Avocados are crucial for Kenya’s economy. The fruit is a staple in local diets and a key export. In 2023, the global avocado market was valued at over $15 billion. Kenya being the fourth-largest avocado producer in the world and the largest in Africa. The climate supports year-round avocado production. However, only 23% of harvested avocados reach the export market. This statistic comes from One Million Avocados (OMA), a startup helping Kenyan avocado farmers.

According to Statista, 70% of Kenya’s avocado production is by small-scale farmers. These farmers lack access to modern agricultural technology. Stringent export rules also pose a challenge. Pests and diseases further reduce avocado quality.

OMA aims to support these farmers. They have partnered with Dimitra, a blockchain-based agricultural technology company. This collaboration focuses on equipping farmers with advanced technology. It includes AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain.

Technological solutions for avocado farming

The OMA-Dimitra partnership introduces several innovations. Dimitra’s technology helps farmers meet environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. This compliance opens new markets and adds value to their produce.

One of the key innovations is real-world asset (RWA) tokenization. Dimitra and OMA have digitized 10,000 avocado trees as non fungible tokens (NFTs). Each NFT represents a real avocado tree with complete data. This includes GPS location, farm score, photo, and development history.

The NFTs are minted on the Polygon blockchain. Each NFT provides farmers with essential tools. These include soil sensors, fertilizers, satellite images, and AI-powered reports. This technology helps farmers manage their crops more efficiently.

OMA will use DMTR, Dimitra’s proprietary token, for transactions. Cryptocurrencies offer global accessibility. This enables Kenyan farmers to transact directly on the blockchain. They can purchase NFTs and participate in revenue-sharing activities. OMA will convert farmers’ points into DMTR tokens. This process increases awareness of crypto’s role in agriculture.

Connecting farmers through blockchain

A significant aspect of the partnership is the Connected Farmer platform. This Web3 platform democratizes access to technology for smallholder farmers. It is available on Android, iOS, and web browsers. The platform provides all the functionalities of the Dimitra blockchain.

Farmers can use the platform to track pest and disease issues in real-time. Advanced machine learning and data science methods offer effective solutions. Monitoring and traceability capabilities enhance farm management. This results in better crops and more efficient harvests.

Dimitra emphasizes its vision of using technology to help farmers worldwide. The company believes AI, IoT, and blockchain can support smallholder farmers. The goal is to improve crops, save money, and manage risks.

Blockchain’s potential extends beyond finance. Dimitra demonstrates how these technologies can benefit agriculture. By supporting local partnerships, blockchain and AgTech can establish sustainable practices. These technologies encourage more people to adopt blockchain.

Community-driven projects like Dimitra show the practical applications of blockchain. They highlight how cryptocurrencies can support sectors like agriculture. This approach fosters innovation and sustainability in farming.

The OMA-Dimitra partnership represents a significant step forward. It showcases the potential of combining local expertise with advanced technology. By addressing the challenges faced by small-scale farmers, this collaboration aims to transform avocado farming in Kenya.

The success of this initiative could serve as a model for other regions. It highlights the importance of integrating technology in agriculture. Blockchain and AI can play a crucial role in improving food security and economic stability.

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