Another day, another blockchain adaptation, this time in rice farming. Oxfam has unveiled BlocRice, a blockchain-based program. Its goal is to give farmers significantly more negotiation power. It also aims to increase supply chain efficiency by connecting buyers and suppliers directly through their system. This project clearly shows how blockchain empowers rice farmers by giving them greater control and fairer market access.

BlocRice has completed successful experiments in Cambodia. Its main goal is to increase farmers’ revenue. It encourages farmers to form cooperatives similar to labor unions. This helps ensure higher prices for agricultural produce across the board.

Solinn Lim, Oxfam’s country director in Cambodia, explained the program. She said it encourages the use of smart contracts between organic rice farmers, exporters in Cambodia, and buyers in the Netherlands.

According to her, “BlocRice promotes digital contracts as tools for social and economic empowerment. Blockchain technology is expected to enhance negotiation power for small-scale farmers in rice value chains, who are usually poor primary producers.”

In addition, Lim said that all data related to transportation, sourcing, and rice usage will be shared on a central blockchain system. She believes this will create a more cohesive and transparent relationship between all parties involved.

As part of the program, Oxfam has facilitated smart contracts between rice farmers in Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province, exporters, and SanoRice, a Dutch rice cracker manufacturer.

Another goal of BlocRice is to introduce cashless payments for farmers. These will be provided through accounts set up by Acleda Bank. Many farmers previously had no way to open bank accounts.

This Oxfam initiative shows how blockchain can improve lives. It empowers individuals and reshapes power dynamics between business parties.

In conclusion

Rice farming has become the latest industry to deploy blockchain technology to its settings. Oxfam launched a blockchain-based program known as BlocRice whose initiative will be to give severely underpaid farmers more negotiation power while simultaneously increasing the supply chain efficiently by directly connecting suppliers and buyers through the system. This innovative approach clearly demonstrates how blockchain empowers rice farmers, helping them gain fairer access and stronger influence in the market. The program has already undergone several successful trials in Cambodia.

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