Tech
Jon Trask, CEO of Dimitra, on Blockchain Technology for Agriculture and Agriculture
Last updated: February 16, 2024 12:13 pm EST | 4 minute read
In the last episode of Crypto news podcasthost Matt Zahab sat down for a meaningful discussion with Jon Trask, the CEO of the blockchain-based, agricultural technology-focused company Dimitra platform.
In this exclusive interview, Jon Trask talked about:
- blockchain and Web3 technologies revolutionizing agriculture in Africa and around the world;
- how Dimitra uses artificial intelligence, machine learning, IoT and data-driven insights to fight deforestation;
- Dimitra’s NFT Avocado initiative makes it easier for farmers to access the funds needed to make their farms thrive;
- the future of blockchain technology in farming and agriculture;
- traceability and use of blockchain to improve the lives of farmers.
Watch the full episode with Jon Trask
Check out below at some of the many things Trask and Matt discussed.
From agriculture to big technology
Trask noted that he grew up on his grandfather’s farm, after which he got into the technology and supply chain industry. He has, in fact, worked for various multinationals in the food sector.
Six years ago, it created a blockchain-based identity system to manage businesses and farmers in Africa. Shortly thereafter, Trask traveled to the DRC to witness some of the disparities between agriculture in Africa and agriculture in Canada, for example.
“There was a real need for things that we considered readily available and basic on Canadian farms,” he said, but farmers in Africa weren’t using them. This was due to availability, price and technological accessibility.
“And we thought maybe we could do something about it.”
He and his colleagues began looking for other opportunities to expand the identity software they had created. They created the Dimitra foundation.
Dimitra is designed to help small farms
Small farmers in the food industry represent just under 10% of the world’s population. But they are very technologically disadvantaged and earn very little for their efforts.
For Trask,
“Many of them are just focused on feeding their family and selling food to the community.”
He began working to fill some gaps. For example, in Kenya right now, in order to move your products out of the country and earn money for your product, you need to meet several conditions. These include traceability, regulatory standards, satellite reports to know whether or not they are deforesting their farm, etc.
“And we do this by collaborating with cooperatives and governments in many of these countries. And I wake up every day with a smile on my face, I wake up happy to help and serve the community and work with all these amazing people around the world.”
Easy access via mobile apps
Dimitra has several valuable mobile applications. Farmers around the world, particularly in developing countries, have access to phones but typically do not have laptops or PCs.
Dimitra has two Android apps focused on livestock, a government application that works on genetics, as well as apps for coffee and cocoa farmers, among others.
The apps help farmers identify what is working and what needs to be improved to increase and enhance production.
“Once they grow the crop, we start tracking and tracing it.”
In one of the examples Trask offered, he demonstrated how satellite analysis can help enrich soil with the correct supplements to increase crop production.
Solok Radjo in Indonesia is one of our cooperatives, 3300 farmers on the mountainside of Sumatra, all with coffee plantations. So let’s start with the satellite report and then do some soil analysis. We know from soil testing that their soil does not have a rich pH. And if we can increase the pH using calcium carbonate, we can increase its production. In some cases, we can triple or quadruple their production with a small investment.
Information like this is offered to Dimitra users throughout the mobile app ecosystem. Farmers get details about their soil, crop production, improvements they can make and weather patterns they can expect. All in one easily accessible mobile app.
To find out how Dimitra uses blockchain technology to fight deforestation and how NFTs can help raise money for farms, check out the full episode of the Cryptonews podcast Here.
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About Jon Trask
Jon Trask is the CEO and founder of Dimitra and has been working with blockchain since 2017.
Prior to founding Dimitra, Trask had a long career building and developing enterprise software solutions to revolutionize supply chain processes and improve immutable traceability.
A recognized expert in his field, he is also the founder and CEO of Blockchain guru and a partner with the Blockchain Education Alliance.
Trask’s mission now is to increase agricultural connectivity around the world, particularly among the disenfranchised, and to harness the power of innovative technologies to connect agriculture and technology.
The CEO also won the Government Blockchain Association’s 2023 annual award in the “Social Impact” category.