In Kenya, small-scale avocado farmers face significant challenges due to a lack of essential tools and modern technology. A new initiative harnessing blockchain and AI aims to transform their practices and boost productivity.

Avocados hold a special place in Kenya's economy. Beyond their local culinary uses, avocados contribute significantly to the country's export revenue. In 2023, Kenya emerged as the fourth largest avocado producer globally, and the largest in Africa, thanks to its favorable climate for year-round production. Despite this, only 23% of Kenyan avocados reach the export market, as per One Million Avocados (OMA), a Kenyan startup dedicated to assisting local avocado farmers.

Small-scale farmers, who produce 70% of Kenya's avocados according to Statista, often lack access to a unified network and advanced agricultural technologies. They face barriers from stringent export regulations and common agricultural challenges such as pests and diseases, which impact the quality of their produce.

Harnessing Blockchain and AI for Avocado Farming

To address these challenges, a partnership between OMA and Dimitra, a blockchain-based agricultural technology (AgTech) company, is introducing cutting-edge solutions to Kenyan avocado farmers. Dimitra equips these farmers with advanced technologies, including AI, Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain, helping them meet environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, which opens new markets and adds value to their produce.

Dimitra's involvement in Kenya marks its first venture into real-world asset (RWA) tokenization. By digitizing 10,000 avocado trees as nonfungible tokens (NFTs) on the Polygon blockchain, Dimitra and OMA bring transparency and new opportunities to smallholder farmers. Each Agriculture RWA NFT represents a real avocado tree, complete with data such as GPS location, farm score, a photo, and development history. These NFTs come with enterprise-grade tech solutions, including soil sensors, fertilizers, satellite images, and AI-powered agronomic analysis reports.

Digital Transformation in Agriculture

The OMA-Dimitra partnership uses DMTR, Dimitra's proprietary token, for transactions, allowing Kenyan farmers to directly engage in blockchain transactions. This includes purchasing NFTs and participating in revenue-sharing activities. Additionally, OMA converts farmers’ points into DMTR tokens, enhancing their understanding of how cryptocurrencies can make agriculture more efficient and effective.

A key element of the partnership is the Connected Farmer platform, a Web3 interface available on Android, iOS, and web browsers. This platform democratizes access to Dimitra's tech stack, enabling farmers to utilize advanced machine learning and data science methods. Through real-time tracking of pests and diseases, farmers can better manage their crops and improve harvest outcomes.

Beyond Finance: Blockchain’s Broader Utility

“We believe in using technology to help farmers worldwide,” commented Dimitra on its mission. The company is leading the way in utilizing AI, IoT, and blockchain to support smallholder farmers. Dimitra aims to provide farmers with tools to enhance their crops, save money, and manage risks, showcasing how blockchain technology can benefit sectors beyond finance.

The partnership between OMA and Dimitra highlights the potential of blockchain and AgTech to establish sustainable practices and business models for smallholder farmers. By demonstrating blockchain's practical applications in agriculture, initiatives like Dimitra's encourage broader adoption of blockchain technology, illustrating its transformative impact beyond the financial sector.