IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/tefoso/v208y2024ics0040162524004281.html

Emerging digital technologies potential in promoting equitable agricultural supply chain: A scoping review

Author

Listed:
  • Mwangakala, Hilda Abraham
  • Mongi, Hector
  • Ishengoma, Fredrick
  • Shao, Deo
  • Chali, Frederick
  • Mambile, Cesilia
  • Julius, Bernard

Abstract

The agricultural sector plays a pivotal role in global economies, providing livelihoods and sustenance for billions. However, it faces numerous challenges, including low productivity, and inequitable supply chains that only benefit some of its stakeholders. The study investigates the potential of emerging digital technologies such as blockchain, the Internet of things, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, in promoting equity within agricultural supply chains. Using a scoping approach to Systematic Literature Review guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews, the study examines the extent of emerging digital technology deployment in various aspects of the agricultural supply chain. Emerging technologies have been found to focus heavily on some parts of the supply chain (such as transportation), with limited application in others, particularly cash crop supply chains. The evidence gathered informs innovation policies and prioritizes opportunities for future research and practices. Despite the promise of emerging technologies, further evaluation, re-development, and deployment considering the local context and innovation dynamics are necessary. The paper contributes by providing insights into the mediating role of emerging digital technologies in addressing equity issues within the agricultural supply chain emphasizing the need for continued exploration and refinement of these technologies.

Suggested Citation

  • Mwangakala, Hilda Abraham & Mongi, Hector & Ishengoma, Fredrick & Shao, Deo & Chali, Frederick & Mambile, Cesilia & Julius, Bernard, 2024. "Emerging digital technologies potential in promoting equitable agricultural supply chain: A scoping review," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:208:y:2024:i:c:s0040162524004281
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2024.123630
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0040162524004281
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.techfore.2024.123630?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Deo Shao & Cleverence Kombe & Stuti Saxena, 2022. "An ensemble design of a cash crops-warehouse receipt system (WRS) based on blockchain smart contracts," Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 13(5), pages 762-774, May.
    2. Jellason, Nugun P. & Robinson, Elizabeth J. Z. & Ogbaga, Chukwuma C., 2021. "Agriculture 4.0: is sub-Saharan Africa ready?," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 113550, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    3. Geneci da Silva Ribeiro Rocha & Letícia de Oliveira & Edson Talamini, 2021. "Blockchain Applications in Agribusiness: A Systematic Review," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-16, April.
    4. Tadesse Kenea Amentae & Girma Gebresenbet, 2021. "Digitalization and Future Agro-Food Supply Chain Management: A Literature-Based Implications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-24, November.
    5. Terry W. Griffin & Keith D. Harris & Jason K. Ward & Paul Goeringer & Jessica A. Richard, 2022. "Three Digital Agriculture Problems in Cotton Solved by Distributed Ledger Technology," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 44(1), pages 237-252, March.
    6. Pandey, Vivekanand & Pant, Millie & Snasel, Vaclav, 2022. "Blockchain technology in food supply chains: Review and bibliometric analysis," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    7. Hussain, Safdar & Ahmed, Wasim & Rabnawaz, Ambar & Jafar, Rana Muhammad Sohail & Akhtar, Haseeb & JianZhou, Yang, 2015. "Supply Chain Management of Agricultural Technology Innovation: Study of Fujian and Taiwan," MPRA Paper 70381, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Ahmed Zainul Abideen & Veera Pandiyan Kaliani Sundram & Jaafar Pyeman & Abdul Kadir Othman & Shahryar Sorooshian, 2021. "Food Supply Chain Transformation through Technology and Future Research Directions—A Systematic Review," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 5(4), pages 1-24, November.
    9. Foivos Anastasiadis & Naoum Tsolakis & Jagjit Singh Srai, 2018. "Digital Technologies Towards Resource Efficiency in the Agrifood Sector: Key Challenges in Developing Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-15, December.
    10. Mariana Toussaint & Pablo Cabanelas & Pilar Muñoz-Dueñas, 2022. "Social sustainability in the food value chain: what is and how to adopt an integrative approach?," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 56(4), pages 2477-2500, August.
    11. Rajveer Dhillon & Qianna Moncur, 2023. "Small-Scale Farming: A Review of Challenges and Potential Opportunities Offered by Technological Advancements," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-16, October.
    12. Sony, Michael & Naik, Subhash, 2020. "Industry 4.0 integration with socio-technical systems theory: A systematic review and proposed theoretical model," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 61(C).
    13. Bilgesu Bayir & Aurélie Charles & Aicha Sekhari & Yacine Ouzrout, 2022. "Issues and Challenges in Short Food Supply Chains: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-20, March.
    14. Saeed Nosratabadi & Amirhosein Mosavi & Zoltan Lakner, 2020. "Food Supply Chain and Business Model Innovation," Papers 2001.03982, arXiv.org.
    15. Saurabh Sharma & Vijay Kumar Gahlawat & Kumar Rahul & Rahul S Mor & Mohit Malik, 2021. "Sustainable Innovations in the Food Industry through Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Analytics," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 5(4), pages 1-16, September.
    16. Dutta, Pankaj & Choi, Tsan-Ming & Somani, Surabhi & Butala, Richa, 2020. "Blockchain technology in supply chain operations: Applications, challenges and research opportunities," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
    17. Alessandro Scuderi & Giovanni La Via & Giuseppe Timpanaro & Luisa Sturiale, 2022. "The Digital Applications of “Agriculture 4.0”: Strategic Opportunity for the Development of the Italian Citrus Chain," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-13, March.
    18. Andre Devaux & Maximo Torero & Jason Donovan & Douglas Horton, 2018. "Agricultural innovation and inclusive value-chain development: a review," Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 8(1), pages 99-123, March.
    19. Farheen Naz & Anil Kumar & Abhijit Majumdar & Rohit Agrawal, 2022. "Is artificial intelligence an enabler of supply chain resiliency post COVID-19? An exploratory state-of-the-art review for future research," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 15(1), pages 378-398, June.
    20. Kamble, Sachin S. & Gunasekaran, Angappa & Sharma, Rohit, 2020. "Modeling the blockchain enabled traceability in agriculture supply chain," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 52(C).
    21. Tutur Wicaksono & Csaba Bálint Illés, 2022. "From resilience to satisfaction: Defining supply chain solutions for agri-food SMEs through quality approach," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(2), pages 1-20, February.
    22. Luona Song & Yiqing Luo & Zixi Chang & Chunhua Jin & Merveille Nicolas, 2022. "Blockchain Adoption in Agricultural Supply Chain for Better Sustainability: A Game Theory Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-21, January.
    23. Abirami Raja Santhi & Padmakumar Muthuswamy, 2022. "Influence of Blockchain Technology in Manufacturing Supply Chain and Logistics," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 6(1), pages 1-22, February.
    24. Sudhanshu Joshi & Rohit Kumar Singh & Manu Sharma, 2023. "Sustainable Agri-food Supply Chain Practices: Few Empirical Evidences from a Developing Economy," Global Business Review, International Management Institute, vol. 24(3), pages 451-474, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Aslam, Haris & ur Rehman, Attique & Iftikhar, Anas & ul Haq, Muhammad Zia & Akbar, Usman & Kamal, Muhammad Mustafa, 2025. "Digital transformation: Unlocking supply chain resilience through adaptability and innovation," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 219(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Priyanka Vern & Anupama Panghal & Rahul S Mor & Sachin S. Kamble, 2025. "Blockchain technology in the agri-food supply chain: a systematic literature review of opportunities and challenges," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 75(1), pages 643-675, February.
    2. An, Hongda & Galera-Zarco, Carlos, 2025. "Tackling food waste and loss through digitalization in the food supply chain: A systematic review and framework development," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 217(C).
    3. Eduardo Rodrigues Sanguinet & Francisco de Borja García-García, 2023. "Rural-Urban Linkages: Regional Financial Business Services’ Integration into Chilean Agri-Food Value Chains," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-22, July.
    4. Priyanka Vern & Anupama Panghal & Rahul S Mor & Vikas Kumar & Sandeep Jagtap, 2025. "Blockchain-based traceability framework for agri-food supply chain: a proof-of-concept," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 18(2), pages 554-573, June.
    5. Giulia Chiaraluce & Deborah Bentivoglio & Adele Finco & Mariantonietta Fiore & Francesco Contò & Antonino Galati, 2024. "Exploring the role of blockchain technology in modern high-value food supply chains: global trends and future research directions," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 12(1), pages 1-22, December.
    6. Tadesse Kenea Amentae & Girma Gebresenbet, 2021. "Digitalization and Future Agro-Food Supply Chain Management: A Literature-Based Implications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-24, November.
    7. Ellis, Peyton, 2026. "Mapping Heterogeneity in the Midstream: Trader Sourcing and Sales Behavior in the "hidden middle" of Agricultural Value Chains," 2026 Annual Meeting, July 26 - 28, 2026, Kansas City, Missouri 404310, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    8. Abera, Fetien & Garcia, Magali & Meinke, Holger & Negra, Christine & Obokoh, Nompumelelo & Smith, Allison Grove, 2024. "Advancing inclusive and effective agri-food systems research for development: A short communication," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).
    9. Joseph Ikechukwu Uduji & Elda Nduka Okolo-Obasi & Justitia Odinaka Nnabuko & Geraldine Egondu Ugwuonah & Josaphat Uchechukwu Onwumere, 2024. "Mainstreaming Gender Sensitivity in Cash Crop Market Supply Chains: the Role of CSR in Nigeria’s Oil Producing Communities," Working Papers 24/026, European Xtramile Centre of African Studies (EXCAS).
    10. Sachin Kumar Mangla & Yiğit Kazançoğlu & Abdullah Yıldızbaşı & Cihat Öztürk & Ahmet Çalık, 2022. "A conceptual framework for blockchain‐based sustainable supply chain and evaluating implementation barriers: A case of the tea supply chain," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(8), pages 3693-3716, December.
    11. Joseph Ikechukwu Uduji & Elda Nduka Okolo-Obasi & Justitia Odinaka Nnabuko & Geraldine Egondu Ugwuonah & Josaphat Uchechukwu Onwumere, 2024. "Mainstreaming Gender Sensitivity in Cash Crop Market Supply Chains: the Role of CSR in Nigeria’s Oil Producing Communities," Working Papers of the African Governance and Development Institute. 24/026, African Governance and Development Institute..
    12. Cao, Yu & Yi, Chaoqun & Wan, Guangyu & Hu, Hanli & Li, Qingsong & Wang, Shouyang, 2022. "An analysis on the role of blockchain-based platforms in agricultural supply chains," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
    13. Kaustov Chakraborty & Arindam Ghosh & Saurabh Pratap, 2023. "Adoption of blockchain technology in supply chain operations: a comprehensive literature study analysis," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 16(4), pages 1989-2007, December.
    14. Rituraj Singh & Gourav Dwivedi, 2025. "Agri-food Supply Chain Management: A Review Using Bibliometric, Network, and Content Analyses," SN Operations Research Forum, Springer, vol. 6(2), pages 1-48, June.
    15. Sneha Kumari & Shirish Jeble & V. G. Venkatesh & Chandrasekaran Nagarajan & Yangyan Shi, 2023. "Antecedents of agriculture supply chain performance during COVID-19: an emerging economy perspective," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 16(1), pages 489-510, March.
    16. Joseph & Elda Nduka Okolo-Obasi & Justitia Odinaka Nnabuko & Geraldine Egondu Ugwuonah & Josaphat, 2024. "Mainstreaming Gender Sensitivity in Cash Crop Market Supply Chains: the Role of CSR in Nigeria’s Oil Producing Communities," Working Papers of The Association for Promoting Women in Research and Development in Africa (ASPROWORDA). 24/005, The Association for Promoting Women in Research and Development in Africa (ASPROWORDA).
    17. Büşra Ayan & Elif Güner & Semen Son-Turan, 2022. "Blockchain Technology and Sustainability in Supply Chains and a Closer Look at Different Industries: A Mixed Method Approach," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 6(4), pages 1-39, December.
    18. Xiangzhen Peng & Xin Zhang & Xiaoyi Wang & Haisheng Li & Jiping Xu & Zhiyao Zhao, 2022. "Multi-Chain Collaboration-Based Information Management and Control for the Rice Supply Chain," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-26, May.
    19. Mishra, Ruchi & Kr Singh, Rajesh & Daim, Tugrul U. & Fosso Wamba, Samuel & Song, Malin, 2024. "Integrated usage of artificial intelligence, blockchain and the internet of things in logistics for decarbonization through paradox lens," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 189(C).
    20. Caterina Contini & Fabio Boncinelli & Giovanna Piracci & Gabriele Scozzafava & Leonardo Casini, 2023. "Can blockchain technology strengthen consumer preferences for credence attributes?," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 11(1), pages 1-17, December.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:208:y:2024:i:c:s0040162524004281. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00401625 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.