Last updated 8 months ago
Ethiopia leads Africa in cattle yet suffers low milk yields due to poor, unverified feed. A blockchain-based solution is vital to ensure trust, quality, and unlock the nation’s dairy potential.
DairyFeedChain pioneers Africa’s first blockchain dairy feed traceability system, securing quality via QR-coded batches on Cardano, enhancing farmer trust, supplier credibility & regulatory oversight.
This is the total amount allocated to Blockchain-Verified Feed for Dairy Productivity in Ethiopia.
Please provide your proposal title
Blockchain-Verified Feed for Dairy Productivity in Ethiopia
Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA
100000
Please specify how many months you expect your project to last
8
Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated
No
Original Language
en
What is the problem you want to solve?
Ethiopia leads Africa in cattle yet suffers low milk yields due to poor, unverified feed. A blockchain-based solution is vital to ensure trust, quality, and unlock the nation’s dairy potential.
Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?
No
Describe any dependencies or write 'No dependencies'
NO DEPENDENCIES
Will your project's outputs be fully open source?
Yes
License and Additional Information
Our project outputs will be open source throughout the entire lifecycle of the project. We are committed to fostering collaboration, transparency, and innovation within the Cardano community by making our project outputs accessible to all interested parties.
Please choose the most relevant theme and tag related to the outcomes of your proposal.
Supply Chain
Describe what makes your idea innovative compared to what has been previously funded (whether by you or others).
We target Ethiopian smallholder dairy farmers, feed suppliers, and regulatory authorities. Farmers are engaged through cooperatives, mobile/USSD platforms, and hands-on training; suppliers and regulators via blockchain-integrated dashboards. This initiative drives verifiable on-chain adoption, showcases Cardano’s transformative value in agriculture, and positions Cardano as a trusted, scalable solution for improving food security, supply chain transparency, and economic growth across Africa.
Describe what your prototype or MVP will demonstrate, and where it can be accessed.
Implement a Cardano blockchain registry with QR-coded feed verification, deploy mobile/USSD tools for real-time farmer access, onboard and train farmers, integrate suppliers and regulators, execute a pilot, launch DairyToken incentives, monitor adoption and on-chain metrics, and establish a scalable, sustainable model for long-term impact and regional replication.
Describe realistic measures of success, ideally with on-chain metrics.
Success will be measured by on-chain verification of feed batches, extensive farmer adoption via mobile/USSD, active supplier engagement, functional regulatory dashboards, DairyToken incentive utilization, demonstrable milk yield increases, pilot validation for scalability, and the establishment of a sustainable, replicable Cardano-powered model for transforming dairy productivity across the region
Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem
We will deploy a Cardano registry where feed suppliers record verified batches linked to QR codes. Farmers check authenticity via smartphone or USSD before purchase. Regulators gain oversight dashboards. A DairyToken incentive rewards verified purchases, creating adoption momentum. This scalable model transforms Ethiopia’s dairy value chain into a transparent, blockchain-powered system.
Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community
DairyFeedChain showcases Cardano’s unmatched real-world utility by solving a $2B+ food security challenge. It drives thousands of on-chain transactions, onboards farmers, suppliers, and regulators, and positions Cardano as the blockchain of trust for agriculture. Ethiopia, Africa’s largest cattle nation, becomes a global case study for Cardano-powered productivity.
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?
Led by Biruk Zerihun (5+ years in digital strategy & blockchain adoption) and Eskender Yosef (dairy leader with $1M+ USAID-backed projects, deep farmer networks). Together with blockchain developers and cooperatives, the team brings unmatched expertise, credibility, and access to ensure successful delivery and scaling across Ethiopia.
Milestone Title
MVP Development
Milestone Outputs
Develop a fully operational blockchain registry for dairy feed, integrating QR-coded batch tracking and Cardano smart contracts. Deploy mobile and USSD tools for farmers to verify feed quality in real time. Establish foundational workflows, data architecture, and onboarding materials. Conduct initial system testing to ensure usability, security, and accuracy of feed verification, providing a robust foundation for pilot adoption.
Acceptance Criteria
Blockchain registry deployed and operational with QR-coded feed batch tracking.
Mobile and USSD tools tested and functional for farmer verification.
Smart contracts deployed with correct transaction logic.
Initial internal testing confirms accuracy, security, and usability of feed verification.
Evidence of Completion: Screenshots of registry, working mobile/USSD apps, test transactions, and internal QA report.
Evidence of Completion
Screenshots of the operational blockchain registry with QR-coded feed batches.
Demonstration videos of mobile and USSD tools verifying feed in real time.
Logs of deployed smart contracts with successful test transactions.
Internal QA report confirming system functionality, accuracy, and security.
Delivery Month
2
Cost
25000
Progress
20 %
Milestone Title
Pilot Program
Milestone Outputs
Onboard 3,000 farmers and 10 feed suppliers into the system, recording all verified feed transactions on-chain. Collect detailed adoption metrics, usability feedback, and system performance data. Conduct workshops and hands-on training for farmers to ensure proper usage. Validate smart contract functionality, QR-code scanning, and DairyToken reward mechanisms. Produce a comprehensive pilot report to inform scaling and integration strategies.
Acceptance Criteria
At least 3,000 farmers and 10 suppliers onboarded successfully.
All pilot feed transactions are recorded on-chain and verifiable.
Farmers and suppliers trained with documented participation.
Usability feedback collected and analyzed.
Evidence of Completion: On-chain transaction logs, attendance sheets, pilot report, and feedback summary
Evidence of Completion
On-chain transaction records showing verified feed purchases by 3,000 farmers and 10 suppliers.
Attendance sheets and training session reports documenting farmer and supplier participation.
Collected user feedback reports and pilot performance analysis.
Pilot program summary report highlighting lessons learned and system improvements.
Delivery Month
4
Cost
25000
Progress
40 %
Milestone Title
Scale & Integration
Milestone Outputs
Expand the platform to 10,000+ farmers and additional suppliers, integrating regulatory dashboards for Ministry oversight. Refine smart contracts and system workflows based on pilot feedback. Ensure supplier compliance, consistent feed verification, and accurate on-chain records. Provide advanced training and onboarding materials. Establish reliable reporting mechanisms for monitoring adoption, system performance, and transaction verification at scale.
Acceptance Criteria
The system scaled to 10,000+ farmers with verified adoption.
Regulatory dashboards are functional and providing real-time oversight.
Smart contracts refined and confirmed operational for larger volume.
Supplier compliance confirmed with documented verification.
Evidence of Completion: Adoption reports, dashboard screenshots, smart contract logs, and supplier compliance records.
Evidence of Completion
Adoption report showing 10,000+ farmers onboarded and verified on-chain.
Screenshots of functional regulatory dashboards with real-time data access.
Smart contract logs confirming high-volume operational success.
Supplier compliance records documenting verified feed batch adherence.
Delivery Month
6
Cost
20000
Progress
80 %
Milestone Title
Incentives & Sustainability
Milestone Outputs
Launch DairyToken incentive program to reward verified feed adoption, monitor on-chain activity, and ensure high engagement. Produce detailed impact reports covering adoption, milk yield improvement, and system scalability. Formalize a sustainability roadmap with replicable workflows, governance, and training materials for regional expansion. Secure partnerships with cooperatives, regulators, and suppliers to maintain long-term adoption and ecosystem growth.
Acceptance Criteria
DairyToken incentive system deployed and operational.
On-chain activity monitored and adoption metrics collected.
Impact reports produced showing milk yield improvements and system reliability.
Sustainability plan validated with partnerships and workflow documentation.
Evidence of Completion: Transaction reports for DairyTokens, monitoring dashboard, impact report, and documented sustainability plan.
Evidence of Completion
Transaction reports for DairyToken incentives redeemed by farmers.
Monitoring dashboard outputs showing adoption metrics and on-chain activity.
Comprehensive impact report detailing milk yield improvements and system scalability.
Documented sustainability plan with confirmed partnerships and operational workflows.
Delivery Month
8
Cost
30000
Progress
100 %
Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources
Budget & Costs (100,000 ADA)
The 100,000 ADA budget is strategically allocated to maximize adoption, impact, and sustainability: 40,000 ADA for blockchain development and smart contracts, 25,000 ADA for onboarding and training 5,000+ farmers, 15,000 ADA for supplier and regulator integration through dashboards and APIs, 10,000 ADA for incentives and adoption via DairyToken rewards and pilot programs, and 10,000 ADA for monitoring, reporting, and sustainability roadmap. This structure ensures technical robustness, large-scale participation, and measurable Cardano impact in Ethiopia’s dairy sector.
How does the cost of the project represent value for the Cardano ecosystem?
With 100,000 ADA, Cardano delivers Africa’s first scalable blockchain-powered dairy traceability system, impacting over 5,000 farmers while generating tens of thousands of on-chain transactions. The project not only strengthens Ethiopia’s dairy sector but also positions Cardano as the global leader in blockchain for food trust and supply chain transparency. With a highly efficient cost-to-impact ratio, the model is reusable across coffee, honey, and other agricultural exports, creating pan-African and global scalability for Cardano adoption.
Terms and Conditions:
Yes
Biruk Zerihun – Project Lead & Digital Strategy: Oversees blockchain adoption, marketing, and farmer engagement.
Eskender Yosef – Dairy Sector Expert: Provides sector expertise, farmer networks, and implementation guidance from USAID-funded projects.
Eyasu Birhanu– Blockchain & Smart Contract Lead
Catalyst developer and active Cardano ecosystem contributor.
Expert in Plutus scripting, reference inputs, datum design, and oracle consumption patterns.
Formerly at Cogito Protocol, where he worked on AI-integrated oracle solutions with Index technologies.
Leads backend development and smart contract integration, ensuring AI outputs are verifiable and securely fed on-chain.
Serves as the project’s Blockchain Architect, designing robust, scalable oracle and supply chain contract frameworks.
Linkdin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eyasu-birhanu-4665701a3/