Blockchain Application for Sustainable Farming in Africa: Insights from Literature and Policy Documents

Blockchain technology has been widely recognized for its potential to revolutionize various industries, including agriculture. In Africa, where agriculture remains a key economic sector, blockchain could enhance transparency, efficiency, and market access. However, adoption remains limited due to infrastructural, regulatory, and socio-economic challenges. This paper critically examines the role of blockchain in African agriculture, focusing on ten countries to assessing its adoption, necessity, and barriers. A review of the existing literature indicates that while blockchain has been successfully integrated into agricultural supply chains in some regions, African farmers continue to rely on traditional methods, mobile banking, and cooperative models. Using a qualitative research approach, the study investigates how blockchain aligns with technology adoption theories and explores whether it is essential for agricultural success. Findings reveal that while blockchain has potential applications in trade facilitation, fraud prevention, and land tenure security, its impact remains theoretical rather than practical due to limited digital literacy and policy gaps. The study contributes to the field by critically evaluating blockchain’s real-world feasibility in African agriculture and suggesting policy-driven approaches for future adoption. Further research, including field studies, is recommended to better understand local implementation challenges.