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RUBBER BOARD LAUNCHES MOBILE APPS
Time: Jun 20th 2017 Copy editor: Tyrefull
Rubber Board of India launched a mobile App for fertilizer recommendation in rubber. The new mobile app-based online manurial recommendation, developed by the Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII), the first of its kind in rubber anywhere in the world and the first in any crop in India.
The app will tell the farmer the present nutrient status as well as the quantity of fertilizer to be applied in his holding irrespective of his location, through a satellite based system. Christened Rubber Soil Information System or RubSIS, this powerful, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tool for agricultural extension was formally launched by Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Commerce & Industry in New Delhi.
As directed by the Minister then, the Android App of this system has now been made ready, for using on smart phones.
Revolutionary as it is, RubSIS, developed by the Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII) in collaboration with Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management, Kerala; National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning; ICAR and National Remote Sensing Centre, ISRO, brings soil data to the fingertips of rubber growers and recommends the optimum mix and quantities of chemical fertilizers that their holdings require.
RRII has successfully applied satellite-based remote sensing, Geographical Information System (GIS) and fertility mapping of rubber growing soils to develop an online web-based fertiliser recommendation for rubber growers of the country. RubSIS combines principles of geospatial technology with soil science, agronomy and ICT for the benefit of rubber growers.
RubSIS enables a grower to access the status of 13 fertility parameters of his/her rubber holding instantly and at no cost. It gives location-specific and need-based recommendation for use of chemical fertilisers in one holding according to the age of the rubber plants and the extent of the holding.
At a time when rubber prices are low, it is crucial that cost of production is kept as low as possible even as productivity is sustained. RubSIS ensures that expensive chemical fertilisers are applied scientifically, only if actually required, based on the existing fertility of the soil. Avoiding indiscriminate and excessive use of chemical fertilisers not only saves money for the grower, but also helps to avoid air and water pollution and soil degradation which are major concerns of the time.
RubSIS is literally taking modern technology to the fingertips of growers or rather “from pixels to farmer”. RubSIS empowers the rubber grower to take an informed and need-based decision regarding fertiliser application.
Mobile App for Rubber Growers
The Board has also developed another mobile app as part of its e-governance initiatives. Android version of this app developed by National Informatics Centre, Kerala will soon be available in ‘Google Play’ store for public download. This app will serve as the digital link between the Board and the farmers.
The ‘Alerts’ feature provides the latest developments such as announcements of programmes, schemes, campaigns, labour welfare measures, trainings, disease identification and prevention and so on. The ‘Market Price’ feature can be used to get the rubber prices in Indian as well as international markets. The third feature is the ‘Cultural Advisories’ for providing monthly agricultural operation for different areas in the country. Details such as location of the nearest offices and facilities like labs can be accessed using the ‘Contact Details’ link.
As part of the ‘Digital India’ campaign, the Board is promoting digital extension services that are novel among similar organizations. Earlier, the Board had set up facilities such as Call Centre, IVRS and ‘Online Rubber Clinic’ supported by WhatsApp and YouTube for the purpose.
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