Design Problem

Kenya is a very variable country in terms of climate and farming conditions and requires severe determination in order to break even when farming. One of the major challenges faced by subsistence farmers is droughts. I aim to create a device that will facilitate the planting of subsistence crops and various types of trees. The reason I want to confront it is that I think that easing the workload of the average subsistence farmer is something that would improve the livelihood stability and mental health of many farmers. This device would make the lives of poorer, small-scale farmers easier and would ensure more rapid planting sessions. Such planting would make subsistence farmers more efficient and lower the hours that they would have to work. This, in turn, could increase successful crop yields in Kenya and eventually around the world, which would ease the strain on the global food supply chain. The product would affect 2 main categories of people: Farmers in western and southwestern Kenya and anyone who wishes to plant trees on a larger scale, like fencing, tree restoration, and cash tree farming. The product would ideally be able to facilitate the planting of the following crops and trees:

• Beans
• Tomatoes
• Mukau Tree (Furniture, Construction), Winter Thorn (Crop Yields, Shade), Calliandra Calothyrsus (Crop Yields, Soil Fertility, Shade), Moringa Oleifera (Drought Resistance, Medicine), Grevillea Robusta (Crop Yields, Soil Fertility, Water Infiltration), Azadiratcha Indica (Pesticide, Fertiliser, Soil Fertility), Markhamia Lutea (Soil Fertility)

Design Process

Describe your design process. Include relevant photos and/or drawings. Discuss any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.

Link to Process Journal and Final Reflection Video

https://sites.google.com/isk.ac.ke/hassanakuete-stempathways/home

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KKAoIKmFnYjpM4eWvEo02cPHGj4385r-JUJxmyQFvH4/edit?pli=1