## 4 Future Directions and Emerging Trends
It will also be possible to see AI algorithms for decision support being shared across supply chain partners using blockchain as a trusted platform, ensuring that everyone is basing decisions on the same verified data. * IoT-enabled traceability and automation: The proliferation of IoT in agriculture (smart sensors, GPS, RFID, drones) goes hand-in-hand with blockchain adoption. Future traceability systems will likely feature end-to-end automation, where data are captured by IoT devices and written to blockchain with minimal human intervention. This could mean every truck is equipped with GPS and temperature sensors that automatically log transport conditions to a blockchain as it moves; every silo or cold storage unit could have sensors that log stock levels and quality metrics in real-time. This _real-time streaming_ of data into blockchain will further enhance visibility. It also improves reliability of data (since sensor-fed data remove the possibility of human error or intentional misreporting). Blockchain can provide a secure environment for IoT data, ensuring that sensor readings are tamper-evident and attributable. Moreover, smart contracts can act on IoT data, for example, if a grain storage humidity sensor (IoT) reports levels above a threshold, a smart contract on the blockchain could automatically flag that batch as suspect and notify quality inspectors. In the future, autonomous supply chain operations could emerge, including imagine automated drones or robots in a warehouse that check product IDs on blockchain and route them appropriately without human guidance. IoT integration will also extend traceability to the first mile: farmers with smartphones or IoT farm equipment could seamlessly record planting, inputs, and harvest data on-chain, giving a much richer picture of a food product's origin. As 5G and rural internet connectivity improve, the barrier of digital infrastructure for small producers may diminish, allowing IoT-blockchain ecosystems to flourish even in developing regions. * Policy and regulatory developments: The coming years are likely to bring more formal recognition and frameworks for blockchain in supply chains. Regulators in food safety are already pushing for enhanced traceability, for example, the U.S. FDA's Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Section 204 requires digital traceability records for certain high-risk foods, which is motivating companies to consider technologies such as blockchain to comply with the new rules. Standard bodies, such as ISO, IEEE, and W3C, might start developing standards for blockchain use in supply chain traceability and identity (indeed, W3C's standards on DIDs and verifiable credentials are steps in this direction). Governments might also invest in national or regional blockchain platforms for agriculture to ensure interoperability. The European Union's efforts with EBSI and projects under its blockchain observatory could lead to cross-country traceability networks for tracking imports and exports with a high level of trust. Legal frameworks are expected to evolve to clarify smart contract enforceability and liability issues when using decentralised systems. All these developments would reduce uncertainty and risk for companies adopting blockchain and could even mandate digital traceability in ways that actually encourage blockchain use. In addition, sustainability regulations, such as carbon reporting requirements, could use blockchain to reliably track emissions or resource usage across a product's lifecycle, given the technology's strength in maintaining auditable records. * Enhancing consumer trust and food safety: Ultimately, the goal of these innovations is to create food systems that are safer and more trusted by the public. In the future, consumers might come to expect a high level of transparency as a default.