Lotus Link: Eco-Farm Traceability

[IMPACT] Please describe your proposed solution.

INTRODUCTION

Since the 1986 Doi Moi economic reforms, Vietnam has undergone waves of rapid development in the interest of modernization. However, this explosive growth has left many rural and indigenous communities outside of the nation's socioeconomic development and newly emerging markets.

Decreasing production costs have led to a proliferation of imitation and knock-off products. As a result, local communities are in need of ways to market traditional goods and adequately verify their origins.

PROJECT SOLUTION

Overview: EcoFarm Traceability. Develop product-traceability infrastructure using Cardano metadata for agricultural and cultural-heritage products. Implement QR Codes containing quality-assurance, cultural, & historical information.

• Phase 1: Data Collection & Documentation. Working alongside local communities, I will conduct interviews about local products to collect information relating to their type, uses, indigenous terminology, history, and cultural significance. These will be conducted in the local Cham language, and then afterwards translated into Vietnamese and English. I will also document these products using photography and video for incorporation into the Lotus Link database in Phase 2.

• Phase 2: Database Building & Workshops. Using the data collected during phase 1, I will work with colleagues from the Cardano community to build native assets with rich metadata descriptions. In total, this Lotus Link database will consist of at least 100 unique assets for different local products. During this phase, we will hold in-person minting workshops to teach members of the local community how to create their own native assets on Cardano. We expect these to be bi-weekly with different groups from the community.

• Phase 3: Implementation & Documentation. During the final phase, we will work with the local community to produce product labeling containing QR codes. These will link to each product as a native asset on Cardano, with metadata descriptions that account for their origin, history, and cultural significance. The full database of assets will also be available as a dedicated website for everyone to explore. In this final phase, we will use images and videos from the previous phases to create promotional and educational videos about the project. These will be paired with a written handbook explaining the project, implementation, and a guide for others seeking to utilize Cardano for similar applications in the agricultural and heritage-tourism industries.

LOCATION

The location for this project is Sen Caraih Lotus Farm in Ninh Thuan Province Vietnam. Established in 2017, this farm has served as a local hub for agricultural products, eco-tourism experiences, and cultural-heritage immersion.

As this area of Vietnam is home to the indigenous Cham minority group, Sen Caraih is a place working to develop and maintain the cultural heritage of agriculture, indigenous medicine, hand-made pottery, and traditional textiles.

PRODUCTS

Traditional Medicine

Local Cham communities in Ninh Thuan Province maintain long histories traditional medicine. Many of these medical uses are unknown to western science, and their integration into a blockchain database will help both the preservation and dissemination of this indigenous knowledge.

Traditional Foods

Local food types include various plants like lotus flowers, fruits, vegetables, and other consumable products. Many of these are easily imitated in local markets, and Lotus Link solutions will contribute to the necessary quality assurance for these products.

Traditional Pottery

Cham pottery is a special type of pottery, distinguished as the oldest pottery in mainland Southeast Asia. Made by hand without the use of a kiln, the database documentation of these products will help to provide the first English-language catalogue of these wares, and ensure their authenticity in markets where imitation products persist.

Traditional Textiles

Traditional Cham weaving is done by hand with a loom, and produces products for people to wear during ceremonies and other special events. The various textile patterns and methods of weaving are not properly documented, and the Lotus Link database solution will provide needed quality assurance.

ENCODING

Metadata for the Lotus Link database will begin using the 721 standard for native assets on Cardano. Each entry for local products will contain, at minimum:

• NAME
• PHYSICAL PROPERTIES & PROVENIENCE
• HISTORY
• CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
• PRODUCTION PROCESS

A sample template for entires in the Lotus Link Database is as follows,

{

 "721": {

  "6812312c933ecdff44d0522095bdeaaa7b1c4ce6037079d1395350f7": {

   "Product": {

    "Product Name": [

     "Sakaya",

"Translated into Vietnamese",

"Translated into English"

    ],

    "Properties": [

     "Here is the list of properties",

"that will be available in three languages",

"and describe the raw materials used."

    ],

    "Product: History ": [

     "Here is the background information",

"for the product's history.",

"Sources for this data will come from",

"local manuscripts and interviews,",

"as well as other scholarly sources"

    ],

    "Product: Cultural Significance": [

     "Here is the cultural information",

"for the product's local meaning.",

"Sources for this data will come from",

"local manuscripts and interviews,",

"as well as other scholarly sources"

    ],

    "Product: Production": [

     "Here is a description of the process",

"for the product's production.",

"Sources for this data will come from",

"local manuscripts and interviews,",

"as well as other scholarly sources"

    ],

    "Lotus Link": {

     "Full Online Database": "https://lotuslink.io/"

    },

    "creative Developers": "Lotus Link, by The Alexandria Project",

    "files": [

     {

      "mediaType": "image/gif",

      "name": "Image of the Product",

      "src": "ipfs://QmUS3CjJH7gQ6schZByXybsRAUgxsSLT3TxPevefVgoh3Y"

     },

     {

      "mediaType": "video/MP$",

      "name": "Short Video Clip about the Product",

      "src": "ipfs://Qmc9tJjJU7pbXpogW73HRUANPeHUNyb5a9JLZLE9nJ6D9A"

     },

     {

      "mediaType": "audio/mpeg",

      "name": "Audio Description of Product",

      "src": "ipfs://Qmc9tJjJU7pbXpogW73HRUANPeHUNyb5a9JLZLE9nJ6D9A"

     }

    ],

    "image": "ipfs://QmdyEqRiT2NbTw9Jhhu2Cpwc6MXb12JRyjKHLJstpW6nFx",

    "mediaType": "image/jpeg",

    "name": "Sakaya - Traditional Sweet Cakes"

   }

  }

 }

}

DATABASE

As each product is recorded on the blockchain, these entries will be available on popular Cardano blockchain exploring platforms like pool.pm and pxl.page. During Phase 2, this will be entered into a database built by the team, making an individual page for each entry, and a database explorer for people to view Lotus Link in human-readable and more intuitive ways.

PRODUCT IMPLEMENTATION

The final phase of the project will focus on printing labels for each of the products in the Lotus Link database, complete with QR codes that provide a direct link to that product's entry in the database.

BROADER CONTRIBUTIONS

This project helps to made a substantial contribution to local economies in developing nations using the Cardano blockchain. Members from the community will be able to author data entries for their local products, utilize a reliable infrastructure for this information, and increase their participation in a Web3 world powered by Cardano. Quality assured, authentically secure.

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

RAISING AWARENESS

Lotus Link will help to raise awareness of Cardano and blockchain among local communities throughout Vietnam. From workshop participants to consumers of these local goods, all will be invited to explore the processes of building and participating in our ecosystem.

EAST-ASIAN PARTICIPATION

Half of our team is based locally in Vietnam, and this will be their first time participating in a Cardano project. Likewise, workshop participants will also be first-time users of the ecosystem, and we are well suited to help facilitate this on-boarding process.

IMPROVE THE LIVES OF THOSE IN EAST ASIA

This project seeks to make a direct contribution to the economic livelihoods of communities in Vietnam. With improved quality assurance and product traceability, they will be able to improve the successes of local agricultural and cultural-heritage business.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

This project places the environment front-and-center with respect to importance, and seek to promote the sustainable and equitable cultivation of local goods based on traditional methods of farming and material production.

PROJECT SUSTAINABILITY

Through the project's workshops, handbook, and promotional media, it is designed to be sustaining over time for local community members who want to implement Lotus Link for their own purposes using Cardano native assets.

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

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL RISKS

The main risks associated with this project are those associated with regular international travel. Personal injury, theft, or premature death are possibilities, and relevant precautions will be maintained, especially with respect to recording and computational equipment while abroad. Data will be backed up regularly and secured as soon as it is collected.

OPERATIONAL RISKS

Operational risks include delays in data collection due to scheduling conflicts with members of the local community. To mitigate this, I have arranged with the owners of this farm to set up meetings with numerous family members and others from the community. This will help to ensure a regular schedule of data collection during Phase 1.

TECHNICAL RISKS

Technical risks include unforeseen internet outages in rural areas, especially during the database building during Phase 2, and media production during phase 3. To mitigate this, I have already arranged a working space in neighboring Phan Rang City that can be used at any time. In addition, members of the team working in the United States will have access to the database of materials, and will be able to continue working on contributions to the project.

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

PHASE ONE: DATA COLLECTION & DOCUMENTATION

OCTOBER

• Arrive in Vietnam and Begin Data Collection with Local Communities.
• Give project presentation at Engaging with Vietnam Conference.

NOVEMBER

• Continued Data Collection with Local Communities
• Photo Documentation of Products
• Conduct Oral Interviews
• Data Transcription

PHASE TWO: DATABASE BUILDING & WORKSHOPS

DECEMBER

• Finalize Data Collection and Begin Database Building.
• Minting Workshops.

JANUARY

• Continued Database Building, with Translation into English and Vietnamese.
• Minting Workshops.

FEBRUARY

• Finalize Database Building
• Make Database Publicly Available on Project Website
• Begin development of QR-Code Label for Products

PHASE THREE: PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION & DOCUMENTATION

MARCH

• Finalize Development of QR-Code Labels for Products
• Begin implementation of QR-Code labels at Sen Caraih Lotus Farm.
• Refine QR-Code Labels based on user and community feedback.
• Begin Project Handbook.

APRIL

• Finalize implementation of QR-Code Labels, refined based on feedback.
• Continue Project Handbook
• Begin promotional media

MAY

• Complete promotional media
• Complete Project Handbook
• Return to United States 

Note: I am a co-proposer for another Catalyst project during Fund 9, and if this proposal is funded then my responsibilities for the other will be reduced to an advisory role throughout the duration of Lotus Link's development.

[FEASIBILITY] Please provide a detailed budget breakdown.

PROPOSED BUDGET: 39,600

International Transportation: $3000

• Round-Trip Airfare to Vietnam; $2000 (round-trip economy airfare)
• Visa for stay in Vietnam (3-month x2 + 1-month x 1 ); $500
• Routine immunizations for Vietnam $500

Living Expenses in Vietnam: $5200

• Accommodations ($25/day x 6 months) $4000
• Local Transportation ($50/week x 24 weeks): $1200

Data Collection: $7000

• Compensation for Interviewees ($25 interview x 100 product interviews); $2500
• Language Translation of Data ($25/hr x 100 hrs): $2500
• Photograph Documentation & Editing ($10/edit x 200 product photos): $2000

Database & Website: $10,000

• Coding Development ($25/hr x 200 hrs) $5000
• File Storage on ARWEAVE + IPFS $3000
• Website Development & Hosting $2000
• Minting Costs for All Database Assets: $150

Workshops: $4000

• Space Rental in nearby Phan Rang City ($250/workshop x 10): $2500
• Printing Materials for Workshops $1000
• Minting Costs: $100
• Community Co-Organizer ($50/workshop x 10): $500

QR Code Labels: $6500

• Label Graphic Design ($25/label x 100 unique labels): $2500
• Label Printing: $4000

Handbook: $1900

• Photoshop & Graphic Design ($25hr x 40 hrs): $1000
• Printing Costs: $900

Project Video: $2000

• Video Editing and Production ($25hr x 80 hrs) $2000

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

LOTUS LINK is an international project team made up of individuals from the United States and Vietnam.

Cardano Noodz - Project Director

Dave is a PhD student in Anthropology and Research Fellow at the Center for Vietnamese Philosophy, Culture & Society. His doctoral dissertation examines the Cham community of Vietnam and their efforts for cultural revitalization. He has spent two years in Vietnam with the Fulbright Program and the Wenner-Gren Foundation. Dave has been building on Cardano since 2021, and is currently the ambassador for Tokhun.io, a minting platform and NFT Marketplace. He is also a co-founder of The Alexandria Project, and a co-host of "This Crazy Kitchen," a community workshop series for people to learn native assets on Cardano and the basics of computer programming languages.

• Roles: Phase 1: Data Collection; Phase 2: Database Building, Workshops; Phase 3: Printing QR Code Labels, Distribution

Rimaong Campa - Lotus Farm Owner

Rimaong holds his PhD in Anthropology and is a specialist in Cultural Heritage Tourism. He founded Sen Caraih Lotus Farm in 2017 and maintains a lifelong commitment for the preservation and promotion of his community's traditions.

• Roles: Phase 1: Data Collection; Phase 2: Workshops; Phase 3: Printing

ThisCrazyLife - Full-Stack Developer & Programmatic Artist

ThisCrazyLife has worked in IT for over 11 years and has been building on Cardano since 2021. Crazy Life is best known for his work on "The Refresh" and is the founder of Fre5sh Music, a music publisher on Cardano. He is a co-founder of The Alexandria Project, and a co-host of "This Crazy Kitchen," a community workshop series for people to learn native assets on Cardano and the basics of computer programming languages.

• Roles: Phase 2: Database Development, Workshops, Website Design

Ja Deng - Video Producer and Photographer

Ja Deng holds a masters degree in Anthropology and has over 10 years experience conducting field research in Vietnam. His areas of expertise include audiovisual production and database cataloging.

• Roles: Phase 1: Photographer; Phase 3: Video Production of Project Video

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

The proposed initiative and budget described here is intended to provide the foundational infrastructure for traceability needed for local products in Vietnam, especially those in agriculture and cultural-heritage contexts.

Further Funding Opportunities may include:

• Development of a mobile application related to the Lotus Link Database for improved user experiences.
• Integration with Atala Prism as Cardano is further developed and adopted in Vietnam.
• Development of the Lotus Link project in other contexts throughout Vietnam, Southeast Asia, and elsewhere around the world where quality assurance is needed for local products—especially in emerging markets and in contexts of eco-tourism and cultural heritage mangagement.

[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?

LOTUS LINKED: on the official project website, there will be a section called Lotus Linked where users will be able to see each eco-product and cultural craft featured in the project. These will contain the full entries related to these local products, as well as direct links to view their associated metadata recorded on Cardano.

WORKSHOP ATTENDANCE: I will document the number of workshop participants for each minting session, noting those who have previously attended, as well as the assets that are created from these sessions.

SOCIAL-MEDIA DOCUMENTATION: Using Twitter, metrics of project engagement will be regularly tracked and documented. Statistics such as number of impressions and attendance during live events will be incorporated:

SPACES

I will host weekly twitter spaces live from Vietnam for members of the Cardano community to keep up-to-date with progress throughout the duration of the project until completion. These will be featured on my personal twitter account @CardanoNoodz.

PROJECT SOCIAL MEDIA

I will post and track regular updates on the official project social media account @LotusLinkVN.

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

The successful completion of this project includes:

• Local communities in Vietnam being able to account for authentic local goods;
• Local communities being able to author and record narratives related to their cultural heritage;
• Local communities learning how to use Cardano solutions for the development of local business;
• Cardano Catalyst Project contributing to the sustainable development of emerging markets in Southeast Asia;
• Create a case study and instructional materials for future applications in agricultural and cultural-heritage contexts around the world.

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

This is an entirely new propsoal.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Rating

SDG goals:

• Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
• Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
• 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:

• By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature
• Support developing countries to strengthen their scientific and technological capacity to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production
• Integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts
• By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations
• By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development