Decentralized Agricultural Knowledge Exchange Platform

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Edwin Pokoo-Aikins

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Individual

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

12

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language

No

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

We will build a decentralized platform where farmers can access expert-verified agric knowledge, share best practices, and earn token rewards, fostering sustainable and localized farming solutions.

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

No

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.”

No dependencies.

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

Our project will be fully open-source throughout its lifecycle, available under the MIT license, ensuring that anyone can inspect, modify, and contribute to the platform. The entire codebase, including the decentralized knowledge repository, smart contracts, and tokenization system, will be made available on a public GitHub repository. This promotes transparency and allows the broader community to collaborate and enhance the platform’s capabilities.

Only essential private keys and sensitive data for user security will remain closed. The open-source status ensures that DAKE can continuously evolve with community input, providing long-term value to the Cardano ecosystem and global agricultural community.

[METADATA] Horizons

Education

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

The Decentralized Agricultural Knowledge Exchange (DAKE) aims to address the lack of accessible, reliable, and localized agricultural knowledge for farmers. Currently, many farmers rely on outdated methods or inconsistent access to agricultural extension services, which hampers productivity and the adoption of sustainable practices.

Why this Approach?

We believe that decentralization, powered by blockchain, is key to solving this problem. By using a decentralized platform, we can enable peer-to-peer knowledge sharing among farmers, provide access to expert advice, and incentivize contributions with token rewards. This ensures that agricultural knowledge is constantly updated, verified by the community, and accessible to farmers worldwide, particularly in regions where formal agricultural extension services are weak or nonexistent.

Engagement:

The platform will engage:

• Farmers: Farmers will access expert-verified content, share their experiences, and participate in decentralized voting for best practices.
• Agricultural Experts: Experts will provide consultations, and their advice will be rewarded through smart contracts, ensuring timely and effective solutions.
• Researchers and Universities: They will share the latest research findings, ensuring farmers stay informed about cutting-edge agricultural technologies and methodologies.
• Businesses and NGOs: These groups will help scale the platform and offer localized agricultural support, contributing to the ecosystem.

Proving Impact:

• Quantitative Metrics: We will track user growth (number of farmers, experts, researchers), contributions made (knowledge shared, data uploaded), and successful consultations.
• Qualitative Metrics: Surveys and feedback from farmers will indicate how the platform improved their yields, farming practices, and decision-making.
• Blockchain Verification: Each contribution or transaction (consultations, knowledge submissions) will be recorded and validated on the blockchain, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Unique Aspects of the Solution:

• Blockchain-Based Knowledge Repository: A decentralized, timestamped repository of verified agricultural knowledge ensures that all information is accurate and up-to-date.
• Incentive System: Farmers, experts, and researchers are incentivized with tokens for contributing valuable insights, creating an active and self-sustaining community.
• Localized and Global Integration: The platform supports local knowledge sharing, while giving farmers access to global agricultural innovations and practices.
• Smart Contracts for Consultations and Data Sharing: These contracts ensure transparent, fair transactions between farmers and experts, as well as data sharing that benefits everyone in the ecosystem.

Why It’s Important to Cardano:

This project showcases the practical use of Cardano’s blockchain to solve real-world challenges. By applying decentralized solutions to agriculture, it demonstrates how blockchain can empower local communities, foster innovation, and improve global food security. DAKE aligns with Cardano's mission of promoting decentralized, transparent, and sustainable systems across industries, starting with agriculture, one of the most critical sectors globally.

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

The Decentralized Agricultural Knowledge Exchange (DAKE) project will highlight how Cardano’s blockchain can be used to create a decentralized, global solution that empowers farmers, researchers, and agricultural experts. By bringing knowledge-sharing to the blockchain, we not only solve key agricultural challenges but also expand Cardano’s use cases into sectors critical to food security and sustainability.

Value to the Cardano Community:

1. Showcasing Cardano's Capabilities: DAKE will demonstrate how Cardano’s blockchain technology can power a decentralized platform for knowledge-sharing, consultations, and data exchange—showing real-world, practical applications for its ecosystem.
2. Wider Adoption of Cardano: As more farmers, agricultural experts, and researchers join the platform, the project will increase Cardano’s visibility and adoption in the agricultural sector, reaching communities that typically don’t engage with blockchain technology.
3. Global and Local Impact: The project will encourage both global and local agricultural innovation. Farmers and experts from around the world will use the platform, sharing best practices, fostering agricultural improvement, and driving decentralized governance for knowledge exchange.

Measuring Impact:

• Quantitative Metrics:
• Number of farmers, experts, and researchers onboarded.
• Number of contributions made (knowledge shared, best practices voted, and consultations conducted).
• Amount of data shared and transactions made using smart contracts.
• Qualitative Metrics:
• Feedback from users on how the platform improved their agricultural practices and decision-making.
• Case studies demonstrating improvements in crop yields, sustainability, and resilience in farming practices due to platform use.
• User satisfaction with decentralized governance and tokenization features.
• Blockchain-Based Verification: All knowledge contributions, votes, and transactions will be verifiable on the blockchain, providing transparency in knowledge-sharing and incentivization.

Sharing Outputs:

• Open-Source Code: All code related to DAKE will be available on GitHub under the MIT license, allowing developers in the Cardano ecosystem to improve and expand the platform.
• Community Updates: Regular updates will be shared on Cardano’s forums, social media, and Catalyst community channels, including progress reports and key milestones.
• Partnerships and Collaboration: We will collaborate with agricultural experts, NGOs, and Cardano community groups to further scale the platform and promote decentralized solutions for agriculture globally.
• Project Close-Out Report and Video: Upon completion, we will submit a final report detailing the impact and outcomes of the project, as well as a video summarizing the results and next steps.

This comprehensive approach ensures that DAKE delivers real value to the Cardano community, while also contributing to global agricultural sustainability.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

Our team is highly experienced in blockchain development, software engineering, and agriculture-focused solutions. Together, we have the technical skills and domain expertise to deliver the Decentralized Agricultural Knowledge Exchange (DAKE) project with the highest levels of trust and accountability.

Team Capabilities:

1. Edwin Pokoo-Aikins (Lead Developer)

• Edwin brings over five years of experience in backend development, cloud computing, and blockchain integration. His expertise in decentralized systems ensures that DAKE’s smart contracts, tokenization, and knowledge-sharing features will be implemented securely and efficiently. Edwin has successfully led large-scale technical projects in blockchain, making him a trusted leader for this initiative.

1. Ayeboafo Egu Kwasi (Blockchain Specialist)

• Ayeboafo is a blockchain expert with a focus on decentralized governance and smart contract auditing. His previous work on blockchain security ensures that the DAKE platform’s core functionality—particularly the consultation and data-sharing features—will be safe, scalable, and transparent.

1. Christopher Pokoo-Aikins (Finance & Blockchain Advisor)

• Christopher is a finance professional with over 12 years of experience, including management of large budgets and blockchain financial systems. He will oversee fund management, ensuring that the project operates with full financial transparency. His experience as a Project Catalyst advisor since Fund 5 further demonstrates his understanding of decentralized financial systems.

1. Eugene Pokoo-Aikins (Software & Blockchain Engineer)

• Eugene has expertise in blockchain platforms (Cardano, Ethereum) and decentralized finance (DeFi). He will handle the technical side of the tokenization system and smart contracts, ensuring seamless integration and scalability.

1. Alfred Abaidoo (Cardano Developer)

• Alfred is an experienced Cardano developer with a passion for decentralized finance and governance. His background in creating user-centric blockchain platforms makes him key to developing DAKE’s decentralized voting system for best practices and community-driven solutions.

Validating Feasibility:

1. Proof of Concept: We will develop a proof of concept (PoC) within the first few months of the project to validate key technical components such as the knowledge repository, smart contracts, and decentralized voting system. This will allow for early feedback and ensure that the platform’s architecture is feasible and scalable.
2. Smart Contract Auditing: We will have our smart contracts audited by third-party blockchain security experts to ensure the integrity of the system before launching the full platform. This includes auditing all financial transactions, knowledge sharing, and token reward mechanisms to ensure there are no security risks.
3. Incremental Development and Testing: Our approach will be to develop and test the platform incrementally. We will engage farmers and agricultural experts early in the process to test the user interface, smart contracts, and knowledge-sharing functionality. Their feedback will be critical to refining the platform to meet user needs and guarantee ease of use.
4. Community Involvement: The DAKE platform will actively involve the community through decentralized governance. By giving farmers, experts, and researchers a say in the development process, we can ensure that the platform serves their needs and remains adaptable over time.

Managing Funds Properly:

1. Transparent Financial Management: Christopher Pokoo-Aikins, our Finance Advisor, will ensure that all funds are managed transparently, with regular financial reporting shared with the Cardano community. This will include detailed records of development costs, marketing expenditures, and platform operations.
2. Smart Contract-Based Fund Allocation: We will implement smart contract-based fund disbursement mechanisms to ensure that funds are only used for their intended purposes. Payments will be triggered upon reaching project milestones, preventing any misuse of funds.
3. Regular Reporting: We will submit regular progress reports and Proof of Achievement (PoA) documentation, ensuring that stakeholders are fully informed of how the project is progressing and how funds are being utilized.
4. Open Communication: The team will maintain open communication with the Cardano community through forums, Catalyst channels, and GitHub updates, ensuring transparency at every stage of development.

Our combination of technical expertise, blockchain security practices, and transparent fund management will ensure the successful delivery of DAKE with high levels of trust and accountability.

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Milestone 1: Platform Architecture Design & Proof of Concept Development (Month 1-3)

• A: Milestone Outputs
• Completion of the platform’s architecture design, outlining the knowledge repository, smart contract system, and token reward mechanism.
• Development of the Proof of Concept (PoC) for core features: blockchain-based knowledge repository, farmer-to-farmer sharing, and decentralized voting for best practices.
• B: Acceptance Criteria
• The architecture design is reviewed and approved by the project team and key stakeholders, ensuring it covers all necessary components for knowledge sharing and decentralized governance.
• Successful testing of the PoC, demonstrating the functionality of knowledge sharing, token distribution, and voting mechanisms.
• C: Evidence of Milestone Completion
• Submission of the platform architecture documentation, including diagrams and technical specifications.
• A live demo of the PoC showing basic functionality (knowledge sharing, voting, and token rewards).
• Test results documenting the successful operation of smart contracts and token distribution for knowledge-sharing contributions.
• GitHub repository updated with the PoC code.

Milestone 2: Blockchain Integration & Smart Contract Development (Month 4-6)

• A: Milestone Outputs
• Full integration of the Cardano blockchain into the platform, ensuring that smart contracts handle knowledge contributions, voting, and token rewards.
• Development and deployment of smart contracts for managing knowledge-sharing transactions, expert consultations, and token rewards.
• B: Acceptance Criteria
• Smart contracts are fully functional and integrated with the platform, allowing users to share knowledge, access expert advice, and receive token rewards.
• Security audits of smart contracts are completed, with no critical issues found.
• Smart contracts perform as intended, managing contributions and token distribution seamlessly.
• C: Evidence of Milestone Completion
• Smart contract code published to GitHub, with documentation outlining functionality and transaction flows.
• Reports from smart contract security audits confirming that the contracts are secure and free of vulnerabilities.
• Transaction logs from the platform demonstrating the successful use of smart contracts for knowledge sharing and token rewards.

Milestone 3: User Onboarding & Decentralized Governance Implementation (Month 7-9)

• A: Milestone Outputs
• Onboarding of early users, including farmers, agricultural experts, and researchers onto the platform.
• Implementation of the decentralized governance system, allowing users to vote on knowledge contributions and best practices.
• Initial rollout of localized content and language support to ensure regional adaptability.
• B: Acceptance Criteria
• A minimum of 50 farmers, 20 agricultural experts, and 5 researchers are successfully onboarded to the platform and actively participating in knowledge sharing and voting.
• Decentralized governance is fully operational, with users voting on contributions and decision-making for platform improvements.
• Positive feedback from early users about the ease of onboarding, platform usability, and the effectiveness of the governance system.
• C: Evidence of Milestone Completion
• User registration logs showing the successful onboarding of at least 50 farmers, 20 experts, and 5 researchers.
• Transaction records from the decentralized voting system, including decisions made and voting participation.
• User feedback reports from early participants, demonstrating platform satisfaction and suggested improvements.
• Screenshots or video demos of the decentralized governance and user interactions.

Milestone 4: Full Platform Launch & Tokenization System (Month 10-12)

• A: Milestone Outputs
• Full public launch of the platform, including all core features such as the knowledge repository, farmer-to-farmer sharing, expert consultations, decentralized voting, and the token rewards system.
• Rollout of the tokenization system that rewards contributors with tokens for sharing verified knowledge and participating in governance decisions.
• B: Acceptance Criteria
• The platform is fully functional and accessible to the public, with all core features (knowledge repository, governance, tokenization) live and operational.
• The tokenization system is successfully rewarding users based on contributions, voting, and participation in knowledge sharing.
• Positive feedback from the broader community and initial users regarding the full platform's usability and effectiveness.
• C: Evidence of Milestone Completion
• Platform usage metrics showing an increase in active users and token transactions (knowledge sharing, voting, and consultations).
• Transaction logs demonstrating the successful distribution of tokens to contributors and participants in the governance process.
• Public announcement of the platform launch, along with documentation or a demo showcasing all core features.
• Feedback and survey reports from users post-launch, highlighting platform strengths and areas for improvement.

Final Milestone: Project Close-out & Impact Reporting (Month 12)

• A: Milestone Outputs
• Completion of the project, including all deliverables such as the fully operational platform, with the decentralized knowledge-sharing system, tokenization, and governance features.
• Creation and submission of a detailed project close-out report, summarizing project outcomes, lessons learned, and future development plans.
• Development and publication of a project close-out video to showcase platform functionality, user stories, and impact on the farming community.
• B: Acceptance Criteria
• The project close-out report is completed and shared with stakeholders, covering key metrics such as user engagement, token rewards distributed, and platform activity.
• The platform is verified as fully operational, with all core features functioning correctly and serving the intended users (farmers, experts, researchers).
• Positive user feedback collected post-launch, demonstrating satisfaction with the platform's usability and impact.
• The project close-out video is published and shared with the Cardano community and stakeholders.
• C: Evidence of Milestone Completion
• Submission of the final project close-out report, including data on platform usage, number of contributions, tokens distributed, and governance participation.
• Platform usage metrics showing consistent activity from farmers, experts, and researchers.
• Feedback and survey data from platform users, illustrating the platform's effectiveness in knowledge-sharing and agricultural support.
• The project close-out video, published on Cardano community platforms and social media, providing a visual demonstration of the platform’s impact.

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

1. Edwin Pokoo-Aikins (Lead Developer & Project Manager)

• Role: Oversees the development and architecture of the DAKE platform, focusing on integrating the Cardano blockchain, smart contract development, and project management. Edwin will also ensure that all milestones are achieved on time and that the platform meets user needs for knowledge sharing and tokenization.
• LinkedIn: Edwin Pokoo-Aikins

1. Ayeboafo Egu Kwasi (Blockchain Specialist)

• Role: Focuses on smart contract development, blockchain integration, and decentralized governance setup. Ayeboafo ensures that the blockchain elements of the project, such as token rewards and voting mechanisms, are secure and transparent.
• LinkedIn: Ayeboafo Egu Kwasi

1. Christopher Pokoo-Aikins (Finance & Blockchain Advisor)

• Role: Manages the project’s financial resources, ensuring transparent budgeting and proper allocation of funds. Christopher also provides guidance on blockchain financial mechanisms and helps ensure compliance with decentralized governance.
• LinkedIn: Christopher Pokoo-Aikins

1. Eugene Pokoo-Aikins (Software & Blockchain Engineer)

• Role: Leads the technical implementation of blockchain tools, including smart contract auditing and development. Eugene will ensure that the platform’s infrastructure is scalable, secure, and user-friendly, particularly focusing on tokenization features and smart contract auditing.
• LinkedIn: Eugene Pokoo-Aikins

1. Alfred Abaidoo (Cardano Developer & Innovator)

• Role: Responsible for implementing decentralized governance and ensuring that user interfaces for knowledge-sharing and voting are intuitive. Alfred will also work on integrating the feedback mechanisms and tokenization system into the platform.
• LinkedIn: Alfred Abaidoo

Planned Team Recruitment:

We are also planning to recruit additional team members to ensure the project's success:

• Frontend Developer: Responsible for building and maintaining the platform’s user interface. They will focus on creating an intuitive and accessible experience for farmers, experts, and researchers.
• Required Skills: Expertise in React, Angular, or Vue.js with a strong background in UI/UX design.
• Marketing & Community Engagement Specialist: Focused on growing the platform’s user base, onboarding farmers, and promoting engagement through social media and community outreach.
• Required Skills: Experience in digital marketing, community building, and public relations within decentralized ecosystems.
• Security Auditor: To review and audit all smart contracts, ensuring the platform’s security and preventing potential vulnerabilities.
• Required Skills: Proven track record in blockchain security, smart contract auditing, and vulnerability testing.

Engagement and Communication:

The current team is well-connected and engaged through Slack, GitHub, and Telegram for real-time collaboration. We have been in communication with experts in the Cardano ecosystem to ensure that technical and advisory support is in place. Key members of the team have already been approached and have committed their time and expertise to the success of the DAKE project.

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Platform Development: ₳30,000

• Description:
• Backend and frontend development for the knowledge repository, decentralized voting, and tokenization system.
• Integration of the Cardano blockchain for knowledge sharing and governance features.
• Resources:
• Developer salaries for blockchain integration, smart contract development, and user interface design.
• Tools and software required for platform infrastructure (cloud services, database setup).

2. Smart Contract Auditing: ₳10,000

• Description:
• Professional audit of the smart contracts to ensure security and proper functionality for knowledge sharing, governance voting, and token rewards.
• Resources:
• External blockchain auditing firm for comprehensive review and vulnerability assessment.

3. Marketing & Community Engagement: ₳15,000

• Description:
• Digital marketing campaigns to raise awareness and onboard farmers, researchers, and experts.
• Community workshops and webinars to explain how to use the platform and participate in knowledge sharing.
• Resources:
• Social media advertising costs, community outreach materials, and educational content creation (videos, blog posts, infographics).

4. Project Management & Operations: ₳15,000

• Description:
• Overall project coordination, team management, and reporting to stakeholders.
• Documentation, planning, and milestone tracking to ensure all project goals are met.
• Resources:
• Project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello) and tools to facilitate communication and collaboration.

5. Security & Legal Compliance: ₳5,000

• Description:
• Cybersecurity measures to protect the platform and user data.
• Legal consultation to ensure compliance with local regulations and governance rules.
• Resources:
• External cybersecurity consultant.
• Legal fees for compliance with decentralized governance standards and data protection laws.

6. Contingency Fund: ₳10,000

• Description:
• Reserve fund to cover any unforeseen costs related to platform development, scaling, or legal challenges that may arise during the project.
• Resources:
• Flexible use to address challenges such as unexpected software development needs, platform scaling, or additional compliance.

Third-Party Services and Products:

• Security Auditing: A blockchain security firm will conduct a comprehensive review of the smart contracts, ensuring that all transactions related to knowledge-sharing, token rewards, and governance are secure.
• Legal Consultation: Professional legal services will ensure compliance with global data protection laws, decentralized governance structures, and intellectual property rights.
• Cloud Services: Hosting the platform and its decentralized knowledge repository using secure cloud services.

[VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

The Decentralized Agricultural Knowledge Exchange (DAKE) project represents excellent value for the Cardano ecosystem by creating a practical, scalable, and community-driven solution that addresses agricultural challenges through decentralized knowledge sharing. The budget of ₳85,000 has been carefully structured to ensure optimal resource allocation for platform development, security, marketing, and community engagement, providing long-term benefits for both users and the Cardano network.

Justification of Costs:

1. Platform Development (₳30,000):

• This cost covers both backend and frontend development, including the integration of Cardano’s blockchain for governance, smart contracts, and tokenization systems. Salaries for experienced blockchain developers in the market range from ₳3,000 to ₳5,000 per month depending on expertise. This allocation is proportional to typical development costs in the industry, particularly for projects involving decentralized systems and smart contracts.

1. Smart Contract Auditing (₳10,000):

• Blockchain security is critical for DAKE, as the platform will manage knowledge sharing, token rewards, and governance voting using smart contracts. Professional blockchain auditing firms charge between ₳8,000 to ₳15,000 for comprehensive smart contract reviews. This ensures that DAKE’s contracts are secure and that users can trust the system, providing excellent value for the Cardano ecosystem in terms of safety and reliability.

1. Marketing & Community Engagement (₳15,000):

• The success of DAKE depends on onboarding farmers, experts, and researchers. This budget is allocated for digital marketing campaigns, community outreach, and the creation of educational content. This cost is aligned with industry rates for community-driven blockchain projects, where campaigns on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube can cost ₳2,000 to ₳5,000 per month, depending on the scope.

1. Project Management & Operations (₳15,000):

• This cost ensures that the project is managed efficiently with clear documentation, milestone tracking, and reporting. It covers project management tools and salaries for key personnel managing the project. Project managers with experience in blockchain typically earn ₳3,000 to ₳5,000 per month, making this allocation reasonable for a 12-month timeline.

1. Security & Legal Compliance (₳5,000):

• Ensuring that DAKE complies with local regulations and decentralized governance standards is essential for platform sustainability. This cost covers legal consultations and cybersecurity measures, which are critical for protecting users and maintaining the platform’s reputation. Legal fees and cybersecurity consultants typically charge ₳2,000 to ₳5,000, making this a justified allocation.

1. Contingency Fund (₳10,000):

• The contingency fund is designed to cover unexpected costs, such as additional software development or scaling requirements as the platform grows. This is a common best practice in software development projects to ensure flexibility and adaptability to unforeseen challenges.

Long-Term Impact and Value for Cardano:

1. Scalability and Adoption:

• DAKE is designed to scale globally, enabling farmers, researchers, and experts from all over the world to participate in decentralized knowledge sharing. This will lead to wider adoption of Cardano as the platform demonstrates real-world use cases in the agricultural sector.

1. Community-Driven Innovation:

• By empowering farmers and experts to contribute knowledge and participate in decentralized governance, DAKE fosters innovation in agriculture. This aligns with Cardano’s mission of decentralized decision-making and incentivizing community participation, providing ongoing value to the ecosystem.

1. Open-Source Contributions:

• As an open-source project, DAKE will be available for other developers and communities to build upon. This encourages further innovation in decentralized knowledge sharing and governance systems, benefiting the broader Cardano community.

1. Sustainability and Global Reach:

• The platform will enhance global food security by providing farmers with access to cutting-edge agricultural knowledge. This aligns with Cardano’s vision of using blockchain for social good and ensuring the long-term sustainability of decentralized solutions.

Conclusion:

The project represents excellent value for money by delivering a scalable, decentralized platform that addresses real-world challenges in agriculture. The careful allocation of resources, combined with open-source development and community-driven governance, ensures that DAKE will bring both immediate and long-term benefits to the Cardano ecosystem.