A pilot project in Cambodia may help small-scale organic rice farmers get better deals for their produce. Using blockchain technology, the project connects a large network of people in the supply chain and hopes to ensure everyone gets a fair share of the deal made.The Blockchain for Livelihoods from Organic Cambodian Rice or Blocrice involves developing a “smart contract”, a three-way digital contract farming agreement between organic farmers, rice exporters and retailers.

Blockchain refers to a shared, public ledger of records or transactions that is open to inspection by every participant while not being subject to any form of central control.It is these very capabilities that align particularly well with the characteristics of the airline industry, according to the 2017 report, ‘Beyond the Buzz: The Potential of Blockchain Technology’ by Accenture.

When blockchain and cryptocurrency first made headlines, many saw them as disruptors to the current financial order. This is because transactions that involve cryptocurrencies remove the need for an intermediary - a role banks and other financial institutions have traditionally filled.Unlike banks and the current financial system, cryptocurrencies are backed by a system called blockchain. Blockchain is essentially a decentralised ledger, where every transaction is recorded.

The rusty supply chains of the past have little to no bearing on the future as Southeast Asia shifts towards realising its vision for Industry 4.0. The world over, operational processes are becoming more digitised, transparent, connected and highly efficient.A digital supply chain (DSC) relies on several key elements like integrated planning and execution systems, autonomous logistics and smart procurement.

Blockchain came into the popular lexicon along with other terms such as cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence as part of the larger movement of new disruptive technologies that has swept the world. Initially seen as a disruptor to traditional banking, many are now starting to understand the appeal of blockchain and its potential to alter the landscape of the financial sector.

Southeast Asia, especially member states of The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), are expected to undergo a digital transformation over the coming years which would drastically change the lives of its citizenry. Global management consulting firm, A.T. Kearney predicts that the pursuit of a radical digital agenda could potentially add US$1 trillion to the region’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the next decade.With this paradigm shift, comes a surge in the demand for energy.

In the coming years, digital technologies are set to take energy systems by storm – making them even more interconnected, intelligent, efficient and sustainable. Headway in areas like data analytics, artificial intelligence and blockchain technology have reached the shores of the energy sector.

From paleo diets to veganism, the relationship that human beings have with food is multifaceted and cuts across different social underpinnings and economic considerations. As such, food production is an important consideration in the sustaining of any particular society.

Ubin is an island located northeast of the Singapore mainland, close to the border between the island republic and the Malaysian state of Johor. Famous for its rustic roads, immaculate beaches and shady nature trails, it is the only place where one could go to relive the Singapore of the 60s, immersed in the simple joys of life, away from the hustle and bustle of a modern-day city lifestyle.However, Ubin has assumed a different character to its name.

Bitcoin started the week badly, as prices for the popular cryptocurrency fell 7% to dip below US$8,000. The sudden sell-off follows from Twitter’s decision to ban advertising for cryptocurrencies. Twitter is joined by Facebook and Google who have both banned advertisements for initial coin offerings and token sales on their respective platforms.