HARVEST: A Smart Contract Farming Platform
Team: Code Cultivators
• Rehan Luke Jacob | ISE | 2nd semester_
• Arnav Ambekar | ECE | 4th semester
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.Executive Summary
2.Background
3.Solution
4.Design Details
o System Architecture
o Components Block Diagram
5.User Journeys
o Farmer Journey
o Buyer Journey
6.Features
o Core Functionalities
o Technical Features
7.MVP Screenshots
8.Tools & Technologies
9.Conclusion
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Agriculture remains a cornerstone of the indian economy, yet farmers frequently face challenges such as price volatility, unreliable buyers, and delayed payments. Buyers, on the other hand, struggle with inconsistent supply chains and quality assurance issues. The traditional contract farming system lacks transparency and efficiency, leading to mistrust among stakeholders. The Harvest platform aims to revolutionize contract farming.
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This report details the MVP (Minimum Viable Product) implementation of Harvest, which serves as a proof of concept for the larger vision. The MVP focuses on establishing the core functionality of user registration, contract creation, and transaction management, setting the foundation for more advanced features in future iterations.
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As participants in the CTARA hackathon conducted by UVCE Marvel, Arnav and I are developing Harvest in its MVP phase. This competition provides us with an exciting opportunity to tackle real-world agricultural challenges exploring the technology withing our reach. The journey so far has been both intellectually stimulating and rewarding proving to be a great venture for the both of us.
BACKGROUND
Current Agricultural Market Challenges
The agricultural sector, particularly in developing markets, faces numerous challenges that impact both farmers and buyers:
For Farmers:
• Price volatility and market uncertainty
• Exploitation by intermediaries leading to reduced profits
• Delayed payments affecting financial stability
• Limited access to larger markets
• Lack of transparency in pricing mechanisms
• Difficulty in ensuring contract enforcement
For Buyers:
• Inconsistent supply chains affecting business continuity
• Variable product quality without standardization
• Limited visibility into production practices
• Complex procurement processes
• Challenges in establishing direct relationships with farmers
These challenges create an inefficient market with substantial friction, leading to reduced income for farmers and increased costs for buyers, while also contributing to food waste and supply chain inefficiencies.
Market Potential
The addressable market for smart farming solutions is substantial: • ₹6,000 Crore serviceable market by 2028
• 42% of India's workforce is engaged in agriculture
• 45% increase in rural smartphone adoption, creating fertile ground for digital solutions
• 195,000+ Agricultural Cooperatives that can benefit from the platform
• Growing corporate buyer segment seeking direct sourcing opportunities
SOLUTION OVERVIEW
Harvest is a comprehensive digital platform that transforms traditional contract farming through technology integration:
Core Value Proposition
Direct Market Connection
o Eliminates intermediaries by directly connecting farmers and buyers
o Creates transparent price discovery mechanisms using blockchain to leverage market prices based on several factors
o Reduces transaction costs for all parties
Smart Contract Implementation
o Blockchain-based contracts ensure tamper-proof agreements
o Automated execution of contract terms reduces disputes
o Creates immutable records of all transactions
Quality Assurance
o IoT integration for crop monitoring and verification
o Standardized quality certification process
o Real-time tracking of agricultural products
Financial Security
o Automated milestone-based payments
o Reduction in payment delays
o Integration with banking partners for advance payments and insurance
Expected Impact
• 25-30% increase in farmer income through direct market access and fair pricing • 25-30% reduction in procurement costs for buyers • 10-15% reduction in food wastage through better supply chain coordination • Enhanced transparency and trust throughout the agricultural ecosystem
DESIGN DETAILS
System Architecture
The Harvest platform utilizes a multi-layered architecture that combines blockchain technology, cloud infrastructure, and mobile/web applications to create a seamless experience for all users.
Architecture Diagram
Class Diagrams
User Management System
Contract Management System
USER JOURNEYS
Farmer User Journey
Detailed Journey Steps:
Discovery & Landing
o Farmer discovers platform
o Views landing page
o Accesses "Get Started" call-to-action
Registration & Sign-up
o Creates account with email/phone and password
o Verifies identity through OTP or email verification
o Selects "Farmer" as account type
Onboarding & Profile
o Completes profile with personal information
o Adds farm details (location, size, crops grown)
o Uploads certifications if available
o Views dashboard tutorial
Product Listing
o Creates new product listings with details
o Sets pricing, quantity, and availability
o Uploads product images
o Adds quality metrics and certifications
Contract Management
o Reviews incoming contract requests from buyers
o Negotiates terms if needed
o Accepts or rejects contract offers
o Tracks active contract status
Inventory Management
o Updates available product quantities
o Manages reservations for contracted products
o Plans production based on demand
Contract Processing
o Receives contract confirmations
o Tracks pending contracts
o Views contracts history
Quality Verification (not implemented in MVP)
o Updates quality metrics through IoT sensors or manual entry
o Receives notification for quality thresholds
o Uploads quality certificates when available
o Addresses quality issues flagged by buyers
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Buyer User Journey
Detailed Journey Steps:
Discovery & Landing
o Buyer discovers platform
o Views landing page
o Accesses "Register as Buyer" call-to-action
Registration & Sign-up
o Creates account with business email and password
o Verifies account through email confirmation
o Selects "Buyer" as account type
Onboarding & Profile
o Completes company profile with business details
o Sets procurement preferences and requirements
o Views marketplace tutorial
Marketplace Browsing
o Searches and filters products by category, location, quality
o Views farmer profiles and ratings
o Compares prices and quality metrics
o Saves favourites for quick access
Contract Creation
o Initiates contract request with selected farmer
o Specifies quantity of produce and delivery terms
o Reviews and signs digital contract
Order Tracking
o Monitors contract fulfilment status
o Receives updates on production and harvest
o Tracks shipment and delivery logistics
o Reviews order history
Quality Verification (not implemented in MVP)
o Accesses real-time quality data through IoT integration
o Reviews quality certificates uploaded by farmers
o Conducts sampling and verification upon delivery
o Provides quality feedback
Supplier Relationship
o Rates and reviews farmer performance
o Builds preferred supplier list
o Renews contracts with top performers
o Accesses analytics on supplier performance
FEATURES
Core Functionalities
Digital Marketplace:
• Product listing and discovery system
• Advanced search and filtering capabilities
• Transparent pricing mechanism
• Geographical mapping of farmers and buyers Smart Contract System
• Digital contract creation and management
• Blockchain-based contract enforcement
• Automated milestone tracking
• Dispute resolution mechanism
Technical Functionalities
Security Implementation:
• End-to-end encryption
• Role-based access control
• Multi-factor authentication
• Secure payment processing
Mobile Optimization:
• Responsive design for all devices
• Offline capability for rural areas
• Low-bandwidth optimization
• Push notification system
MVP SCREEN SHOTS
TECH STACK
• Frontend: React.js, TailwindCSS
• Backend: Node.js, Express.js,
• Database: PostgreSQL(Supabase)
• Blockchain(not implemented for MVP): Ethereum/Polygon, Solidity
• IoT(not implemented for MVP): Raspberry Pi, Arduino
• Security: JWT, OAuth2, RBAC(Role-based access control)
• Deployment: Netlify
CONCLUSION
Harvest is a transformative platform set to disrupt traditional contract farming by combining blockchain security, IoT monitoring, and digital marketplaces into one robust ecosystem. By eliminating inefficiencies and ensuring fair trade, it empowers both farmers and buyers, making agriculture more transparent, profitable, and sustainable.
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With a well-defined roadmap, innovative technology, and strong market potential, Harvest is well-positioned to become a leading AgriTech solution. This project is not only technically feasible but also economically viable, promising a significant impact on the agricultural sector.