Problem
96% of African farmers see digital agriculture as beneficial, yet adoption remains minimal due to justified fears of data exploitation. The “Nyakupfuya” (Shona: trapped farmer) faces surveillance from governments, NGOs, and agribusinesses.
Solution
EdgeChain uses Zero-Knowledge Proofs and federated learning to transform data from a weapon of punishment into infrastructure for cooperative empowerment.
Core Concepts Used
| Concept | Application |
|---|---|
| zkp | ProveYieldAboveThreshold circuits |
| kachina | Compact smart contracts |
| disclosure-regime | Selective compliance proofs |
| settlement-compliance | Rewards gated by valid proofs |
Architecture
/diagrams/edgechain-arch.mermaid
[Mermaid Diagram Placeholder]
Constraints
- 2G network compatibility (SMS-first)
- 70% of target users live in poverty
- Deep distrust of data collection
- Currently research-only (legal constraints until mid-2027)