Cardano and Agri Value Chain

[IMPACT] Please describe your proposed solution.

WHY NOW

“The proliferation of global value chains has come with significant power asymmetries between global buyers and local farmers, thus restricting farmers’ ability to reliably access profitable markets, effectively bargain with their trading partners, and diversify and upgrade their income-earning activities”

[Source: Oxfam.org: https://oxfamilibrary.openrepository.com/bitstream/handle/10546/620596/dp-living-income-smallscale-farmers-151118-en.pdf]

Also, from observations from Agric companies,

From observations from Agric companies,

The team has worked with Antika Company Limited, Heritage Seeds Company Limited, etc. Their form of doing business is normally with cash. Due to levies and taxes, the cash is subjected to high service charges when transacting with Mobile Money and other financial institutions. This reduces the value of the money. The players in the sector need a platform that allows for faster transactions and lower service fees.

Normally the farmer is always disadvantaged by the shortcomings of cash which are

1. Costly to collect and send
2. It can be stolen or misappropriated
3. Slow to transport

Normally the farmer is always disadvantaged by the shortcomings of cash which are

HOW IT WORKS.

The project will be in two(2) phases

PHASE I

Farmer to Farmer peer-to-peer transactions

this section will involve the following. Workshops, Online training sessions, and practical training sessions will aid the farmer to have a smooth usage of the yoroi wallet.

I. Knowing our Farmers: digitization in Agriculture starts with understanding the financial life of the farmer and then establishing a level of comfort for the usage of that new digital financial service. This will help put the Farmer's financial behavior at the center of digitization.

II. Build internal and external value proposition for Ada payments: Through a series of training for Farmers, a clear picture will be created for farmers on the use of Ada for transactions,

Farmer to Farmer.

Farmer to a market

Thus increasing the level of acceptance of Ada for payments.

III. Enable Farmers to spend their funds and access services digitally: just training Farmers won't be enough but making Farmers have an ecosystem where they can freely use Ada when and how they want to. At this point, Agritech society will create a physical Agri Input market that will accept Ada for payment of goods and services

iv. Sensitizing farmers on the value of Ada Payments using the yoroi App: This starts with developing materials eg. small Handouts, illustrative materials, media files like recordings, or short videos to explain how the Cardano payment using the yoroi wallet can be done.

PHASE II

The Market

Agritech society will create an ecosystem where farmers can freely use Ada for transactions, by creating an Agri input shop where farmers can buy inputs and pay with Ada. Farmers paying with Ada will be given a discount of 10 to 15% depending on the volume of goods bought and the type of goods bought. Discounts given to farmers will enhance a switch from the fiat system of payments to the Ada system of payment using the yoroi wallet.

[IMPACT] Please describe how your proposed solution will address the Challenge that you have submitted it in.

“Agriculture in the 21st century faces multiple challenges: it has to produce more food and fiber to feed a growing population with a smaller rural labor force, more feedstocks for a potentially huge bioenergy market, contribute to overall development in the many agriculture-dependent developing countries, adopt more efficient and sustainable production methods and adapt to climate change.”

[Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations: www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/wsfs/docs/Issues_papers/HLEF2050_Global_Agriculture.pdf]

This project will help to solve issues related to,

1. the farmer
2. The unemployed
3. food security and poverty
4. the Cardano Community

• The farmer: A farmer who gets involved in this project happens to learn about the Cardano blockchain, and gets a secured way of transacting in the Agri Community of Ghana using the Cardano payment system also discounts given to farmers with Ada transactions will ease the birding on spending much for goods and services
• Unemployment: a few unemployed youths will be recruited to help run the project for the few months the project will run for.
• Food Security and Poverty:

1. even though discounts on goods and services will only live as long as the project farmers will at least enjoy a price fall in prices of goods and services that can help ease their birding.
2. The project will also employ at least 12 unemployed youth to help run the project and will be paid for services provided, thus improving their living conditions.
3. price drops will give farmers the capacity to cultivate more acreages, thereby increasing farmers' yields. these yields can be realized into money when sold thus elevating the living standards of the farmer and reducing hunger in the society due to high yields.

• The Cardano Community: The Project is designed to create an ecosystem where farmers can freely use Ada in purchasing Agri inputs in the agricultural value chain, thus increasing the adoption and usage of the Ada coin.

[IMPACT] What are the main risks that could prevent you from delivering the project successfully and please explain how you will mitigate each risk?

• Language barrier: Most farmers are not literate and Training in the English Language will be much of a problem

Solution: Recruitment of 10 CBA's (community-based Advisors) from different parts of the Savana belt of Ghana can help translate to farmers the being given out, also instructional materials will be provided on simple steps to send and receive funds on the yoroi wallet.

• How to obtain Ada in the yoroi wallet: people might have a problem getting Ada for transactions and how to convert their fiat currency to Ada.

Solution: farmers will be trained on how to obtain Ada through exchanges like Binance and also from Certified trade who trade in Ada eg Staff of Wada.

• Participation risk: A new initiative always has people afraid and reluctant to participate in workshops and training events.

Solution: Advertisement through radio and TV stations, and social media outlets to create awareness.

[FEASIBILITY] Please provide a detailed plan, including timeline and key milestones for delivering your proposal.

The project is said to take five months to complete which has the following milestones

1. project launch
2. Recruitment and training of CBAs
3. Creation of a physical Agri input marketplace that will accept Ada transactions
4. Five farmer Training sessions will be organized in each region in the northern belt of Ghana

• Northern Region
• Savana Region
• North East
• Upper East
• Upper West

and Reporting

First Month

(September)

1. Project Launch: a two-day program that will invite stakeholders and farmers in the value chain to help create awareness about the project and how it will affect the Agricultural value chain in the northern Belt of Ghana.

1. Recruitment and Training of 10 CBA's, two from each of the five regions in the Northern belt of Ghana and will take place in the

Recruitment will be based on the following

• candidates should be literate
• Candidates should be natives of the Region
• Candidates should be able to speak the native language of the Region.

Second Month

(October)

• Creation of two physical Agri input marketplaces that will accept Ada transactions. Activities involved in this month include,

1. Store rentals: First week of October
2. Branding {sign post, Banners T-shirts, etc.}: Second Week of October
3. Agri Input Procurements: Third week of October
4. Advertisements { Radio and Tv adverts }: last week of October

Third Month

(November)

• Training Sessions in the Northern Region

1. proposed Date: first Week of November, on the 1st of November
2. Time: 8 AM to 2 PM
3. Target: 100 farmers

• Sales will begin this month using Ada for Transactions

• Training sessions in the Savana Region

1. proposed Date: Mid-November, on the 14th
2. Time: 8 AM to 2 PM
3. Target: 100 farmers

Fourth Month

(December)

• Training Sessions in the North East Region

1. proposed Date: First Week of December, on the 5th
2. Time: 8 AM to 2 PM
3. Target: 100 farmers

• Sales continue.
• Training sessions in the Upper East Region

1. proposed Date: Mid-December, on the 19th
2. Time: 8 AM to 2 PM each day
3. Target: 100 farmers

Fifth Month

(January)

• Training Sessions in the Upper West Region

1. proposed Date: Second Week of January on the 9th
2. Time: 8 AM to 2 PM
3. Target: 100 farmers

• Reporting

Reporting to the Cardano team on the achievements of our various milestones, Problems encountered in the process and ways to solve them, and the way forward.

[FEASIBILITY] Please provide a detailed budget breakdown.

The project is projected to use in Ada, a total sum of $35,268 which will take care of the following budget lines.

• Project Launch= $4,015 in Ada

1. Venue/ Conference Hall - $200.00
2. Hotel Accommodation for 5 Team members - $0 because the team is located in the host Region
3. Snack and Water for 100 participants & 5 Team - $3*105 - $315.00
4. Lunch for participants and team - $5*105 = $525
5. T shirts printing for participants and Team - $10*105 - $1,050
6. Pull up banner - $75
7. Transportation for logistics/ protocol - $300.00
8. Marketing & Publicity - $200.00
9. ADA Airdrop for participants - $2*100 =$200.00
10. Incentives for Team ( Welfare, Transportation, Communication)

• Mohammed Munir Zakaria, Team Lead - $300.00
• Issah Nat Alhassan - Graphics and IT - $250.00
• Mohammed Hussien - Organizer - $200.00
• Sulemana Mohammed Asheraf - Logistics supplies - $200.00
• Abukari Abdulai - Public Relations Officer - $200.00

Total: $4,015 in Ada

• Recruitment and Training of CBA's=2,500 USD in Ada

1. interviews organized for participants= $200
2. Training Sessions for Participants = $700
3. issue of contract letters to CBA's =$20
4. allowances per Participant= $100*10 per programme organized =1,000
5. Transport and communication incentives per participant = $58*10=580

Total: $2,500 in Ada

Training and Workshops= 16,013 USD in Ada

Training Sessions in the Northern Region

1. Venue/ Conference Hall - $200.00
2. Hotel Accommodation for 5 Team members= $0 the Team is located in the host region
3. Snack and Water for 100 participants & 5 Team - $3*105 - $315.00
4. Lunch for participants and team - $5*105 = $525
5. T shirts printing for participants and Team - $10*105 - $1,050
6. Pull up banner - $75
7. Transportation for logistics/ protocol - $100.00
8. Marketing & Publicity - $200.00
9. ADA Airdrop for participants - $2*100 =$200.00
10. Incentives for Team ( Welfare, Transportation, Communication)

• Mohammed Munir Zakaria, Team Lead - $300.00
• Issah Nat Alhassan - Graphics and IT - $250.00
• Mohammed Hussien - Organizer - $200.00
• Sulemana Mohammed Asheraf - Logistics supplies - $200.00
• Abukari Abdulai - Public Relations Officer - $200.00

Total: $3,815 in Ada

Training sessions in the Savana Region

1. Venue/ Conference Hall - $200.00
2. Hotel Accommodation for 5 Team members - $50*5 = $250.00
3. Snack and Water for 100 participants & 5 Team - $3*105 - $315.00
4. Lunch for participants and team - $5*105 = $525
5. T shirts printing for participants and Team - $10*105 - $1,050
6. Pull up banner - $75
7. Transportation for logistics/ protocol - $300.00
8. Marketing & Publicity - $200.00
9. ADA Airdrop for participants - $2*100 =$200.00
10. Incentives for Team ( Welfare, Transportation, Communication)

• Mohammed Munir Zakaria, Team Lead - $300.00
• Issah Nat Alhassan - Graphics and IT - $250.00
• Mohammed Hussien - Organizer - $200.00
• Sulemana Mohammed Asheraf - Logistics supplies - $200.00
• Abukari Abdulai - Public Relations Officer - $200.00

Total: $4,065 in Ada.

Training Sessions in the North East Region

1. Venue/ Conference Hall - $200.00
2. Hotel Accommodation for 5 Team members - $50*5 = $250.00
3. Snack and Water for 100 participants & 5 Team - $3*105 - $315.00
4. Lunch for participants and team - $5*105 = $525
5. T shirts printing for participants and Team - $10*105 - $1,050
6. Pull up banner - $75
7. Transportation for logistics/ protocol - $300.00
8. Marketing & Publicity - $200.00
9. ADA Airdrop for participants - $2*100 =$200.00
10. Incentives for Team ( Welfare, Transportation, Communication)

• Mohammed Munir Zakaria, Team Lead - $300.00
• Issah Nat Alhassan - Graphics and IT - $250.00
• Mohammed Hussien - Organizer - $200.00
• Sulemana Mohammed Asheraf - Logistics supplies - $200.00
• Abukari Abdulai - Public Relations Officer - $200.00

Total: $4,065 in Ada.

Training sessions in the Upper East Region

1. Venue/ Conference Hall - $200.00
2. Hotel Accommodation for 5 Team members - $50*5 = $250.00
3. Snack and Water for 100 participants & 5 Team - $3*105 - $315.00
4. Lunch for participants and team - $5*105 = $525
5. T shirts printing for participants and Team - $10*105 - $1,050
6. Pull up banner - $75
7. Transportation for logistics/ protocol - $300.00
8. Marketing & Publicity - $200.00
9. ADA Airdrop for participants - $2*100 =$200.00
10. Incentives for Team ( Welfare, Transportation, Communication)

• Mohammed Munir Zakaria, Team Lead - $300.00
• Issah Nat Alhassan - Graphics and IT - $250.00
• Mohammed Hussien - Organizer - $200.00
• Sulemana Mohammed Asheraf - Logistics supplies - $200.00
• Abukari Abdulai - Public Relations Officer - $200.00

Total: $4,065 in Ada.

Training Sessions in the Upper West Region

1. Venue/ Conference Hall - $200.00
2. Hotel Accommodation for 5 Team members - $50*5 = $250.00
3. Snack and Water for 100 participants & 5 Team - $3*105 - $315.00
4. Lunch for participants and team - $5*105 = $525
5. T shirts printing for participants and Team - $10*105 - $1,050
6. Pull up banner - $75
7. Transportation for logistics/ protocol - $300.00
8. Marketing & Publicity - $200.00
9. ADA Airdrop for participants - $2*100 =$200.00
10. Incentives for Team ( Welfare, Transportation, Communication)

• Mohammed Munir Zakaria, Team Lead - $300.00
• Issah Nat Alhassan - Graphics and IT - $250.00
• Mohammed Hussien - Organizer - $200.00
• Sulemana Mohammed Asheraf - Logistics supplies - $200.00
• Abukari Abdulai - Public Relations Officer - $200.00

Total: $4,065 in Ada

• Creation of Two Ada Agri input Market= 10,240 USD in Ada

1. Store Rentals = $70 per month*12=840*2 shops =$1640
2. Branding=1,000
3. Procurement of Agri inputs

a. Post Emergence Chemicals= $3,000

b. Pre Emergence Chemicals =$2,000

c. Knapsacks: $700

d. Liquid and Solid Fertilizers= 3,00

e. Safety Clothing { overalls, Boots, Goggles}=$600

f. Recruitment and payment of Sales attendant = $1,000

Total=$10,240

• Reporting = 1,000 USD in Ada
• Contingency= 1,500 USD in Ada

[FEASIBILITY] Please provide details of the people who will work on the project.

Mohammed Munir Zakaria- Team lead

is a graduate of the university for development studies with a B.ed in Agricultural Science, over the years have been a chemistry tutor and a Lab Technician in Al Maktoum senior high from 2017 to 2020, and worked with Heritage Seeds Company limited as their Monitoring and evaluation officer and the founder of the Agritech Society which deals in integrating the best Technologies and methods in farming to maximize yield. Mr. Mohammed Munir will be our Team lead for this project

https://www.linkedin.com/in/zakaria-mohammed-munir-08aa28229?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3Bq4TMRHoMTMyE%2B6V%2BbMQdog%3D%3D

Mail: Zakariam.munir@gmail.com

Issah Nantogmah Alhassan-Graphics and IT

Is a graduate of the university for Development studies with a Bsc in computer science, worked in MTN as a consultant from 2018 and Ghana civil evasion Authority as an IT supporter 2019-2020

Mail: kwesisani@gmail.com, https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/in/alhassan-nantogmah-issah-940012131

Sulemana Mohammed Asheraf- Logistic supplies

is a computer science student at the Ck. Tedam university is located in the upper east of Ghana and has been a student of Mohammed Munir Zakaria at Al Maktoum Senior High and also a Mentee to Mr. Mohammed Munir in the field of Production of Vegetables.

Mail: Sulemanasheraf@gmail.com

Fuseini Mohammed - Organizer

Fussieni Mohammed has a degree in Integrated Business studies which was obtained at the University for Development Studies- Wa, he has worked with Innovation for Poverty Action(IPA) as a Data collector in the following projects

1. lively Minds Evaluation- 2018
2. Escaping Poverty -2016 to 2017
3. communication for Development (C4D)- 2017

Ahad0977@gmail.com, https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/in/fuseini-mohammed-61925b1a4

Abukari Abdulai- Public Relations Officer: is a graduate of Tamale polythenic and has an HND in Accounting, he is worked with Heritage Seeds since 2010 and worked on projects with Agra, IITA, and is currently the Manager of the project for USAID in collaboration with Agra to strengthening the Ghana seed System. Mail: Dalasbukasheritage77@gmail.com.

Ghana Wada Hub: WADA local support lead and feedback for localization of technology

Description:

WADA gives voice and access to people of African heritage and interest by providing the tools to reimagine new socioeconomic models in a way that reflects local cultures, values and future aspirations. Although our focus is on Africa, WADA is an all-inclusive organization structured to provide seekers with providers. This is done with a focus on decentralization, self-organization, and distributive governance.

Involvement:

WADA has team members based in Ghana and northern Ghana nearby the project. The WADA team will help to design the solution and validate the solution is suitable for the local market as well as with relevant connections. 

[FEASIBILITY] If you are funded, will you return to Catalyst in a later round for further funding? Please explain why / why not.

Yes, the Agrictech Society will return for funding because the project is said to cover the whole of Africa in terms of integration of payment systems in the Agricultural value chain using Ada as a legal tender in the value chain and yoroi wallet as the means of transaction for goods and services.

[FEASIBILITY] Are you or any member of your team working on any other proposals in this Fund9?

[FEASIBILITY] Are you or your team working on any other proposals from previous Funds?

[AUDITABILITY] Please describe what you will measure to track your project's progress, and how will you measure these?

phase1

• Monthly status document communicated.
• WADA will be involved in this phase and will be able to provide transparency into the progress
• Deliverables include the various reports which will be available for the community
• The results from the proposal will be communicated to the community also through a joined meetups by Cardano4Climate and WADA

phase2

• Reciepts, waybills and invoice
• Transaction hash on transactions made using the yoroi wallet
• The amount of small holder farmers who express they are having a better life using the payment systems.
• Records on transactions made by the proposed payment system

[AUDITABILITY] What does success for this project look like?

1. Mass adoption of Ada as a form of payment for goods and services in the Agricultural value chain.
2. Farmers will be educated on the Cardano blockchain and secure ways they can use it for transactions
3. it will create employment for people
4. Farmers will be privileged in buying goods at cool discounts

[AUDITABILITY] Please provide information on whether this proposal is a continuation of a previously funded project in Catalyst or an entirely new one.

is a new Project

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Rating

Goal 1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere

Goal 2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture

Goal 5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

Goal 8. Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all

Goal 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Goal 15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

SDG subgoals:

1.1 By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere, currently measured as people living on less than $1.25 a day

1.4 By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology, and financial services, including microfinance

1. Ensure significant mobilization of resources from a variety of sources, including through enhanced development cooperation, to provide adequate and predictable means for developing countries, in particular, least developed countries, to implement programs and policies to end poverty in all its dimensions

15.3 By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought, and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world

1. a Mobilize and significantly increase financial resources from all sources to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems

1. an Increase investment, including through enhanced international cooperation, in rural infrastructure, agricultural research and extension services, technology development, and plant and livestock gene banks to enhance agricultural productive capacity in developing countries, in particular, least developed countries

5.5 Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life