Monitoring and commerce-driving technologies in supply chains, agricultural production, and international markets are radically changing the agricultural and food marketplace. These technologies challenge the global competitiveness of the United States and other large countries. With thoughtful consideration of ramifications on market prices and related policy, information, and standards, this conference focuses on the social and policy implications of digitalization technologies such as blockchain in the agricultural and food sectors and discusses their impact on e-commerce, food, and agriculture.

The agricultural and food systems depend upon value-chains that include production and processing, associated services, and a domestic and global trading system encompassing all activities from agricultural inputs to delivering food products to consumers. The emergence of digitalization into these business interactions and trading activities disrupt the configuration of the food-supply chain and impact relationships among participants at various stages. These innovations fundamentally change how agribusinesses operate by providing access to all information about particular commodities and foods. There are clear implications for food traceability, implementation and verification of product standards, governmental regulatory compliance, data management, and international disputes.

This year's Council on Food, Agricultural, and Resource Economics (C-FARE) Brandt Forum brings together scholars and business leaders to discuss the disruptions of digitalization. Because of the pandemic, the event "Impacts of a digitally-driven global economy: opportunities and challenges for U.S. agriculture" will be a two-day virtual event, April 2nd, and April 5th, 10 am to 1:30 pm EST.

To register for the event, please click on the box below. This will take you to the event website which will ask for your email and name.

More Information on the speakers and their panels will be available soon!