As we are slowly adapting to a new reality posed by a worldwide pandemic, we are once more confronted with the flaws in our food system. Social farmer and CEO at the Eemlandhoeve Jan Huijgen reflects on a much needed restoring of the connection between farmers and consumers, as we explore the question: how can blockchain help bring back the human connection in our food?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Across the world, restaurants are being closed indefinitely. Commodities can\u2019t seem to make their way to the global market as borders, too, are closed down. National lockdowns are posing huge challenges on international supply chains. Consequently, the COVID-19 pandemic is putting the people behind our food at risk. \u201cVulnerable groups [\u2026] include small-scale farmers, pastoralists, and fishers who might be hindered from working their land, caring for their livestock, or fishing\u201d, the Food and Agricultural Organization warns in a Q&A<\/a>. \u201cThey will [\u2026] face challenges accessing markets to sell their products or buy essential inputs or struggle due to higher food prices and limited purchasing power. Informal labourers will be hard hit by job and income losses in harvesting and processing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ideology instead of capitalism
<\/strong>With the advancement of technology in the recent years, the connectivity realm has increased to an all-time high, and customers are witnessing the consequences of our consumption all around the world. Modern consumers have, therefore, begun rallying behind the idea of being global citizens, as they increasingly believe that a sustainable food system is at the basis of global sustainability<\/a>. Consumers now see that through acting on the food that they consume, they can have a wider influence, and positively impact the planet ecologically as well as improve social conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCitizens have proven to be more than marketable consumers\u201d, Jan Huijgen, social farmer and CEO at the Eemlandhoeve<\/a>, acknowledges. \u201cRather, they have concerns about biodiversity, about our climate and social sustainability; they are interested in the process of what and who is behind their sustainable needs and practices.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Digital marketplace
<\/strong>Looking beyond a local connection, Binkabi<\/a> is bringing the same ideals to the global market. The start-up actually developed a digital marketplace that is directly connecting end sellers and end buyers. By tokenising commodities, Binkabi makes them easily tradable and fundable on the blockchain \u2013 without the need for intermediaries. Moreover, their blockchain-enabled platforms allows farmers and SMEs to access financing through peer to peer lending.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Huijgen too believes that technology can play an important role in the new social movement. He is actually looking at blockchain as a technology that can help prove ownership and claims that are made about a product\u2019s origins. (However, he warns, \u201cwe have to be aware and not let it escape to big tech and let it feed into the surveillance capitalism that they stand for.\u201d) In this sense, blockchain<\/a> can help facilitate the very wish to \u2018support our locals\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n