Voice & image based mobile phone agribusiness support--Quality assurance of field operations in Seed Production

E-mail: [email protected]

Mobile-Phone Voice & Image based Advisory Solution/Platform for Farmers and Agribusiness Current Application Topic: Mobile-Phone Support for Field Quality Assurance in Seed Production Chain Beneficiaries: Seed Companies & Contract Farmers

Illustrations for Agri -Application -- Sridhar Rudravarapu

mailto:[email protected]

Slide 2 Mobile-Phone based Agro-Advisory Service

Seed Production: Farmer/Field Operators’ Requirements*

Traditional agriculture extension systems require extensive manpower for effective support . Farmers in several regions of the globe lack basic literacy to understand modern technologies. They essentially need skills and support for good seed production and processing activities. Phone based agro-advisory services can provide technical expertise on a one to one basis for agricultural practices, seeds, and other allied activities (Ref: S.M. Haider Rizvi & Andy Dearden, News Letter: Information Technology in Developing Countries; Volume 20, No. 3, October 2010)

However several existing phone based platforms do not facilitate transfer of visual data along with voice to seek the solutions. Limitations of these technologies result in low interactivity between the users/farmers and the agri-experts. Another drawback is that the queries are not answered instantaneously in an useful manner. *The need of the hour is effective provision of audio visual information through SMS from mobile phone costing lesser in this process. Latest availability of advanced voice & image based mobile phone systems (eg., Agrifone, Vaudiofone Corp., USA) could address these aspects and immensely benefit the agribusiness operations.

Slide 3 Information and Communication Technologies

Support Logistics of Contract Farming/Seed Production Agribusiness operators can directly interact with groups of technically-challenged farmers over mobile phones Improve Farm Productivity By facilitating high-quality personalized, farm-specific agro-expert advice in a timely manner--- if required instantaneously too!

The messages are typically a combination of voice record and an image/text.

At an individual level, the mobile phone platform makes it possible for farmers to easily interact with each other, seek/share information,

get help and sell produce etc.

Voice &

Image

based

Mobile Phone Services

Farmers/Field Staff: End users of the system (may be illiterate) (Each farmer gets proactive advice at required stages/time starting from pre-sowing operations to post-harvest precautions)

Coordinator: An educated and experienced farmer stationed in the village/ Field officer deputed by the Company (Collects details of weather, soil data, water resources, entomology, pathology, agronomy, etc. and sends the information to the advisory team)

Agricultural Experts

Qualified to provide expert advice

Mechanism- Information transmit from farms to agricultural experts & vice versa

Communication System Slide 4

Application Benefits as envisaged in e-Sagu model; ICT (Ref: www.esagu.in)

Agro-advice following a proactive approach Two-way communication. The advice is comprehensive, complete and regular in terms of diagnosis, analysis, advice delivery, follow-up and feedback.

Develops networks for information and knowledge exchange

Enhances farmers and producers’ information on farming techniques and practices. Advice can be provided on a regular basis on everything from sowing to harvesting, which reduces the cost of cultivation and increases farm productivity as well as quality of seeds.

Improves dissemination of and access to scientific and technical information

Averts problematic situations and enables quick deployment of services during times of crisis.

Cost-effective system.

Famers/Field Staff articulate their problems using participatory communication methods and also share field observations recorded on mobile .

Significantly reduces the lag period between research efforts and field application.

Aids in successful implementation and validation of agriculture technology.

Add on! Instant surveillance & monitoring; Decision support …...

Benefits of Application Slide 5

Voice & Image based Mobile-Phone Services

Seed Company Supply Chain-- Field Quality Assurance

Voice & Image based Mobile Phone Advisory Services *

Help in •Research Trials/ Green-House trials/ Grow out trials

•Production - Foundation seed, Commercial seed

•Selection of compact areas with sufficient isolation

•Fertilizer application for proper synchronization and effective pollination

•Trail Lead- Land marks

•Ensuring grain filling and good seed size

•Implement effective Farming Practices

•Incorporating the latest developments in crop production and protection

•Assessment of Competitors’ field quality

•Bench marking

Areas for Application Slide 6

* Immensely help in communicating the basic knowledge and practical information required for successful seed production. Advice from experts can be effectively passed on to the needy field staff in identifying anther types, control of off-type plants/pollen shedders, planting date options to optimize “nicking” ………etc.

Trust Build-Up

Cost Reduction

Value addition

Proper you sow - Profit you reap

Mr. Das: Follow the Instructions passed on to your team for sowing. This picture guides you further -Gowda, QC Manager

Sir: Here is the pic of GOT-trial for #CT242- along with the poorly performing lot #CT150 by the side. -Rupesh, Field Assistant

Re: Good Job Mary! Weeds have been fully controlled now -Pathak, Asst. Production Manager

Grow out trials

Illustrations for Application – Field Quality Slide 7

Hey! Was nicking done at the nick of the time?

Sir - Proof is in the Phone ! Guys ! Get your Morphology Right

Vegetative, pre-flowering and flowering stages


Tassels began Pollen Shedding

Checked Pollen Shedders

Hybrid crop- Integrity maintenance


Somu Sir! I have noticed some spots on cotton leaves in plot-1. I am sending its picture to you -Nirmala, Field Helper

Sir! Some infection has been noticed in few cotton plants at Sirpur location . Please see this picture and guide us further steps. -Soman, Field Coordinator

Dr. Modi: Please note the attached information. I will be in your cabin in a few minutes with more details for discussion. -Gupta, Cotton Production Manager

Mr. Soman: I have discussed with Dr. Modi reg. your message. Please follow the instructions being forwarded to you. I am coming along with Dr. Gupta to your site tomorrow for further follow up. -Gupta, Cotton Production Manager

Crop Pathology


Crop Entomology


Sir: Need your attention and help for control steps. -

Mr. Syed: This is not a pathological issue. It is due to nutritional deficiency specifically Zinc. Follow it up with Soil Nutrition team -Rama Rao, Production Manager

Sir: I am surprised with the poor pod content and fill up. Please make a visit and suggest remedial measures. -Alex, Farmer

Nutritional deficiencies


Seeing is believing

Trouble shooting


It has just Began

Serious Problem !

Sir: We have to urgently do some thing about the bird damage. Could you please arrange extra help for scaring away the birds? -Durga, Field Coordinator


What’s this Doc ?

Trouble shooting

Field Unit-8: This is not the way to cover your produce! We expect you to do a proper job. Please ensure necessary care. -QA team

Guys! Threshing this way is totally unacceptable. Trust this is not done by our farmers. -QA team

Harvest / Post-Harvest operations


Thanks to Voice & Image based Mobile Phones! Field Quality can be assured better with this technology support now.

Illustrations for Application – Field Quality Final Slide 16