Название: Blockchain and Digital Twin Applications in Smart Agriculture
Автор: Amit Kumar Tyagi, Shrikant Tiwari
Издательство: CRC Press
Год: 2025
Страниц: 376
Язык: английский
Формат: pdf (true), epub
Размер: 34.8 MB

Blockchain and Digital Twin Applications in Smart Agriculture presents scenarios, solutions, applications to optimize crop management, improve resource allocation, and enhance sustainability in modern farming practices. It examines how blockchain and digital twin technology could enable farmers and stakeholders to create virtual, data-driven replicas of their agricultural operations while leveraging the security and transparency of blockchain technology. Highlights of the book include:

An immutable blockchain ledger for storing and sharing agricultural data securely
Decentralized data management to share data among such stakeholders as farmers, suppliers, distributors, and consumers
Supply chain transparency to ensure product authenticity, reduce food fraud, and protect consumers
Solutions to improve the allocation of such resources as water, fertilizer, and labor to reduce costs and improve productivity.

Distributed ledger technology, or blockchain, allows transactions to be recorded on a network of computers in a transparent and safe manner. A list of transactions is present on every block in the series of blocks that comprise this system. By connecting these blocks with cryptographic hashes, an unchangeable record of the data is produced. Fundamentally, blockchain technology is characterized by several key features:

Decentralization: In contrast to conventional centralized systems, blockchain functions through a decentralized network of computers called nodes. To provide redundancy and fault tolerance, each node keeps a copy of the blockchain. By doing away with the requirement for a central authority, this decentralized system lowers the possibility of single points of failure and permits peer-to-peer transactions.

Immutability: Data cannot be changed or tampered with once it is recorded on the blockchain. A chain of blocks that is impervious to change is created by each block having a cryptographic hash of the one before it. The blockchain is perfect for applications where data integrity is crucial because of its immutability, which guarantees the reliability and integrity of the data stored on it.

Transparency: By allowing all transactions to be seen by network users, blockchain promotes transparency. A visible and verifiable record of every transaction is kept on the blockchain, enabling stakeholders to monitor the movement of assets and confirm the legitimacy of transactions. This openness lowers the possibility of fraud or manipulation while fostering participant trust.

Security: Blockchain technology secures transactions and shields data from unwanted access by using cryptographic algorithms. To maintain the integrity and security of the blockchain, network users validate and verify transactions using consensus techniques like proof of work (PoW) or proof of stake (PoS). Furthermore, because blockchain is decentralized, it is immune to hacking attempts and cyberattacks.

Numerous sectors can benefit from the extensive applications of blockchain technology. Blockchain is used in finance to provide safe and transparent transactions, while in supply chain management, it enables traceability and accountability. In healthcare, blockchain facilitates secure and interoperable sharing of patient data, while in government, it enhances transparency and efficiency in public services.

In agriculture, blockchain technology is transforming the way supply chains operate. It enables transparent and immutable record-keeping of transactions and data across the whole supply chain of agriculture. Every stage of the process, from planting and harvesting to processing and distribution, can be tracked on the blockchain, providing stakeholders with instantaneous insight into the source and path of agricultural goods. This transparency helps improve trust, quality assurance, and traceability in the agricultural sector.

The book helps researchers and academics develop solutions that can transition the agricultural industry into a more data-driven, sustainable, and transparent future. It explains how creating digital twins of agricultural operations and securing data through blockchain can enhance the ability to make informed decisions, reduce waste, and ensure that agriculture practices are more efficient and environmentally responsible. Featuring practical applications and case studies, the book provides a roadmap to farming that is smart, data-driven, and more.