Building Bridges Through Code: Presenting GeoPasture, a Mobile App enhancing Peaceful Coexistence between farmers and pastoralists in Kenya

1. The Project: Bridging the Divide

I'm excited to be working on geopasture.A mobile app designed to promote peaceful coexistence between Kenyan pastoralists and farmers. This project aims to bridge the gap between these communities by addressing resource conflicts, a major source of tension,by providing them with a shared platform for information and communication.

The app provides the following features:

• Real time Pasture Availability: Up-to-date information on grazing land conditions will help pastoralists plan their routes and avoid conflicts with agricultural lands.
• Weather Forecasts: Real-time weather updates will allow pastoralists to adjust their movements based on potential droughts or floods.
• GPS-enabled Animal Tracking: Tracking animals in real-time will minimize the risk of livestock straying onto agricultural fields, reducing tensions.
• Geofencing: This will allow users to define virtual boundaries for their herds, reducing the risk of straying animals and potential conflicts.
• Marketing Platform: This feature will allow the pastoralists and crop farmers to be able to market their livestock and crops within the app in the case where they would like to sell.

The Minds Behind GeoPasture

The success of GeoPasture hinges on the dedication and expertise of my passionate team. We thrive on a collaborative spirit and as the team lead, I am glad to present to you the great minds that are working tirelessly to bring this vision to reality:

• Joan Kinoti is our scrum master and she is also taking up the role of backend developer in this project. Fun fact: She is a proud plant mom.
• Sammy Kelly is our backend lead and he is also bringing on board his designing skill and he is part of the UI/UX team. Fun fact: He loves debugging.
• Melanie Minayo is our UI/UX lead and she is taking up the role of frontend developer as well. Fun fact: She loves blogging.
• Lynn Omae is our UI/UX designer and she is also bringing on board her skills in web development and taking up the role frontend developer. Fun fact: She loves watching horror movies.
• Faith Mosonik - is the Team lead and frontend lead. Fun fact: She is a dancer.
• Finally we have me: Moses Odeny I am one of the backend developers and a research analyst. Fun fact:I am a gamer

A Brighter Future for Kenyan Communities

This project goes beyond technology. It has the potential to create a lasting impact on Kenyan communities. By fostering communication and understanding between pastoralists and agriculturalists, the app can pave the way for sustainable resource management and peaceful coexistence.

2. My Expectations

Building a Collaborative Future

My expectations for this project are multifaceted. First and foremost, I want to create a robust backend system that efficiently handles data and ensures smooth operation of the mobile app. This includes real-time updates on pasture availability and weather forecasts, which will empower pastoralists to make informed decisions about grazing routes. Additionally, the app will feature GPS-enabled animal tracking, fostering transparency and reducing conflict. Ultimately, I hope this app fosters dialogue and understanding between these communities, leading to sustainable resource management.

3.Role of JHUB and the Department

JHUB Africa's expertise in innovation and technology, combined with the knowledge and experience of JKUAT's Department of Computing, creates a powerful foundation for GeoPasture. They have been at the forefront to guide the project's overall vision and ensure it aligns with the needs of the communities we serve. We couldn't have asked for a better support system!

JHUB Africa fosters collaboration between different departments, like mine (students), and external partners. It provides resources, facilitates communication, and keeps everyone focused on achieving our shared goals.

4.what I have achieved from this project

Learning Through Innovation

The development process has been a rewarding learning experience. I am gaining a deeper understanding of building real-time applications and integrating diverse data sources like weather updates and GPS tracking. One of the key challenges has been ensuring secure data storage and transmission, particularly with regards to animal location information.

A Brighter Future for Kenyan Communities

Beyond the technical aspects, this project has instilled in me a deep appreciation for the importance of fostering collaboration between different communities. This mobile application has the potential to create a significant positive impact on the lives of Kenyan pastoralists and agriculturalists.

Additional Information

• To visualize the backend architecture, imagine a central server communicating with two databases: one for structured data (user accounts, animal profiles) and another for real-time updates (weather, GPS). Web APIs act as messengers, securely transferring data between the app and the server.
• Security is paramount. We're implementing strong encryption measures to protect user data like animal locations.
• This is just the beginning! Future plans include integrating features for direct communication between communities and exploring AI-powered insights for even more informed decision-making.

This mobile application has the potential to be a game-changer, promoting peaceful coexistence and sustainable resource management in Kenya. I'm proud to be a part of this project

By sharing our project's journey through this blog, we raise awareness about the challenges faced by Kenyan communities and showcase the potential of technology to bridge divides and promote a more peaceful and sustainable future.