Aromatic and medicinal plants (AMP) are defined as plants containing one or more active ingredients that can prevent, relieve or cure diseases. They are also known as herbs and form a large part of the plant kingdom. Likewise, the Oxford English Dictionary defines herb as “a plant whose leaves, flowers or seeds are used to add taste to food, in medicines or for their pleasant smell”. In Greece, aromatic and medicinal plants are important factors in sustainable development, environmental protection and public health and contribute to the national economy. More specifically, in recent years, the cultivation of AMP has attracted strong interest, mainly due to the increasing demand for quality food and changes in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). They can be important, and in some cases the main source of income.

However, the AMP sector in Greece faces several challenges. Among them is the adoption and implementation of a system for traceability and quality assurance that could build trust in the supply chain and benefit both producers and consumers. Blockchain is a technology that enhances supply chain transparency by providing an immutable and decentralized ledger for tracking goods from origin to destination. The adoption of this technology requires training to transfer specialized knowledge and develop the skills needed to fully leverage its capabilities.

This paper focuses on investigating the application of Blockchain technology in the aromatic and medicinal plants sector. The characteristics of Blockchain technology, and the solutions it can offer with its adoption in the food supply chain are presented and examine the potential of this technology to resolve key issues in the sector and enhance its competitiveness. To identify the intention to adopt this technology and to specify training needs, a survey was conducted based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). For this purpose, a questionnaire was designed, and it was possible to collect 23 answers from people activating in the sector of AMP (e.g., farmers, agronomists). The questionnaires were analyzed based on specific assumptions. The results reveal that the responders recognize the importance of transparency and safety in the management of the AMP supply chain and specify their training needs that could ease the way towards adoption. Such training needs can be categorized into technical skills, operational knowledge, practical implementation and use, data management, and regulatory compliance.

Acknowledgement:
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement N° 101100804. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Keywords: Blockchain, Training, Education, Technology Adoption, Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Aromatic and Medicinal Plants (AMP).