Smart Buff Manager: A Co-Designed Mobile Application for Enhancing Buffalo Farm Management in Thailand

Sureeporn  Saengwong; Nattamaporn  Kongmuang; Payungsuk  Intawicha; Attapol  Tiantong; Wilasinee  Inyawilert

doi:10.6000/1927-520X.2024.13.19

Authors

Sureeporn Saengwong School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand
Nattamaporn Kongmuang School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand
Payungsuk Intawicha School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand
Attapol Tiantong Faculty of Animal Sciences and Agricultural Technology, Silpakorn University, Phetchaburi IT Campus, Cha-Am, Phetchaburi, Thailand
Wilasinee Inyawilert Department of Agricultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture Natural Resources and Environment, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6000/1927-520X.2024.13.19

Keywords:

ADDIE model, Farm management, Mobile apps, Satisfaction, Productivity, Usability

Abstract

This study focuses on the co-design and development of a smartphone application, the "Smart Buff Manager," especially for smallholder buffalo farmers in Thailand. The application aims to meet the needs of buffalo farmers by providing an effective and user-friendly tool for record-keeping and farm management. We employed the ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation) instructional design method to ensure the application addressed the practical needs and preferences of the farmers. The primary features of the app include record-keeping, health monitoring, and breeding management, focusing on various issues faced by smallholder farmers. The user-centered design method provides an intuitive interface that gathers feedback from users, resulting in increased satisfaction and a higher tendency to recommend apps. Implementation of the app significantly improved farm management by enhancing operational efficiency, productivity, and animal welfare. Users of the application reported much greater compliance with vaccination schedules than non-users, potentially improving herd health and long-term production. This case study confirms the potential of mobile technology to improve farm operations and decision-making while also highlighting the essential role of involving end-users in the design process to develop appropriate and effective digital farming systems.

References

Rohmawati T, Ramadhani F. Android-based livestock sales application information system. In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering 2020; 879(1): 012005. IOP Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/879/1/012005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/879/1/012005

Bayih AZ, Morales J, Assabie Y, de By RA. Utilization of Internet of Things and wireless sensor networks for sustainable smallholder agriculture. Sensors 2022; 22(9):3273. https://doi.org/10.3390/s22093273 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/s22093273

Sahoo GS, Devrani R, Aadil M. Enhancing efficiency in livestock monitoring and management with IoT solutions. In: 2024 International Conference on Optimization Computing and Wireless Communication (ICOCWC). IEEE 2024; 29:1-7. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICOCWC60930.2024.10470611 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/ICOCWC60930.2024.10470611

Schulz P, Prior J, Kahn L, Hinch G. Exploring the role of smartphone apps for livestock farmers: data management, extension, and informed decision making. J Agric Ext 2022; 28(1): 93-114. https://doi.org/10.1080/1389224X.2021.1910524 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1389224X.2021.1910524

Mapiye O, Makombe G, Molotsi A, Dzama K, Mapiye C. Information and communication technologies (ICTs): The potential for enhancing the dissemination of agricultural information and services to smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. J Int Dev 2023; 39(3): 638-658. https://doi.org/10.1177/02666669211064847 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/02666669211064847

Sood H, Tiwari R, Singh A, Dutt T. Development of a need-based IVRI-dairy manager app and its perceived utility. Int J Curr Microbiol Appl Sci 2020; 9(12): 3003-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2020.912.355

Baumüller H. The little we know: an exploratory literature review on the utility of mobile phone‐enabled services for smallholder farmers. J Int Dev 2018; 30(1): 134-54. https://doi.org/10.1002/jid.3314 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jid.3314

Thar SP, Ramilan T, Farquharson RJ, Pang A, Chen D. An empirical analysis of the use of agricultural mobile applications among smallholder farmers in Myanmar. Electron J Inf Syst Dev Ctris 2021; 87(2): e12159. https://doi.org/10.1002/isd2.12159 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/isd2.12159

Daum T, Buchwald H, Gerlicher A, Birner R. Smartphone apps as a new method to collect data on smallholder farming systems in the digital age: A case study from Zambia. Comput Electron Agric 2018; 1(153): 144-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2018.08.017 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2018.08.017

Aydin A, Gürsoy A, Karal H. Mobile care app development process: using the ADDIE model to manage symptoms after breast cancer surgery (step 1). Discov Oncol 2023; 14(1): 63. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-023-00676-5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-023-00676-5

Saeidnia HR, Kozak M, Ausloos M, Herteliu C, Mohammadzadeh Z, Ghorbi A, Karajizadeh M, Hassanzadeh M. Development of a mobile app for self-care against COVID-19 using the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation (ADDIE) model: methodological study. JMIR Form Res 2022; 6(9): e39718. https://doi.org/10.2196/39718 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2196/39718

Adeoye MA, Wirawan KA, Pradnyani MS, Septiarini NI. Revolutionizing education: unleashing the power of the ADDIE model for effective teaching and learning. Indones J Educ 2024; 13(1): 202-209. https://doi.org/10.23887/jpiundiksha.v13i1.68624 DOI: https://doi.org/10.23887/jpiundiksha.v13i1.68624

Khamtavee T, Chalermphol J, Kanjina S, Sirisunyaluck R. Young farmers' utilization of internet for agricultural purposes: evidence from Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. Res World Agric Econ 2024; 5(2): 102-113. https://doi.org/10.36956/rwae.v5i2.1098 DOI: https://doi.org/10.36956/rwae.v5i2.1098

Do QD, Tran TT, Truong TB, Do NT, Hoang LK. Determinants of smartphone adoption and its benefits to the financial performance of agricultural households: Evidence from Hoa Binh Province, Vietnam. Asian J Agric Rural Dev 2023; 13(1): 8-15. https://doi.org/10.55493/5005.v13i1.4709 DOI: https://doi.org/10.55493/5005.v13i1.4709

Yooyativong T, Kamyod C. IoT technology and digital upskilling framework for farmers in the northern rural area of Thailand. J Mob Multimed 2023; 14: 1129-1152. https://doi.org/10.13052/jmm1550-4646.1952 DOI: https://doi.org/10.13052/jmm1550-4646.1952

Praneekit P, Sarobol M, Teeta S, Kongkaew P, Rudchapo T. Smart farm solar soil and weather real-time monitoring system for farmers. Int J Agro Nutr Prac 2023; 3(3):1-5. https://doi.org/10.36647/IJANP/03.03.A001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.36647/IJANP/03.03.A001

Wardana AW, Suriadi AM, Salam M, Pulubuhu DA, Unde AA. Effect of App utilization on the agricultural efficiency of rural communities IOP Conf. Ser Earth Environ Sci 2019; 235: 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/235/1/012101 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/235/1/012101

Wanga HP, Ghani N, Kalegele K. Designing a machine learning–based framework for enhancing the performance of livestock mobile application system. Am J Softw Eng 2015; 4(3): 56. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajsea.20150403.13 DOI: https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajsea.20150403.13

Subashini KP, Fernando S. Empowerment of farmers through ICT literacy. In2017 National Information Technology Conference (NITC). IEEE 2017; 14: 119-124. https://doi.org/10.1109/NITC.2017.8285663 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/NITC.2017.8285663

Okoroji V, Lees N, Lucock X. Factors affecting the adoption of mobile applications by farmers: An empirical investigation. Afr J Agric 2021; 17(1): 19-29. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJAR2020.14909 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5897/AJAR2020.14909