Overview 

AGRICAST is a crop forecasting and tracking system for sustainable agriculture in developing nations.

The purpose of AGRICAST is to provide a means for the proper tracking, forecasting and coordination of cultivation of crops specifically in developing nations whose agricultural sectors are facing similar circumstances.

The Aims of the AGRICAST system:

• To accurately forecast the availability of crops under cultivation
• To help enable farmers to make the best and most profitable use of their land
• To aid in reducing the instances of gluts and shortages

Benefits

• Strengthens the capacity of a nation to achieve long-term food security primarily through local production
• Enables farmers to estimate revenues and plan for harvest
• Increase production and productivity, thereby enhancing growth and development within the agricultural sector
• Facilitates sustainable growth and development within the farming community
• Assists in better planning and management of users operations
• Aids in the reduction of poverty in rural communities
• Strengthens the technical advisory Extension services to producers
• Assists in the development of national agricultural statistical databases
• Assists policy action that speaks to agricultural & rural development
• Develops the capacity at the national level for the collection, organisation and dissemination of information to target groups
• Fosters operational links with key players in the sector
• Provides access to timely, accurate, relevant and current agricultural information in order to assist users in becoming more competitive and efficient
• Facilitates linkages with regional and extra-regional stakeholders and partners for improved delivery and exchange of agricultural information within the region
• Assist in faster delivery of information generated in the region
• Augments the decision making process for internal and external Traders

 Features

• Stores pre-determined crop definitions with multiple yield outcomes depending on a variety of variables
• Allows for the ability to subdivide the geographic area (country) into planting regions for more targeted crop management, tracking and region analysis purposes
• Records information on crops planted
• Records and tracks any damages or other changes to crops
• Also records reasons for damages
• Produces various crop production, crop forecasting and performance reports.
• Manages the deployment of Extension officers to farmers across regions