An architectural framework of a decision support system (DSS) to increase the returns of small scale farmers in Kanchipuram District, India

Abstract

In India, 80% of farmers are small scale and marginal farmers. The sub section of these farmers who cultivate vegetables do not get considerable returns on their investment because their produce has to pass through various layers of agents or distributors before reaching the end users. This process could be regulated to minimize round trip transfer of vegetables for the sake of increased farmer returns. Also, many farmers cultivate the same crop resulting in over production which in turn affects the returns of all farmers cultivating that crop. There are many government schemes like FPOs (Farmer Producer Organizations), PPC (Primary Processing Centers), SFAC (Small Farmers Agri Consortium) to cater this issue. This paper surveys all the existing schemes and mobile platforms. We also propose a framework for a holistic mobile app based decision support system for small scale farmers. This proposed application helps the farmers to increase the returns without middleman and promote community farming.