Abstract
This chapter provides an introduction to agricultural and farm management information systems. This chapter provides an overview of the components, subsystems, processes, and operations in agricultural information systems. This chapter also covers the impact of these systems in improving the efficiency, and productivity of farm output. This chapter introduces several technologies related to the use of information systems in agriculture, including agricultural information systems (AIS), farm management information systems (FMIS), e-agriculture, and precision agriculture. This chapter introduces state-of-the-art technologies used in agriculture in the current context apart from providing an introduction to the use and adoption rates of these information systems. This chapter concludes with a brief discussion on the issues facing the adoption and implementation of agricultural information systems and presents some of the key issues that decision makers need to take to improve the acceptance and use of these information systems.
TopBackground
Agricultural information systems have been defined as an information system in which agricultural information is generated, transformed, and consolidated with the intention of underpinning knowledge utilization by agricultural producers (de Oliveira, Painho, Santos, Sian, & Barriguinha, 2014). The AIS consists of subsystems, processes, mechanisms and system operations (Vidanapathirana, 2012). The users of AIS could include the government decision makers, policy makers, universities, researchers, extension workers, and farmers (Vidanapathirana, 2012).
In the late nineties, the term precision agriculture or wired farms came into existence. These terms grouped several technologies, including Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Geographical Information Systems (GIS), and other state of the art technologies (Husemann & Novković, 2014). The advent of precision agriculture led to increasing amount of data being generated leading to the development of several Decision Support Systems (DSS), that were helping farmers make informed decisions. Some of the examples of specialized agricultural DSS, include Dairy Comp 305 - for herd management of milking cows, and DSSAT - tool for land cultivation etc. (Husemann & Novković, 2014). Precision agriculture as well as the use of AIS can help reduce the cost of agricultural production, minimize the pre-cultivation time, and increase the agricultural productivity (Santoso & Delima, 2017).
Another term that is often used in conjunction with AIS is Farm Management Information Systems (FMIS). Farmers often do not have access to tools to help them in financial management of their business. FMIS are information systems that facilitate the storing and processing of farm-related data providing farmers support in decision making in daily farm management (de Oliveira et al., 2014). FMIS could be a part of AIS, or could also be considered as an extension to AIS as these systems provide information required not just for agricultural activities but also some of the supporting activities. Some of the available commercial FMIS, include Agworld, FarmWorks, and 365FarmNet (de Oliveira et al., 2014).
Key Terms in this Chapter
Agricultural Knowledge and Information Systems: Information systems linking people and institutions and promoting the generation and sharing of agriculture-related technology, information, and knowledge.
Agricultural Information Systems: Information system in which agricultural information is generated, transformed, and consolidated with the intention of underpinning knowledge utilization by agricultural producers.
E-Agriculture: The philosophy emphasizing on the need to transfer knowledge and experience in the use of ICT in agriculture.
Extension Worker: An experienced farmer, selected and hired by the government to mentor and train local farmers, using their credibility as a farmer to approach their clients.
Precision Agriculture: Group of several technologies, including Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Geographical Information Systems (GIS), and other state of the art technologies.
Farm Management Information Systems: A planned system of collecting, processing, storing, and disseminating data in a form needed to carry out farm-related operational functions.