# A Survey of Blockchain Applications for Management in Agriculture and Livestock Internet of Things
## 4 Applications of Blockchain in Agricultural and Animal Husbandry IoT
### Supply Chain Management
#### 4.2.2 Traceability and Quality Assurance of Supply Chains
\\ \cline{2-Heightened security and reduced manipulation: By employing decentralized frameworks (e.g., [95; 96; 99]), blockchain mitigates risks inherent in centralized systems, such as data tampering or single points of failure. Smart contracts also automate transactions and reduce the likelihood of human error or intentional fraud. Enhanced operational efficiency: Studies like [96] propose energy-efficient protocols for IoT-based agriculture that can work synergistically with blockchain, thus supporting more sustainable and cost-effective operations. Additionally, automating key processes (e.g., product verification and payment transactions) cuts down on administrative overhead. Fair distribution and incentive mechanisms: Reference [95] integrates blockchain with methods like improved ant colony optimization to ensure fair allocation of resources and transparent record-keeping. Such mechanisms help align stakeholder incentives, reduce conflicts, and improve overall system governance. Disadvantages:  
Complex implementation and integration: While blockchain holds promise, merging it into existing supply chain systems demands substantial technical expertise and infrastructure ([94; 95]). Compatibility issues with legacy databases or platforms can slow adoption and add integration costs. Scalability and performance bottlenecks: As supply chains grow, so do data throughput and transaction volume. Many blockchain networks are still grappling with scalability ([96; 99]). High latency and limited throughput can hinder real-time operations and large-scale deployments. Energy and resource constraints: Although some protocols aim to be energy-efficient ([96]), blockchain consensus mechanisms--especially proof-of-work--can be resource-intensive. In settings where cost margins are tight (e.g., agriculture), these extra overheads can be prohibitive. Regulatory and standardization hurdles: The decentralized nature of blockchain often clashes with existing regulatory frameworks. Cross-border supply chains, in particular, must navigate diverse regulations, posing challenges for uniform adoption and standardization ([7; 97]). Best Results:  
Integrated IoT-blockchain solutions, combining blockchain's security and transparency with IoT's real-time data capture (e.g., [96]), yield powerful monitoring systems for agriculture and supply chains. This synergy ensures high-quality data collection, secure storage, and rapid decision-making. Consortium and permissioned blockchains, references [97; 98] explore models where multiple stakeholders, such as producers, distributors, and regulatory bodies, form a consortium blockchain. This approach balances the benefits of decentralization with controlled access to the network, supporting both traceability and data privacy. Advanced consensus mechanisms and optimization algorithms: studies like [95] and [96] demonstrate that optimizing or replacing traditional consensus protocols (e.g., using improved ant colony algorithms, specialized proof-of-stake, or PBFT variants) can reduce resource consumption, increase transaction throughput, and maintain strong security guarantees. Focus on sustainability and value preservation: References [96; 98] highlight how blockchain can improve not only data integrity but also sustainability--by validating freshness of produce, minimizing waste, and controlling energy usage. These benefits strengthen market confidence and can lead to better profit margins and environmental outcomes. In summary, the research in this table suggests that blockchain can significantly enhance transparency, traceability, and efficiency within agricultural and broader supply chain operations. While challenges related to scalability, integration complexity, and regulatory compliance remain, the most promising advancements come from combining blockchain with IoT, employing energy-efficient consensus mechanisms, and forming multi-stakeholder consortium blockchains. These approaches offer a robust foundation for more secure, transparent, and sustainable supply chain ecosystems.