Leveraging Cardano as a Scalable Blockchain for Transparent Supply Chain Platforms: A Case Study in the Agricultural Sector

Transparency and traceability are critical issues in modern supply chains, especially in the agricultural sector, where consumer trust and fairness for producers heavily rely on accurate data. This paper proposes a framework for a decentralized supply chain platform leveraging the Cardano blockchain. With its unique architecture, including the secure Ouroboros Proof-of-Stake consensus mechanism and the flexible eUTXO (Extended Unspent Transaction Output) model, Cardano offers a scalable, sustainable, and secure solution to track products from producer to consumer. This study outlines the system architecture, the role of Cardano's smart contracts (Plutus), and how the platform can empower farmers, enhance consumer trust, and reduce inefficiencies. The paper aims to demonstrate the technical feasibility and potential economic impact of using Cardano as the backbone for a transparent supply chain solution.

Keywords: Cardano, Supply Chain, Blockchain, Traceability, eUTXO, Agricultural Sector