Title

THE FARM MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.

Introduction
Background
Abstract

The purpose of Farm Management System is to automate the existing manual system by the
help of computerized equipments and full fledged computer software,fulfilling their requirements,
so that their valuable data/information can be stored for a longer period with easy accessing and
manipulation of the same. The required software and hardware are easily available and easy to work
with.
Farm Management System, as described above, can lead to error free, secure,reliable and
fast management system. It can assist the user to concentrate on their other activities rather to
concentrate on the record keeping. Thus it will help organization in better utilization of resources.
The organization can maintain computerized records without redundant entries. That means
that one need not be distracted by information that is not relevant, while being able to reach the
information.
The aim is to automate its existing manual system by the help of computerized
equipments and full fledged computer software, fulfilling their requirements, so that their
valuable data/information can be stored for a longer period with easy accessing and
manipulation of the same. Basically the project describes how to manage for good
performance and better services for the clients.
.
Functionalities provided by the Farm Management System are as follows:
Provides the searching facilities based on various factors. Such as
Farm,Crops,Insecticides,Pesticides
Farm Management System also manage the Cost Range details online for Insecticides details,
Pesticides details,Farm.
It tracks all the information of Crops,Cost Range,Insecticides etc.
Manage the information of Crops
Shows the information and description of the Farm Crops
To increase efficiency of managing the Farm Crops
It deals with monitoring the information and transactions of Insecticides.
Manage the information of Farm Editing, adding and updating of Records is improved which
results in proper resource management of Farm data.
Manage the information of Insecticides Integration of all records of Pesticides

Problem statement

How can we stimulate our farmers to learn innovative farming methods and be able to
distinguish benefits of computerized farming methods from the traditional farming method
mistakes, make their farming amusing, pleasurable and persuade competition and teamwork
among themselves?
Farming can be a boring activity if the costs of production i.e. land preparation, fertilizer
allocations, type and amount of pest-side required, choosing of variety of crop, outweigh the
benefits gained through farming i.e. output (harvest).
The proposed solution seeks to develop a web-based e-farming system for use by farmers
and extension officers to optimize the utilization of crop inputs to maximize output (harvest)
through efficient use of necessary crop requirements and budgeting. Agriculture is an
economic activity that involves the allocation of scarce resources to produce output.
Functionalities
Objectives
Significance

Having identified the above problems, it is of paramount importance to develop a web based
e-farming system for farmers in Uganda that would cater for the farming community needs.
The whole project seeks to promote the use of computer systems in daily farm operational
and management activities.

The researcher wants to bring out an innovative idea which can then be implemented with
success. The development of a research and extension system for use by farmers in Uganda
will help improve agricultural productivity. With this system in place farmers can just
respond to a few questions and get a report of the requirements in terms of inputs and the
cash requirements to procure the inputs. This greatly improves the farmers’ ability to plan
and budget accordingly without necessarily over buying or under buying inputs.

The in-house development is the best option since the system will be tailored to meet
Uganda’s needs. Off-shelf Stock packages may not satisfy the unique requirements of the
Ugandan farmers. The researcher is also an interested software developer who believes
Technopreneurship should be the order of the day hence the beneficiaries of the land reform
should be entrepreneurs in their own right.

Geographical

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction
The previous chapter gave the background and discussed the challenges being faced by
farmers in terms of technical know how for effective farm operations. The hypothesis and the
justification of the proposed system have been deliberated upon. This chapter contains a
review of the research literature from various authors in relation to web-based e-farming
methods and systems. This review is partitioned into two sections: first, there is a discussion
of the theories of conventional farming and e-farming that are significant to the farmers, and
secondly, the exploration of literature that concerns web-based e-farming systems, techniques
and methods.

2.2 Definitions

Conventional farming refers to a method of farming in which the use of GMO's, chemical
pesticides/herbicides and chemical fertilisers is allowed. Conventional farming is differed
from organic farming as the latter responds to site-specific conditions by integrating cultural,
biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological
balance, and conserve biodiversity. Rather than using synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, growth
regulators and livestock feed additives, organic farming systems rely on crop rotation, animal
and plant manures as fertilizers, some hand weeding and biological pest control (Wilson &
Campells, 2011).

The term describes any farming not dedicated to alternative schemes. Fundamentally, it is the
type of farming that dominated the 20th century and which accounts for most farming
nowadays. In conventional farming, chemical fertilisers, intensive mass animal farming as
well as chemical plant protectants are general.

In regards to nutritional value-Many supporters of organic agriculture rely on personal

experiences and beliefs that make them more receptive to the idea that there is a difference
between organic and conventionally produced food. Although, as scientists, we may deplore
the fact that people are swayed by non-scientific views, the fact is that a lot of them are.
Despite arguments presented by the critics, many people believe that organic production
systems produce better food, care more for animal welfare and are kinder to the environment
(Donald, Waterman, & Gillars, 2010).

Conventional agriculture has focused on increasing productivity through use of synthetic

inputs and this has resulted in yield grains and lower costs at the farm scale (Foresight,
Goddinson, & Elna, 2009).

Agriculture in the 21st Century is marked by the usage of unsustainable natural resources (not
able to be maintained at the current rate or level) i.e. natural farming regions climatic
changes, Soil type variations (black, brown, or red), and the growing population leading to
what Sir John Beddington described as the perfect storm.

The impacts of a changing climate on agricultural output productivity also have considerable
potential to impact upon yields (Lobel, Burke, Battisti, Neylo, & Banziger, 2011).

Cost of Production (CoP) - CoP is an economic indicator assessing the economic

performance of production. Cost is defined as the value of a factor of production (input)
employed in the production of final outputs (AAEA, 2012). For the purpose of the present
study a possible classification of CoP that might be relevant from methodological point of
view is based on whether costs are traceable to specific farm activity (i.e. direct versus
indirect costs).

A direct cost is a cost that can easily and conveniently be traced to the particular farm activity
(e.g. fertilizer). For example, in most cases the use of fertilizer is a direct cost of a particular
crop as far as the flow of utility it produces benefits to that crop Vice versa an indirect cost is
a cost that cannot be easily and conveniently traced to the particular farm activity.

E-farming -This is a recent term in Information Communication Technology that defines a

global community practice where people from all over the world exchange information, ideas
and resources related to the use of Information Technology for sustainable agriculture and
rural development (Cesaro, 2010).

2.3 Relevant theory of the subject matter

Global attention came back to agriculture due to the price hike, and reduced productivity in
recent years, resulting partly from long-standing negligence on diffusion of appropriate
technology that stagnated production in the face of a rising population. Increasing production
is a major challenge facing present agriculture. Smallholder farmers which dominate the
landscape of the developing world need to improve farming through acquiring adequate
knowledge and information. Agricultural Research and Extension services should provide
critical access to the knowledge, information and technology that farmers require to improve
their productivity and thus improve the quality of their output and farming approaches. It is
hence crucial to provide farmers with the knowledge and information in a quality and timely
way. Although some ground-breaking tools like the Tele-centers can serve as major catalysts
for information, knowledge and development opportunities, the access for farmers in remote
villages is restricted due to the lack of infrastructure (Shaffer, Neena, & Joshi, 2012).

Historically, agricultural service delivery in developing countries started with production

oriented limited extension services for export crops. The attention was diverted in the fifties
to food production and improved farming techniques (Anandajayasekeramet, 2011). In the
1960s US-led ‘technology transfer model’ employed a large number of extension agents to
provide Research and Extension services. Since then, with the rise in the demand for
agricultural Research and Extension services, many variants of approaches, models and
methods have been evolved to connect researchers, extension agents, producers and
consumers.

The World Bank sponsored Training and Visit (T&V) extension model, Farmers Field
Schools (FFS) and fee-for-services are the most common approaches. In the T&V and FFS
systems, extension workers passed information to selected contact farmers who shared
information with other farmers (Anderson & Feder, 2011).

2.4 E-farming.

E-farming (sometimes written e-agriculture) is a relatively recent term in the field of

agriculture and rural development practices. Consistency in the use of this term began to
materialize with the dissemination of results from a global survey carried out by the United
Nations (UN). This survey conducted in late 2010 by the Food and Agriculture Organization
of the United Nations (FAO) found that half of those who replied identified “e farming” with
information dissemination, access and exchange, communication and participation processes
improvements around rural development. In contrast, less than a third highlighted the
importance of technical hardware and technological tools.

E-farming, therefore, describes an emerging field focused on the enhancement of agricultural

and rural development through improved information and technology processes. More
specifically, e-farming involves the conceptualization, design, development, evaluation and
application of innovative ways to use information and communication technologies (ICTs) in
the rural domain, with a primary focus on agriculture.

In 2008, the United Nations referred to e-farming as “an emerging field”, with the
expectation that its scope would change and evolve as our understanding of the area grows
(UN, 2010). A lot more of systems have been developed in the past recent years in-order to
up holds the values of imperative agricultural farming methods.

E-farming systems have long been viewed as great potential in improving decision making in
Agriculture. He argues that in all phases of the Agricultural industry, information
technologies are vital to the management and success of the farming business. The
development of Agriculture depends on how fast and relevant information is disseminated to
end users. E-farming is a recent term that defines a global community practise where, people
from all over the world exchange information, ideas and resources related to the use of
Information and Technologies for sustainable agriculture and rural development (Boote,
Batchelor, & Jones, 2011).

Others argues that majority of farmers in developing countries are not able to optimize
production from constrained/limited farm input resource like seed and fertilizer due to lack of
sufficient information available and due to lack of appropriate innovative e-farming systems
(Booltink, Alphen, B.J, & W.D., 2011).

FAO hosted the first e-farming work shop in June 2008. The idea being bringing together
leading development organizations involved in Agriculture. The work shop served to initiate
and promote the development of effective and innovative ways and process to engage
information and technology based systems in Agriculture. This however ended with the
formation of e-farming Community, International Agricultural Research and Extension
Community, Technical Centre for Agriculture and Rural Development, and the International
Association of Agricultural Information (Baethgen, 2009).

(Peart, 2010)Argues that Countries that have embedded e-farming systems have had their
economies improved and food security promoted. He also found that India’s Agricultural
sector economy grew by 3% after the government encouraged farmers and Research and
Extension Officers to embrace e-farming.

Recent research attempts signify that on-line agriculture systems also have extensive
endeavors rendered to e-farming to explore the use and conservation of farm input resources
to support farmers and their farm practices .e.g. farming engineering concepts (George &
Boote, 2009).

(Kropff & M.J, 2011) Argues that e-farming today is affecting all spheres of human life. We
exploit these advances to design cost effective systems to help farmers to be able to come up
with most preferred decisions. Adhau goes on to justify some of the advances in agriculture
that can be used to build up computerized applications that can aid farmers to manage and
control their farm resources.

He propounds that, due to advances in Networking technology we have internet technology

(or World Wide Web), which can be used to send information instantaneously to farming
communities in parallel.

2.5 Expert systems in Agriculture

The applications of expert systems are rapidly increasing. Such applications are very
effective in situations when the domain expert is not readily available. In Agriculture,
applications of expert systems are mainly found in the area of disease diagnosis and pest
controls. Many domain specific expert systems are being used being used at different levels.
“An expert system “Dr. Wheat: A web Expert System for Diagnosis of Diseases and Pests in
Pakistan Wheat,” is also an expert system developed by F.S. Khan, S. Razzaq, K. Irfan, F.
Maqbool. They developed the system with web based expert system using eg2gLite shell
(Shikhar, Sarma, Singh, & Singh, 2010). “Decision support system “Crop-9-DSS” for
identified crops”, by Ganesan V, is an expert system developed with Macromedia Flash MX
Professional (Thornton & Pinnschmidt, 2013).

The system is developed for the purpose of the identification disease and pests with control
measures, fertilizer recommendation system, water management system and identification of
farm implements for leading crops ok Kerela – a “web based expert system for Diagnosis of
Micro nutrients Deficiency in Crops”, by S.S.Patil, B.V.Dhandra, U.B.Angadi, A.G.Shankar,
and Neena Josh also describes the application of expert systems in Agriculture particularly in
the area of nutrient deficiencies in crops. The system uses ServCLIPS tools (Decision
Support Systems for Identified Crops, 2012)

(S.S., B.V., U.B., & Shankar., 2009) propounded the need and relevance of Fuzzy expert
systems in Agricultural activities. He argues that Farming simulation models which represent
some sort of virtual environments and allows interaction with that environment be applied in
farming environments. He propounded more on Fuzzy knowledge being diffused into
agriculture since Fuzzy logic is able to simulate the processes of human reasoning and also
based on the idea that Fuzzy knowledge commonly deals with issues of uncertainty.

Apparent to what (Sirdric & Hummels, 2012)propounded about the need and relevance of
Fuzzy knowledge in agriculture. The Georgian Electronic Scientific Journal: Computer
Science and Telecommunications 2010|No.4(11) compares and evaluates some of the various
agriculture computer based systems which were designed at the Central Laboratory for
Agricultural expert Systems (CLAES) to uphold the norms and values of effective and
productive farming. Some of the systems which were designed include;

(i) Cuptex- An expert system for Cucumber crop Production

This system currently provides farmers with the following services: Dis-order diagnosis – this
subsystem provides the farmer with a diagnostic disorder which causes problems on
plantation or verifies a user’s assumption. disorder treatment – this subsystem provides a
farmer with the remediation of disorders after being verified or identified by the diagnosis
subsystem.

Irrigation scheduling – the main goal of this subsystem is to obtain an irrigation schedule that
demonstrates the water quantity related to each time instance. Fertiliser scheduling – the main
goal of this subsystem is to determine the fertilization requirements for cucumbers .
Fertilization requirements include several aspects such as the fertiliser type, quantity that the
farmer has to apply, and the intervals between successive application periods. Plant care – the
main goal for this subsystem being to predict last crop and plastic tunnel characteristics, the
possibility of having pest problems Based on this information the system would then produce
a schedule of operations to be carried to protect the plant from any expected disorder.

The development of this innovative intelligent agricultural system instigated curiosity in

many agricultural Information and Technology scholars to come up with a lot more different
genres of agricultural computer based crop management systems.

However, with much having been done to try and advance Computer technology in the
Agricultural sector, the researcher has come to a point of identifying certain areas and aspects
of mutual concern which he still feels that enough emphasis on relevancy of computerized
farming systems and the after benefits have not sufficiently been explored, he sees that there
is need to put forward the idea to implement also the Web based crop input management
system, which is an e-farming system that mainly foresters on the Ugandan farmers and
agricultural officers to be able to source relevant information regarding their crops, natural
farming regions and also generate some reports pertaining the overall farming activities by
the end of the day. With such a system in place, the researcher feels that anomalies like
confusion of inputs management, unplanned inputs forecasting & lack of up-to-date
information, can be eliminated if not minimized through the use of the system.

2.6.1 Data flow diagram representing the above Diagram.

INSERT DFD

The proposed system seeks to improve agricultural productivity by disseminating imperative

agricultural advice to farmers both in timely and personalized manner. Information system: is
a computer based information system which contains all the related information. For
example, for example it contains the details of the farmer with corresponding soil and crop
information. It also contains information on the status of the crop. Database Server: contains
all the relevant information about the soil data, crop properties, farmer’s details, research data
and cost of commodities.

2.7 Summary
There is evidence that using web-based (Internet) farming methods may discriminate farmers
in remote and rural areas where there is limited/no internet access and may lead to aggressive,
addiction or anti-social behaviors (Oniel et al, 2005). In addition there may be lack of
adequate equipment like computers and Servers, also poor infrastructure and the
unavailability of optic fiber to fully support implementation of online farming systems and
methods at research and extension points. In some cases it may be difficult to align issues
between farm output, on line farming methods and assessment. Despite the advantages and
practical implementation issues, it is clear that certain types of computer farming systems do
have the power to engage certain types of farmers. He reiterated that the key challenge for
effective e-farming/and-agriculture with online agriculture based systems is for the farmer to
be engaged, motivated, and supported at the same time farming being undertaken in relation
to clear farming objectives as well as being made relevant to the real world practice. In all,
this chapter has provided an overview of and drawn together the research literature in the
field of farming, (online) web-based farming systems, looking at the number of farming
theories and linking them to support a rationale for web-based farming systems as well as
rural and extension service provision. This chapter has shown the theoretical potential for
computer-based farming systems to be an effective way to aid farmers’ decision making, as
long as they are underpinned by effective pedagogy.

Methodology
3. METHODOLOGY

3.1 INTRODUCTION

This chapter elaborates the research design. It clearly entitles the sequential
processes to be executed while achieving the objectives identified above. Other
subsequent subsections include study area, study population, sample size,
sampling techniques, data sources, data collection instruments, quality assurance,
explanation of variables, measurement of variables, data analysis and
presentation, ethical issues and study limitations.

3.2 RESEARCH DESIGN

The study will utilize the cross-sectional survey design that will use both
qualitative and quantitative approaches (Mann, 2003). This study will be
conducted through a case-study. This study is concerned with finding out the
numerous challenges faced by human resource managers of organizations in
managing employee leave and how to overcome those using technological
solutions. It is specifically intended to investigate the relationship between
manual management systems and the profitability and effectiveness levels in
Wakiso Mixed Farm. Such issues can best be handled through this design
because it is not only intensive, descriptive, and involves analysis of a single
entity; the bounded case, it also relates to smaller samples that can be analyzed in
context and in-depth.

The researcher will therefore use two approaches for example qualitative which
involves narrating and describing information that explains and gives deeper
insight into the problem while Quantitative approach which is a scientific method
of data collection and analysis that includes design techniques and measures that
produce discrete numerical or quantifiable date Mugenda & Mugenda (2009).
The use of the two approaches is aimed making it easy to understand and analyze
the findings of the study. It is also important that the duo be used so as to
minimize the biases that are in both approaches but can be covered up when both
are used.

This study used the cross-sectional time horizon because studies of such a nature are
non experimental, descriptive research that is carried out at a single point in time and
data are collected once, by surveys and questionnaires (Shanahan, 2010; Salkind, 2010).
These studies are simple and inexpensive to conduct, but do not show how respondents
change over time; additionally, causation cannot be inferred (Salkind, 2010). Using a
mixed research method of both qualitative and quantitative approach is capable of giving
a good understanding of the study (Cameron, 2009).

3.3 STUDY AREA

The study will be conducted at Wakiso Mixed Farm. This area remains the most
ideal for the study because of having issues of ineffective manual systems at the
farm and loss of follow-up on sales.

3.4 STUDY POPULATION

The study covered employees and employers of the organisation. More

particularly, the study was carried out among a heterogeneous population of
permanent staff, farm doctors and supervisors in the organisation at different
levels and different genders.
3.4.1 SAMPLE SIZE
According to Mugenda and Mugenda (2003), it’s impossible to study the whole
targeted population and therefore the researcher has to decide on a sampled
population. The study will be conducted at Wakiso Mixed Farm. The Krejcie &
Morgan (1970), will used to determine the sample out of the study population.
Adopted from Amin (2003).
Population Size Sample Size
70 59
75 63
80 66
85 70
90 73
95 76
100 80
110 86
120 92
Source: Krejcie& Morgan, 1970.

3.5 SAMPLING TECHNIQUES

3.5.1 PURPOSIVE SAMPLING

Purposive sampling is sampling technique that allows the researcher to obtain
information from elements that are most readily or conveniently available with
the required characteristics. This is to enable the researcher to collect information
from specific and knowledgeable target groups about the topic, Amin (2003). The
researcher will use this form of sampling because it selects typical and useful
cases only and it also saves time and money which are scarce resources.

3.5.2 SIMPLE RANDOM SAMPLING

As Levy & Lemeshow, (2008) explain simple random sampling is a probability
sampling technique in which a random selection is made of the first element for
the sample, and then subsequent samples or elements are selected using a fixed or
systematic interval until the desired sample size is reached in the study
3.6 DATA SOURCES

3.6.1 Primary sources

This study shall largely use primary data sources including respondents who also
are the employees and employers under study. This is because this data source
selected the most convenient and it offer first-hand information that is authentic.

3.6.2 SECONDARY SOURCES

As part of the secondary sources, the researcher shall use the internet, books, and
journal articles. These sources shall also be used because they contain data that
may not be readily available, given the timeframe, from the primary source.

3.7 DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENTS

The study will use questionnaires and interviews to collect primary data and
review of documents to collect secondary data.

3.7.1 QUESTIONNAIRES
Questionnaire method will be used because it helps to investigate motives and
feelings in Likert scaling (Creswell, 1994). The researcher will use the five Likert
scale of open ended and closed questions that will be used and the questionnaires
shall be distributed to respondents to collect primary data from the clients.
Structured and self-administered questionnaires were also used to collect data
from administrators. Questionnaires will be used because they are easy to code
the collected data and they facilitate collection of large amounts of data in
relatively short time.

3.7.2 INTERVIEWS
An interview is an oral questionnaire where the investigator gathers data through
direct verbal interaction with the participants Mugenda & Mugenda (2009).
Interview schedules will also be used to collect primary data from the clients of
the bank. Since the employees under study do offer services, this data collection
tools will be important so as to enable the researcher to interact with the
interviewees and be enabled to get the mode in which the respondents will
answer the questions, taking note of the body language. Interview method will be
used because it provides an excellent opportunity to probe and explore questions
(Cress well 1994).
3.7.3 DOCUMENT REVIEWS
Document or Literature reviews of previously published books, student
dissertations and Online Blogs that focus on the need to automate farm
management systems or create electronic farm management systems as an
effective strategy for improving productivity and effectiveness of farms across
the world. Novak (1996) explain that if secondary research and data is undertaken
with care and diligence, it provides a cost-effective way of gaining a broad
understanding of research questions and the broader concept under study.
Requirements may have been skipped during the interviews or Questionnaire but
shall be gathered or improved through reviewing previous finished literature
about human resource management.

3.8 QUALITY ASSURANCE

3.8.1 VALIDITY
Mugenda & Mugenda (2009) defines validity as the accuracy and meaningfulness
of information which is based on research findings. Questionnaires will be
designed according to the dimension and indicators of the conceptual framework
and reviewed literature to ensure content validity by focusing on the domains of
the research variables.

To ensure data validity, proper categorization of the respondents will be done and
so will the application or assignment of rightful tools or instruments that fit a
particular group of people having in mind the differences that exist among the
respondents in particular and the total population in general.

3.8.2 RELIABILITY
According to Sekaran (2003), reliability of information is a measure that
indicates the extent to which data collect is without bias or it is error free and
hence ensuring consistent measurement across time and across the various items
in the instrument. The questionnaires will be pre-tested to test reliability.
Questions had coded choices to be ticked. Answers will be weighed and
reliability tested from responses receives using Cronbach’s coefficient alpha (α)
as recommended by Sekaran (2003). The findings will thus be used to improve
on the questionnaires and review questionnaire administration skills to ensure
reliability.

Because the questions will have multiple choices to be

made with different weights attached, the Cronbach’s
coefficient alpha [Cronbach’s (1946)] will be used. The
Reliability coefficient as suggested by Sekaran should be
≥ 0.6.

3.9 MEASUREMENT OF VARIABLES

With reference to a five point Likert scale, descriptive statistics will be generated
to examine the relationship between the variables. Qualitative data analysis, a
formal approach where content analysis approach will also be used. Data will
systematically be converted from text into numerical variables, classify the
numerical into various coding units using the descriptions depending on what the
respondents will actually say and how often the same issue will be said this
brings out the verbal quotations according to the study themes. Relationships
amongst these themes will be established and in-depth explanations and
interpretations will be made.

3.10 DATA ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION

Under quantitative analysis, processes to be used include: editing, classification,

coding and presentation. Data, which was obtained by the use of structured
questionnaires is to be summarized in graphs, pie charts and frequency tables.

Qualitative data analysis will be done through a formal approach where content
analysis approach is to be used. Data will be categorized and presented in a
narrative form.

3.11 ETHICAL ISSUES

In order not to create any suspicion which may disrupt the flow of data from the
respondents, the researcher goes with an introduction letter from the institution of
learning (in this case it will be Uganda Martyrs University). A formal
introduction shall also be made to the authorities of the organizations. This will
enable the researcher to access information officially and from the right persons.
With the desire to have authentic data, the researcher will invite voluntary
participation of the respondents which will subsequently allow voluntary giving
of the required data and information from the respondents that will have
volunteered. The researcher will assure the respondents that will have
volunteered to give information and data that the obtained data or information
shall only be used for the purposes of the study.

3.12 STUDY LIMITATION

The research design chosen to be used in this study; case study, cannot be
replicated. As thus the results cannot guarantee the same results in the future.
However, due to the reliability and validity measures as discussed there above,
the design shall be able to stand the test of this weakness.

The research design is more likely to tend to bias because of the fact that human
beings tend to be subjective and are likely to be moved by the subject under
study. This will be handled through the use of a multi-study approach where the
bias that may arise as a result of one study can be countered by a measure from
another study. For example qualitative and quantitative approaches will be used
concomitantly to reduce biases from either sides.

The sample size to be use may not be a sufficient representation of the entire
population under study and thus the result obtained in the conclusions may be
rendered useless and irrelevant after some little.

3.13 SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND DESIGN METHODS, TECHNIQUES AND TOOLS

3.14.1 ANALYSIS AND EXAMINATION

Analysis and examination of the gathered requirements shall be done through

drawing of software development models that demonstrate the activities,
processes, actions that developers and users of the application shall perform
while developing or using the application. UML models such as Entity Relation
Diagrams to show how the different objects to be used for the application will
relate and sequence diagrams shall be used to demonstrate the activities users will
perform while using the application (Gary and Harry, 2012).
Designing of the applications model shall be done with the help of systems
architectural designing soft wares like Microsoft office Visio with the intention of
standard representation to guide the implementation of the application

3.14.2 METHODS, TECHNIQUES AND TOOLS TO BE USED FOR

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE E-LEAVE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Implementation of e-Leave Management System application shall be done using

the Rapid Application Development as a technique (Gary and Harry, 2012). This
will ensure that the product is out on the market in the shortest time possible such
that organizations can benefit from it as soon as possible.

Software tools such as MySQL as the database, Brackets as the major

development tool and use of PHP, HTML and CSS as the programming
languages.

3.14.3 METHODS, TECHNIQUES AND TOOLS TO BE USED FOR TESTING

AND VALIDATION OF THE E-LEAVE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Evaluation of the application shall be done informing of field experiments of the

application with both employers and employees to ensure satisfaction of the
users. Unit testing of the individual modules of the application shall be carried
out to ensure full functionality of the modules in the application. Integration
testing shall be done at the end of the project.

MVC Diagram
6 References

Decision Support Systems for Identified Crops. (2012). Journal of Agricultural

Expert System Application. AAEA. (2012). Computers and Farming.
Anandajayasekeramet. (2011). Innovative croping. Agricultural Information and
Management Journal of India. Anderson, & Feder. (2011). A comprihensive
guide to electronic farming. Toronto. Baethgen, W. (2009). Vulnerability of the
agricultural sector to Climatic changes . Booltink, H., Alphen, V., B.J, B., &
W.D., P. (2011). Tools for optimizing management of spartiall-variable feilds.
Agricultural system. Netherlands. Boote, K., Batchelor, W., & Jones, J. (2011).
Approaches for Agricultural Development. Cesaro. (2010). A guide to ICT
Agricultural Operations. Donald, A., Waterman, & Gillars, P. (2010). The
development of simulation and farming in Colombia. Feder, & Anderson. (2009).
Feidler, Groover, & Teng. (2009). A FRAMEWORK OF AN EXPERT
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