An Application Of Mobile Phone In Pests Control And Diseases Management For Vegetable Crops: A Case Of Tomato Production In Kilolo District

ABSTRACT

The study has intended to investigate the application of mobile phones in information

dissemination regarding pests control and diseases management for vegetable crops

with a consideration of tomatoes productions in Kilolo district. The study aimed at

bridging the gap that exists between farmers and agricultural officers. The study

involved two wards, and was mainly qualitative supported by quantitative research

paradigms to collect and analyse data from tomato farmers, ICT expertise and

agricultural officer.

The study revealed that, pests and diseases were the main causative of low tomato

harvest. Lack of proper means of information dissemination between farmers and

agricultural officers; caused the damage to be even enormous as farmers searched

help from other farmer by visiting each other‟s unaffected farms instead of using

interactive mobile phones application as they proposed.

Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews and documentary reviews and

analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively with the support of Statistical Package of

Social Sciences. The collected data, acted as system requirements for designing,

developing and testing of ToMatoApp mobile phones application system.

ToMatoApp was developed by using waterfall model methodology. System modules

were developed and tested by using android studio emulator and smart phones.

Mobile phones have potential roles in information dissemination on pests control and

diseases management for tomatoes production. However, there is a need of mutual

co-operation between the government, agricultural stakeholders, ICT experts and

tomato farmers to increase tomato production, quality and livelihood of farmers.