Spatial decision support system for managing agricultural experimental farms

Abstract

Research farm management in agricultural experimental stations requires effective use of geographical information on farm layout, field boundaries, location of buildings, roads, irrigation channels, wells and electric lines, together with information facilities like farm machinery, livestock, etc. and the planned crop field experiments. The field experiment data will include details of crop and variety information, field preparation and input applications. Record-keeping of such information is laborious, time-consuming and cumbersome process. It also becomes difficult to maintain these records over time, when evaluating the effectiveness of changes in management plans. Advances in information technology allow agricultural experimental farms to acquire large amount of farm data more efficiently. Geospatial technologies can enhance the efficacy incorporating traditional IT information management tools for farm management. This study presents the design and application of a web-based spatial decision support system (SDSS) for experimental farm management using open-source GIS. This prototype SDSS allows farm managers, researchers and students to explore and access land-use options, fertilizer and pesticide applications, and track and visualize historical data of weather, input use, pest infestation and yield by field plots for better farm management.