Project partnerships extend beyond the consortium

While Protein Industries Canada’s partner projects feature consortia companies, those companies often don’t bring the projects to life on their own. Many times, there’s a secondary group of companies and contractors working alongside the consortia to help make the project a success.

Such is the case with the Farmers Edge and OPIsystems’ project focused on developing a farm-efficiency and traceability platform. While Farmers Edge and OPIsystems are leading the project, they’ve pulled in other companies and organizations to help, including the Standards Council of Canada (SCC).

“Using our expertise and vast network, SCC helps organizations by opening a gateway to possibilities, both at home and abroad,” said Brendan Mc Manus, Acting Manager, Innovation and IP with SCC. “SCC and Farmers Edge are working together to develop a Canadian Technical Specification focused on providing a framework and guidance for agriculture blockchain interoperability, one that supports the capacity for data transfer throughout the supply chain.”

SCC’s general work in the agriculture sector began in 2017, when they were approached by Farmer’s Edge, and together they began exploring standardization opportunities for agricultural product traceability. Developing a consortium to apply traceability broadly across the sector, with the support of Protein Industries Canada, seemed the best way to establish best practices and ensure interoperability.

Thus far, SCC has begun their work on the project by developing a standardization strategy, including selecting an accredited Standards Development Organization to develop the Technical Specification and provide funding. They engaged with stakeholders to enlist experts in developing the framework and will remain involved throughout the Technical Specification development.

“Our role in this project is a perfect fit for what we do, and we are looking forward to helping further the use of Canadian technologies, facilitating the participation of Canadian leadership in traceability standards and enabling the advancement of the agricultural sector,” Mc Manus said.

While there may be challenges in obtaining consensus on sector standardization, SCC believes the work will be well worth the effort.

“Blockchain technology has many applications within supply chain management, including allowing producers and manufacturers at different stages in the supply chain to record their transactions and ensure the verifiability and immutability of the records,” he said. “Within the agricultural sector, blockchain technology can reduce transaction costs through a transparent, decentralized and secure transaction process; it can also support communication and data exchange throughout the supply chain and enable food traceability from farm to fork.”

To help make these benefits a reality, Mc Manus recommends businesses throughout the supply chain work to first understand traceability, and then help others understand it. They can also provide input on standardization drafts, sit on relevant committees and adopt relevant technology. If businesses follow this track and get on board now, he explained, it will be beneficial for everyone in the end.

“Creating agriculture-specific guidance needed by Canadian industry right now can be leveraged in the future for the development of international standards, when the global market is more mature, promoting Canadian leadership and influence.”