Open Source Simple Computer for Agriculture in Rural Areas
(OSCAR)

Workshop - February 16-20, 2004

The first workshop of OSCAR was held in IFP, Pondicherry from the 16th of February to 20 of February, 2004. This workshop aimed at the planning of definite roles for each partner, identifying the list of weed species and the criteria for selection, socio economic status of proposed field areas and the design of methodology. It also included a field trip to paddy fields near Pondicherry and a visit to an information kiosk, so as to enhance the perception of the problem areas.

Workshop results:

The workshop concluded with specific tasks assigned to each partner for the next 6 month period.

• RWC – To finalise the list of weed species with CIRAD based on commonality in occurrence, invasiveness, economic impact in different countries and to finalise field areas in coordination with CIS based on economic and cultural background based on existing extension mechanisms/farmer groups;
• CIRAD – To finalize list of weed species with RWC, to collect botanical information on the list of species and to prepare images and illustrations for the listed weed species;
• IFP – To design architecture for the identification system and porting of the existing identification system to Linux platform using C/C++;
• CIS –to finalize field areas in coordination with RWC, to study socio-economic, cultural and political background on identified field areas and to study extension mechanisms in field areas.

Shortlist of weed species:

The most important weed species considering the economic impact, invasiveness and commonality has been prepared. The list has 39 to 47 species found in different cropping systems in Rabi/Kharif seasons in all the four countries of the Indo Gangetic Plains.

Preparation of the description of the species:

Concerning the preparation of the description of the species and the commonly agreed data format for the identification system the following work has been accomplished.

• Verification of complete Latin names of species (genus, species and authority) and the synonymy for each species in the Missouri Botanical Garden website.
• Bibliography concerning the description of 47 species chosen to know all characters necessary to be used in the identification process
• Analysis of the global bibliography information in order to establish the list of character states for each character and for each species. This information must be homogenous/complete for all species
• Definition and realisation of the drawings relating to the identikit (theoretic plant), the different habits (grass, tufted, prostrated, erected, creeping and rosette) and the different root systems of species (fibrous roots, single root tuber and system of tubers).
• In parallel building up the data base on different Access tables (seven tables), in order to parameterise the information to be used by the existing software

Drawings of the composite picture:
The work on the drawings of the composite pictures has been started and is on a continuous growing phase.

First beta version for laptop:

The first beta version for laptop is on progress and it is being designed for the windows platform. The images and drawings completed are integrated into the beta version. The upcoming drawings and illustrations will be accommodated into the beta version as and when ready.

Identification of villages and farmers:

The identification of the villages, farmers and the extension workers will be done by RWC local partners in respective countries corresponding to the field visits.

Socio economic Study and the relevance of ICT’s for Development:

The research paper entitled “ICTs for Agricultural Development. An Exercise in Interdisciplinarity” will be presented at the International Conference of the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) in Porto Alegre, Brasil, 25 – 30 July 2004.