The ICTforAg forum was an interactive virtual event on 9-10 March that explored how information technology can build more resilient agricultural and food systems in low- and middle-income countries. Speakers described Web3 as the third generation of the internet, a decentralised model based on blockchain that emphasises user ownership.
Rikin Gandhi of Digital Green said farmer data is often stored in repository systems controlled by the private sector or by governments. He warned that this arrangement can limit farmers' choices and their access to a variety of services. Digital Green argued Web3 could support data sovereignty and let farmer organisations decide how their data is shared and used.
Henry Kinyua described FarmStack, software that enables peer-to-peer data sharing and lets providers set policies on who can see data and for how long. Delegates also heard about Digital Green's video advisory service, produced in local languages, which has reached about 2.3 million farmers, mainly in India, Ethiopia and Kenya.
Difficult words
- resilient — able to recover quickly from problems
- decentralised — not controlled by a single central authority
- blockchain — a digital system that records transactions securely
- data sovereignty — local control over how personal data is used
- repository — a place where data or records are stored
- policy — a rule or plan used to guide decisionspolicies
- peer-to-peer — direct sharing between users without middlemen
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you think farmer organisations should control data rather than private companies? Why or why not?
- How could local-language video advice help farmers in your region?
- What worries or benefits do you see in using Web3 or blockchain for farm data?
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