Development of a mobile-based climate information and advisory system for crop management: a case of Musanze District, Rwanda
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Date
2025-08
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NM-AIST
Abstract
Mobile
applications
and
internet
access
enable
climate
change adaptations.
Climatic information services package and deliver climatic data to customers, including
temperature, rainfall, wind, and soil moisture. In Rwanda, farmers are accessing climate
information through radios, television, trained agents through the Rwanda Meteorological Agency,
and by weather applications. However, farmers claim that because of weak dissemination channels
and not interacting, they are facing the main challenges in making decisions at the right time for
achieving sustainable food production and security, which provides lower incomes and famine to
society. We developed a bilingual (Kinyarwanda and English) mobile application using the Flutter
framework with a Firebase backend to address these challenges. We integrated the Open Weather
API for real-time and forecast data. An SMS gateway was incorporated to ensure notifications
reach farmers even in low-connectivity areas. The system was evaluated in Musanze District,
where it delivered current and forecast temperatures between 15.5 ℃ and 21.9 ℃, overcast or
rainy skies, 55 % humidity, 801.5 hPa pressure, 1.5 m/s wind speed, sunrise at 07:04 AM, and
sunset at 07:06 PM directly to users’ devices. Problem reporting and real-time conversation with
agronomic officers provided individualized advising help. The Dfarmer app enabled farmers to
make timely decisions and increase crop output by providing interactive climatic information and
advisory services in their local area.
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG-1: No Poverty
SDG-2: Zero Hunger
SDG-9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
SDG-13: Climate Action