“We see many organizations joining as equal partici- pants offering their services [and involving their clients] to share in the benefits of the model (i.e. seed, input, insur- ance, logistics, financial services and government regula- tors),” he adds. “Blockchain has the potential to be key in an ever- expanding toolbox for the farm and food sector, by potentially linking all this data together. Blockchain is about collaboration for mutual benefit, a unified market- place of goods and services that enables greater efficien- cies, transparency and true price discovery along the supply chain.” The implications for traceability are clear. Miller notes blockchain goes well beyond traceability. Organizations/ value chains across the globe are looking at how block- chain can increase their operational efficiencies and reduce administrative burden. “For example, part of an IP program involves the use of Certified seed. With blockchain we can create digital handoffs versus paper handoffs and re-imagine an IP program.” Potential for Digitally Connected Value Chains What has happened as part of this pilot project is a digi- tally connected value chain has been created, Miller says. “As a result, we are allowing consumers to connect and interact with producers in a new way. One example of this using the payment capabilities of blockchain technol- ogy to introduce a tipping feature,” he says. Support from the grain industry will be key. Crosby Devitt, vice-president of the Grain Farmers of Ontario, says the pilot project will help the grain sector better understand the implications of blockchain. “Now comes the challenge of figuring out how we create value out of this. There are a lot of steps between the farmer and consumer, and if you close those gaps you get better signals from the market. The consumer can now literally see the farmer who grew the food they bought,” he says. As for next steps, Miller says that this pilot has pro- vided key insights into how blockchain technology can be used by the seed and the agriculture sector. “We hope to build upon this pilot by expanding into new crop kinds and more pilot projects. CSGA, along with its Seed Synergy partners and other key value chain partners, recently submitted a funding request to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund where blockchain technology was a pillar of the submission.” O’Sullivan adds that blockchain offers a whole new value proposition for countless parties within the industry. “It is also important to note that blockchain does not replace legacy systems — it's a layer that sits above your system and enhances the value of it.” “FROMTHEENDUSER’SPERSPECTIVE,THIS PROVIDESACURATEDSTORY.” –DougMiller 16 GERMINATION.CA JULY 2019 FollowtheSoybeans:SnapshotofthePilotProject Grain Discovery, in partnership with the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association (CSGA) and with support from AAFC and the Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO), used blockchain to follow locally produced Certified soybean seed through production and processing, ending with freshly packed tofu on grocery store shelves. The intention of the pilot was to provide a mechanism for the Ontario soybean supply chain to capitalize on consumer demand for transparency and build additional value into their product at home and internationally. This was achieved by recording every step the soybean seed took in onto a blockchain, creating a digital food passport that could be accessed by scanning a QR code on the final packaged product. The OAC Kent pedigreed soybean seed used in this pilot, a variety developed by the University of Guelph, was produced by Szentimrey Seeds Ltd., planted and harvested by Minten Farms, stored at the Beechwood Agri Services Inc. elevator, processed at Ying Ying Soy Food Ltd. and distributed by FreshSpoke. You can follow the soybean journey at id.graindiscovery.com The first step of the tofu’s journey began with Canada’s seed certification system and the production of certified OAC Kent seed. Each package of tofu could be traced to certified OAC Kent seed produced by Szentimrey Seeds Ltd. The soybeans were stored at Beechwood Agri Services Inc. in Arkona, Ont. The soybeans were processed into tofu by Ying Ying Soy Food Ltd. in Mississauga, Ont. FreshSpoke distributed the tofu throughout multiple markets in the Ontario Greater Golden Horseshoe region.