Paradigm Scale: Smarter Weighing for Smarter Farming

When Jullend Gatc, S.T., M.Kom., began working closely with small-scale farmers through his research, he kept seeing the same problem: inaccurate harvest records. “The manual weighing process often leads to errors that directly impact farmers’ income,” said Jullend. “Small farmers, especially, are at risk when those mistakes affect transactions with middlemen.”

Together with collaborator Dikhi Martin, Jullend developed Paradigm Scale, a practical and portable digital weighing system built to solve exactly that problem. Leveraging Bluetooth-based IoT integration, their system connects a physical scale directly to a mobile app, helping farmers track harvest data precisely—without the need for internet access.

Born from the Field, Built for the Field

The idea came from personal experience. “Many of my relatives work in agriculture, and I often observed the difficulties they had when weighing their harvest,” Jullend explained. “There were frequent manual errors, and data was hard to collect or analyze. That’s what inspired me to build a solution.”

Paradigm Scale was designed from the ground up with real-world agricultural conditions in mind. Dikhi Martin—who previously worked on digital weighing systems using wired RS232 connections—decided to take it further with wireless capabilities. “We chose Bluetooth for its flexibility and ease in rural settings where cabling is inconvenient,” Dikhi wrote on his portfolio site.

Offline-First, Real-Time Always

One of the standout features is its offline capability—an intentional design choice. “We built this to work completely offline,” Jullend said. Using Room Database on Android devices, the system stores all weighing data locally. Farmers can weigh their produce in real-time and later export the data to CSV for backup or sharing.

Jullend explained further: “The data is transmitted via Bluetooth from the ESP32 microcontroller directly to the user’s phone. Everything from recording to reporting happens locally—no internet needed.”

Simple Interface, Advanced Tech

But the hardware was just one side of the challenge. “My background is in Computer Science,” Jullend noted, “so I had to consult with electronics experts during the hardware development phase.” After multiple iterations, the team created a robust system that integrates key components like the XK3190-A12E digital scale, load cells, and the ESP32 module.

Their favorite feature? The dual-mode operation. “Farmers can switch seamlessly between automatic weighing via Bluetooth and manual input when needed,” said Dikhi. The system also includes real-time connection indicators and responsive feedback to ensure usability in unpredictable field conditions.

Scalable and Future-Ready

Though the current system is standalone, both inventors see broader potential. “There are already plans for multi-device support, cloud dashboards, and even AI-powered forecasting,” Jullend said. Future upgrades could include integration with larger agricultural systems or cooperative networks.

Even in its prototype phase, the system has shown strong potential. In real-world testing, Paradigm Scale captured over 800 kilograms more than traditional manual methods across 138 sacks of produce. “It wasn’t just about better numbers,” Jullend emphasized. “It meant better transparency, less human error, and more trust in the transaction.”

A Digital Transformation in the Making

For smallholder farmers, Paradigm Scale isn’t just a tool—it’s a gateway to smarter, data-driven farming. With accurate records, better negotiation power, and operational efficiency, the app introduces a digital layer that can transform how agriculture operates at the grassroots level.

Still, both Jullend and Dikhi know that success isn’t just about tech. “The key is adoption,” Jullend said. “We’re not forcing farmers to go fully digital overnight. We’re offering something that works now and can grow with them.”

By designing with empathy, understanding real-life behavior, and keeping simplicity at its core, Paradigm Scale demonstrates how localized innovation can drive impactful change—one kilogram at a time.

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