- NEAR Kenya Team
NEAR KENYA HUNGER-THON UPDATE
Introduction
The ongoing hackathon in Nairobi is making great progress, with several teams showcasing innovative solutions to a variety of challenges. The hackathon brings together some of the best and brightest minds from across Kenya and beyond to compete in a test of creativity, skill, and endurance.
Kenya is in the throes of the worst drought induced famine in the last four decades.
Famine and drought continue to ravage millions of Kenyans in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands with over 4.35 million Kenyans across 23 counties being affected. According to Oxfam, some neighbouring countries have it worse with hunger likely to claim a life every 36 seconds.
Somalia’s peoples are experiencing the worst hunger crisis in living memory.
The NEAR KENYA HUNGER-THON is a virtual event for uncovering possible solutions to the stated disaster.
The challenge was launched on 16th November, 2022 with a call out to developers followed by an orientation call on the 17th, after the shortlisting process. The call out attracted eighteen (18) applicants, who were then shortlisted to four (4) teams.
The standout teams are as follows;
Dprod
The team is working on a Web3 technology platform that aims to bridge the gap between farmers and investors. The platform will enable a transparent supply chain system and make it easier for farmers to access funding and investment, which could lead to economic growth in the agriculture sector.
Team members: Ezra Kivutha, Ann Steffie Madigo and Michael Mulika.
Together, they have been working tirelessly to develop their solution, which they believe has the potential to revolutionise the way farmers and investors interact.
Mvua Fund
The team is developing a platform called Shift a Life. This platform brings together communities and organisations to collaborate on fighting food insecurity and climate change through the use of crowd-sourced funds.
Team members: Bratipah Kioko, David Kimolo, Timothy Agevi, and Dalmus Ogembo.
They have been working on the platform for several weeks, and have made impressive progress. According to their update, the platform currently allows users to create events and campaigns, select the type of token they want to use for donations, and set targets and other information about the event or campaign. It also includes a simple DAO to help select partners who will run the events or campaigns. The use of blockchain technology in this way can provide greater transparency and accountability in the allocation and use of funds, which can help to ensure that they are used for their intended purposes.
Twiga
The team is working on a solution called Hambre. This is a web system that aims to increase the productivity of arable lands by providing collaborative access to farming resources. The team has already completed the user login and account creation, as well as the UI for the farmer and investor dashboards. They have also finished the backend and front end, and have completed testing. The solution has the potential to improve the efficiency and sustainability of farming operations, which can have a positive impact on food security in the region.
M-Sifa
The team is developing a school feeding program on the blockchain. The program allows donor organisations to pay for subsidised lunches via a dApp on the NEAR blockchain. The amount is credited to a virtual blockchain wallet linked to an NFC smart wristband, which students use to tap to eat in under five seconds. This solution can improve the efficiency and transparency of school feeding programs, which can help to ensure that students have access to nutritious meals.
The teams at the hackathon have developed solutions that have the potential to make a real difference in addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing Kenya and beyond. The use of blockchain technology in particular can help to improve the transparency and efficiency of supply chains, facilitate collaboration and funding for social causes, and improve access to education and food.
Following submissions, the hackers will be also demonstrating their solutions before a jury at a luncheon in Nairobi this coming Saturday, 17th December, 2022.
Judges will be checking the following;
Technological Implementation — How well was the idea executed?
Design — Is the user experience and design of the project well thought out?
Potential Impact — To addressing the hackathon theme and to the NEAR ecosystem
Quality of the Idea — How creative and unique is the project? Is the project a high quality DeFi application? Is the solution efficiently addressing the problem statement?
Project Sustainability — Implementation practicality, Context relevance/adaptability, how much input is required after the initial investment? Does it capitalise on existing resources?
Judges
Lilian Maingi, NEAR Kenya
Ken Kamau, NEAR Kenya (Technical Judge)
Charles Lusweti, Head, Youth in Agriculture Unit, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development
Simon Mwinzi, Regional AgroEconomist Consultant
Rehema Khimulu, Policy Analyst / SDG 2 Consultant
Ruth Muendo, Impact Manager, Food4Education