Assessment of Farmer Characteristics and Design Preferences on Location-based Pest and Disease Reporting Service for Digital Agriculture: A Preliminary Analysis

Abstract

User interface design is critical for ensuring that agricultural technology is accessible and usable for farmers. Usability and accessibility for farmers can boost crop yields and lower losses. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the preferences and needs of farmers, particularly in terms of user interface design. This study examines the preferences of chili farmers for user interface elements in reporting chili pests and diseases and investigates how farmer characteristics (i.e. age categories and educational backgrounds) influence these preferences. Data was collected from a group of chili farmers in Batu Pahat using a survey instrument and field experimental tasks that list several user interface elements according to the tasks given in relation to disease and pest attack reporting information for chili crops. The study includes user interface-related tasks for online map services such as Google Maps and Waze, which aim to report the location of attacks. The study’s findings underscore the significance of user interface elements in shaping user experiences. Google Maps emerged as the favored navigation service, highlighting the importance of a straightforward and user-friendly interface. The study suggests that enhancing user knowledge of lesser-known functions can lead to higher satisfaction and loyalty. In agricultural applications, visual cues and intuitive design, exemplified by the “Picture Radio Button” and “Horizontal Date” elements, were well-received. Overall, this study highlights the importance of considering farmers’ demographic characteristics in designing user interfaces for agricultural technology. By doing so, agricultural technology can be made more accessible and usable for farmers, ultimately leading to more effective management of chili pests and diseases. The findings of this research will yield advantages by aiding farmers, specifically in Malaysia, in transitioning into intelligent farmers, aligning with the objectives of the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 and the realization of smart agriculture in Malaysia. Furthermore, this endeavor is consistent with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) initiative aimed at digitizing farmers, encompassing smallholder farmers as well.