AgChain Hackathon: The Future of Food Security and Agriculture

Exploring the Use of Blockchain Technology to Improve Food Security Through African Indigenous Vegetables in Western Kenya is a project that seeks to understand how smartphone applications using blockchain technology can improve food security in Western Kenya by addressing the functionality of value chains for African indigenous vegetables (AIVs). November 15 through 17, students from Egerton University in Kenya will “hack” solutions to real challenges within the African indigenous vegetable value chain. AgUnity, Virginia Tech, and Egerton University are providing support and mentoring to students to develop applets that can be deployed on AgUnity’s SuperApp platform. Students will compete for the opportunity to have their applet integrated into the AgUnity suite of service offerings, cash prizes, and mentorship opportunities.

Interested observers of the event can check out the livestream between 8:30 am and 5 pm EAT, but the pitching competition will be held and winners announced on November 17, from 1 pm to 4 pm EAT. This event is sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International Development, Purdue University, Egerton University, AgUnity, and Virginia Tech, in partnership with ICT Authority and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA).