At Dimitra, we are always designing something new to empower and equip smallholder farmers. In March 2022, we launched Dimitra Livestock Guru, the most technologically advanced software of its kind that helps farmers and livestock breeders enhance performance and efficiency, leading to increased livestock sector profitability.

While some farms around the world have sophisticated systems for producing the next generation of high-quality cattle, others leave it totally to chance. If farmers can start to understand the factors that affect an animal’s performance and how to better manage their livestock, it reduces cost, reduces negative environmental impact, and directly increases income.

Now, with Dimitra Livestock Guru, governments, large and small farmers around the world could be just a few generations of livestock away from a different future. The platform immediately impacts feed management and value through animal observation, track and trace, and health management.

The Genetics Module – Dimitra Livestock Guru

Livestock management is a make it or break endeavor that directly results in either a predictable improvement or a steady decline in the quality of animals. There are best practices for assessing an animal across its lifecycle that determines a farmer’s best options for breeding. Dimitra’s genetics module was created in close collaboration with leading agricultural industry experts.

Great livestock management, including genetic mapping, reduces the risk of disease and improves productive and reproductive rates. Most farmers simply don’t collect the right information and use that information to make decisions. There are two fields of study that provide data:

Genomics — Providing insight into all genes and their interrelationships. Mapping genomes has been practiced routinely since the early 2000s, and the identification of which genes correspond to which outputs (quality of meat, quantity of milk, etc.) has helped farmers breed with intention.

Genetics — Scrutiny of the function and composition of single genes. This field provides data that helps farmers propagate heritable trait combinations, maximizing the value of livestock.

Statistical analysis of the data gleaned from both fields can inform economic breeding indexes (EBIs), which assess the probability of an animal passing on a single trait. Effective analysis, supported by technology, can provide reliable measurements of additional factors, such as Expected Progeny Differences (EPD) and Expected Breeding value (EBV).

The Dimitra Genetics Module collects the right data on an animal entire lifecycle. Farmers simply input data about each animal. That’s all they have to do. The software then generates precise recommendations for which animals should be bred. What results is the acceleration of the genetic improvement of the herd.

Other positive outcomes of using the platform are that farmers build a body of health records for each animal, identify trends in the herd, and predict issues to avoid poor breeding decisions.

Let’s talk about how this affects beef and dairy cattle farmers.

Why Genes Matter for Beef Cattle

Farms are like a factory, and they’re in the business of making money. As is the case in any factory, the goal is to max efficiency. Many farmers around the world have haphazard practices for how they manage beef cattle. The traits carried by bulls directly support their value in the marketplace. Which means that farmers stand to profit from implementing better practices in genetics tracking and breeding.

For beef cattle, carcass traits are essential to get the best price. After measuring an animal carcass at the slaughterhouse, farmers fill in the questionnaire on the Dimitra platform. The data they receive from that arms them with the knowledge to put a price on the bull and plan for the next generation.

The methods used to determine which traits to use are fairly complex, but the Dimitra platform has made it virtually effortless, leveraging technology to minimize what a farmer has to do to benefit from this basic information.

Why Genes Matter for Dairy Cattle – Dimitra Livestock Guru

For dairy cattle, there are distinctive traits that make for good milk producers as well as predicting the overall health of an animal. Accurately identifying maternal traits will make it easier to predict calving ease. All of the traits that are genetically passed on are identifiable. And if a farmer knows what to look for. They can make strategic decisions to pass on the right traits to the next generation.

There is a complexity to genetic mapping that most farmers may not understand, for instance. Complete dominance versus co-dominance versus recessive traits. If farmers learn to observe the right factors, log them in the system, and make decisions based on the data. Little by little and generation by generation, the herd will improve.

Here’s an illustration:

In a developing country, a farmer may have four cows and one bull. They leave it to fate to let the animals mate. The offspring will be similarly random: one may be skinny, and one may be a low milk producer. Operating in this way creates a huge margin of waste. With our technology, farmers can become methodical in how they reproduce, producing generations of offspring with more valuable or favorable traits. Knowing which animals hold the best genes for producing the next generation is an immense opportunity for farmers within Dimitra Livestock Guru.

Better Production = Better Profitability

Livestock management is a practice which, if refined, could change the lives of farmers around the world. Dimitra Livestock Guru centralizes data, giving farmers an easy tax of recording what they know and observe. And generating recommendations that empower them to make sound decisions.

Dimitra Token Supply

Jon Trask: So by design, the total Dimitra token supply is a billion tokens, and we’re releasing those billion tokens depending on the area of tokenomics, but most of it is released over 10 years or more. If you break down our token supply, we have a reserve set aside, which is about 5% of the tokens. Our reserve would be used for things like DeFi if we wanted to go in that route, or if we were setting up DeFi loans, we need to maintain a reserve for that. We also have 10% of our tokens for an ecosystem fund, and our ecosystem fund essentially drives value through the ecosystem.

You know, we may need to fund a not-for-profit or a small group of farmers to get them onboarded onto the platform. We may need to fund the implementation of some technology, and we may need to fund different partnerships that will drive more users to the platform.

Dimitra Token Supply

The next component is our partners: Unizen. Unizen are strategic advisors for us, and they played a big role in rolling out our crypto strategy and crypto marketing. So, you know, we’re always thankful to them at Unizen for everything that they’ve done. We have about 8% of the tokens reserved for them. We have 17% of our tokens reserved for staking and rewards, bug bounties, things like that over the years. Like we mentioned before, the maximum is about 13% that people can earn. And the number of those tokens, the 17 tokens, will supply more than a decade of rewards. We have an impact fund, which is a fund to make a difference on ESR. Make a difference with charities and not-for-profits, and onboard those people really in need, to the system.

Dimitra Token Supply

There’s a lot of farmers in the world, over 600 million farmers. Many of them are in some of the most poor nations or poor areas of the world. And they have challenges accessing technology. The interesting thing is a lot of them have a cell phone. So we use these, among other methods to onboard farmers to the platform who maybe wouldn’t jump onto a platform themselves. We sold about 1.3% of the tokens, 13 million tokens, in our presale.

And there’s about 20% of the tokens that are held for founders, advisors, team members, partner organizations who provide services to the company. So we do have a chart that’s available and you can access that chart on our website. Again, go to dimitra.io/token. And currently our circulating supply is over 50 million. And you can watch that on CoinGecko, probably the most reliable information for us on token supply.

Michael Whitlatch: Yeah, fair enough. And John, people had previously mentioned about the Dimitra foundation owning the majority of the tokens. But it isn’t like it’s just a giant pot of tokens you can do whatever you want with. As you said, they’re allocated to specific resources over time, correct?

Jon Trask: Absolutely. Yeah. So we do have our release plan, and all of these aren’t sitting there in my name. They all play a strategic role in the company over the next decade, and fitting together with driving more users to the platform, which again, drives overall value and drives the value of tokenomics.

$DMTR is now open for trading on Bittrex!

$DMTR market is now open with the following market pair USDT-DMTR on https://global.bittrex.com/home/markets

https://dimitra.io/token

Dimitra Incorporated is a global Agtech company with a mission to help smallholder farmers across the world. Dimitra works with governments, government agencies, NGOs, and for-profit organizations. The Dimitra platform is built on blockchain technology. And incorporates mobile technology, machine learning, IoT devices, satellite and drone imagery, genomics, and advanced farming research. Through our data driven approach, Dimitra helps farmers increase yields, reduces expenses, and mitigates risk. Dimitra believes that every smallholder farmer, regardless of economic standing, should benefit from simple, beautiful, and useful technology.

At Dimitra we are on a mission to make our technology available to smallholder farmers globally.  We believe that every smallholder farmer, regardless of economic standing, should benefit from simple, beautiful and useful technology. Because when farmers thrive, entire economies thrive. 

subheading – $DMTR Bittrex

According to the World Bank, agricultural development is one of the most powerful tools to end extreme poverty, boost shared prosperity and feed a growing world. Growth in the agriculture sector is 2-4 times more effective in raising incomes among the world’s poorest compared to other business sectors. 

Smallholder farmers are rapidly adopting mobile phones and have a new platform to run their business, learn new farming techniques, record their performance, communicate with government ministries and agricultural experts.  Most agricultural software is an expense that they cannot afford. We are on a mission to change agriculture software affordability.

Dimitra is actively working with governments and non governmental organizations to make our “Connected Farmer” platform available to smallholder farmers in developing nations, free of charge.  This platform enables farmers to  use advanced technology which provides them with actionable data, breaking the cycle of poverty, enriching their economy through increased crop yields and healthier livestock.

Michael Whitlatch: Can you give me a walk-through of the token ecosystem in terms of utility?

Jon Trask: Yeah, that’s a great question, Michael. So, you know, let’s start with the token. Last September 22nd, in 2021, we launched the token online and our first exchange was KuCoin. It’s an ERC 20 based token, and a utility token. Our token is a standard implementation using basic templates. So it’s come off of open Zeppelin, ERC 20 preset mentor pauser, if you know what that means.

We had our token audited by Certik, and you can actually go to Certik’s website and we can put the link up showing the audit of the token. Our KYC provider within our portal is Sumsub and they provide our automated KYC, AML fraud detection for the Dimitra portal. Sumsub verifies our users on the portal, it usually takes about three to five minutes. Varies a little bit depending on the country that you’re coming from. Otherwise, most people will be buying our token on our exchanges.

Subheading 2

Security’s always been one of our highest priorities at Dimitra from the very beginning, and using sum sub and using Certik have been a huge value to us, because they bring a lot of capability and have been great advisors throughout the process. So if we want to skip into Dimitra token utility, think of the Dimitra platform. We start with our Connected Farmer platform, and we also have our Livestock Guru platform, these are the operating systems for Agtech. Our token actually drives utility in our ecosystem. So just keep that in mind as you’re looking at our token, that every kind of transaction we do has some relationship to the token. And as we onboard more and more users, those users will start driving demand in different ways for the token.

Subheading 6 – Dimitra Token Ecosystem

Many of the transactions within the platform themselves are done using DMTR tokens, or drive action on DMTR tokens, and I can give you some examples. So right off the bat, we start with staking. People who buy DMTR tokens can stake their tokens within the Dimitra portal, and they earn up to 13% APY. There is some detail around that, but everybody starts at 13% APY. We have a limited number of tokens that are available for staking.

But we’re nowhere near the threshold of those who can earn 13%. We also have the farmers use the Dimitra platform, and farmers earn DMTR points within our farmer points program. So when they perform different activities, they actually drive action on DMTR. So each farmer can transfer their DMTR points into DMTR tokens if they choose. And trade their DMTR tokens for other cryptocurrencies, or they can buy ecosystem services with them.

All of these transactions can be related to the DMTR token, and I’ll give you an example. So if a farmer wants to buy a sensor, they can buy that sensor through us, through their app using their DMTR or using their points.

Subheading

They can contract a soil specialist to come and do readings on their soil. So if you imagine the farmers told by the platform to plant a seed and they’re gonna plant on a specific day, they may earn some points for planting on the targeted day within the platform. And then, you know, shortly after that, once they’ve reached a certain number of days, they may irrigate, or they may add fertilizer. And all of those steps allow them to earn points within our platform. It’s a great reward for the farmer to load data, and data does create value for us.

Subheading 5

You know, another example of utility within our platform. We work a lot with NGOs and governments, farm associations, if they want to buy some of our advanced reports. If they want to buy some of our base reports, they can actually use DMTR to purchase those reports. And I’ll give you an example right now, we have a deal with an individual farming association focused on coffee, and they’ll actually be paying their licensing fees in DMTR. Another example, again, you go back to those NGOs, governments or farm associations. We have advanced reporting. So in our base platform, we offer five satellite reports, and we have advanced reports as well. In order to access those advanced reports, they use DMTR to purchase those reports.

Subheading – Dimitra Token Ecosystem

We do create incentives for people to use DMTR to make payments in the ecosystem. So they can convert or use DMTR and get a discount by using that, versus using US dollars. We talked a little bit about sensors and sensors is a great equalizer within our platform. You look at an individual contract, and that individual contract may have some number of users. For example, let’s say that the contract has a thousand users.

Subheading 3

Well, those thousand users may have 10,000 cows, and those 10,000 cows need 10,000 sensors. If they want to load sensors within the platform, they have to either onboard through DMTR, the sensors that they’re using, or buy our sensors, with DMTR. And then the other piece is we get a little bit of a multiplier on every one of those, ’cause we put margins on those transactions. And those margins coming back through DMTR allows the value to grow.

You know, lastly, we have an announcement I think that most of you have seen around Ocean Protocol. And we’re working with Ocean to make our data available through the Ocean data marketplace. And that Ocean data marketplace will actually be in the marketplace within the Dimitra app. And the farmers receive a percentage of the proceeds of that sale of data. So if we have a large amount of data on corn in Africa, for example, and somebody needs access to that, be that be commodity traders or brokers, universities, whoever the case may be, in order to get access to that data, they would go into our marketplace, buy the data, and then we share the proceeds of that through DMTR with the individual farmers.

So those are some great examples. We have projects where we provide grants for farmers in order to manage agricultural inputs, insecticides, fertilizers, different seeds, and advice. We also have our sensors and satellites, and all of this can be related to DMTR tokens within the ecosystem. So if you’d like to learn more about the Dimitra token, you can actually go to the website, dimitra.io/token and learn more.

The global population is on track to reach 9.7 billion by 2050. Such growth, in conjunction with globally rising incomes, has experts projecting the demand for food will increase by 70 to 100 percent over the next three decades. To keep up with demand, food production in developing nations would almost have to double. But the effects of climate change place enormous strain on smallholder farmers across the world.

Smallholder farmers often operate on less than 2 hectares of land. Crops vary by geographical location and climate. But often include staple foods — like rice and maize — that are vital to the global food supply. Smallholders alone produce roughly one-third of the world’s food. Often sustaining their own families alongside some of the most impoverished communities in the world.

While the natural landscape has always presented farmers from all walks of life with unique challenges to overcome, no threat looms as large as that of climate change. With obstacles mounting and long-familiar weather patterns changing in real time. Access to agricultural technology has become crucial for farmers in both developing and developed nations to succeed.

subheading

These are just a few of the devastating climate issues smallholder farmers face today:

• Rapidly changing weather patterns
• Shifting seasonal planting and harvest dates
• Erratic rainfall and flooding
• Soil erosion and degradation
• Frequent droughts

To cope with these challenges, farmers are often forced to switch from familiar crops to more climate resilient varieties — a change that can impose immense hardships on smallholders during a transition that requires time, resources and crop-specific knowledge.

In areas known for specialty crops, changing weather patterns compromise the future viability of those crops entirely. One example points to the 2019 ice wine crop failure in Germany. Ice wine is a type of dessert wine made from grapes that have frozen on the vine. Rising temperatures in the region no longer reliably support ice wine crops, and yields have decreased in recent years.

In rural India, smallholder farmers combat soil degradation as a result of flooding, acidity, wind and water erosion and salinity. Agriculture is critical to India’s agrarian economy, which is why Dimitra is currently working with an Indian farmers organization to assess soil organic carbon levels, remediate degraded soil, and enhance farming productivity on 2 million farms.

Dimitra’s soil assessment and remediation project in India makes use of satellite data, mobile technology, IoT sensors, artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, and drones. Utilizing Dimitra’s “Connected Farmer” platform, organizational teams and their partners collect data with mobile, sensor and satellite technology. Dimitra uses high spatial resolution satellite images to monitor crop development and assist in measuring soil organic carbon in an efficient and economical way. This data is then analyzed with machine-based learning to provide actionable advice that allows local farmers to implement sustainable strategies in soil remediation.

Climate Resilient Farming: How AgTech Can Help

Agricultural technology — AgTech for short — works alongside farmers to marry traditional farming knowledge with real-time data and predictive insights.

The Connected Farmer, Dimitra’s base platform, allows smallholders to track crop and seed inputs, fertilizer and pesticide applications and crop yields. Field-level sensors combined with satellite imaging provide farmers with useful data and analytics that translate into actionable recommendations all based on machine learning. This information is accessible through the web or through the Dimitra app. Farmers can also register their farms, set up geofences, create livestock goals, schedule maintenance and register invoices.

With Dimitra’s livestock management platform, farmers can easily track key information, such as vaccinations, animal identity and DNA testing. Smallholders can also ensure they are rotating livestock through pastures at the correct intervals.

As farmers use Dimitra’s platform, they accrue points that. Upon reaching a specific threshold, can be converted into the Dimitra token. Smallholders can use the Dimitra token to purchase advanced modules or services within the Dimitra ecosystem. Or exchange it for other cryptocurrencies.

Subheading 2

Dimitra’s advanced satellite and weather modules provide farmers with real-time insights on crop health and changing weather patterns. Armed with this data, smallholders can better plan and prepare for shifting planting and harvest dates, erratic rainfall and droughts.

State of the art drone-based imagery allows for real-time crop evaluation from a bird’s eye vantage point, with image comparison capabilities to highlight potential pain points like moisture issues, pest infestations, crop exposure and shifting weather patterns. Advanced module drones can also provide precision spraying capabilities, reducing pesticide overuse and helping improve soil quality.

Dimitra’s advanced Online Agricultural Marketplace Module connects farmers with individual and corporate buyers and sellers. Farmers can list their produce, livestock and equipment. An ability that helps reduce crop waste and provides vital access to farming resources.

The Connected Farmer platform and each of Dimitra’s advanced modules. Were expertly crafted to solve specific problems farmers face on a daily basis.

Sustainable Agriculture: A Pathway Out of Poverty

When smallholder farmers are able to achieve surplus yields, they move beyond simply feeding their own families. With the help of agtech solutions like the Dimitra platform, and the modules available within it. Sustainable smallholder farming has the potential to pull millions of global citizens out of poverty. And feed millions more in the process.

Successful, diversified crop yields and livestock programs help provide food security and essential nutrition to smallholders, their families, and their communities at large. We believe data-driven farming can help smallholders increase their harvests, reduce costs and mitigate the imminent threats posed by climate change. By democratizing access to agtech solutions, we can transform subsistence farming into a sustainable and profitable endeavor for our world’s most vulnerable farmers.

Visit their website to learn more about Dimitra’s work.

Dimitra Incorporated, a global Agtech company on a mission to make its technology available to small holder farmers globally, is excited to be working with Rumion Limited (a Kenmore Group company) a pig farming, feed crops, and cattle grazing enterprise based in Markham, Papua New Guinea (PNG) Drone Solutions.

Rumion and Dimitra have signed an agreement to deliver drone precision spray, spreading, and mapping services to fight the invasive Fall Armyworm (FAW). The FAW has had a significant impact on the Maize crop in PNG, Asia, and Northern Australia.

Dimitra is working with Rumion in collaboration with the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Plus Program (PHAMA Plus). With funding from the Australian Government and New Zealand Government and assisted by GrowPNG (part of Regional Grow Asia Network). To build a solution to suppress the FAW in PNG and look at the efficacy of Drone spray in corn. The program will be managed under the FAW Monitoring and Management Response in PNG Project.

Located in the Markham Valley, Morobe Province, Rumion Limited is PNG’s largest producer of pigs with around 12,000 heads. And is the major supplier to an associated company, ‘Prima Smallgoods.’ In addition to pig production, Rumion grows corn (maize) exclusively for stock feed manufacture. In their feed mill plant for their pigs and has a 5,000 head beef herd operation.

The initial engagement will run photographic mapping and NDVI and RTK processing across the Rumion properties. This will provide a reference tool loaded to the Dimitra platform. In conjunction with data collected from the current corn maize growing season and FAW infestation patterns. An optimal spray sequence would be devised leveraging 3 x 30L agricultural specific drones, purchased by Rumion and operated by Dimitra.

Subheading

“Partnering with Dimitra will enable the first use of agricultural specific drones in fighting the FAW infestation in PNG. with the aim to reduce human exposure to chemicals and increase application efficiency. In addition, we are looking forward to working with Dimitra to set up best practice for our operations to allow us to take advantage of agriculture across not only our cropping, but also our cattle operations as well,” said David Duran, General Manager, Rumion Limited,

Through assessing efficacy in a large enterprise. Dimitra will then work with Grow PNG and PHAMA Plus to evaluate a cost effective community based model. To provide drones as a Service (DaaS) approaches to small holder farmers in the surrounding farms. The project will look at the hypothesis that a coordinated precision spraying program across large and small holder farmers. Could increase the impact on FAW numbers while decreasing pesticide use.

“Grow PNG is excited to collaborate with Rumion, PHAMA Plus, Dimitra, and with the support of the Australian and New Zealand governments to look at the feasibility of a community based drone services model. The aim is for this engagement with agricultural technology to provide a lower cost of application, higher yield of crops, new technology job opportunities, and providing PNG’s small holder farmers much needed access to new technologies,” said John Simango, Executive Director, Grow PNG.

All data will be collected by the Dimitra ‘Connected Farmer’ application and dashboard. And vital information will be added to the Dimitra block chain. To provide immutable records of spray application events for the traceability of Rumion corn fed to their pigs in the piggery. And into the small goods produced and sold to the end consumers.

Drone Solutions

Dimitra’s Regional Director, Ben Wark, said, “The engagement with Rumion Limited is an exciting opportunity to prove the effectiveness of the Dimitra platform and Drone technology in the very important fight against FAW in PNG. In collaboration with Grow PNG, PHAMA Plus and regional government agencies, the learnings from this engagement will open opportunities. For large and small holders across the Markham Valley and the whole of PNG!”

Rumion Limited is PNG’s largest producer of pigs with around 12,000 head. And is the major supplier to an associated company, ‘Prima Smallgoods’. In addition to pig production, Rumion grows corn (maize) exclusively for stock feed manufactured in their own feed mill plant. For the pigs and has a 5,000 head beef herd operation.

Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) share a special relationship, strong bonds and ambitions for the future. We are working together to implement the Papua New Guinea-Australia Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership.

GrowPNG’s vision is to accelerate the growth of the agriculture sector in the Markham Valley by enabling small holder farmers to increase their income by 20% within eight years. GrowPNG is part of the Grow Asia network, a multi stake holder platform that builds field, national, and regional level partnerships to broker market driven solutions that cultivate inclusive, resilient and sustainable food systems in Southeast Asia.

The Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Program or PHAMA Plus provides practical and assistance. To help Pacific Island countries manage regulatory aspects associated with exporting primary and value added products. This encompasses gaining access for products into new markets. And helping to manage issues associated with maintaining and improving existing trade.

BELIZE CITY, BELIZE — Dimitra Incorporated, a global agriculture technology company on a mission to make its technology available to smallholder farmers globally, is working with Fundación Proinpa to promote innovation in families of entrepreneurial farmers, micro-farmers, and agricultural companies.

Prionpa and Dimitra are working together to promote the technological development of Andean agricultural products. And accelerate the inclusion and economic development of the agricultural sector in Bolivia. Dimitra’s Connected Farmer platform will be available to farmers associated with Proinpa to use some of the most diverse technologies. Such as artificial intelligence (AI), satellite reports, remote technical assistance, and blockchain, to increase production, and reduce costs.

Proinpa has been working for many years in Bolivia with partners from different countries. To develop agro ecological management of crops and promote sustainable agrobiodiversity management. They are also developing inclusive impact-oriented agribusinesses and offer services for producing and marketing fresh Andean products and derivatives.

The work strengthens bio inputs, such as bio fungicides, biopesticides, biofertilizers, biostimulants, traps, and pheromones to encourage more sustainable production and reduce pests and disease resistance against conventional products. Furthermore, organic production, added to the possibility of traceability through blockchain. Helps farmers add value to products, increasing profitability and helping to reduce poverty in the region.

Quotes

The General Manager of Proinpa Foundation, Rolando Oros, says, “First of all, we want to thank all the predisposition and willingness to materialize the agreement between Dimitra and the Proinpa Foundation in Bolivia will undoubtedly contribute to improving the production and profitability conditions of our target group. We think that the agreement between the information platform managed by Dimitra together with the environmentally friendly technology developed by Proinpa will be of great help to entrepreneurial farmers, family businesses, and companies throughout the country. We are extremely excited to combine the competencies of the two institutions. And we believe it will be a huge milestone for our services.”

For Armando, Dimitra Bolivian Partner, “having signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Proinpa is extremely important for Dimitra since this institution has been working for many years at the national level, contributing to the agricultural development of the small, medium, and large producers. Thus, by combining Dimitra’s technology with Proinpa’s knowledge in different areas. We will be able to help Bolivian farmers grow economically.”

Dimitra’s director in Latin America, Diego Costa, mentions that, “Proinpa has been working with Bolivian farmers for more than twenty years and now Dimitra is joining their efforts, this will be a very strategic partnership to accelerate the adoption of technologies by small farmers, which is our main target.”

The Proinpa Foundation is a science and technology organization. That positively impacts families of farmers, micro-enterprises, and agricultural companies through technological innovation. With the ability to adapt and identify opportunities in changes in the environment. It is recognized in Bolivia and abroad for its efficiency, contribution, and commitment to agricultural development.

We are living in a connected world. Internet of Things (IoT) technologies are forcing change in almost every industry, and farming is no exception. IoT is not a new innovation in the world of agriculture, but it is one that has had barriers to adoption worldwide.

Getting tech into the hands of more farmers is a challenge, but the future depends on it.

Read on to learn about:

• The History of IoT in Agriculture
• Use Cases for IoT in Agriculture
• Barriers, Benefits and How Tos
• Examples of IoT for Farms in Developing Countries
• How Dimitra’s IoT Technology Supports Farmers Worldwide

At Dimitra, our token fueled platform is reducing barriers to access by putting tools into the hands of farmers. Learn more about $DMTR and how our growing ecosystem is changing the game in this and other sectors on a global scale.

The History of IoT in Agriculture

IoT didn’t get an official name until the late ’90s, but has been around since the early ’80s. Its popularity grew between 2010 and 2011, hitting mass market in 2014.

Early uses of IoT in agriculture are similar to what is used today: hardware that collects data and software that organizes and/or reports on data. Both have improved in precision and affordability, as has the ease of access to data, hygiene of data, connectivity with other devices, interoperability with other systems, etc.

Ultimately, the value of IoT is in real time data collection, the benefits of which we’ll review in a minute.

First, let’s talk about the strength of this industry:

The agriculture IoT market is projected to grow from $11.4 billion in 2021 to $18.6 billion in 2026, which reflects a CAGR of 9.8%.

Factors driving this growth include the following:

• Increased adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and IoT by farmers
• An increased focus on livestock monitoring
• Higher consumer demand for fresh produce
• Loss of arable land
• Population growth
• Heightened adoption of aquaculture monitoring
• Government support for precision farming

This is a fast growing industry with plenty of beneficial applications.

Use Cases for IoT in Agriculture

The use cases for IoT in agriculture are vast, and the list is growing. Here are some examples:

Precision farming — This is the before mentioned growth driver for the industry, as well as a high demand practice. Changing weather patterns and diminishing resources are raising an urgent need for optimizing crop production. Through the use of IoT devices that provide remote sensing, guidance, sensors, yield monitors, field mapping, and much more, precision farming is made possible.

Crop management — Networked sensors can automate field processes and crop management by providing dynamic, real time information to farmers. This reduces manual labor and reduces reaction time, giving a farmer enhanced knowledge to make strategic decisions.

Crop storage optimization — Sensors can be calibrated to monitor and even adjust temperature levels and humidity levels. This can optimize crop storage conditions, which makes harvested crops last longer.

Livestock monitoring — IoT tech is also available for livestock monitoring and management. IoT enabled tags or collars can help owners maintain herd health. This is another instance of automation that alleviates manual or repetitious tasks, as well as providing early alerts for preventable problems.

Logistics Traceability — IoT technology improves logistics by increasing efficiency and transparency throughout the supply chain, as well as providing immutable traceability. By reducing media breaks and improving the precision of tracking, IoT supports speed and accuracy with end to end tracking capabilities.

So, why are there areas on earth that don’t use IoT for agriculture?

Barriers to Using IoT Devices on a Farm

Market size or growth projections are insufficient to adequately convey “who” around the world is using IoT for farming. Invariably, the farms and farmers who have benefited from this technology are the big guys: the largest farms in the world, predominantly located in prosperous nations.

It could be argued that this is largely logistical: wealthy countries have more technology infrastructures, existing connectivity through high speed internet, and are well provisioned to accommodate IoT for farming.

However, countries are catching up. As of 2018, 83% of adults in developing countries had a mobile phone. In 2016, four billion people worldwide had no internet access. By 2021, that number was down to three billion.

With the connectivity issue being solved, there are a few other barriers to consider:

Technology learning curve — Without training or native digital knowledge, there can be a learning curve to implement and use IoT technology on a farm.

Using the data — Similar to the tech learning curve, not all farmers are well educated, and it can take time to learn how to derive insights from data.

High start-up costs — Most small holder farmers don’t have the funds to buy IoT sensors or technology.

Lack of funds is a pervasive issue for farmers around the world, and one that Dimitra is solving with the launch of our CeDeFi program. Check that out here.

Benefits of Using IoT Devices on a Farm

The barriers are real, but so are the benefits.

Here’s a round up of the most compelling benefits of using IoT devices on a farm:

• Solves labor problems by reducing the need for manual tasks
• Provides real time insights
• Prevents damage or loss
• Reduces waste long-term
• Reduces costs long-term
• Supports efforts in sustainability
• Contributes to data sets that provide new insights on a global scale

BONUS: The use of IoT on farms can support insurance claims. If a weather disaster strikes, farmers may be able to recover part of the proven value of the crop based on IoT data.

How to Use IoT Devices on a Farm

There are some practicalities to getting IoT devices up and running on a farm. Essentially, five components are needed:

1. Connectivity
2. Infrastructure
3. Sourcing and installation
4. Systems management
5. Data analysis and implementation

The goal is that IoT sensors prevent problems and give farmers visibility into crops and/or livestock.

Dimitra: IoT Technology to Support Farmers Worldwide

At Dimitra, our IoT technology offerings are part of our broader solutions to promote data driven farming. We’re doing something no company has ever done before, centralizing every available agtech solution and putting it in the hands of farmers around the world. It’s perhaps the largest undertaking of its kind, and it’s all made possible by a blockchain guru, a team of cryptocurrency experts, and a team of people with an unflinching dedication to follow through.

We are actively sealing partnerships all over the world, making good on our promise to bring technology like this to smallholder farmers everywhere.

BELIZE CITY, BELIZE — Dimitra Incorporated, a global Agtech company, has partnered with Green Global Group (GGG) to automate vertical farms and greenhouses, revolutionizing Saudi Arabia’s agricultural industry. With the help of Dimitra, GGG will adopt innovative farming techniques for optimizing plant growing systems, production efficiency, and increasing sustainability.

It all begins with the crops and the Saudi market needs. Then, based on extensive research and experience. Dimitra takes the data and identifies the best crops and growing methods to cater to this need.

Dimitra is designing and developing systematic functions for GGG’s specialized (Green Aire) cooling systems and soilless technology. In addition to this, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) will be utilized to create fully automated greenhouses. Planting, seeding, and harvesting are in a controlled environment. Eliminating many challenges faced in the industry.

These challenges include:

• Water Scarcity
• Erratic Weather
• Pesticide-free Crops
• Maintaining Fresh Crops
• Maintaining Healthy Crops

Together, Dimitra and GGG will help transform greenhouse farming in Saudi Arabia and ensure long-term profitable and sustainable solutions.

Dimitra’s Regional Director for MENA, Mr. Maged Elmontaser, says, “ Throughout such partnership, GGG Company intends to broaden its product portfolio, especially regarding new agriculture technologies and products such as (Machine Learning, using small farming robotics, human-robots collaboration, mobility, etc.) as well as to expand its business for the existing and new GCC customers. Dimitra Inc. consultancy services will be leading this partnership to acquire the most authentic tech to build a {No Man Entry} — Fully Automated Greenhouses in the KSA & GCC region.”

Automated Greenhouses – Subheading

They are a global Agtech company with a mission to help smallholder farmers across the world. Dimitra works with governments, farming cooperatives, ag corps, NGOs, and for-profit organizations. The Dimitra platform is built on blockchain technology and incorporates mobile technology, machine learning, IoT devices, satellite and drone imagery, genomics, and advanced farming research. Through our data-driven approach, Dimitra helps farmers increase yield, reduce expenses, and mitigate risk. Dimitra believes that every smallholder farmer should, benefit from simple, beautiful, and useful technology regardless of economic standing.

Green Global Group (GGG) is an active multi-business investment and management firm with a corporate strategy focused on environmental services and adopting sustainable technologies. GGG pursues a diversity and integration approach in its activities. Therefore, it has five business lines under each that are different subsidiaries. These business lines include the following categories: environmental, manufacturing, maintenance, renewable energy, and trading.

The team at Dimitra is proud to report growth in our work in the Africa region. Continuing our mission to support smallholder farmers worldwide, we regularly coordinate efforts with governments and government agencies. The latest task we’ve taken up is to build the Dimitra ecosystem in eastern Africa, partnering with local entities to gather and organize new systems to support animal health and traceability.

Organizations that manage livestock in Uganda face numerous challenges, including physical tracking and understanding parentage and genetics. Both of these factors have a direct economic impact and relate to ongoing uncertainties about the future of livestock trade in the country.

The Uncertain Future of Livestock Trade in Uganda

The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations reports on the opportunities, challenges, and uncertainties the country of Uganda faces in regard to livestock:

• The population of Uganda is expected to double by the year 2050, with almost twice the number of people migrating to metropolitan areas, and a significantly increased consumption of livestock products.
• Poultry production, as well as the production of beef and dairy animals, are likely to rise. And peri-urban middle-size livestock farms are expected to be key drivers of this productivity.

Sustainable transformation in the country of Uganda relies on the strength of the agriculture sector. The Ministry of Agriculture oversees efforts that impact the country’s economy, public health systems, and society as a whole. More rigorous and thorough analysis, made possible by emerging technology. May be the key to understanding trends around consumption as well as quantifying the return on investment in various industries. Policymakers are prioritizing action based on the findings of these analyses, and doing so in response to measurable risks.

Real Risks – Sustainable Transformation

Several risks could accelerate in tandem with an increase in commercial activities. For example, growing populations — both animal and human — present increased risk for zoonotic diseases, infectious diseases, and re-emerging diseases. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been a point of focus for the Ugandan government since 2018. And concern over improper farming and livestock practices raise concerns over AMR.

Real Opportunities

The Ugandan economy is largely supported by agriculture, forestry, and fisheries; the industry sector; and the services sector. Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries contributed 21.9% to the country’s total GDP in the 2018/2019 fiscal year.

Cattle are the most valuable livestock species in Uganda. In early 2021, a paper published in the Department of Livestock Health Economics and Management describes the direct use benefits of livestock production in the country, namely, “…a significant contribution it makes towards sustainable food security and nutrition for many households in Uganda, especially those in the semi-desert habitats of Karamoja and Northern Uganda that are not suitable for crop production. This contribution is achieved through; the consumption of livestock products, income gained from selling livestock and their products. And increasing crop productivity as a result of the use of fertilizers from animal farming and the use of draught animals for ploughing land.”

As demand increases, it will provide farmers in the country with new business opportunities. In 2020, Ugandan exports of live animals totaled $12.39 million. The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in slow GDP growth in 2020 (2.9%, compared to 6.8% in fiduciary year 2019). This dynamic has made it more urgent than ever for government officials and farmers alike to address the real needs and real opportunities for streamlined animal health and tracking practices.

The team at Dimitra is dedicated to providing elite, yet simple solutions that result in progress.

Real Solutions

Dimitra is addressing all risks and opportunities head on. And arming the people of Uganda with better tools to connect farmers with the data and information they need. Our agricultural technology platform leverages cutting-edge methods, including:

• IoT sensors make it easy to deploy sensors and receive insightful data through a simple gateway setup. This is also a streamlined way to confirm animal ownership, ensuring farmers protect their property.
• Drone footage uses a combination of RFID tags and drones to inventory herds, as well as collecting important data. These can be used regularly for precise tracking and ongoing monitoring of herds, as well as pastures and climate conditions.
• Satellite technology feeds data into the Dimitra platform, giving farmers better forecasting ability and long-term understanding of patterns and more.

A new work in this region relates to tracking animal parentage using DNA information. This is important because progeny impacts an animals’ genetic worth. Determining parentage and recessive carrier status is a benefit of genomics research, which has been previously underutilized in this area of the world. Combining knowledge gained from these genetic markers with health planning, lifecycle monitoring, feed management and effective animal husbandry provides significant potential for gain.

Dimitra is providing very simple, actionable methods to better track animal performance with modern devices, techniques and new forms of data collection, which has the potential to vastly increase the worth of each animal in the market. Increased animal health, improved gains in dairy and beef production. The net impact could yield significant economic gains, which ultimately benefit farmers.

Dimitra Livestock – Sustainable Transformation

The Dimitra Livestock Guru Platform can be used with sensor integrations and DNA testing and also manages records for birth, vaccinations, illnesses, ownership, abattoir, exports, logistics, and more. Our goal has been to make the most comprehensive and useful platform in the world, to set farmers everywhere up for success.

Dimitra is on mission around the world to equip and empower smallholder farmers to use technology for good. We foresee dramatic changes as adoption becomes more widespread. And are optimistic about the future of farming in this area of Africa, and throughout the world.