ABSTRACT

This project work is on the design of computer software that will advise a farmer in Abia state to manage the soil nutrients required by cassava. The software has been designed to enable the National Root crop research institute Umudike disseminate information as regards the management of soil nutrients required by cassava for optimum yield to farmers. The old method used by the Institute was studied and it was discovered that it faced the problems of inability of extension agents of the institute to reach most farmers in Abia state and the inability of farmers to access information being provided by the institute due to poor transportation and communication network, ignorance and high cost of consultancy and communication equipment’s. This web- based application is vital for the National Root Crop Research Institute because it helps the institute reach out to all farmers in Abia state. It will also help farmers in making decisions with respect to nutrient requirements of cassava on two soil series "Ibeku" and "Amakama" in Abia state. The project includes a graphic user interface that is easy to use. A database that stores the outcome of the system which can be viewed and printed out on an already designed report sheet. It diagnoses the amount of soil nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, boron, magnesium, aluminum, pH, salinity, organic matter, sodium, manganese, iron and copper. A tested software package used to implement the new system was developed using the programming language ASP 3.0 with the FrontPage editor and the database management system Microsoft access. Based on the findings of work it was recommended that more researches should be carried out on other activities of extension workers and also the public training of farmers on the present information and communication technologies.