# A Survey of Blockchain Applications for Management in Agriculture and Livestock Internet of Things
## 2 Preliminaries
### IoT Technology and Smart Agriculture and Animal Husbandry
This is a conceptual example we proposed to demonstrate the integration of IoT technologies in agricultural and livestock management. Below is a breakdown of the main elements, the meaning of each arrow, and the role of underlying protocols:  
(1) Data Collection and Transmission  
Deployed in farmland to measure soil moisture, temperature, and other environmental parameters and in livestock areas to monitor animal health, activity, and environmental conditions. These sensors utilize wireless protocols such as Wi-Fi to transmit real-time data efficiently. Arrows from IoT sensors to server: These arrows represent the continuous flow of sensor data (e.g., moisture levels, temperature readings, livestock health metrics) being transmitted wirelessly to the central server for storage and subsequent analysis. The directionality of the arrows indicates the unidirectional flow from data collection points to the processing unit. (2) Server (Center)  
Data storage and analysis: The server is the system's core, hosting data repositories and analytics modules. Sensor data, camera feeds, and user inputs are stored here for further processing. Blockchain module (within the server): Embedded within the server architecture, the blockchain module ensures data immutability, traceability, and tamper-proof transactions. This integration leverages smart contracts and consensus mechanisms (such as Proof  
Figure 2: Smart agriculture and animal husbandry. of Stake or Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance) tailored specifically for agricultural use cases. The blockchain layer records critical transactions and data exchanges, enhancing the system's security and trustworthiness. (3) User Interaction  
Terminal device (top left): Farmers, technicians, and other stakeholders interact with the system through smartphones, tablets, or computers. These devices access real-time insights via web or mobile applications, utilizing protocols like HTTP and MQTT to facilitate seamless communication with the server. Arrow from terminal device to server: This arrow denotes the flow of user commands or configuration updates sent from the terminal devices to the server. Examples include adjusting irrigation schedules or setting temperature thresholds, enabling users to manage and control the agricultural environment remotely. Arrow from server to terminal device: Representing the server's responses, alerts, and analytical results, this arrow illustrates how processed data and notifications are communicated back to the users. This bidirectional flow allows users to monitor farmland and livestock in real-time and make informed decisions based on the server's analysis. (4) Actuation and Control  
Actuators receive commands from the server to perform physical actions, such as activating irrigation pumps, adjusting greenhouse ventilation, or dispensing feed for livestock. These devices execute automated or semi-automated responses to environmental changes. Arrows between IoT actuator and farmland/livestock: These arrows reflect the actuator's dual role in both crop cultivation and animal husbandry. For crop cultivation, actuators manage automatic irrigation and nutrient delivery systems. In animal husbandry, they regulate feeding systems and temperature control in barns, ensuring optimal conditions for livestock health and productivity. Arrows from server to IoT actuators:  
These indicate the flow of control commands from the server to IoT actuators. For instance, based on the analyzed soil moisture and temperature data, the server sends commands to activate irrigation pumps or adjust greenhouse ventilation systems. (5) Camera Monitoring  
Camera (right center): cameras installed in livestock areas capture real-time video or images, providing visual data on animal behavior and health. These multimedia data are sent to the server for further analysis, including AI-driven health checks and behavior monitoring. The arrow from camera to server: This arrow indicates the transmission of multimedia data from the cameras to the server.