米生産

We developed a system for managing and analyzing information on rice production in Itoshima. This system maintains a database of agricultural work history on a web server, based on information inputted into a personal computer. Farmers can easily access this data and assess the relationship between their work history and rice yield and quality. The developed system comprises the input, output, and reference sections of the work history and the data analysis. The input is based on“ Itoshima Komesaibai Kanrihyo (Ippanmai Hinohikari)” issued by JA Itoshima. The work history records on the system are submitted to JA through the output. In the reference section, farmers can compare the work history between any two calendar years. Through the data analysis section, farmers can analyze their own rice production by referring to data on their work history, rice growth, yield, and quality, displayed in the form of a histogram. The system was developed and evaluated through an exchange of opinions between farmers, JA staff, and staff at Fukuoka Center for the dissemination of improved agricultural methods. The system received favourable feedback with regard to the page design, font size, and operations. Even elderly farmers commented that they would be able to use the system. JA staff members were interested in the data analysis feature, which other commercial systems did not come equipped with. Moreover, they had higher expectations for the future expansion of this feature. The Fukuoka center staff members informed them that they could effectively upload data collected at the center. Aside from this, some problems were also raised during the meetings. This system is used on the web, but the Internet utilization rate among farmers is low. Data on rice growth, yield, and quality are currently collected only in surveyed fields; this data should be collected from the entire region.