Participatory Decision Support System – A Recent Approach Towards Designing Farmers Friendly DSS for Horticulture Crops in Meghalaya

Abstract

Decision support system since it was designed first time in 70s took various forms from simple DSS to PDSS to IDSS (integrated decision support system). some of these types could not take off because of lack of farmers participation in its designing this excluded problems faced by farmers in cultivation of different crops. This failure of different DSS to solve the farmer’s problem led involment of the farmers in the designing of the DSS and this took the form of the PDSS (Participatory Decision Support System).While designing PDSS participation of the farmers ensured by providing interview schedule to them Project is taken in the state Meghalaya purposely because its climate is suitable for both vegetable and fruits thenDistrict Ri-Bhoi was selected purposively as the study locale for survey and collection of data in respect of fruit and vegetables, because Institute is working in these villages already so quick feedback will be getting if these villages will be taken as the study area for the project 5 villages viz: Mynan, Nonglakhia, Nongkya, Nongthymmai, Kyrden were selected purposely from the Meghalaya which are growing both fruit and vegetables. Profile information of these villages in respect of fruits and vegetables cultivation were collected through secondary data.Then 20 farmers were selected from each village. A decision support system based on the bottom up and participatory approach is a better one as compared to others .It provides problem based solution which are area specific .thus this type of DSS is more practical and have more adaptability among the farmers Collection of primary data ensures participation of the farmers in the designing of the DSS thus making it Participatory, area specific, problem oriented.