YucaChain

YucaChain is a lightweight, offline-first platform connecting cassava farmers to processors using smart logistics and SMS/USSD access in low-resource settings.

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Inspiration

YucaChain was inspired by a frustrating paradox, Nigeria produces more cassava than any country in the world, yet our farmers lose up to 40% of their harvest post-farm due to inefficiencies. The idea began with one question: “If we grow the most, why don’t we earn the most?”

We wanted to solve the disconnect across the value chain, between farmers, processors, transporters, and exporters—especially in areas with limited connectivity and infrastructure.

What it does

YucaChain is a cassava-focused, offline-first platform that connects all actors in the cassava value chain through USSD, SMS, and a lightweight mobile app.

It simplifies trade, logistics coordination, and market access for high-value cassava products like HQCF, starch, ethanol, and sweeteners. Whether you're a rural farmer with no internet or an exporter needing real-time supply data, YucaChain works for all.

How we built it

We began by mapping the cassava value chain and conducting user interviews to define real constraints. For now, there is only a demo platform and it is expeced to be built into a lightweight MVP with:

  1. Custom USSD code by partnering with MTN
  2. SMS notifications for transaction and price updates
  3. Mobile-first platform using Flutter Web and Firebase
  4. Offline support with local caching and sync on reconnect
  5. AI-based smart matching for demand/supply using small-data models

Challenges we ran into

  1. Designing usable interfaces for USSD with very limited characters
  2. Handling syncing and caching for offline environments
  3. Training lightweight ML models that work on-device with small datasets
  4. Convincing rural users to trust a digital-first system
  5. Building a unified backend that integrates USSD, mobile app, and SMS cleanly

Accomplishments that we're proud of

  1. Built a working MVP optimized for 2G/3G networks
  2. Created a landing page that shows all there is to know about the platform and its interation
  3. Secured ₦700,000 ($450) in funding from a national pitch event
  4. Onboarded an early team across tech, content, and agri-sciences
  5. Gained recognition as a top-10 finalist at the World Cassava Day Pitch Competition held at th Nigeria's Presidential Villa (considering the platform is for the ecosystem)

What we learned

  1. Tech alone doesn’t solve problems, empathy first which in turn build trust. Also, education, community and sustainable all matter
  2. Africa’s infrastructure challenges can inspire better, leaner solutions
  3. AI has not just come to make our work easier but super-faster. We can ideate, build and ship in shorter time that before.
  4. Building for constraint forces innovation and sharpens user focus
  5. USSD and SMS are still very relevant in driving adoption across rural areas, in fact, they are key drivers among users in low resource area (network coverage, internet service, electricity)

What's next for YucaChain

  1. Finish development, deploy and testing for full platform rollout
  2. Pilot with 500 users across major cassava-producing clusters
  3. Integrate MoMo and MTN APIs for local payment solutions
  4. Launch Android and iOS app and agent dashboard
  5. Expand partnerships with processors, exporters, and cooperatives for national scale

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