EDITOR ’ S QUESTION
W . MARTÍN HAGELSTROM , BLOCKCHAIN EXECUTIVE FOR
IBM LATIN AMERICA
bBlockchain and new technologies are transforming industries in Latin America
By 2050 , the world will need to feed more than 2 billion people . To help manage this scenario , IBM is working hand in hand with organizations in Latin America to transform agriculture and food in the region with Blockchain , IoT , Artificial Intelligence and the latest weather forecasting models from The Weather Company .
According to the OECD and FAO , it is estimated that agriculture in Latin America will grow by 17 % in the next decade . While more than half of this growth will correspond to an increase in crop production , the amount of food that is lost in the region only at the sale level could feed more than 30 million people , in a region that today has 39 million undernourished people .
In turn , according to the World Health Organization , 77 million people contract foodborne illnesses each year in Latin America . With complex supply chains and a lack of transparency in food handling , the market is saturated with products that may not meet all necessary quality standards and certifications , thus causing diseases that could be preventable .
Food Trust network is available in Latin America and today includes a wide range of producers , processors , distributors and retail participants , including Walmart , Carrefour and Nestlé .
In Latin America , the Sustainable Shrimp Partnership ( SSP ) in Ecuador is already using technology to improve this problem . SSP has joined the IBM Food Trust Blockchain network to provide traceability and transparency to shrimp from farm to fork , thus giving consumers confidence and security about the products they are buying .
AgreeMarket , the first AgTech ( agro + technology ) start-up in Argentina , developed an online platform to optimize efficiency in the commercialization of agricultural commodities such as grains , oilseeds , by-products and specialties in the global and domestic market . AgreeMarket is using IBM Blockchain technology to develop a network that ensures the immutability of the negotiations and contracts that are celebrated within the platform . Currently , the company has more than 130 clients .
In this context , IBM ’ s Blockchain technology is being used in different ways to reduce losses , fraud , decrease the spread of foodborne illnesses , increase productivity and place food on more Latin American dishes .
IBM Food Trust , the only Blockchain network of its kind , was established to improve the visibility and safety of food through a business model based on shared value for all participants in the supply chain . The IBM
New technologies , such as Blockchain , have the potential to transform any industry , especially sectors with multiple environments , companies and organizations . Working together with the entire ecosystem , including producers , suppliers and distributors , we can help alleviate the pain points of key industries to support the healthy and sustainable growth of the population , such as the food sector , and ultimately help generate a consumption responsible throughout the population .
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