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Shanadi AT1*, Samaraweera GC2, Wathugala DL3, Indika WA1, Munasignhe SM1
1Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka
2Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka
3Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka
Abstract
Potato is the most popular root crop and represents a significant portion of the world’s food requirements.
However, it has been notified that the quality and safety of potatoes produced in Sri Lanka suffer from inappropriate farming
practices. Therefore, this study aims to develop a mobile-based guideline model of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) by
reviewing a present farming practice in potato cultivation and to explore farmers’ view on GAPs for potato production in
Sri Lanka. The GAPs based guideline model was designed according to the Design Science Research methodology with primary
and secondary data, which obtained from 225 potato farmers through a pre-tested structured questionnaire, formal and informal
discussions. Then designed model was verified and validated through domain experts. Finally, information and guidance in the
designed model is fed through a mobile application. Interestingly, 96% of farmers have a general idea on GAPs, 98% are willing
to know about GAPs and the majority (92%) like to follow guidelines based on GAPs. Moreover, age (p=0.000), education level
(p=0.001), farming experiences (p=0.008) and willingness to know GAPs (p=0.000), were affect significantly on farmer
willingness to follow GAPs through the mobile-based application system. Moreover, the farming practices attached with
the usage of synthetic chemicals and fertilizer, soil fertility management, postharvest handling were not properly practiced
(78%). Further, spearmen correlation analysis showed that age (p=0.000), education level (p=0.014), and farming experiences
(p=0.000), were affect significantly on farmers’ awareness of GAPs. The findings shed a green light for introducing
a mobile-based guideline model to provide actionable information and guidance of GAPs to the farmers through a “Govi Nena”
real-time mobile-based application. Further it supports farmers to overcome improper farming practices of potato cultivation
in Sri Lanka that ultimately enhancing the potato production in Sri Lankan context.
Keywords: Design Science Research Methodology, Farmer awareness,
Farmer willingness, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), Mobile based Information Systems
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* - Corresponding Author
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