Brazilian Inmetro adopts blockchain to track agricultural inputs

Blockchain technology will be used to record and track all stages of the lifecycle of agricultural inputs in Brazil, from their origin to their application in the field.

Brazilian Inmetro (National Institute of Metrology, Quality, and Technology) has partnered with Sollytch, a startup, to develop a blockchain-based solution for the agribusiness sector.

The project, named "Smart Chemical Traceability in the Blockchain Era," aims to create a secure and transparent system for monitoring the use of chemical substances in agriculture. 

According to Inmetro, this technology will enhance traceability reliability, reduce the risk of fraud in agrochemicals, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

This is because blockchain technology is a system of decentralized and highly secure digital records, which are tamper-proof, ensuring the integrity and transparency of the information.

Furthermore, the Brazilian metrology government body stated that the solution aims to protect consumers and the environment and strengthen Brazilian agribusiness's competitiveness in demanding international markets.

The startup Sollytch, specialized in traceability and control solutions for agricultural inputs, is developing a platform described as "agile and scalable, capable of serving producers and distributors of various profiles."

The proposal eliminates the need for intermediaries, ensuring direct access to traceable and auditable data for farmers, regulatory bodies, and consumers. This makes the tracking process more efficient and less bureaucratic.

"Inmetro is increasingly positioning itself as a strategic agent in supporting the digital transformation of the industry. In this case, we contribute with our technical knowledge to structure a robust and secure solution that meets the traceability and compliance requirements of the national agribusiness," stated Wilson S. Melo Jr., a researcher at Inmetro.

Dr. Monica Viana, Executive Director of Sollytch, emphasized that "this collaboration allows us to expand the market of agricultural producers adopting our chemical traceability solutions through a technology where transparency comes with the agility the market seeks."

The initiative has technical support from Inmetro's Laboratory of Metrology in Informatics (Lainf). It has secured funding through a call from the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MCTI), in collaboration with the National Education and Research Network (RNP) and the Center for Research and Development in Telecommunications (CPqD).

In the coming months, part of the funds obtained by Sollytch will be allocated to contracting technological development services from Inmetro itself.

(Editing by Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages)