Evaluation of SMS – based system for pests in pilot areas

of Kagera region

Mgenzi S.R. Byabachwezi

ARI Maruku

To test an SMS-based reporting system for pests and diseases in 4 districts - Bukoba, Muleba, Karagwe and Missenyi

- acceptance of SMS-based system among farmers, extension workers

- appropriate management and communication procedures for the SMS-based system, taking into account local context

Pilot project objectives

Participants were selected based on …

resident of particular villageowned mobile phone able to read and writeable to use SMS functionapproachable and respectedfarmer or livestock keeperinterest in the pilot project

Total of 120 people consulted

Included a mix of farmers and extension workers

Participants drawn from 60 villages in 4 districts

Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates of participants villages recorded and then mapped using Geographic Information System (GIS) …

GPS reading in one of the village

Pilot areas for reporting

Muleba training

March 3-11 2008

BXW

Panama

Weevils

Black sigatoka

Nematodes

BXW

Panama

BXW

Weevils

Panama

BXW

Black sigatoka

Nematodes

Weevils

Panama

BXWBXW

Panama

BXW

Weevils

Panama

BXW

Black sigatoka

Weevils

Panama

BXW

Nematodes

Black sigatoka

Weevils

Panama

BXW

Nematodes

Black sigatoka

Weevils

Panama

BXW

March 25-30 2008

Reporters

• Farmers• Extension staff (crops, livestock, NGOs)• Messages came from various destinations• Attracted others not trained

Needs for functional SMS system

1. requirements for reporters – Airtime– Transport– Whether protection– Allowance– Recognition by authority and community

members (introduction done) – FEEDBACK

Needs cont

2. requirements for research– central billing system– Airtime– Facilitation to provide feedback, verification

and advisory activities (transport, per-diems etc)

Way forward

• Needs for central message centers from the providers

• Directing messages to various stakeholders

• Create a data base and mapping of diseases

• Collect SMS for all crops and livestock• Designing early warning system• Make it applicable at National level

Overview

• Generally the system can allow for fast follow up of pests

• Can reveal the stage where there is no action after reporting

• Can help in early warning and prepared for new disease outbreak