Decision Support System for Transfer of Technology on FCV Tobacco Production

Abstract

Decision support systems (DSS) play an important role in tobacco production and trade which has been valued more for its farm income, employment and revenue generating potential. Tobacco production depends on the internal and export demands and quality requirements of the importing countries. The primary goal of DSS research is to provide information to researchers, decision makers and farmers, so that they can make better decisions in order to take advantage of market opportunities and manage continuous changes in their production systems. Though information and communication technology (ICT) offers many options for improving extension efficiency, the challenge seems to be ‘How to find quickly the most relevant and reliable knowledge and information suitable to specific situations’. Emerging information needs of Flue Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco farmers are many including profitable technological options, crop diversification, quality specifications, decision on resource use and feasible off-farm income generation options. Keeping this in view, a DSS was developed which is broadbased, demand driven and farmer accountable for effective transfer of technology in FCV tobacco production. This system is useful for the extension workers and farmers to retrieve instant information on various technologies developed under different agro-climatic conditions and their implementation in detail. The DSS will enable farmers to become part of the information flow process rather than waiting for the information to be presented through other ICT.