TREEdano: a Regenerative NFTrees dApp
Problem
In the East region of Cameroon and throughout the Congo Basin, rare and iconic tree species are facing over-exploitation, yet there’s no comprehensive plan in place to restore them.
Total to date
This is the total amount allocated to TREEdano: a Regenerative NFTrees dApp.
About this idea
[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant
DIT Cameroon[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)
Entity (Not Incorporated)[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)
Enhance DIT's existing Treedano dApp by adding supporting modules and expanding use cases to attract more users, fostering an Eco-conscious community while creating innovative funding opportunities.
[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
[METADATA] Horizons
NFT[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution
Context
Our mission to combat deforestation in East Cameroon started with our Fund 8 Proposal "Treedano: Regenerative NFTrees." This proposal serves as the continuation of that work and builds upon our successful MVP to address the pressing need for reforestation in a region plagued by inadequate policy support. By leveraging NFTs as a dual mechanism for funding and fostering engagement among environmentally conscious groups. Our platform aims to serve as a place that not only enables tree adoption but also cultivates a dynamic economy and community centered on environmental sustainability and digital asset opportunities.
Context of the Problem:
In Cameroon, as in many Central and West African nations, the heartbreaking reality is that rare tree species are often harvested and exported by multinational companies without any concern for replanting what was taken. This troubling trend seeps into local farming communities, where trees are cut down for furniture or sold off, disregarding the crucial need for regrowth.
Traditional agricultural practices fuel a destructive cycle, pushing farmers to clear-cut forests for new farmland while prioritizing quick-return crops like corn. The pervasive use of products from companies like Monsanto has polluted our environment, resulting in lower food quality and alarming increases in cancer rates within local communities.
These challenges inspired us to launch a pilot project in 2021 on a 3+ hectare plot of land (19+ hectares in 2024). Our approach promotes a holistic farming model that integrates cash and non-cash crops alongside fruit-bearing and non-fruit trees. We aim to propagate nearly extinct tree species within our farming schemes while raising awareness of harmful practices and their reversibility. Our goal is to establish food forests that combine fruit trees with specialty timber species, employing innovative methods such as syntropic agriculture, permaculture, and biodynamic practices.
To date, we have identified numerous tree species, including:
- Moabi
- Sapelli
- Iboga
- Padouk
- Ébène (Ebony)
- Doussié
- Bossé
- Gliricidia
Our Approach:
We aim to empower eco-conscious individuals to "adopt a tree" through NFTrees, providing access to information, unique narratives about each tree and our journey, a voice in its care, and establishing traceability for our farm's produce.
Our solution unfolds in several phases, with the overarching goal of linking each rare tree species we cultivate on our farm to an NFTree for adoption.
In the first phase, we traveled to the East region to engage with communities commonly referred to as "Pygmies," initiating conversations to gather information about the rare and highly sought-after tree species in the area. We documented our experiences through videos, images, text, and audio, which serve as the foundation for the dynamic stories of each NFTree. We acquired valuable insights into the germination and care processes for each species, meticulously cataloging details such as local names, seed availability seasons, and any associated historical significance.
One particularly captivating story involved species that can only germinate after passing through the stomachs of elephants. Unfortunately, the decline of elephant populations in the region has led to the disappearance of these species.
In the second phase, we returned to the previously visited areas at the appropriate time of year, as advised by local communities, to collect seeds or seedlings, which we then nurtured in a designated section of our tree nursery. Over the past three years, we have cultivated over 100,000 seedlings—ranging from common to rare and endangered species—most of which have now been planted on our farm, CosTel.
In the third phase, we implemented a minimum viable product (MVP) focused on our project's core functionality: adopting a tree by minting an NFT. This allowed us to create NFTrees for some of the rarest trees planted on our farm, complete with specific documentation, including geo-coordinates. We captured images, audio, text, and video narratives tailored to the local context, establishing a dynamic connection between future stories and our initial efforts.
This proposal seeks to enhance our MVP by introducing supporting modules designed to cultivate a community of adopters. This will allow them to remain connected with our activities and, most importantly, engage with the trees linked to their NFTrees.
For more context regarding the previous related project:
- Follow this link to access our MVP
- Follow this link for our General Report
- Follow this link for our Close Out Report
Our Main Objective
The core objective of this proposal is to extend and finalize the implementation and deployment of the supporting software component of TREEdano into production. Achieving this goal is our primary focus.
Methodological approach
Having established the foundations through the development of the MVP, we have produced several key results that will facilitate future tasks. These results include three essential document describing the platform both on technical and non-technical terms:
Based on these documents, we have pinpointed the essential modules needed for our solution space. Each module addresses a specific issue, and their integration will form the foundation of our overall solution. The modules are as follow:
Identity and Access Management:
- Provides user registration, login, and password recovery. Manages user roles and permissions to ensure secure access to different parts of the platform, enabling role-based access control.
- Future iteration will integrate aspect of DIDs
Carbon Credit Inventory Management:
- Tracks carbon credits generated through reforestation and other environmental initiatives. Manages calculations for carbon sequestration, facilitates reporting to stakeholders, and allows NFTree owners to view carbon credits generated by the related trees. This module offer opportunities for futures funding opportunities from Carbon Credit sales. We were profoundly inspired by COMACO Zambia
Nursery Management:
- Oversees nursery operations, including seedling care, inventory management, and growth monitoring. Nursery is one of the core module of our platform. With this module, we will be able to anticipate future available NFTrees to our community. It will also capture and share some of the most fascinating insights on germinating some of the most complex seeds.
Tree Inventory Management:
- Catalogs all tree species within the project, including details on age, species, their rarity ranking, progress, and geographical data. Facilitates monitoring and reporting on tree populations and helps identify rare species.
Sales Management:
- Manages product listings and inventory, tracks sales transactions, and generates sales reports. Supports customer relationship management to enhance user experience.
Information Collection Management:
- Gathers data from various sources, including user inputs, surveys, and environmental assessments. Organizes information for analysis and reporting purposes. This is one of our key module providing the real connection between NFTree collectors and the evolution of our initiative.
Catalog Management:
- Maintains a comprehensive database of all products and services, including trees, NFTs, and educational materials. Enables users to browse and search for items easily.
Orders Management:
- Handles customer orders from initiation to fulfillment. Manages order statuses, shipping details, and provides updates to customers regarding their orders.
Payments:
- Integrates with payment gateways to facilitate secure transactions. Supports various payment methods and handles refunds and billing inquiries.
Notifications:
- Sends timely alerts and updates to users about their activities, such as order confirmations, adoption updates, and project news. Offers customizable notification preferences.
Carbon Credit Management:
- Manages the lifecycle of carbon credits, including creation, trading, and retirement. Provides users with insights into their carbon impact and options for purchasing or trading credits.
NFTrees Minting:
- Facilitates the creation of NFTs for each adopted tree, linking them to unique documentation and ownership records. Manages the minting process and ensures that all NFTs are securely stored on the blockchain.
Adoptions Management:
- Supports the process of adopting trees, including user registration and tracking of adopter interactions. Maintains records of each adoption and provides updates on the adopted tree's status.
Nursery Management:
- Oversees nursery operations, including seedling care, inventory management, and growth monitoring. Ensures the health and viability of plants before they are planted.
Collaborations:
- Manages partnerships with organizations and individuals involved in the project. Facilitates communication, resource sharing, and joint initiatives.
Statistics & Reports:
- Provides analytics and reporting on various aspects of the project, including user engagement, environmental impact, and financial performance. Helps inform decision-making.
Donations:
- Manages the collection of donations, tracking donor contributions and issuing receipts. Offers donors insights into how their contributions are being used.
Pricing:
- Administers pricing models for products and services, including discounts and promotions. Provides users with transparent pricing information
Recommendations:
- Utilizes algorithms to provide personalized suggestions to users based on their preferences and past behaviors, enhancing user engagement and satisfaction.
Legality:
- Ensures compliance with local and international regulations, manages necessary documentation, and addresses legal inquiries related to the project.
Mobile Application:
- Offers a responsive interface tailored for mobile users, allowing access to project services, tree adoption, and community features on the go.
Web Application:
- Provides a comprehensive web platform where users can engage with the project, access detailed information, and participate in community activities.
Governance:
- Involving NFTree Owners into the decision making process by allowing them to voices their opinion on certain wide range actions
General Roadmap
Our road-map revolves around our milestones you will see detailed in the appropriate session below that can be summarize in phases as follow.
*Phase I - 3 months: Requirements Consolidation and Planning / Design and Prototyping
- Build on top of previous work to create a comprehensive specification document outlining the application's features, user stories, and technical specifications.
- Creation of UI markups and high-fidelity prototypes for the application’s user interface capturing all use-cases.
*Phase II - 7 months: Workflow Designed and Implementation
- Development of the back-end infrastructure, including APIs, database setup, and server configuration.
- Implementation of the front-end application, integrating it with the back-end services.
*Phase III - 1 month:Testing and Quality Assurance
- Comprehensive testing of the application, including unit tests, integration tests, and user acceptance testing (UAT).
*Phase IV - 1/2 month: dApp Launch and Deployment
- Successfully deploy and launch dApp
*Phase V - 1/2 month: Post-Launch Monitoring and Iteration
- Monitoring application performance
- Gathering user feedback for future iterations.
*Phase VI - 1 week :
- Submit close out report and video
[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community
The proposed interactive platform for engaging with rare tree species through NFTrees will not only transform how individuals participate in conservation efforts but also create significant positive impacts within the broader ecosystem. By enhancing user engagement, showcasing the project’s versatility, and fostering community growth, this initiative can contribute to a more vibrant and sustainable approach to environmental restoration.
Increased User Engagement with Conservation Efforts: By developing an interactive platform centered around tree adoption and care, more users will engage with the project not only for educational purposes but also for hands-on involvement in conservation activities. This increased participation will cultivate a broader user base familiar with the importance of biodiversity and conservation.
Strengthening Environmental Initiatives: The platform introduces a practical application of blockchain technology to address ecological challenges, demonstrating its versatility beyond financial uses. This diverse approach can attract developers and environmental advocates to explore and contribute to conservation efforts, enhancing the project’s reputation as a robust and impactful initiative.
Community Growth and Collaboration: The platform can foster a vibrant community of environmentalists, educators, and supporters who actively engage with and promote the conservation of rare tree species. This community growth can lead to network effects, enhancing the overall value of the project as more individuals participate in its mission.
Improved Environmental Literacy: As users engage with the platform, they will gain insights into conservation practices, rare tree species, and the importance of biodiversity. This increased awareness can empower individuals to utilize the tools and knowledge necessary for effective environmental stewardship.
Enhanced Transparency and Trust: By leveraging blockchain technology to verify tree adoption and conservation efforts, the platform enhances the credibility of its initiatives. This transparency can build trust among users and stakeholders, showcasing the effectiveness of blockchain for secure and verifiable environmental actions.
Encouraging Innovation in Conservation: The success of this platform can inspire other innovative applications in environmental conservation, leading to a ripple effect where more projects emerge, further solidifying the role of blockchain technology in promoting sustainable practices.
[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?
Traceable record of past delivered projects
In Cameroon, we say, "A tree is recognized by its fruit," meaning past actions are the best judge. DIT Cameroon has secured funding for multiple Catalyst projects in previous funds and delivered on all promises.
Our strategy involved training local developers and leveraging them for pre-prototype implementation of their multiple dApp prototypes. This approach has paved the way for a future Cardano community in Cameroon, including not only developers, but entrepreneurs, policymakers, and other local community groups.
Below are all the projects plus partners projects delivered successfully:
*DIT Cameroon Projects:
Spread Plutus in Africa
Clubs + Hackathon
Dev. Journey into DID Paradigm:
Small Change Wallet: (dApp)
Djangui: local savings accounts mgmt (dApp)
- Close-out report for Djangui: local savings accounts mgmt: here
- Close-out video here
- dApp prototype here
Treedano: Regenerative NFTrees (dApp)
- Close-out report for Treedano: Regenerative NFTrees: here
- General report for Treedano: Regenerative NFTrees: here
- Close-out video here
- dApp prototype demo here
- dApp prototype link here
Mentalyse : Learn through fun
- Close-out report for Mentalyse: : Learn through fun: here
- General report for Mentalyse: Learn through fun: here
- Close-out video here
- dApp prototype demo here
- dApp prototype here
Lost |&| Found:
- Close-out report for Lost |&| Found: here
- General report for: Lost |&| Found: here
- Close-out video here
- dApp prototype here
*Co proposed projects:
Planting Roots in Africa
Nurturing Roots Part 1
Wada documentary:
Highly diverse and Capable Team on the ground
DIT is a multilingual team that has actively produced Web3 training content and prototype dApps in both French and English over the past three years. Our diverse, determined team is committed to their mission of integrating Web3 in Africa, with a focus on local community paradigms.
Hess: Co-Founder and CFO at DIA, Wada Hub Liaison, Wada Cameroon Hub Co-Lead, Maths & Physics teacher, bilingual (French & English)
Manfo: Co-Founder and CEO at DIA, Cameroon Hub Co-Lead, Senior software architect & developer, 16+ years of experience programming, 6+ years in functional programming paradigm (F#, Haskell, Elm, Purescript), Multilingual (French, English, Italian, Ngiembo), Regenerative Farmer
Nkalla: Co-Founder and CTO at DIA, Senior software architect & developer, 16+ years of experience programming, 4+ years in functional programming paradigm (Haskell), Mathematics teacher (Education Systems Engineering), Multilingual (French, Italian, English, Mbo), Farmer
Mermoz: Cultural liaison at DIA, Researcher in African Crypto communication, writer, farmer, poet and engineer.
Maureen: Community builder, event & communication coordinator.
Ntet: Junior software architect and developer, 4+ years of programming experience, 1+ year in functional programming paradigm (Haskell), Smart contract development (Plutus) multilingual (French, English, Bassa).
Neudjieu: Junior Software Engineer with 2 years of experience, multilingual (French, English, Medumba), 2D/3D Computer Graphic Designer experience. Entrepreneur oriented and self-taught who loves new challenges.
Tiotsop: One year of experience in applying machine learning and data science to financial markets. His work has been on extracting insights from financial data, enhancing decision-making processes, and addressing challenges specific to this domain, multilingual (French, English, Italian, Ngiembo).
Maffouo: Maffouo holds a Bachelor degree in Physics, he is a Physics teacher and Farm supervisor. He is passionate about applying physics to his farming endeavor. Bilingual (French, Ngiembo).
Community held events / Hackathons
- January 2022 Hackathon: Introduction to Haskell
- Recorded Session
- Lectures & challenge material
- 1K USD in prizes awarded to participants
- June 2022 Hackathon: The fundamentals
- Recorded Session
- Lectures & challenge material
- 1K ADA in prizes awarded to participants
- November 2023 Hackathon: DID, SSI, DLTs
- Recorded Session
- French Lecture
- English Lecture
- Lectures & challenge material
- 1,2K ADA in prizes awarded to participants
Summary:
Total funding received & accomplishments over the past 2-3 years ($160K)
- Acquired and furnished IT Center (DIT Cameroon) in Douala: 2021 - Present
- Established library with 300+ IT, Farming, Anthropological books and more
- Completed First Haskell, Plutus, DLTs and Software Architecture Training Campaign 21+ interns trained over 2 years
- Hired top 2 interns now collaborating with with us
- Held 3 prized hackathon in parallel to our training initiative
- Held multiple blockchain related in person and online events
- Launched Second Training Campaign (Extending it to Wada’s Ghana, DRC and Burkina Faso hubs)
- Delivered 9 out of 9 projects funded on the Project Catalyst Platform 4 of them are fully functioning dApp prototypes.
- Acquired 111 Acres of land on which we are currently implementing one of our core Treedano: Regenerative NFTrees project as a proof of concept.
- Planned and hosted a Cardano summit within our hub
- Planned and hosted a Intersect Constitutional working group
- Planned and hosted a Intersect Constitutional workshop
- Started setting up our network of Cooperatives (DIA Web of Coops)
- ...etc
[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?
Requirements Gathering and Planning / Design and Prototyping
Milestone Output:
- A comprehensive requirements document outlining the application's features, user stories, and technical specifications.
- Creation of wireframes and high-fidelity prototypes for the application’s user interface.
Acceptance Criteria:
- Stakeholder interviews are conducted.
- User personas are defined.
- Technical architecture is outlined.
- Wireframes for all key pages are completed.
- High-fidelity prototypes are developed using design tools (e.g., Figma, Adobe XD).
- User feedback is collected and incorporated into the design.
Evidence of Completion:
- Requirements document approved by stakeholders.
- User stories and acceptance criteria documented.
- Design files shared with the team.
- User feedback reports detailing insights and changes made.
Workflow Designed and Implemented end to end
Milestone Output:
- Development of the backend infrastructure, including APIs, database setup, and server configuration.
- Implementation of the frontend application, integrating it with the backend services.
Acceptance Criteria:
- All necessary APIs are developed and tested.
- Database schema is designed and implemented.
- Server is deployed and accessible.
- All UI components are developed and functional.
- Frontend is connected to backend APIs with no major bugs.
- Nami Wallet integration is ensured.
Evidence of Completion:
- API documentation available.
- Code repository with backend code.
- Successful deployment logs.
- Live demo of the frontend application.
- Code repository with frontend code.
- Browser testing reports.
Testing and Quality Assurance
Milestone Output:
- Comprehensive testing of the application, including unit tests, integration tests, and user acceptance testing (UAT).
Acceptance Criteria:
- All major functionalities are tested and pass
- Bugs are logged, prioritized, and resolved
- UAT(User Acceptance Testing) is completed with positive feedback from users
Evidence of Completion:
- Test cases and results documented.
- Bug tracking reports showing resolution status.
- UAT feedback summary.
Launch and Deployment
Milestone Output:
- Successful launch of the web application to production.
Acceptance Criteria:
- Application is deployed to a live server.
- Performance and security checks are completed.
- Marketing and user onboarding strategies are in place.
Evidence of Completion:
- Deployment logs and monitoring setup.
- Marketing materials and user guides.
- User feedback collected post-launch.
Post-Launch Monitoring and Iteration
Milestone Output:
- Monitoring application performance and gathering user feedback for future iterations.
Acceptance Criteria:
- Performance metrics are tracked (e.g., load times, user engagement).
- User feedback channels are established.
- A roadmap for future improvements is developed.
Evidence of Completion:
- Analytics reports showing user interaction.
- List of planned enhancements based on user feedback.
- Regular update meetings scheduled with the team.
Final Milestone:
Close out report & video
[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?
Lead software Architect / Project Manager / Backend & Smart Contract Developer
UI/UX Designer / Frontend Developer
Business Analyst Tester & Marketing Specialist
DevOps Engineer & Security Analyst & Technical Writer
[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources
Budget Breakdown
Requirements Gathering: ADA 5,000
Stakeholder interviews, user stories, and documentation.
Design and Prototyping: ADA 10,000
UI/UX design, wireframing, and high-fidelity prototypes.
Smart Contract Development: ADA 15,000
Development and testing of smart contracts.
Back-end Development: ADA 72,000
Server setup, API development, and database integration.
Front-end Development: ADA 20,000
Building the user interface and connecting to back-end.
Testing and Quality Assurance: ADA 13,000
Comprehensive testing (unit, integration, UAT).
Launch and Deployment: ADA 5,000
Hosting, initial marketing, and user onboarding.
Post-Launch Support: ADA 5,000
Bug fixes, monitoring, and minor updates post-launch.
Administrative & Coordination: ADA 5,000
Project management and coordination activities.
Contingency Fund: ADA 10,000
Reserved for unexpected costs.
Total Estimated Cost: ADA 160,000
[VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?
The project’s interactive platform for engaging with rare tree species through NFTrees offers significant value for money through various key aspects:
1.Cost-Effective Conservation:
By utilizing blockchain technology, the project reduces administrative overhead and inefficiencies often associated with traditional conservation effort
2. Increased Community Engagement: Investing in this platform fosters a dedicated community of environmental advocates who actively participate in conservation efforts. This grassroots involvement not only enhances project sustainability but also amplifies outreach efforts without incurring substantial marketing costs.
3. Educational Return on Investment: The platform serves as an educational tool, raising awareness about rare tree species and biodiversity. This investment in education has long-term benefits, as informed individuals are more likely to advocate for and engage in conservation, leading to a broader societal impact.
4. Scalability and Replicability: The model can be scaled to include additional tree species and expanded to other regions, maximizing the impact of initial investments. The adaptability of the platform allows for future enhancements and collaborations without significant additional costs.
5. Enhanced Trust and Credibility: By leveraging blockchain for verification of tree adoption and conservation efforts, the platform builds trust among users and stakeholders. This credibility can attract further investment and support, increasing the project’s overall effectiveness and sustainability.
6. Measurable Outcomes: The platform facilitates the collection of data on user engagement and conservation impact, allowing for clear metrics to assess success. This ability to measure outcomes ensures that funds are utilized effectively and that the project can adapt based on data-driven insights.
7. Long-Term Environmental Benefits: Ultimately, the investment in this project contributes to the preservation of rare tree species and the restoration of ecosystems, yielding long-term ecological benefits that far outweigh initial costs. By protecting biodiversity, the project supports broader environmental health, which has intrinsic value for communities and future generations.
In summary, the project represents a strategic investment that not only addresses immediate conservation needs but also offers long-term benefits to both the environment and the community, ensuring a strong return on investment.
Team
