shared by all stockholders, increasing transparency, lowering administrative process
delays, and reducing fraud and counterfeiting Koptyra and etal. (2020). Farmers may
use blockchain technology to participate in agricultural markets, removing the need for
commercial intermediaries. Farmers may utilize the blockchain to build agricultural
trade platforms that enable them to sell and buy directly from buyers, lowering unnec-
essary expenses and enhancing financial returns Saberi and etal. (2019).
1.4 Tracking ofagricultural products
One of the most essential uses of blockchain is tracking agricultural production. Agri-
cultural products can be tracked with potential accuracy throughout the logistics chain,
which helps to identify sources of problems in the event of product defects. It also aids
in improving the response process by recording information related to the origin of
the agricultural product and the stages it went through. From the field to the market,
such as information on cultivation methods, processing, storage, and transportation,
everyone can readily access and verify its validity, enhancing transparency and assist-
ing consumers in obtaining high-quality agricultural products Yadav and etal. (2021).
Fig. 4 Using Blockchain in Strategic Grain Marketing in Iraq

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1.5 Smart contract
We can prevent intermediaries from using blockchain; occasionally, however, a socalled smart
contract is required to enforce the commitments and trust boundaries between the stockholders
Khan and etal. (2022). Intelligent contracts and blockchain technology have already demon-
strated their worth in creating transparent, auditable, and verifiable procedures. Smart con-
tracts guarantee that the appropriate logic and rules are executed automatically without human
input or interference from a third party, while blockchain offers a solid basis for confidence.
IoT devices, on the other hand, give good technological help to keep an eye on a process by
compiling and distributing information over a network supply chain. Studies have been pro-
duced that blockchain, smart contracts, and their ability to track, monitor, and build real-world
circumstances Macrinici and etal. (2018).
1.6 Agricultural information flow andorigin/quality certifying
Farmers, producers, government agencies, and agricultural researchers are merely a few exam-
ples of the kinds of entities that might potentially benefit from using blockchain technology to
communicate agricultural information. Blockchain technology makes documenting and moni-
toring information possible, leading to confidence and collaboration between stakeholders
of Iraq and making it easier to get reliable information to help agricultural decision-making
processes. The historical background of food products, as well as their quality, may both be
proven via the use of distributed ledger technology. Documenting information such as the kind
of soil utilized, farming methods, and product processing increases customer trust and the
overall brand value of agricultural goods Pranto and etal. (2021).
1.7 Documentation ofownership forfarmland
Agricultural land documentation might greatly benefit from blockchain technology in Iraq.
Property rights verification and protection are now difficult in many nations, including Iraq.
With its decentralized network and tamper-resistant encrypted data records, blockchain tech-
nology offers a novel and trustworthy solution for overcoming these difficulties. They may be
used to provide a trustworthy record of fundamental property rights, including agricultural
land, and govern acquisitions, sales, transfers, and ownership Dey and Shekhawat (2021).
Using this technology, an encrypted ledger can be created for each allotment of agricultural
land, containing information such as the current proprietor, ownership history, and land-
related transactions. This information is accessible to all stakeholders and is readily verifiable.
This allows for the documentation of land ownership in a transparent and trustworthy manner,
thereby enhancing the preservation of real estate property rights in Iraq. In addition, AI and
digital identity-based technologies can improve the security and dependability of blockchain-
based land registration. This register can be accessed by the government, investors, and land-
lords to verify ownership quickly and efficiently Daniel and Ifejika (2020).
2 Results anddiscussions
The rising demand and need for agricultural goods with high nutritional content and health
have underlined the genuine need for a new method. This new method should support the
agricultural reality in Iraq, which is directly influenced by climate change and population

Blockchain technology inagriculture: digitizing theIraqi…
1 3
growth. Adopting a decentralized system based on agricultural product monitoring and
delivering real-time information for these goods with high transparency would motivate
stakeholders to embrace new techniques and technology for competition. As a result, to
accept the suggested blockchain-based system, it is required to shed light on some factors
and limitations that impact development and success.
1. Infrastructure: Technology requires robust and dependable infrastructure, such as a
stable and speedy Internet connection and the appropriate processors and servers. Devel-
oping the infrastructure in Iraq could be necessary to facilitate effective blockchain
technology adoption in agriculture.
2. Legal and Regulatory concerns: Blockchain’s opportunity in agriculture necessitates
addressing legal and regulatory issues of intellectual property rights, personal data pro-
tection, and environmental protection laws. A defined legal and regulatory framework
must be in place to address these issues and ensure compliance with applicable laws
and regulations.
3. Interoperability and Policies: Blockchain technology may encounter obstacles regard-
ing agricultural value chain standardization and standards. A broad consensus must
be reached among them to ensure the effective use of technology and data exchange
between all stakeholders, including farmers, suppliers, consumers, and government
organizations in Iraq.
4. Partnership and Interchange: Blockchain technology relates primarily to cooperation
and exchange between the various participants in the agricultural value chain. Achiev-
ing consensus and accord among blockchain participants on standard rules, procedures,
and protocols can be difficult. Encourage cooperation between stakeholders in Iraq and
provide common platforms for communication, information exchange, and coordination
of collaborative efforts.
As a discussion note, the future of Iraq, it is vital to consider the following that ensures
an expansion of the use and advantages of blockchain technology in farming and agricul-
ture-related fields.
1. Training and Knowledge: Farmers and agricultural labourers should receive adequate
training and awareness in Blockchain technology, its benefits, and application methods.
There should be efforts to raise awareness and provide farmers with the knowledge they
need to implement and utilize the technology effectively.
2. The Cost: Blockchain technology can have a high price tag in a country like Iraq,
including development, implementation, and upkeep expenses. The prospective costs
and merits of blockchain in agriculture must be evaluated in tandem with the viability
and sustainability of its investment.
3. Promote Its Adoption: Governments, agricultural groups, and other industry stakehold-
ers should encourage using blockchain technology by offering incentives, establishing
rules, and establishing standards.
4. Scalability involves the creation of blockchain systems that can effectively manage the
massive amounts of data created in the agricultural industry.
The use of blockchain technology holds significant prospects for exerting a substantial
influence on the agriculture sector in Iraq. The agricultural industry has encountered sev-
eral obstacles in previous years, including supply chain inefficiencies, limited transparency,

G.F.Albaaji, S.S.V.Chandra
1 3
and concerns about land ownership. The potential use of blockchain technology at that
period might have mitigated some issues. Today, Iraq stands to derive substantial advan-
tages from using blockchain technology to augment its agriculture industry. Selected over-
views that melt the barriers in the agriculture field are discussed below.
1. Transparency and Trust: Blockchain technology transparency in transactions and con-
tracts enhances trust among numerous stakeholders in the agricultural value chain,
such as farmers, distributors, and consumers. Blockchain technology can also provide
transparency in the ownership of digital assets through its implementation.
2. Inclusion in the Financial System: Financial systems based on blockchain may assist
farmers in gaining access to credit and other forms of funding essential for investing in
new agricultural methods and equipment.
3. Land ownership and Property rights: Land ownership and property rights were two
contentious issues in Iraq. The country also struggled with property rights issues. Land
registries powered by blockchain technology would have provided a safe and tamper-
proof method to register land ownership, which would have reduced the number of
conflicts.
4. Market Access: By trading commodities using blockchain technology, farmers in Iraq
may have access to a larger market, including foreign customers, without intermediaries,
lowering costs and improving earnings.
Due to the enormous potential that blockchain technology possesses, there are still
opportunities in the future to revolutionize the field of agricultural industries in Iraq. This
can be accomplished by ensuring that data is managed and shared securely to assist stake-
holders in making sound choices. Additionally, this can be accomplished by relying on
smart contracts, automating agricultural agreements, and providing sustainable practices. It
will be easier to achieve food safety if a record of compliance with environmental and ethi-
cal standards that is highly auditable and transparent is kept. This is especially important
in the context of the growing desire among consumers for food that is both safe and easy
to track. It is essential to keep in awareness, however, that blockchain technology is unable,
by itself, to resolve all of the issues plaguing the agricultural industry. However, it can
become a helpful instrument in a more comprehensive agricultural growth and advance-
ment framework.
3 Conclusion
Adopting blockchain technology in Iraqi agriculture can address long-term difficulties
while opening up several chances for growth and development. However, it is crucial to
recognize that integrating blockchain technology into Iraq’s agricultural industry would be
difficult. Infrastructure development, education and training, legal frameworks, and finan-
cial expenditures are all required to implement these policies successfully. Furthermore,
coordination between government agencies, farmers, industry players, and technology pro-
viders is vital to realizing blockchain technology’s full potential. Looking forward, it is
evident that blockchain technology has the potential to transform Iraq’s agricultural sec-
tor. Blockchain technology can significantly improve intelligent contracts, data manage-
ment, food safety, sustainability, and government accountability. Iraq can improve agri-
cultural production, competitiveness, and sustainability by harnessing this breakthrough

Blockchain technology inagriculture: digitizing theIraqi…
1 3
technology, benefiting farmers’ lives and contributing to the country’s food security. In
conclusion, while there will be challenges, the benefits of incorporating blockchain tech-
nology into Iraqi agriculture are significant, and the potential rewards in terms of increased
efficiency, transparency, and economic growth make it a worthwhile endeavour for the
country’s agricultural sector. Iraq can leverage the potential of blockchain technology to
construct a more resilient and profitable agriculture business for now and in the future with
the appropriate strategy and a commitment to innovation.
Acknowledgements The authors appreciate the researchers and staff of the Machine Intelligence Research
Lab in the Department of Computer Science, University of Kerala, and the directorate of agriculture in
Wasit Gover norate in Iraq for supporting all the resources and help required to accomplish such a study.
Author Contributions All authors contributed to the study’s conception and design. Ghassan Faisal Albaaji
performed material preparation, data collection, and analysis. Ghassan Faisal Albaaji wrote the first draft
of the manuscript, and it was critically reviewed by Vinod Chandra S. S. All authors read and approved the
final manuscript.
Funding This research was funded by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations ICCR with Ref.No.:
RBIS0PFMS01.
Data Availability Data sharing does not apply to this article as no datasets were generated or analyzed dur-
ing the current study.
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