The problem ECOHARVEST solves

EcoHarvest is a decentralized platform designed to enhance urban farming initiatives, boosting local food production, cutting carbon footprints, and fostering community resilience. The platform facilitates the setup and management of micro-farms, utilizing IoT for monitoring soil health, water usage, and plant growth. It supports resource sharing among urban farmers through a token-based system, ensuring equitable distribution of tools, seeds, and expertise. AI-powered crop planning suggests the best crops based on local climate, season, and community nutritional needs, offering personalized care instructions and harvesting schedules. EcoHarvest also enables local trade of surplus produce, connecting farmers with local restaurants and markets. A carbon credit system tracks and rewards carbon sequestration, allowing users to earn and trade credits. Additionally, the platform provides education on sustainable farming techniques, coordinates organic waste collection for composting, implements smart water management systems, and monitors urban biodiversity. Community governance features let participants propose and vote on initiatives, managing a shared treasury for projects. Leveraging blockchain technology for transparency and AI for optimization, EcoHarvest aims to create a self-sustaining ecosystem of urban farms, reducing food miles and building more resilient, connected communities.

Challenges we ran into

Implementing blockchain for transparent resource tracking and community governance posed technical hurdles related to scalability and security, resolved by selecting a scalable blockchain framework and incorporating advanced security measures. Developing an AI system for optimal crop suggestions required extensive data collection and algorithm training, achieved through collaboration with agricultural experts and leveraging large datasets.