Ripple has initiated a blockchain pilot project in Colombia aimed at providing financial support to small-scale panela farmers. Utilizing the XRP Ledger for traceability, the initiative seeks to enhance farmers’ income, improve financial access, and strengthen connections with buyers. Since its April lows, XRP’s price has surged by 50%, reaching $2. 39, with resistance near $2. 80 and bullish indicators developing. Expanding its blockchain applications, Ripple's new Colombian pilot focuses on boosting income and financial access for smallholder farmers. This project, a collaboration with Mercy Corps Ventures and WËIA as part of Ripple Impact’s “Unlocking Opportunity” program, represents Ripple’s second pilot this year targeting practical blockchain uses. The effort centers on panela producers, who cultivate unrefined cane sugar, and incorporates WËIA’s traceability platform operating on the XRP Ledger. Approximately 300 farmers participate, collectively processing 240 tonnes of panela monthly. Notably, 46% of these farmers are women — significantly exceeding Colombia’s national agricultural female participation rate of 26%. Colombia’s agricultural sector has long grappled with financial challenges. Over 86% of farmers lack formal credit histories or transactional documentation. Without access to adequate financial services, most earn only about 70% of a living wage. In rural regions, 79% of residents have no credit access, perpetuating cycles of poverty. Ripple Advances Agricultural Transformation This initiative blends blockchain technology with farming operations by documenting every stage—from planting through harvest—on the XRP Ledger via WËIA’s platform. QR codes enable product tracking and sustainability verification.

These features ensure data integrity and immutability while leveraging XRP’s fast and cost-effective infrastructure. A key innovation is the “Farm Now, Pay Later” scheme, where farmers use platform-derived data to obtain inputs like seeds and fertilizer without upfront costs, settling payments post-harvest. This method alleviates early-season financial burdens, increasing the likelihood of a successful yield for smallholders. Additionally, farmers gain direct access to buyers and suppliers through the blockchain platform, eliminating intermediaries, stabilizing pricing, and fostering stronger supply chain partnerships. Ripple views this project as a demonstration of how blockchain can promote both financial inclusion and sustainability. The pilot’s objectives include testing if XRPL-based traceability adds product value, boosts customer satisfaction, and facilitates formal agreements between farmers and corporate buyers—aligning with broader goals of delivering genuine financial access and traceability solutions for farming communities traditionally excluded from mainstream markets. XRP Market Sentiment Shows Mixed Views XRP, the cryptocurrency underpinning the ledger, has gained significant momentum, rising over 50% since April lows. Although prices approached $2. 80 before pulling back slightly, they remain above crucial support levels. Many analysts interpret this pullback as a healthy correction following rapid gains rather than a weakness signal. Currently, XRP trades at $2. 39, up 1. 82% in the last 24 hours. Market sentiment is mixed: some experts see this as the onset of a bullish phase fueled by increased altcoin interest and institutional engagement, while others caution that failure to retake recent highs could trigger a return to a bearish trend. Technical indicators lean bullish; Martinez highlights that the TD Sequential indicator has generated multiple buy signals on the hourly chart, often predicting trend continuation or upward momentum. Should XRP break above the $2. 80 resistance, the next target might be near $3. 00, potentially igniting further gains.