Convergence.tech is a Toronto based company founded in 2018. It has successfully completed a blockchain-based pilot to aid Mongolian nomadic herders track and certify sustainable cashmere.

Convergence.tech’s Ethereum-based traceability platform, Backbone, powered the supply chain project. This project was carried out with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

The company chose cashmere herders for its pilot. This is because, many herders face income instability and harsh weather conditions as well. In addition, the fashion supply chain lacks transparency, hence consumers find it difficult to understand where cashmere products emanate.

It was reported that the CEO of Convergence.tech, Akumeena, stated even though the nomadic community is one of great pride, they have volatile and unstable income too. He believes the transformation of the cashmere industry with blockchain technology can have numerous benefits for Mongolian traders and herders.

Convergence.tech created a mobile app for Android devices to deal with the lack of transparency issue affecting the cashmere industry. This app also enabled farmers to register their cashmere bales. Simultaneously, packing slips and bales were equipped with radio-frequency identification tags used to track data, to safeguard the location of products.

The tracking data coupled with Backbone’s blockchain technology enabled customers to view the cashmere’s path during its production lifecycle. They could also see the environmental impact data generated, to make sure that ethical raw cashmere was being sourced.

The CEO stated that, the company’s findings motivates them to expand to other regions. They have started travelling around the world and organizing presentations to a number of organizations. He added that, a lot of applications are expected to be launched by the company.

Convergence.tech has already created a blockchain-enabled land registry for Haryana state in India. The company has successfully completed a project in Afghanistan to apply blockchain within existent police payroll systems.

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