ENHANCING CROP PRODUCTION IN ZIMBABWE THROUGH THE USE OF ICTS

ENHANCING CROP PRODUCTION IN ZIMBABWE THROUGH THE USE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY:

ENHANCING CROP PRODUCTION IN ZIMBABWE THROUGH THE USE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY BY Nleya S.M,Nyathi TV&Kokera N Computer Science Department National University of Science and Technology Bulawayo Zimbabwe 4th Conference on Appropriate Technology,Ghana 2010

Outline:

Introduction Background Methodology Design Implementation Conclusion Outline 4th Conference on Appropriate Technology,Ghana 2010

Introduction:

Agriculture backbone of Zimbabwe’s economy-17% GDP Agriculture ideally considered to be gate pass to food security Introduction 4th Conference on Appropriate Technology,Ghana 2010

Statement of the problem:

A major challenge to the farmers both commercial and small holders is that of lack of resources when it comes to the production of food crops. Statement of the problem 4th Conference on Appropriate Technology,Ghana 2010

Proposed solution:

Given that the Zimbabwean government has through the National Information and Communications Policy encouraged the adoption of information and communications technologies as a way of contributing directly to food security at national and household levels.We demonstrate how crop production can be enhanced through the use of ICT,using a protoype web based crop information system Proposed solution 4th Conference on Appropriate Technology,Ghana 2010

Proposed Solution:

Which implores internet web technologies to deliver information and services to users Proposed Solution 4th Conference on Appropriate Technology,Ghana 2010

Design:

Web based crop Information System Design 4th Conference on Appropriate Technology,Ghana 2010

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Design:

Login table - holds details about the system users, their username and passwords and access level. This table is accessed every time a user logs or attempts to log on. All this information is encrypted. Details table contains the detailed information about the system users, who happen to be the farmers and agric officers Design 4th Conference on Appropriate Technology,Ghana 2010

Design:

Crops table contains crop information and their characteristics, regions where they are grown, their pests and their diseases. Crop variety table records all the crop varieties of the selected crops and their characteristics, soil type and region names Design 4th Conference on Appropriate Technology,Ghana 2010

Design:

Region table holds details about all the regions in Zimbabwe and their characteristics, cities, provinces and farming systems found in each region Design 4th Conference on Appropriate Technology,Ghana 2010

Design:

Design 4th Conference on Appropriate Technology,Ghana 2010

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Slide 14:

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Conclusion:

Competency of farmer circulation of relevant information Farmers exposed to information on High yield varieties Sources of finance and inputs better management practices Integrated production technologies National &International markets Conclusion 4th Conference on Appropriate Technology,Ghana 2010

Conclusion :

Web based information system means information is easily available and accessible. Challenges Infrastructure,power supply,population growth,land scarcity,global warming ,sea level rise,etc Conclusion 4th Conference on Appropriate Technology,Ghana 2010