Track-and-Trace with Cardano: Growing Accountability, Harvesting Reliability

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Millenia Farm Holdings

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

Entity (Incorporated)

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

6

[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)

Develop a proof of concept for CropConnect, a blockchain-based traceability system on Cardano testnet, aimed at improving agricultural transparency.

[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 proposal is committed to being open source-available throughout its entire lifecycle. We intend to use the Apache License 2.0 for all our software developments. This license ensures that the code can be freely used, modified, and distributed by anyone, promoting collaboration and further innovation within the community.

The Apache License 2.0 will cover all elements of our code, including system specifications, architecture designs, and blockchain modules developed for the CropConnect application. We will maintain a declared open-source repository on GitHub, where all code commits, documentation, and updates will be publicly accessible. This approach supports our goal of enhancing transparency and enabling the Cardano community to build upon our work, thus contributing to the ecosystem's growth and diversity.

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

CropConnect aims to pioneer transparency and trust in agricultural supply chains through a proof of concept on Cardano blockchain. Currently the agricultural sector is struggling due to a lack of a dependable and clear track-and-trace system, causing significant losses, lack of trust from consumers, and problems with regulations.

Our initial phase with CropConnect seeks to address these issues on a smaller scale, setting the stage for potential broader applications in the future.

Perception of the Problem

Transparency within agricultural supply chains is frequently compromised due to their fragmented and complex nature. This Leads to inefficiencies, increased fraud, and challenges in verifying the authenticity and quality of agricultural products across different industry segments.  

Our solution addresses these gaps by providing an integrated system capable of securely and immutably recording transactions and tracking products from farm to consumer.

Approach

We propose utilizing the Cardano blockchain for its high scalability, low transaction fees, and robust security features, ideal for handling the complex data involved in agricultural supply chains.

The initial implementation of CropConnect will be on a testnet and will focus on creating a proof of concept (POC) that demonstrates the ability to track and trace a product from its origin to its destination. This POC aims to showcase the practical benefits and potential scalability of our solution in a controlled environment before considering broader deployment.

Engagement

CropConnect will engage a diverse range of stakeholders in the agricultural sector:

• Farmers: who can ensure their products are sold at fair prices and track their goods to the end consumer.
• Distributors and Retailers: who can streamline their operations with better inventory and compliance management.
• Consumers: who gain access to detailed information about the commodities they consume, enhancing trust and satisfaction.
• Regulators: who can easily access reliable data for quicker and more effective enforcement of standards.

To demonstrate the effectiveness of CropConnect on Cardano testnet, we will execute tests that validate the system's ability to trace agricultural products from their origin to their final destination. These tests will aim to showcase:

Traceability: The system's capability to track the journey of products throughout the supply chain, ensuring data integrity and transparency.

Compliance: The potential to improve compliance with regulatory standards through precise tracking and robust data verification, crucial for stakeholders across the supply chain.

Operational Transparency: By providing clear and verifiable data at each step, CropConnect can help all participants understand and monitor the flow of goods, thus enhancing trust and satisfaction among farmers, distributors, retailers, and consumers.

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

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

CropConnect will serve as a demonstration of the Cardano blockchain's potential within the agricultural sector. This proposal will highlight the adaptability and robustness of the Cardano blockchain, showcasing its utility in solving real-world challenges.

Measuring Impact:

1. Testnet Performance Metrics: We will assess the performance of CropConnect on the testnet, focusing on the system’s ability to manage and track transaction data accurately.
2. Operational Insights: Insights on the blockchain’s efficacy in handling testnet simulations of agricultural supply chains will be evaluated, providing foundational data on the effectiveness and potential scalability of blockchain applications in agriculture.
3. Technical Feedback: Feedback will be sought from technical observers within the Cardano community to understand the strengths and areas for improvement in the CropConnect application based on its testnet performance.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:

• Community Updates: Regular updates will be shared with the Cardano community through posts on forums, blogs, and social media, detailing technical progress and insights gained from the testnet phase.
• Open Source Collaboration: Insights and technical data from the testnet phase will be made available to other developers in the Cardano ecosystem, promoting further research and development in blockchain solutions.

[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?

Capability & Feasibility

Our team combines over 40 years of experience in the agricultural sector with extensive expertise in blockchain development on Cardano platform. This blend of agricultural insight and technical prowess uniquely positions us to develop and evaluate CropConnect effectively on the testnet.

Experience and Expertise

• Agricultural Sector Knowledge: Our deep-rooted understanding of agriculture allows us to identify and address the sector’s challenges, ensuring CropConnect is tailored to provide practical benefits in a testnet environment.
• Blockchain Development: Our team has a proven track record of developing applications on Cardano, demonstrating our ability to effectively leverage blockchain technology.
• Track and Trace Software Experience: We have experience in creating track-and-trace systems that have been effectively tested in controlled settings, showcasing our expertise in managing complex data integrity issues.
• Management of Technical and Agricultural Teams: Our leadership experience ensures effective project execution and high productivity, even when coordinating complex testnet scenarios.

Validation of Feasibility

• Testnet Simulations: Instead of traditional pilot testing, we will conduct simulations on Cardano testnet to validate CropConnect’s functionality and impact. These simulations will serve as our pilot phase, allowing us to refine the system under controlled conditions.
• Feedback Mechanisms: We will implement structured feedback sessions during the testnet phase, using input from simulated scenarios to make iterative improvements and adapt the system based on virtual user experiences.

Performance Metrics: We will establish specific metrics related to transaction handling, system reliability, and user satisfaction within the testnet to continuously evaluate and improve CropConnect’s performance.

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

Milestone 1: Requirements Gathering and System Design

Milestone 2: Development of Blockchain Infrastructure

Milestone 3: Simulation with Test Data

Milestone 4: Testnet Close-Out and Impact Report

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

Joseph Ridgway

Fletcher Watson

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

Milestone 1: Requirements Gathering and System Design

Budget:

ADA Allocation: 25,000 ADA

USD Equivalent: 25,000 ADA x $0.43 = $10,750

Details: This milestone covers the initial phase of gathering detailed requirements from stakeholders and designing the system architecture for CropConnect. 

Milestone 2: Development of Blockchain Infrastructure

Budget:

ADA Allocation: 25,000 ADA

USD Equivalent: 25,000 ADA x $0.43 = $10,750

Details: This milestone focuses on the actual coding and development of the blockchain modules necessary for the traceability system. 

Milestone 3: Simulation with Test Data

Budget:

ADA Allocation: 25,000 ADA

USD Equivalent: 25,000 ADA x $0.43 = $10,750

Details: In this stage, the developed system is tested using simulated data to demonstrate the traceability from origin to destination.

Milestone 4: Testnet Close-Out and Impact Report

Budget:

ADA Allocation: 25,000 ADA

USD Equivalent: 25,000 ADA x $0.43 = $10,750

Details: The final milestone involves closing out the project on the testnet and preparing a detailed impact report. This report will document the challenges, successes, and key learnings from the testnet implementation and provide insights into the potential for future scalability.

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

Value for Money

Investing in CropConnect represents a strategic opportunity for the Cardano ecosystem to demonstrate its potential in the global agricultural sector—a market critically important but currently underserved by advanced solutions like blockchain. The testnet implementation of CropConnect will address major issues such as supply chain inefficiencies, fraud, and transparency, which are costly problems in agriculture.

Cost Efficiency

Implementing this proof of concept on Cardano testnet will allow us to explore and refine the application of blockchain in agriculture without the high costs associated with full-scale deployment. By focusing on a controlled environment, we minimize risk while providing tangible demonstrations of how blockchain can resolve key issues such as traceability and fraud in the supply chains

Return on Investment

• Increased Awareness of Cardano: Demonstrating the utility of Cardano in a controlled, simulated environment will help to promote its capabilities and potential for real-world applications, possibly encouraging broader interest and adoption of the blockchain.
• Innovation and Research: The project will contribute to the body of knowledge and practical experience in applying blockchain technology to complex supply chains, enhancing the reputation of Cardano as a platform for innovation.
• Stakeholder Benefits: This POC will showcase how transparency and visibility, along with robust security features, could help stakeholders achieve better compliance, trust, and product reliability, leading to potential indirect financial gains in a full-scale
• deployment.

Community and Ecosystem Growth

• Developer Engagement: By documenting and sharing our development processes and lessons learned, we will enable other developers to build on our work, increasing the vibrancy and innovative capacity of the Cardano developer community.
• New Use Cases: Successful implementation of CropConnect will encourage exploration of other use cases within the Cardano ecosystem, potentially leading to new projects and applications.