HarvestHub | a decentralized marketplace on the cardano blockchain

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

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

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

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

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

It aims to create transparent and efficient agricultural trade platform within the Cardano ecosystem, connecting farmers directly with consumers, ensuring fair pricing, and verifying product quality.

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

[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

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

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

The project output would not be open source. Further details would be added regarding project output

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

HarvestHub: Empowering Agricultural Trade on Cardano

Problem Perceived: Traditional agricultural markets lack transparency, fair pricing, and direct farmer-consumer connections. Middlemen often exploit information asymmetry, and smallholder farmers struggle to access financial services.

Approach: HarvestHub leverages Cardano’s blockchain to create a decentralized marketplace. Smart contracts ensure transparent transactions, escrow services, and quality verification. By connecting farmers directly with consumers, HarvestHub reduces dependency on intermediaries.

Engagement:

• Farmers: Showcase products, negotiate prices, and gain global exposure.
• Consumers: Access fresh, traceable produce and support local communities.
• Cardano Community: Collaborate, provide feedback, and participate in governance.

Impact Demonstration:

• Transparency: Track product origin and pricing on the blockchain.
• Financial Inclusion: Enable collateralized loans for farmers.
• Community Growth: Measure user adoption and engagement.

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

1. Ecosystem Growth:

• By creating a decentralized marketplace, HarvestHub contributes to the expansion of Cardano’s ecosystem.
• More use cases attract developers, users, and investors, strengthening the overall network.

1. ADA Adoption:

• As HarvestHub integrates ADA (Cardano’s native cryptocurrency), it encourages adoption and usage of ADA within the marketplace.
• Increased ADA transactions benefit the Cardano network.

1. Community Engagement:

• HarvestHub fosters community involvement through governance models (e.g., DAOs).
• Community members participate in decision-making, enhancing Cardano’s decentralized ethos.

1. Global Impact:

• Transparent agricultural trade benefits farmers worldwide.

Cardano gains recognition as a blockchain platform addressing real-world challenges.

[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?

I have extensive experience in agribusiness and a network of stakeholders, including farmers, provide a strong foundation for delivering the HarvestHub project. Collaborating with skilled developers during the prototyping phase ensures technical feasibility. Regular progress updates, community engagement, and transparent communication will demonstrate accountability and build trust within the Cardano ecosystem.

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

The timeline for completing a decentralized marketplace project—from research to prototyping

1. Research and Conceptualization (1-2 weeks):

• During this phase, you’ll define the project scope, gather requirements, and research existing solutions.
• Estimate 1-2 weeks for thorough research and conceptualization.

1. Design and Planning (2-3 weeks):

• Create wireframes, user flow diagrams, and UI/UX designs for your marketplace.
• Plan the smart contract architecture and choose the technology stack (e.g., Plutus for Cardano).
• Allocate 2-3 weeks for design and planning.

1. Smart Contract Development (4-6 weeks):

• Develop the smart contracts that handle order matching, escrow, and product listings.
• Test the contracts thoroughly on a testnet.
• Expect 4-6 weeks for smart contract development.

1. Front-End Development (4-6 weeks):

• Build the user interface (web and/or mobile) using frameworks like React or Vue.js.
• Integrate the front end with the Cardano blockchain.
• Allocate 4-6 weeks for front-end development.

1. Back-End Development (3-4 weeks):

• Develop back-end services for user authentication, order processing, and communication with smart contracts.
• Ensure security and scalability.
• Plan 3-4 weeks for back-end development.

1. Testing and Iteration (2-3 weeks):

• Rigorously test the entire system, including smart contracts, UI, and back-end functionality.
• Address any issues or bugs.
• Allocate 2-3 weeks for testing and iteration.

1. Deployment and Integration (1-2 weeks):

• Deploy your prototype on a testnet (e.g., Cardano’s Alonzo testnet).
• Integrate with Cardano wallets and other relevant tools.
• Expect 1-2 weeks for deployment and integration.

1. Community Engagement and Feedback (Ongoing):

• Share your progress with the Cardano community.

Gather feedback and iterate based on community input.

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

Elvis Amankwah Boateng, Agribusiness Management graduate from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (Kumasi), he volunteered at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture(MOFA), was an Administrator at YUGEP AGRI IMPACT GREENHOUSE VILLAGE and is currently an Assistant Agricultural Officer (Local government service)

• He brings valuable domain expertise, ensuring the app is tailored to the specific needs and challenges of the industry.
• He leverages his network and industry connections, to engage with farmers, input suppliers, and other stakeholders to gather feedback, validate the app's concept, and ensure its relevance and usability.
• Email: elvisamankwaboateng@gmail.com

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

1. Development Team:

• You’ll need developers skilled in blockchain (Cardano), smart contract development, front-end, and back-end.
• Assuming a team of 3-4 developers working full-time, consider their salaries or hourly rates.

1. Smart Contract Development:

• Smart contract development involves writing and testing Plutus scripts.
• Estimate costs based on developer hours and complexity.

1. Front-End Development:

• Front-end developers create the user interface (UI) for your marketplace.
• Costs depend on the complexity of the UI and the chosen framework.

1. Back-End Development:

• Back-end developers handle server-side logic, database integration, and communication with smart contracts.
• Estimate costs based on developer hours.

1. Testing and Security Audits:

• Allocate budget for thorough testing and security audits.
• Consider hiring external auditors to review your smart contracts.

1. Deployment and Infrastructure:

• Deploying on Cardano’s mainnet or testnet incurs transaction fees (ADA).
• Hosting costs for servers, databases, and other infrastructure.

1. Community Engagement and Marketing:

• Allocate funds for community outreach, marketing, and awareness.
• Attend conferences, create content, and engage with potential users.

1. Miscellaneous Expenses:

• Legal fees (if needed), branding, and other miscellaneous costs.

Total budget = 100K ADA

budget would be broken down in due time.

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

1. Ecosystem Growth and Adoption:

• By investing in HarvestHub, Cardano expands its ecosystem with a practical use case.

1. ADA Utility and Staking Rewards:

• HarvestHub’s integration with ADA (Cardano’s native cryptocurrency) encourages ADA usage.

1. Community Engagement and Innovation:

• Supporting HarvestHub fosters community involvement and collaboration.