*5.1.3 Compatibility*

The traceability systems developed by different blockchain pilots in the agri-food industry are not based on the same standard. They are designed and operated with different governance rules and consensus models. The question of how one blockchain will be used alongside other blockchains or other available systems remains unanswered [13]. Lack of interoperability can make large-scale blockchain adoption a nearly impossible mission. Recently, there are increasing number of interoperability projects that aim to connect various private blockchain with common rules and understanding. This is the only way to ensure smooth data transfer between different blockchain systems.

### *5.1.4 Data manipulation and privacy*

Data integrity issue is one of the major technological hurdles for blockchain adoption. Data may be manipulated or compromised before it is recorded into blockchain. To address this issue, authenticated data entry system needs to be developed to automatically convert physical events to digital inputs for the blockchain. By doing so, the information inconsistency between physical reality and data stored on blockchain can be eliminated. The transparency enabled by blockchain technology also raises concerns in terms of data privacy, especially some participants may be competitors. Therefore, participants may be reluctant to use blockchain to avoid the leakage of their proprietary information.
