June 04, 2025

#31 Talking Digitizing Traceability of Agriculture and Food with AAFC and the University of Guelph

37 minutes

Digital trust is transforming industries, including the agriculture and agri-food sectors. The DIACC’s Digitizing Traceability of Agriculture and Food (DTAF) Special Interest Group (SIG) recently published a groundbreaking report outlining key challenges, opportunities, and recommendations for strengthening digital trust in this vital sector.

In this episode, experts from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and the University of Guelph will discuss the findings of the DTAF SIG report. We will explore how digital identity, verifiable credentials, and data governance play critical roles in food supply chain security, regulatory compliance, and sustainability.

From traceability and fraud prevention to farmer data ownership and interoperability, we’ll discuss how digital trust solutions can modernize agriculture, empowering producers, regulators, and consumers.

Join us as we explore the future of digital identity in Canada’s agri-food ecosystem and how collaboration between the public and private sectors can accelerate innovation.

Guests:

Élise Legendre (LinkedIn), Chief Data Officer at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)

Rozita Dara (LinkedIn), Associate Professor, PhD, CIPT at the University of Guelph

Host:

Joni Brennan (LinkedIn), President at DIACC

Key Discussion Questions:

What was the motivation behind the DTAF SIG report, and what key challenges does it address?

How does digital trust impact food production, supply chain management, and consumer confidence?

How can verifiable credentials support farmers, regulators, and food businesses to ensure compliance and efficiency?

What role does data governance play in ensuring transparency and security in the agriculture and agri-food sector?

How can self-sovereign identity (SSI) and decentralized solutions benefit farmers and producers?

What are the industry's most significant fraud and food safety risks today?

How can digital trust solutions mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities and ensure fair trade practices?

How can the Canadian government and private sector collaborate to accelerate the adoption of digital trust in the agricultural sector?

What global best practices should Canada consider when implementing digital trust in the agri-food sector?

How can advancements in digital trust benefit Canadian farmers, food producers, and consumers over the next five years?

What emerging technologies (AI, IoT, blockchain) could further enhance digital trust in agriculture?

What Can Listeners Do?

The DTAF SIG report outlines several key recommendations that listeners, whether in government, industry, or academia, can act upon:

Adopt a digital trust framework: Encourage agricultural organizations and policymakers to implement trusted and agreed-upon auditable criteria that enhance efficiency and security.

Engage in cross-sector collaboration: Farmers, technology providers, regulators, and industry leaders should work together to develop interoperable digital trust solutions.

Advocate for regulatory modernization: Governments can update policies and frameworks to support secure, privacy-enhancing digital credentials in the agriculture and food safety sectors.

Explore verifiable credential adoption: Organizations can pilot and deploy digital identity solutions to streamline processes like traceability, compliance, and fraud prevention.

Join DIACC & contribute to the dialogue: DIACC provides an information-sharing and collaboration ecosystem to help shape the future of digital trust in every sector.

Tune in to gain insights into how digital trust shapes the future of food security, sustainability, and efficiency in Canada’s agriculture sector!

Read the DIACC DTAF SIG Report

Digitizing Traceability of Agriculture and Food

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By DIACC