A Decision supporting algorithm for improving sunflower production amidst changing weather in the singida region, Tanzania

Abstract

Recent drastic weather shifts driven by global warming have adversely affected African agriculture, culminating in low crop yields. The purpose of this study is to design decision support algorithms (DSA) that will aid sunflower farmers in the Singida Region in managing the risks associated with weather variations and consequently improve crop yields.  A total of 80 respondents, including meteorologists, agricultural extension officers (AEOs), and farmers with feature and smart phones, contributed to the study's designed and empirical validation of the algorithm. The study designed and validated the DSA that assist sunflower growers in the Singida region in making informed decisions to improve productivity amidst adverse weather changes. As revealed, farmers who use both smartphones and feature phones are extremely satisfied with the DSA functions. The decision support algorithm designed in this study integrates smart and feature phone elements that were overlooked in comparable, prior systems and algorithms. Farmers that grow other crops that behave similarly to sunflower in areas with characteristics comparable to the Singida region will find the study's designed and validated algorithm helpful. In order to assist sunflower farmers in making decisions, the DSA interprets and processes data on a predetermined set of daily activities. In order to advance the use of ICT applications in farming activities, the study's findings took into consideration farmers who used feature phones with SMS-based notifications and those who used smartphones. The existing systems mostly concentrated on integrating web-based systems through mobile phones, which is dependent only on internet connectivity being available. Moreover, the use of web-based systems via mobile phones only results in restricted coverage and is out of reach for many farmers. Thus, the innovative element that emphasizes the study's contribution to the field in Tanzania's rural areas is the integration of feature and smart phone.