Sustainable food systems with ICT

Abstract

Abstract-The food system is burdened by many and severe negative environmental and social impacts. Two of the reasons for the impacts are the increasing scale and globalisation of the food system. ICT has been put forward as a means to enhance sustainability in society, yet the potential for food systems is underexplored. In this paper we review ICT solutions for improved sustainability of food systems, which are used in practice or are discussed as potential solutions. The aim is to identify ICT solutions that can potentially enhance sustainability in the food system. We review mostly scientific literature. The ICT solutions are categorized according to four main purposes of the approach, to 1) efficiency through monitoring and assessment of environmental impact, 2) enhance transparency and traceability in the food system, 3) creating network between actors in the food chains, 4) influence and change food practices. We conclude that there is no coherent research field covering ICT in food systems. The papers reviewed are scattered over several disciplines and scientific journals. We also conclude that there is a predominance of research on monitoring of food production and transparency and traceability in the food chain. More research is needed that take on holistic approaches and include several parts of the food system. Furthermore, we would also like to see more research on what sustainable food systems could be like and how ICT could support and perhaps sometimes hinder such developments.

Mapping ICT Use along the Citrus (Kinnow) Value Chain in Sargodha District, Pakistan

“…The Group of Twenty (G-20) Agriculture Ministers' Action Plan 2017 has recognized that ICT is a key and important approach for innovation and sustainable agriculture [2]. ICT use is one of solutions to improve the sustainability of food systems by increasing efficiency, enhancing transparency and creating a network between food chain actors [3].…”

“…Connecting and creating networks between different actors are also benefits of ICT that can provide opportunities for increasing sustainability [10]. In this context, the internet can provide new opportunities for growers to connect and distribute farm produce directly to the consumers (via e-commerce) [3]. ICT is likely to be especially important for highly perishable food products such as fresh fruits and vegetables that are differentiated and possess varied quality dimensions; are sensitive to timeliness in supply and susceptible to damage in transit; and require a quick response at the supply end [11].…”

Digital Technologies and Sustainable Livestock Systems in Rural Communities

“…Before exploring the role of DTs in achieving and maintaining resilient and sustainable food systems, Svenfelt and Zapico (2016) suggest that it is necessary to think about what sustainable and resilient systems are 3 . In order to be able to answer the research questions set above, there is, therefore, a need to also critically examine the livestock system considering that it is a complex socio-ecological system 4 comprising of many actors, drivers, resource units, process and outcomes (Marshall, 2015).…”

Transparent Farmers: how farmers are using technology for new ways of selling and communicating with consumers

“…Some of these focus on increasing the visibility of producers to create new connections between consumers and producers * , while others focus on simplifying the administration and marketing of the producers † . This work can be situated in the ongoing research in ICT4S and sustainable HCI around how ICT could be used for increasing the sustainability of food production and consumption (Blevis and Morse, 2009;Svenfelt and Zapico, 2016;Norton et al, 2017).…”