Enhancing Productivity in Sri Lanka’s Agriculture Sector with a Cloud-Based System for Data Acquisition and Representation to Facilitate Informed Decision Making

Abstract

Abstract The agricultural sector is a major component in Sri Lanka economy, employing a significant portion of country’s population and under the guidance and support of the department of agriculture. Agriculture sector struggles due to unreliable decision-making, caused by a lack of local data recording. This issue hampers effective management and strategy implementation within the sector by today. This project introduces "Ceylon AgriData", a cloud-based system designed to revolutionize the agricultural sector in Sri Lanka. "Ceylon AgriData", aims to enhance operational efficiency by transitioning from traditional paper-based data collection methods to a digital, cloud-based approach. This transition is facilitated through a mobile application tailored for agricultural officers, enabling streamlined data collection and management directly from the field. By digitizing data collection, "Ceylon AgriData" significantly enhances data accuracy and accessibility, storing it securely on a centralized cloud database. This database is accessible to a wide range of stakeholders, including department administrators, field officers, researchers, and other key stakeholders through user-friendly interfaces. The system's web application features intuitive dashboards and tools, empowering stakeholders to make well-informed decisions, develop effective policies, and provide superior support to farmers, thus promoting sector-wide efficiency. Besides, "Ceylon AgriData" encompasses a comprehensive webapp that allows for the generation of detailed reports from the aggregated agricultural data, facilitating streamlined operations and informed decision-making within the sector. A message broadcasting service is also integrated, ensuring the timely dissemination of important information to enhance information sharing and engagement across the sector. The system incorporates a free advertising service, enabling farmers to directly market their products without intermediaries. This feature not only facilitates better sales opportunities for farmers but also aids the government in making informed decisions on price regulation. By analyzing the recorded data on crop yields, products, and prices, the government can implement policies that ensure fair pricing and market stability. vi The development of "Ceylon AgriData" utilized a robust technology stack, including Python and Flask for backend services, JavaScript and React for the web platform, and the Flutter framework for mobile application development. This combination has resulted in the creation of a user-centric mobile app and a web-based system, both integrated via a REST API service. An extensive testing workflow was employed to validate the system's functionality, encompassing unit, integration, and user acceptance testing phases. These tests, conducted both manually and automatically, highlighted the system's usability and identified areas for further refinement. The project was managed using the iterative waterfall model, ensuring structured progress and adaptability throughout its development. This methodical approach guaranteed that "Ceylon AgriData" not only met its initial objectives but also laid a foundation for ongoing enhancements, setting a new standard for technological innovation in Sri Lanka's agricultural sector.