Th5_AFROweeds and Weedsbook: Online and Offline Weed Identification and Management Support for Better-informed Agricultural Change Agents

AFROweeds and Weedsbook: AFROweeds and Weedsbook: Online and Offline Weed Online and Offline Weed

Identification and Identification and Management Support for Management Support for

Better-informed Better-informed Agricultural Change AgentsAgricultural Change Agents

R. KabanyoroR. Kabanyoro, J. Rodenburg, T. Le Bourgeois, , J. Rodenburg, T. Le Bourgeois, P. Grard, A. Carara, R. Irakiza, D. Makokha, P. Grard, A. Carara, R. Irakiza, D. Makokha, I. Dzomeku, T. Chiconela, I. Malombe, S. I. Dzomeku, T. Chiconela, I. Malombe, S.

Sarra, F. Ekeleme, P. MarnotteSarra, F. Ekeleme, P. Marnotte

Donor: EU - ACP Sciences & Technology Donor: EU - ACP Sciences & Technology ProgrammeProgramme

Coordinating centers: CIRAD & AfrCoordinating centers: CIRAD & AfriicaRcaRiicece

Justification from weed identification to weed

management

• Weeds: major constraint to rice production across systems and regions

• Yield loss despite control 15-23%; Economic annual loss SSA: $1.5 billion

• Effective weed management requires informed actors and knowledge on weed species

• This requires accessible support tools, information sources and exchange platforms

• Increased use of internet, smartphones and tables enhances such access

• Opportunity and need for electronic tools and an online network

AFROweeds electronic weed identification tool











• Available online at

www.afroweeds.org/idao

• Available offline when

installed from a CD-ROM

• Available offline on an

electronic tablet when

downloaded as an application

• In the future, available as

application on a smartphone

Testing the AFROweeds tool online and offline field try-outs

• First test: online version using iPAD with 3G data SIM card

• Second test: offline version (App) using iPAD with pre-installed AFROweeds App


Fig. 1. Online version: average time 7 minutes and 6 seconds; success rate: 44%


Fig. 2. Offline version (App): average time 5 minutes; success rate: 75%


• Identifications failure causes: o Species was not yet included in the database

o Lack of detailed character states (e.g. on leaf morphology, the bract length, bulbs)

o Insufficient coverage of within-species character variations (e.g. flower color)

o The user made an unnoticed early mistake in the selection procedure

o Suboptimal 3G network coverage in the field

• More practice will increase success rate and decrease identification time

WeedsbookThe African Weed Science Network




Key comments gathered:•Weedsbook allows sharing of information and can be used for training and communication•Helps professionals to update themselves on new developments and to generate new ideas•Creates new opportunities for collaboration between scientists and extension staff•Durability of the network should be ascertained•Weedsbook may boost weed science in Africa by attracting young students and scientists; need to grow (more members)

Conclusions better informed actors, better weed

management

AFROweeds tool …•… is not/never finished: it can/will be expanded with more species, more characters, more (rice) growing environments …•… will be made available for iPhone and Android systems and expected to replace field guides in book form …

Weedsbook network …… is a useful platform for professionals and students to interact, learn, share, enhance their work or studies …… needs more members … … will continue as the African Weed Science Network

AFROweeds tool and the online network Weedsbook•Mutually reinforce each other

•Contribute to better informed actors, and therefore better weed management

Thank youThank youMerciMerci

The tool and the network can be accessed at: www.afroweeds.org

Visit the AfricaRice booth at this conference