An integrated IoT edge cloud and blockchain framework for a traceable, transparent and scalable digital millet supply chain

Abstract

The millet supply chain is riddled with extreme issues in maintaining transparency, traceability, and efficiency at various stages of its functionality, right from farm production to consumer distribution. To address these issues, this paper proposes an integrated Blockchain–Cloud–Edge–IoT system for a Millet Supply Chain Management System (MSCMS). The given architecture is devised to offer secure data handling, real-time analysis, and precise traceability at the supply chain network. The system architecture consists of four layers. The Sensor and IoT Devices Layer observes real-time information from the stakeholders, including customers, retailers, distributors, processors, and farmers. The Edge Computing Layer enables local data preprocessing and predictive analytics, minimizing latency and enabling faster response times. The Cloud Layer facilitates central data sharing and storage to allow scalability and access by all network nodes. The Blockchain Layer leverages the use of smart contracts and QR-code-verified information to ensure data immutability, integrity, and open sharing of information between the stakeholders. The framework is developed based on permissioned Ethereum platform through Proof-of-Authority Clique consensus approach, AES-256 encryption of payload, ECDSA secp256k1 digital signatures, and Keccak-256 hash function for data protection. Results of experimental evaluation conducted on hybrid physical-emulated testbed indicate that the proposed framework provides 29.5% lower end-to-end execution latency from 880 ms to 620 ms at 500 IoT devices by increasing the number of edge nodes from one to four, allows achieving a peak throughput of 165 TPS, decreases on-chain storage from 175 MB to 55 MB out of total 1,000 transactions generated, provides 39.1% faster QR-code traceability response time in comparison with blockchain-only solution 560 ms vs 920 ms at 1,000 requests, and preserves 75% of system availability in case of ten concurrent node failures, while blockchain-only system ensures only 30% of system availability and 5% of central cloud-based system. The multi-layer integration ensures secure and verifiable data exchange, which allows stakeholders to track product quality, logistics, and conformity effectively. The framework proposed not only instills trust among supply chain stakeholders but also promotes sustainability by allowing decision-making processes based on data and minimizing operational inefficiencies. The MSCMS illustrates how new digital technologies can reconfigure agri-food systems for a transparent, resilient, and intelligent millet value chain.