Blockchain strategy for transparent and sustainable agricultural governance: A PRISMA-guided context analysis

This study critically investigates the strategic potential of blockchain technology as a policy innovation instrument for enhancing institutional transparency, operational efficiency, and sustainability within Thailand’s public agricultural sector. While technical applications have been widely documented (Demestichas et al., 2020), limited scholarly attention has been directed toward blockchain’s institutional and governance utility (Bustamante et al., 2022) and its role in empowering marginalized stakeholders (Omanwa, 2023). To address this lacuna, a qualitative meta-synthesis of 49 peer-reviewed studies (2014–2024) was conducted, guided by the PRISMA framework and structured through the PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcomes) model. Findings indicate that blockchain significantly reinforces institutional trust (96 percent), facilitates decentralized oversight (88 percent), and enhances traceability within agri-food supply chains (58 percent), thereby mitigating challenges such as subsidy misallocation and fragmented data governance. These capabilities are congruent with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 12, 13, 15, and 16 through mechanisms including tamper-proof recordkeeping and automated smart contracts. To promote scalable adoption, the study advocates for integrating blockchain into public-private agricultural partnerships through regulatory harmonization, infrastructure development, and capacity-building initiatives. Additionally, the establishment of a Blockchain Governance Unit is proposed to coordinate cross-agency alignment. This study reconceptualizes blockchain as a strategic enabler of institutional reform and offers actionable insights for embedding emerging technologies into SDG-aligned governance ecosystems.