Release of mobile and cloud applications
We have reached a period of civilization where raw materials
and resources are becoming increasingly scarce. When we look at pollution,
rising emissions, land degradation and water depletion, we know that the
sustainability challenges looming on the horizon are real. But in the same
scenario, we have recently seen the emergence of 3G mobile networks around the
world.
While agriculture and mobile app technologies may seem unrelated
at first glance, there is already growing evidence that the use of cloud and
mobile apps not only solves these sustainability issues, but also creates
financial value for both large-scale agriculture and farms, as well as for
transnational corporations and small farmers.
The introduction of such mobile technologies and portable
wireless devices has led to the creation of innovative services and
applications that are used in agricultural networks in both developed and
developing countries. The nature of the implementation of these technologies in
these two markets is somewhat different. In developed countries, mechanization
is more developed, and the labor force in agriculture is much smaller.
Here, mobile applications tend to be introduced further down
the value chain. In developing countries, where the majority of the labor force
is employed in agriculture, mobile technologies are increasingly being used to
provide services to manufacturers and traders. The many applications of mobile
technology in agriculture include market information such as business objects,
weather information, peer learning, and financial services such as payments,
loans, and insurance.
How mobile apps and technology help farmers
The dissemination of agricultural information to farmers in
the poorest communities is made easier by cloud computing, integrated IT
systems, online learning and the spread of mobile phones. One of the benefits
of this communication and information flow is that it helps farmers make better
land management decisions.
For example, it may allow you to track the condition of the
soil along with weather information to better plan the planting and harvesting
season. Similarly, geographic information systems can be used to provide
proactive information about animal pests and diseases so that farmers can
respond according to the level of risk. The use of fertilizers, seeds and water
can also be optimized using mobile and cloud technologies. This helps farmers
save money while reducing consumption.
Trends Favoring Mobile App Usage
What has made the adoption of these technologies more
favorable in developing countries is the increased use of mobile phones and
apps? According to one study, 78% of the world's households owned a mobile
phone in 2011, up from 20% in 2000. Even in the region with the lowest
penetration rate of 67%, sub-Saharan Africa, is growing rapidly.
Today, mobile applications and services are developed and launched in different parts of the world. The USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) recently released the first two apps in a suite of mobile phone apps known as "LandInfo" and "LandCover". Available for download from the Google Play Store, they can only be used on Android phones at this time.
These apps bring farmers around the world together and
provide them with shared knowledge on how to maximize the productivity of their
land while preserving their resources for future generations. Such general
knowledge is becoming increasingly important as agricultural producers strive
to meet the needs of a growing population for food, fiber and fuel.
Examples of mobile applications from around the world
Let's look at some other examples from around the world.
Reuters Market Light (RML) is a subscription SMS service that provides
localized information about commodity prices, crops and weather. One of the
most useful aspects of ICT in agriculture is real-time price information that
helps farmers decide whether to sell or keep their crop and determine the best
crop to grow, and RML helps fill this information gap.
Smartphone mobile apps developed by Jayalaxmi agrotech from
India are the most widely used agricultural apps in India. your application