Market Information System for Horticultural Crops:Web Application Development for Interactive Graphs

Abstract

Marketing information service has been recognized as key for success in marketing of perishable commodities. Effort has been made to improve access to market information to all stakeholders involved in marketing of horticultural crops. Current study is an attempt in this direction to review various modes of such information support and also to highlight the effort made by premier institution like Indian Institute of Horticultural Research.

Web application has been developed for Market information to display the data as Interactive graphs. Data for the study includes the month-wise arrival and price information of different horticultural commodities from different markets for a period of ten years. This is collected from primary sources such as District -wise, Marketwise and secondary sources such as NHB, NHRDF etc., the data were tabulated and uploaded to Microsoft SQL server database through customized CMS module. Further, the price arrival data has been translated to the Interactive Charts by programs developed using Microsoft Visual studio. NET technologies, which is a relatively new addition to IIHR website.

Interactive Charts are used for drilling down for more information on price and arrivals. It consists of several interactive components like zoom, compare etc. Zoom component of the chart enables the user to zoom the graph to read the price trend prevailed in market in detail, which cannot be possible on Basic Chart. The Compare option allows user to compare price data with several other markets. The farmers and traders will get the advantage of taking precise decisions regarding choice of time and place for sale of their produce using this information system. Further, lean, peak stabilization periods prevailing in various markets enable farmers to schedule the cultivation plans.