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A Mobile-based Tea Farming Information System

by Njeru Kenedy Munene, Bernard Shibwabo Kasamani
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International Journal of Computer Applications
Foundation of Computer Science (FCS), NY, USA
Volume 179 - Number 19
Year of Publication: 2018
Authors: Njeru Kenedy Munene, Bernard Shibwabo Kasamani
10.5120/ijca2018916334

Njeru Kenedy Munene, Bernard Shibwabo Kasamani . A Mobile-based Tea Farming Information System. International Journal of Computer Applications. 179, 19 ( Feb 2018), 37-44. DOI=10.5120/ijca2018916334

@article{ 10.5120/ijca2018916334,
author = { Njeru Kenedy Munene, Bernard Shibwabo Kasamani },
title = { A Mobile-based Tea Farming Information System },
journal = { International Journal of Computer Applications },
issue_date = { Feb 2018 },
volume = { 179 },
number = { 19 },
month = { Feb },
year = { 2018 },
issn = { 0975-8887 },
pages = { 37-44 },
numpages = {9},
url = { https://ijcaonline.org/archives/volume179/number19/28979-2018916334/ },
doi = { 10.5120/ijca2018916334 },
publisher = {Foundation of Computer Science (FCS), NY, USA},
address = {New York, USA}
}
%0 Journal Article
%1 2024-02-07T00:55:53.891158+05:30
%A Njeru Kenedy Munene
%A Bernard Shibwabo Kasamani
%T A Mobile-based Tea Farming Information System
%J International Journal of Computer Applications
%@ 0975-8887
%V 179
%N 19
%P 37-44
%D 2018
%I Foundation of Computer Science (FCS), NY, USA
Abstract

Current trends in information and communication technology have led to emergence of smartphones with faster wireless speeds, faster graphics, better screens, and faster processors. Tapping into this technology can lead to development of mobile information systems that promote sustainable farming through timely information access, especially in tea farming. The traditional practice in tea farming has been dissemination of information through extension officers, Farmer Field Schools, mass media or farmer’s sharing own experience. Consequently, this vital information is either accessed too late or when obsolete and/or it is sometimes completely lacking. Limited access to information has led to an information gap hence farmers practice poor planning and farming resulting to environmental degradation and reduced revenues. This paper focused on developing a tea farming information system that meets the information needs of tea farmers. The nature of the study required the researcher to adopt deductive approach so as to compare the data findings against the existing literature through logical reasoning. A case study strategy was employed to gain a rich understanding of the research perspective with the focus being the tea farmers of Mungania Tea Factory Company Limited. Through qualitative and quantitative analysis, the research findings can be generalised to all the tea farmers. Agile system development methodology was employed due to its sustainable development having testing integrated throughout the lifecycle. The contribution of this research concerns adoption of a tea farming information system to improve on productivity, service delivery, profitability, decision-making and farmer protection from fraud and losses. Moreover, it facilitates the communication between the factory and the farmers giving easier access to extension services. It further enhances processing of more accurate and comprehensive information and generation of useful reports.

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Index Terms

Computer Science
Information Sciences

Keywords

Information access Tea farming Information system Mungania KTDA USSD.

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