2017 ICT4D Conference

RECOLTE is a biologic cotton Program in Burkina running its 3rd year. This program covers the whole country divided into 8 producers regions (Banfora, Dano, Nayala, Kossi, Fada, Ziro, Tenkodogo, Oubritenga (Map will be showed in final presentation).

Biologic cotton producers have existed there for many years. Before CRS partnership with that project, data collection was manually done using hard copies. Data was not aggregated and the integrity of reporting was in question.

When CRS partnered with UNPCB, we proposed to them to switch and use ICT tools for a one year test. About 500 producers among 8 000 participated in that test.

Issue:
After one year test, the main issue we faced was data visualization while the field workers are in the field. Because when you synchronize data with iFormBuilder, there is no more possibility to access this data from the field workers' devices. Field workers need previous data to continue producers monitoring over the time while in the field.

Solution:
To avoid consequences of issue above, a web application has been developed. This web application allows the field workers to download data on a local device before meeting the producers for monitoring. That web application uses functionality provided by iFormBuilder combined with MySQL.

Advantages:
After one year test, the national biological cotton producer’s board approved the solution and authorized the scale across the whole country. Data availability is no more an issue for the national cotton producer institution.

Perspective:
Next step is to simplify the solution deployment with the web application.