Nebraska lawmaker proposes state study of agricultural applications for blockchain

A lawmaker in Nebraska has submitted a legislative proposal that, if approved, would clear the way for state officials to investigate the potential use of blockchain tech in agriculture.

The legislation, sponsored by State Senator Carol Blood, proposes "to study the potential applications for blockchain technology in agricultural operations."

Specifically, the bill calls for specific areas of study including "how blockchain technology can be used to trace the origin of products from farm to shelf," "the potential use of blockchain to monitor farm conditions, including, but not limited to, weather, soil quality, and the functioning of irrigation equipment" and "implementing the use of blockchain for data verification and certification for organic products."

The study would also hone in on "the potential use of blockchain as a tool for asset exchange, including payments for sales and storage of products and equipment," among other areas.

Nebraska is predominantly an agricultural state. Data from the state government shows that farms and ranches encompass more than 90 percent of the state's land total as of 2019, and Nebraska's agricultural exports amounted to $5.8 billion that year.