2025-01-292025-01-292024https://hdl.handle.net/10883/35449CIMMYT manages Intellectual Assets as International Public Goods. The user is free to download, print, store and share this work. In case you want to translate or create any other derivative work and share or distribute such translation/derivative work, please contact CIMMYT-Knowledge-Center@cgiar.org indicating the work you want to use and the kind of use you intend; CIMMYT will contact you with the suitable license for that purposeAGRICULTURAL SCIENCES AND BIOTECHNOLOGYWorking PaperThis paper examines the transformative potential of blockchain-enabled digital identities in empowering smallholder farmers, with a specific focus on CIMMYT’s initiatives in the Global South. By providing farmers with secure, verifiable credentials and data wallets, these technologies address critical challenges in financial inclusion, supply chain traceability, and data governance. Leveraging case studies from CIMMYT’s partnerships with Bluenumber and Identi, the paper explores the application of blockchain to enhance data ownership, improve market access, and foster transparency within agrifood systems. Findings highlight how digital identities enable farmers to control and monetize their data, access financial services, and comply with traceability standards, thereby strengthening their position in global value chains. Despite significant potential, challenges such as digital literacy gaps, infrastructure limitations, and regulatory disparities persist. The paper concludes with recommendations for scaling these solutions, emphasizing region-specific adaptations, collaborative frameworks, and robust data governance to maximize impact and inclusivity.SMALLHOLDERSFINANCIAL INCLUSIONVALUE CHAINSBLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGYDIGITAL DIVIDEOpen AccessSustainable Agrifood Systems