The innovation has employed Blockchain technology to provide trustworthy traceability, transparency, and information sharing in the context of dairy processes. The blockchain technology verifies the integrity of the information as well as the compliance with the rules from the legislative framework and the best practices. The innovation supports two chains, the Feta cheese (PDO) and the traditional sheep yoghut. For each of them a selected set of operational parameters has been associated with the quality of the product and the verification of compliance with the legislative rules.
The innovation has been implemented as an ICT platform consisting of the front end, the back end, and the persistence layer connected with a private (Quorum) blockchain anchored to a public one (Ethereum). Blockchain supports immutable registration of values, the verification of rules and the access to information through the back end. The platform monitors collection of raw materials (milk), cheese production processes, and final product packaging. Quantitative data (pH and temperature, time duration, lab analysis results) are registered in the blockchain through monitoring of relevant processes, without inflicting disruptive changes.
Blockchain allows for immutability as data registration is permanent, decentralisation of platform, and controlled level of transparency among the stakeholders and the consumers. The combination of public and private chains overcomes the challenge of handling large and/or dynamically changing volumes of data in the blockchain. By design, the data-intensive transactions are performed in the private chain (based on Quorum), using the public infrastructure (Ethereum) for registering the Merkle roots to allow public access anchoring the private to the public chain. This anchoring strategy optimises the utilisation of blockchain resources, enhances transaction speed and limits the number of transactions that involve costs.
The innovation has been performed in the context of the case study in Greece, by SYNELIXIS SA (ICT SME with expertise in Blockchain), and supported by STYMFALIA SA (dairy located in the Peloponnese region and specifically in Stymphalia region, with established products offered in Greece and abroad). The breeders offering the raw material (milk) are also located in the (NATURA protected) region of Stymphalia and have long-lasting relationships with the dairy.