Smart Farming, Smart Distribution, and Smart Retailing in Agri-Food Supply Chains
摘要
A prominent trend in agri-food supply chains over the past two decades is the broad application of information and communication technology (ICT) in different stages of the chain. The increasing consumer demand—and the need for productivity and resource efficiency—have been the key drivers for adopting digital technologies. The need for traceability, safety, and security initiatives has also further stimulated digitalization along the food chains. However, the benefits of digitalization come with new challenges and issues. This chapter discusses the key characteristics of agri-food supply chains and how digital technologies can drive value for the sector. It also provides an overview of digital technologies applied in various stages of agri-food supply chains—from Smart Farming to Smart Retailing—and how these technologies enable the transition towards more sustainable and resilient food systems. The chapter concludes with the challenges for digitalization in the agri-food sector and—based on that—suggests several directions for future research.