The Africa Asia Dairy Genetic Gains project launches mobile app to track dairy animal performance
The Africa Asia Dairy Genetic Gains (AADGG) project has developed an Android-based mobile application, Dairy Data App, to track dairy animal performance in smallholder enterprises.
Supported by a robust and agile data platform, the new app allows registered farmers and extension personnel to submit data and receive instant feedback through user-friendly modules on their mobile phones or tablets. It is a significant improvement over previously used Open Data Kit (ODK) tools.
Available for all active AADGG countries – Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, Nepal, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia and Zambia – new app users begin by registering farms, herds, animals, cooperatives and less formal groups.
The App is initially available for use by extension personnel who interact regularly with livestock keepers to support monitoring of the performance of their animals, and use the information generated to guide management decisions in dairy productivity.
Unlike previous ODK tools, users can now query the data entered and receive instant feedback on basic productivity parameters. They can track each dairy animal’s performance, including calving, milking, health, weight, synchronization and insemination, pregnancy diagnosis, animal exits and disposals from a farm, and genetic sampling.
Farm-specific details recorded include household demographics, primary economic activities on the farm, land use, livestock feed, water and housing conditions, and access to extension services and training.
The Dairy Data App is a product of collaboration between the International Livestock Research Institute’s AADGG project, the CGIAR Initiative on Digital Innovation (DI), private software developing company Unmiti, the CGIAR Initiative on Sustainable Animal Productivity for Livelihoods, Nutrition, and Gender Inclusion (SAPLING), and the Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH).
To read the full news story, visit the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) website.
