AgriChain, powered by IAF, is a certification verification tool that uses blockchain technology. AgriChain allows consumers and associations to verify certification credentials.

Security

AgriChain leverages blockchain technology to create a secure certification verification tool.

Trust

AgriChain utilizes blockchain technology’s traceability and transparency to enhance certification trust.

Knowledge

AgriChain delivers targeted consumer education through the verification system.

About the Project

Realizing the potential benefits for the agriculture sector, IAF has begun the development of AgriChain, an agriculture-specific blockchain designed to help the sector take advantage of this innovative technology.

With the ever-growing use of digital solutions in our everyday lives, both personal and business, innovative security options are a necessity to keep data and information safe, private, and trustworthy. Blockchain technology provides a transparent and safe means to store, validate and protect information. Blockchain technology is well-established with cryptocurrency transactions and offers significant value in other areas, such as credential verification, certification status and public trust models.

In the coming year, IAF will be exploring the potential uses for this technology with both the Province of BC and select industry groups. While this project is in its early stages, IAF hopes to pilot this program with an agricultural certification in 2023.

Field of crops with a beautiful blue sky

What is a Blockchain?

A blockchain is a system of decentralized record-keeping for a particular data set. A blockchain is structured so that data cannot be falsely altered. That’s because, instead of the data owner tending to the only copy of its data, everyone has an identical copy of the blockchain data. To add another ‘block’ of data to the blockchain, all members of the chain must agree on the data and ‘vote’ it into being. If a change is enacted, that block of data is ‘chained’ to the rest of the blockchain, creating an ongoing and inalterable history of the data.

AgriChain uses this technology to create blockchain certifications. A certification claim can be verified by the blockchain, increasing trust in the certificate and preventing false claims.

Benefits of AgriChain

Benefits to the BC Agricultural Sector:

  • Security | Protects data from manipulation and reduces data silos across the BC Agriculture and Agrifood sector.
  • Trust | Positions BC Agriculture and Agrifood as a leader in traceability and consumer transparency.
  • Knowledge | Increases profile of the BC Agriculture and Agrifood sector by educating consumers about their products.

Benefits to Associations:

  • Security | Allows associations to securely update active and inactive license holders while tracking how data has been updated over time.
  • Trust | Ensures all parties using the certification are authorized to do so, increasing trust in the certification.
  • Knowledge | Provides targeted point-of-sale marketing opportunities to educate consumers about the product or company’s credentials.

Benefits to Consumers:

  • Security | Provides consumers with a secure method to check certification authenticity.
  • Trust | Increases consumer trust in certifications by providing a secure record of valid license holders.
  • Knowledge | Allows consumers to access additional information about their products, leading to more informed decisions.

How Does AgriChain Work?

Step 1:

IAF works with certifying associations to collect, verify and input data into the blockchain.

Step 2:

Organizations are identified using their BC registration ID or their CRA business number. Certifications are linked to the business profile.

Step 3:

IAF provides the client with a QR code that can be used on promotional materials in conjunction with the certification logo.

Step 4:

Consumer scans QR code, verifying the credential, and generating additional marketing information.

Step 5:

Data from the QR is compared to the blockchain, confirming whether the license is valid.

Step 6:

A pop-up appears, confirming whether the certification is legitimate and linking to the organization’s website.