StarVest

Inspiration

Space and the night sky has always fascinated us with its ethereal beauty the same way the Earth and its trees do. We were inspired to bridge these two worlds, using the power of space to help solve problems on Earth. With heavy climate change and economic challenges, farmers are facing many difficulties and as the backbone of our country, they need reliable solutions to navigate through obstacles. We were inspired to reach beyond the Earth to help them.

What it does

StarVest uses satellite-driven data (weather and soil moisture) combined with user-inputted information (crops and location) to provide farmers with accurate, timely recommendations on farm management. It allows them to monitor disease risk, get tailored weather forecasts, track soil conditions, and identify the best times for planting and harvesting. ==The goal is to allow farmers to make data-driven decisions for more sustainable and profitable farming.==

How we built it

We built StarVest using React Native, React, JavaScript, and Expo to make the app accessible to as many farmers as possible, whether they’re on iOS or Android. Integrating satellite data wasn’t easy, but it was exciting to see real-time weather and soil insights come together in one place. We also used the Google Maps API to tailor advice based on the farmer’s exact location. Behind the scenes, we created a machine learning model that combines satellite and user-provided data to make smart suggestions for crop management. Using Expo, we could quickly build, test, and fine-tune the app, making sure it feels smooth and reliable for anyone who uses it.

Challenges we ran into

This project was a crash course in the challenges of handling real-time satellite data and using AI to make personalized recommendations that actually help people. We learned a ton about designing for users who might not be familiar with tech-heavy tools, which pushed us to keep everything as clear and simple as possible. Building this app also showed us just how important teamwork is—each step, from backend work to designing a user-friendly interface, relied on everyone bringing their strengths to the table and working through obstacles together.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We’re really proud that we turned our idea into a working prototype that blends satellite data with a simple, easy-to-use interface. Seeing it come to life and knowing it can actually help farmers make better decisions felt incredibly rewarding. Building location-based recommendations that adjust to different climates was a big win, too—it means farmers anywhere could benefit from StarVest. Plus, we developed a machine learning model that gets smarter over time, learning from each farmer’s unique way of working.

What we learned

This project taught us so much about the real challenges of working with satellite data and using AI to make smart, useful recommendations. We realized that designing for people who might not be tech experts means keeping everything as clear and straightforward as possible—no small feat! And, maybe most importantly, we learned just how valuable teamwork is. From piecing together the backend to refining the design, it took all of us working closely across different areas to bring StarVest to life.

What's next for StarVest

In the future, we plan to enhance StarVest with several new features. We will introduce a farmer community forum where farmers are able share experiences, tips, and advice with each other. We will provide offline access, so that farmers can still access critical insights even in areas with limited connectivity. Multi-languages will be offered to allow the app to be more accessible. We will also provide budget-based equipment recommendations based on the users inputted data. Additionally, we are planning to integrate RunPod to store user information in the cloud, ensuring privacy and safety.