China Unveils ECBT Framework to Transform Global Horticulture Supply Chains

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• Seamless integration of edge, cloud, blockchain, and terminal technologies enables real-time monitoring, traceability, and automation across every stage of the horticulture supply chain.
• Blockchain-powered transparency ensures secure, tamper-proof records of crop origins, quality checks, and logistics, boosting trust in international trade.
• Edge–cloud data processing allows rapid analysis of environmental, production, and market data, helping farmers and distributors make quicker, more informed decisions.
• Smart terminal devices including IoT sensors, drones, and AI-enabled harvest tools optimise yield quality, reduce waste, and strengthen global supply chain resilience.

China is positioning itself at the forefront of digital agricultural innovation with a new research-led approach aimed at modernising global horticultural supply chains. 

A recent study spearheaded by Dr Yan Huang of Jiangsu Food and Pharmaceutical Science College introduces a pioneering framework known as ECBT – Edge-Cloud-Blockchain-Terminal – designed to enhance transparency, efficiency, and resilience throughout the supply chain.

Published in Frontiers in Blockchain (also known as Frontiers in Distributed Ledger Technology), the study reviewed 40 leading papers from over 150 publications, offering a deep dive into the integration of advanced digital systems within agriculture. 

While Internet of Things (IoT) applications currently dominate, the study reveals that full implementation of the ECBT model remains rare, with only 3% of projects achieving full integration.

Dr Huang reports that blockchain innovations within the framework deliver impressive storage gains up to 94% through selective anchoring, while edge computing helps slash data latency by up to 65%. However, the study also highlights key challenges, including poor interoperability between systems, 23% metadata loss in cross-chain data transfers, and high deployment costs that may exclude small-scale farmers.

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Also hurdles include the ability to scale the system to handle the sector’s growing data demands estimated at 47 million entries per day.

Despite these complexities, the study identifies blockchain as a crucial mechanism for building trust, aligning stakeholder incentives, and preserving essential data semantics. 

Dr Huang calls for further exploration into agriculture specific blockchain models and inclusive technological designs to ensure smallholders aren’t left behind.

The commercial impact could be vast: from improved traceability and reduced food waste to stronger consumer confidence. The research suggests a digitally integrated future is within reach one that could reshape horticultural supply chains worldwide.