Introduction

AGRii DAO is a Web3 project at the intersection of decentralized finance and sustainable agriculture. Our mission is to harness the power of blockchain to foster a community-driven, sustainable transformation in the agricultural sector. We aim to create a future where farmers, researchers, and investors collaborate seamlessly to advance agroecological research, driving innovations that are financially viable and ecologically sound. AGRii DAO is dedicated not only to improve the Web3 ecosystem but by enriching ecosystem by bringing new applications, audiences, and sustainability goals into the fold. We want to demonstrate how blockchain and decentralized finance can serve not just technology enthusiasts but also traditional sectors like agriculture. Encouraging more sustainable farming practices through innovative funding and community-building mechanisms.

The Challenge

Today's food and agricultural systems are falling short of delivering sustainable development for everyone. Thus far, no approach has succeeded in transforming these systems because they have not addressed the fundamental causes of hunger, poverty, and inequality. The marginalization of farmers from co-innovation processes, along with economic constraints, hampers their ability to adopt new agricultural practices that benefit them, the environment, and society. Additionally, the inefficient allocation of funds and the need for significant investments in agroecological research are significant barriers. A cultural shift towards values that inform policy formation and decision-making is also essential.

The Solution

AGRii DAO proposes an inclusive cooperative platform that supports and finances projects at the intersection of agricultural innovation and traditional knowledge. By directly involving farmers in these initiatives, they gain both training in emergent technologies and influence over research that directly impacts their livelihoods. Our approach ensures that they are well-equipped to address their challenges effectively, utilizing methodologies developed collaboratively. The AGRii DAO collects data, co-develops IP with researchers, grows a portfolio of assets represented as IP-NFTs while funded projects provide quantified values that are extremely important for our future.

Impact on Climate Change

AGRii DAO's combat climate change is deeply rooted in advancing agroecology, which promotes agricultural methods that align with ecological principles, thus sustaining long-term soil fertility, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration. These practices are essential for reducing the carbon footprint of farming activities and play a crucial role in mitigating the impact of agriculture on climate change. With enhanced support, we are poised to scale up our initiatives, thereby contributing more significantly to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and nurturing a robust, climate-resilient agricultural future.

The Team

We are a group of three individuals with diverse background and experiences, bringing unique perspectives from different walks of life. Our origin may differ, but our shared passion and vision for the future unites us in our mission to create positive changes.

Ewelina is an agro-economist with experience from universities and research institutions in food security, from the plant level to diet and nutrient content. She has authored or co-authored publications on issues related to food security and has experience in network building and global collaboration. She has been involved in the global network for food security, which is led by Norway in collaboration with the UN.

Truls is a crypto enthusiast, entrepreneur, designer and runs his own small farm. With a thorough understanding of holistic design and meeting forms, and a fearless approach to the subject, Truls has created strong brands for international and national players, designed award-winning urban spaces and created interiors for television. During its many years, Truls has worked on a number of interdisciplinary projects in technology, architecture and product design, and was one of the first to create virtual decentralized workplaces and VR/metaverse.

Asbjørn Riddervold is a fullstack developer with extensive experience in Ethereum and Web3. He was a key contributor to the development of a shareholder ledger platform on Ethereum for the Norwegian Business Registry (Brønnøysundregistrene), which aimed to promote transparency and efficiency. Asbjørn is dedicated to building decentralized applications that contribute to public goods and a more fair and distributed future. With a deep understanding of smart contracts, Solidity, and decentralized applications, Asbjørn is a skilled problem solver who is optimistic about the potential of technology to make a positive impact on the world. His expertise in Fullstack development, combined with his passion for creating a better future, make him a valuable asset to any team seeking to build decentralized applications that promote fairness, openness, and collaboration.

Progress Updates

In the last half-year, our team has collaborated with experts worldwide to enhance our strategic approach and solidify the foundation of our mission. The encouraging feedback we've garnered affirms the potential and anticipated impact of our project. Our current website serves as a MVP, which has successfully garnered the interest of a diverse group of stakeholders, including members from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), academic researchers, and representatives from farming and women's associations. Additionally, we have initiated valuable collaborations, laying the groundwork for future partnerships.

Previous Round of Funding and Hypercerts

In the previous funding round, AGRii DAO received a minimal amount of funding that was not utilized, leading to a decision not to mint Hypercerts. This was primarily due to our strategic reassessment of project priorities and resource allocation to ensure maximum impact. We are committed to transparency and accountability, and as we scale our efforts, we will leverage Hypercerts to quantify and validate our achievements and milestones.

Lessons learned

Our journey has taught us the importance of clear communication with stakeholders unfamiliar with Web3. We have faced and are addressing challenges around blockchain's complexity and its adoption by the agricultural community.

Funding

In this funding round we seek support for the development of educational materials and community engagement projects that will advance our mission of integrating blockchain technology into sustainable agricultural practices.

Detailed Funding Allocation:

Development of Educational Materials:

Development of educational materials such as whitepapers and animated explainer videos to elucidate AGRii DAO’s vision and the application of blockchain in sustainable agriculture. Establishment and management of interactive social media channels to engage and expand our early adopter community. Regular creation and distribution of newsletters and blog posts to keep stakeholders informed about the latest in agroecology and blockchain.

Timeline for Project Milestones:

Whitepapers are to be published within the next three months, followed by monthly updates on progress and insights. The first set of animated explainer videos will be released in the following quarter. Social media channels will be launched within one month post-funding, with daily activity and weekly special features. Newsletters and blog posts will commence within two months of funding, with at least bi-weekly publications.