Callaghan Innovation: Connecting industry problems with startup solutions
Gaining exposure to relevant innovation, "without being swamped in the sheer volume of options", is one of the main challenges for winegrowers considering agrictech.
Blockchain and distributed ledger technologies have the potential to help our primary industries capture high-value niches, according to a new report.
They can help the sector connect more directly to consumers through supply chain innovations.
The report was commissioned by the Callaghan Innovation and blockchain venture studio Centrality.
The report ‘Distributed Ledgers and Blockchains – Opportunities for New Zealand’ by author Joshua Vial from entrepreneurial company Enspiral, outlined several blockchain initiatives now being used in the primary sector.
One example of primary sector work given in the December report is the AsureQuality Food Trust Framework.
NZ Post, AsureQuality (AQ) and NZ Trade and Enterprise have joined forces with Alibaba and local blockchain companies Trackback and Sylo to provide an export and tracking service for local, high-quality food producers.
“The project has been in development for over 14 months and is currently in a pilot phase. Chinese consumers consider fraudulent activity to be pervasive and a primary barrier to accessing safe food,” the report says.
“By scanning an AQ Assured Assurance Mark on their mobile phone a consumer can confirm their purchase is genuine and safe. Additionally, the project aims to connect NZ producers directly with Chinese consumers and remove intermediaries while maintaining high margins on premium products.”
The first participant is the HUI Maori collective to launch a broad offering of high-quality wine, manuka honey, natural snack bars and tonic water direct to Chinese consumers through an ecommerce platform.
The report says several projects here and overseas are focused on solving supply chain problems with distributed ledgers, which could have a significant impact on NZ’s primary industries.
NZ Post and Fonterra are also partnering with Alibaba to use blockchain technology to track consumers’ orders in an effort to increase food safety.
Centrality’s Trackback project is in live trials of a supply chain traceability solution to showcase NZ products in international markets.
Australian-based Blockgrain uses blockchain technology to help participants in the grain supply chain make better informed decisions, eliminate paperwork, reduce inefficiency and risk, open markets and increase profits.
Provenance is a blockchain company from the United Kingdom that is creating and fostering open, accessible information about products to transform the global economy. The company has completed pilot projects focused on tracing sustainably caught tuna and proving that farmers have received fair compensation.
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
OPINION: The new government has clearly signalled big cuts across the public service.
OPINION: Your canine crusader is not surprised by the recent news that New Zealand plant-based ‘fake meat’ business is in…