NextJS Cloud App for National Farmer – Crop statistical data platform

We volunteered our skills and know-how in automation to provide a digital solution to a critical need the government of Sri Lanka faces. The government needs to know the farmer and crop data as well the costs of production of agricultural produce to manage the largest economic sector of Sri Lanka, where over 20% of the population is employed in, and over 40% of the land mass is utilized for.

The platform will play a key role in the digitalization of the governments Agricultural ministries and departments. It will be a readily available, mobile friendly web app. that the government staff as well the farmer, the key stake holder will be able to use effetely and easily to enter their crop statistics.

Scope:

These are the key features of the application that we focused on during the development:

• Login and Registration: Farmers and Technical Officers (TOs) can log in securely to the system, ensuring secure access for authorized users.
• User Profiles: Farmers can set up and manage their profiles, providing essential information about their contact, location, and agricultural activities. Agriculture department statistics unit officers can maintain their profiles and oversee regional data, fostering data accuracy.
• Add Land Details: Farmers can input information about their agricultural land, including location, size, irrigation, and ownership details, allowing for better land management and planning.
• Add Crop Details: Farmers can record data about the crops they cultivate, specifying crop types, quantities, season, and more, ensuring comprehensive and accurate crop data.
• Add Crop Operation Cost Details: Farmers can keep track of expenses related to crop cultivation, such as seeds, fertilizers, labor, and equipment costs, facilitating cost analysis and budgeting.

Technology Used:

For this project, we carefully selected technologies that would enable us to create a robust and user-friendly platform:

• Next JS: We chose Next.js for frontend development due to its speed, performance, and ability to handle server-side rendering. This is crucial for ensuring a responsive and efficient web application.
• TypeScript: Using TypeScript allowed us to catch and prevent common errors during development, ensuring a higher level of code quality and reliability.
• MUI Framework: The MUI framework was instrumental in creating a visually appealing and responsive user interface that met the project’s requirements and design goals.
• OpenLayers: To handle map-related functionality, we integrated OpenLayers, which provides powerful mapping capabilities for a seamless user experience.
• Redux Toolkit: For frontend state management, we adopted Redux Toolkit, ensuring that the application’s state remains organized, consistent, and easy to manage.
• i18next: To support localization, we implemented i18next, allowing users to access the platform in multiple languages, including Sinhala, Tamil, and English.

Process:

In summary, this is the process we followed to bring this project to completion:

• Requirement Gathering: The initial phase involved in-depth discussions with the Department of Agriculture team. Our SLC team worked closely with the DOA team to analyze, elicit, and refine the project requirements, ensuring alignment with the project’s goals.
• Front-end Architecture Design: We used the C4 model to design and visualize the front-end architecture. This helped ensure that the project’s architectural foundation was solid and aligned with the client’s needs.
• Wireframe and UI Design: Based on the requirements and approved architecture, the SLC team created wireframes using Figma. Once these wireframes were approved by the DOA team, we commenced with development, ensuring that the design met the project’s objectives.
• API Design: In accordance with the requirements and the finalized architecture, we designed the necessary APIs for the application. These APIs were documented and shared with the backend team to ensure alignment with the back-end architecture, fostering seamless data flow.
• Development Phase: The project followed an agile development process. Our SLC team maintained ongoing communication and held regular meetings with the DOA team for requirement changes and with the back-end team to address compatibility issues. Any necessary changes were incorporated into the front-end development during this phase, fostering adaptability and continuous improvement.

Empowering Agriculture:

The benefits of this platform for the Department of Agriculture (DOA) are far-reaching, encompassing:

• Agricultural Sector Enhancement: This project significantly contributes to the digitalization of the agricultural sector, allowing for more informed and efficient management.
• Data Sharing: The collaborative platform facilitates the sharing and access of vital agricultural information among farmers and agricultural offices, fostering improved data accessibility.
• Informed Decision-Making: Access to comprehensive data empowers users to make data-driven decisions for improved agricultural productivity, enabling better decision-making.
• Supporting Farmers: The system plays a crucial role in supporting farmers, helping them increase productivity and profitability, and, in turn, fostering the growth of the entire agricultural sector, supporting the agriculture community.

Conclusion:

The NextJS Cloud App for the National Farmer – Crop Statistical Data Platform marks a significant stride in the digital transformation of Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector. This mobile-friendly web app empowers government staff and farmers, facilitating efficient entry and access to crucial crop statistics. At SLC, our commitment to innovation and impactful solutions is evident in this project.

For those interested in contributing, the project is open source, and we invite developers to check out the doa-farm-ops in GitHub and join us in enhancing its features. Contact us to be part of this collaborative effort in advancing agricultural technology.