Applications and Implications – DI-FARM Project
What will it do?
DI-FARM is a wearable smart device for cows that tracks temperature and location in real-time. It sends data to a digital dashboard, allowing farmers to monitor livestock, manage farm data, and generate financial reports that support access to loans.
Who has done what beforehand?
Solutions like Cowlar and Moocall exist but are often expensive, not locally accessible, or limited in features. DI-FARM is affordable and built for African smallholder farmers, combining health tracking, recordkeeping, and financial tools.
What will you design?
I designed a compact electronic device worn by cows, a custom PCB, and a web dashboard to manage data and user interaction. Communication is handled through wifi using esp-32 seed xiao C3, low-power transmission.
Materials, Sources, and Estimated Cost
The device uses low-cost sensors, a Seeed XIAO microcontroller, GPS, wifi and LiPo batteries. All components are sourced from suppliers like DigiKey and Seeed Studio, while cases and PCBs are fabricated in-house. A full device costs around fr83,500 to produce.
| Component | Source | Estimated Cost (fr) |
|---|---|---|
| Seeed XIAO Microcontroller | nyerekatech.com | Fr20,000.00 |
| GPS Module | nyerekatech.com | Fr12,000 |
| Waterproof Temperature Sensor | nyerekatech.com | Fr25,000.00 |
| LoRa Module | nyerekatech.com | Fr14,500.00 |
| N-Channel MOSFET | nyerekatech.com | Fr1,000.00 |
| LiPo Battery + Solar Charger | nyerekatech.com | Fr10,000.00 |
| accelerometer | nyerekatech.com | Fr10,000.00 |
| Total Estimated Cost | fr83,500 | |
What parts and systems will be made?
- Custom PCB and enclosure : by this I have to design and print my own pcb which can hold all components I need for my project.
- Embedded firmware : I have to build firmware according to the functionalities I would wish to have from my board.
- Web dashboard (frontend + backend) : I have to build a web dashboard that will be displaying data online and make diferent analisis after fetching data from the device.
What processes will be used?
- PCB design and SMD soldering: (I will Use KiCad (free and does everything I need))
- 3D printing / CNC milling : (solidworks for cover designing and modeling)
- Firmware development : (Arduino IDE)
- Web development : (React js + node js)
What questions need to be answered?
- How to extend battery life for weeks?
- Is the dashboard simple enough for farmers?
- Can the financial reports meet bank standards?
How will it be evaluated?
- Real-farm testing and feedback
- Data accuracy (location, temperature)
- Battery performance and LoRa range
- Farmer usability and response
timeline and Schedule
please find the attathed schedule of my final project showing step by step of how I will work on it
gant-chat showing schedule off my project
What tasks have been completed?
- PCB prototype and device casing
- Basic firmware for data capture
- Dashboard UI and backend
What tasks remain?
- Improve casing and waterproofing
- Optimize power with solar charging
- Add financial report generation
- Pilot testing on 10+ cows
What has worked? What hasn’t?
Worked:
- Sensor readings and dashboard updates
- UI functionality and feedback
Didn’t work:
- GPS lag in cloudy weather
- Battery drains quickly without solar
- Signal drops with obstacles in open field
What questions need to be resolved?
- Durability for outdoor environments
- Training for low-tech users
- Accuracy of credit prediction data
What have you learned?
I’ve learned to balance technical design with field practicality. It's not just about getting the electronics to work, but making sure they last, are simple to use, and truly solve farmers’ problems in real environments.