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Online Fertilizer Recommendation System (ofrs)

Md. Moqbul Hossain
PSO
PSO and PD, SMFS Project SRDI, Dhaka

Many past and present scientists of SRDI
Different tiers
SRDI Dhaka

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

As it was felt that manual interpretation and management of huge nutrient database developed by Soil Resource Development Institute (SRDI) is time consuming, the institute in collaboration with KATALYST developed smart web based software named Online Fertilizer Recommendation System (OFRS) to generate location specific fertilizer recommendation for selected crops analyzing the national nutrient database. The software needs only location and land type information to generate crop specific fertilizer recommendation. OFRS can provide the farmers with recommendations on the use of optimum combination of fertilizers for their crops. Katalyst also promoted the widespread use of the software and facilitated organizing trainings and hands-on demonstration to different participants like crop production specialists, Upazila Agriculture Officers, agriculture extension officers, upazila computer operators and other extension agents who are responsible for delivering need-based agriculture extension services to farmers. OFRS was inaugurated in September 2009 as trial basis to provide quick fertilizer recommendation service to farmers of 30 Upazilla through CIC of Gramin Phone (online) and mobile phone (call) of Banglalink company (7676). Union Information and Service Center (UISC) was included as service provider in 2011 and OFRS was extended to 200 Upazila and now (2014) OFRS covers all the Upazila of the country.

Keywords: Online fertilizer recomendation system, OFRS, SRDI

Location: All over Banglash

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Bio fertilizer

Objectives:

To delivery quick and easy delivery of fertilizer recommendation service
To maintain soil fertility
To minimize misuse of chemical fertilizers as well as reduce production cost
To increase crop production

Methodology:

The OFRS system has six major components:

1. Data updating and processing

Sampling points of the Soil and Landform maps of Land and Soil Resources Utilization Guides (LSRUGs) were digitized.
Nutrient data were entered into the attribute table of sampling shape file.
Soil and Landform maps with Union level administrative boundaries were digitize.
Physiography, Land type, Drainage and Texture attributes were added in the attribute table of Soil and Landform map.
Sampling Point and Soil Map were intersected to get all necessary information in one file.
Data extracted from the intersected map were processed to generate Union level, physiography and land type wise nutrient status database.

2. Software Development

Analyzed the soil-plant-nutrient-fertilizer relationship for determining fertilizer requirement.
Developed web based software following guideline of BARC fertilizer Recommendation Guide-2005 and LSRUGs.
Common tools – HTML, CSS, Crystal Report.
Specialized tools - .Net Framwork, C#, ASP.net, SQL Server 2005.
Innovative tools – Resharper for code refectory.

3. Online Data Entry into Software Database

4. Hosting the Software and Setting Service Delivery Channel

Hosting the software with the whole nutrient database.
Access the software through internet using user name and password.
Mobile phone is selected as the service delivery channel.
Banglalink jiggyasa 7676 and GP-CIC is currently giving the service using the software.

5. Training and Motivation

SRDI in collaboration with eGeneration is giving training to the BanglaLink Call Center Operator, GP-CIC Trainer and Farmer’s Motivation Team on use of the software.
KATALYST select the motivation team/farm and finance the program.

Motivation technique

Colorful banner and festoon; Yard meeting.

6. Monitoring

The Software has an inbuilt service delivery monitoring system called CRM (Customer Relation Management).
CRM keeps record on: Login history and Fertilizer recommendation service history with name, location, contact number of service receiver/farmer, land type, crop name, date, quantity of land etc.

Source of Information: Websites- www.frs-bd.com or www.srdi.gov.bd;different online and off-line publications, reports and reviews of SRDI, Ministry of Agriculture, Katalyst and e-generation.

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1. Government

Budget: 10,000,000.00 approx

Total Budget (Tk.) : 10,000,000.00 approx

Achievement/Findings:

SRDI awarded best IT User in 2010 (BASIS) and Bangabandhu Jatio Krishi Padak (Bangabandhu National Agriculture Award) in 2013 because of its contribution to crop production and soil management mainly through its LSRUGs or Upazila Nirdeshika program and implementation of OFRS.Based on soil fertility database OFRS is a quick recommendation service. Farmers needs to provide very simple information such as location of the farm/field (Union, Upazila and District), Land Type (Inundation level during Monsoon) and the crop and variety he want to cultivate. As because recommendation is based on soil test and crop requirement that is balanced, yield increases 15-30 percent. It could reduces indiscriminate use of fertilizers, reduces overuse of Urea. Main challenges of OFRS are regular data updating, regular service monitoring and user feedback, in house hosting of the software and motivating farmers. The software is user friendly. Computer and internet user can provide the service. Technical knowledge on soil fertility and fertilizer management is not necessary. Users can get this service directly by logging on www.frs-bd.com or www.srdi.gov.bd and then clicking OFRS or through UISC, Banglalink 7676 or Grameenphone CIC

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings