DEVELOPMENT OF AN AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY APPLICATION IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF CELA, CUANZA SUL
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56238/levv16n54-094Keywords:
Family Farming, Mobile Application, Agricultural Extension, Digital InclusionAbstract
Family farming plays a strategic role in food security in the municipality of Cela, Cuanza Sul Province, but faces challenges related to farm management, lack of continuous technical support, and limited access to information. This study presents the development of Agriconnect, a mobile application designed to support family farmers, facilitate communication with agronomy technicians, and promote digital inclusion in rural areas. The research used a mixed-methods approach, applying questionnaires and interviews to farmers and agronomists, combined with technological development based on agile methodologies, UML modeling, and implementation in Java, PHP, and MySQL. Preliminary results, obtained from usability tests with 10 farmers and 3 specialists, revealed that most users considered the application easy to use, highlighting improvements in the management of agricultural activities and technical communication. Despite the identified limitations, such as dependence on continuous internet access and reduced validation time, Agriconnect demonstrated potential to contribute to more efficient, interactive, and sustainable agricultural practices, reinforcing the role of digital technologies in the modernization of family farming in Angola.
Downloads
References
FAO (2023). Guide on Digital Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services – Use of smartphone applications by smallholder farmers. Roma: FAO. Disponível em: https://openknowledge.fao.org/items/c06fcce0-494b-4640-b5d0-e722867d0287
FAO & ITU (2022). Status of Digital Agriculture in 47 Sub Saharan African Countries. Genebra/Roma: ITU/FAO. PDF: https://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-d/opb/str/D-STR-DIG_AFR.01-01-2022-PDF-E.pdf
World Bank (2025). Digital Agriculture Roadmap Playbook. Washington, DC: World Bank. PDF: https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099053025063021993/pdf/P508004-f943a09b-c45f-4c93-b554-9dd1decd1e7c.pdf
CTA & Dalberg (2019). The Digitalisation of African Agriculture Report 2018–2019. Wageningen: CTA. PDF: https://cgspace.cgiar.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/510cad0e-2b82-4a00-9be3-38a5bf346280/content
GSMA (2025). Five Key Lessons from Scaling Digital Agriculture Services. Londres: GSMA. Página: https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/connectivity-for-good/mobile-for-development/programme/agritech/five-key-lessons-from-scaling-digital-agriculture-services/
Mercy Corps AgriFin (2020). Digital Climate Smart Agriculture Playbook. PDF: https://www.mercycorpsagrifin.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/MCAgriFin_D-CSA_Playbook.pdf
JRC/European Commission (2024). Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services in Low and Middle Income Countries (síntese de evidência). PDF: https://knowledge4policy.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/JRC137791_Knowledge_for_policy_KC-FNS_2024-06-24_final.pdf
CCARDESA (2022). Assessment of Digitalization in the Agricultural Systems of SADC (sumário/relato institucional). Página: https://www.ccardesa.org