Crop Sprayer App: Dosage calculator for plant protection products

Optimizing Pesticide Application for Sustainable Agriculture

The Crop Sprayer app enables users to determine the appropriate amount of pesticide concentrate needed based on sprayer type and application area. It calculates the total product required, the number of sprayer tanks needed, and adjusts calculations for different sprayer sizes. The app operates offline after initial download, requiring minimal device storage space.

This technology is pre-validated.

9•7

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 9/9; level of use 7/9

Adults 18 and over: Positive medium

Adult users will gain ability to quickly run important calculations on product use. This is to avoid errors during manual miscalculation which may increase risks to the individual and the environment, and cause more product to be applied than required.

The poor: Positive medium

Smallholder farmers in low and lower middle income countries are the ultimate beneficiary of this technology. Knowing the right application of crop protection products should reduce the risk of too much being purchased and applied.

Women: Positive medium

The tool has been designed to be available in local languages, and to work offline and on lower specification phones that we found women farmers and advisors have available.

Biodiversity: Not verified

The judicious use of crop protection products as a result of using the Crop Sprayer app may reduce run-off or impacts on non-target organisms, but this has not been tested.

Environmental health: Not verified

The judicious use of crop protection products as a result of using the Crop Sprayer app may reduce the amount of product that gets applied, and reduce the amount that may end up as run-off, but this has not been tested.

Problem

Crop Loss: Farmers lose up to 40% of their crops to pests and diseases, significantly reducing yields and income.
Pesticide Misuse: Up to 75% of pesticide applications are either misused or overused, leading to ineffective pest control and wasted resources.
Health and Environmental Impact: Misapplied pesticides can adversely affect human health, harm non-target organisms, and damage the environment.

Solution

Accurate Dosage Calculation: By using the Crop Sprayer App, farmers can achieve precise pesticide application, which can reduce chemical waste by approximately 25–30% compared to traditional methods. This ensures that pesticides are used efficiently and only in the amounts needed, lowering costs and environmental risks.
User-Friendly Interface: The app's intuitive design simplifies complex calculations, making it accessible to users with varying technical skills. This ease of use promotes higher adherence to recommended application practices, ultimately improving pest management outcomes.
Offline Functionality: Operating offline after the initial download ensures that the app remains available in remote areas with limited connectivity, allowing consistent and reliable support for effective pesticide management.
Enhanced Environmental and Economic Benefits: By reducing pesticide overuse, the technology minimizes harm to non-target organisms and reduces the environmental footprint. This optimized use also leads to cost savings for farmers, further supporting sustainable agricultural practices.

Key points to design your project

The Crop Sprayer App is designed to enhance agricultural productivity, promote environmental sustainability, and ensure the safety of pesticide applicators. By facilitating precise pesticide application, it contributes to efficient pest and disease management while mitigating the impacts of climate change.

To integrate this technology in a project, key activities are:

Farmer Awareness Campaigns: Launch initiatives to educate farmers about the benefits and availability of the Crop Sprayer App, emphasizing its role in promoting sustainable agriculture and compliance with national pesticide regulations.
Training Programs: Develop training-of-trainers sessions to equip agricultural extension officers with the skills to effectively use and disseminate the app among farming communities.
Resource Allocation: Assess the need for Android devices and data plans to facilitate app usage, especially in regions with limited access to technology.
Collaborative Partnerships: Work with agricultural research institutions and local cooperatives to integrate the app into existing pest management strategies and extension services.

0 USD

Crop sprayer App

IP

Open source / open access

Countries with a green colour: Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour: Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour: Tested
Countries with a blue colour: Testing ongoing

Countries where the technology is being tested or has been tested and adopted
Country	Testing ongoing	Tested	Adopted
Burundi	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Ethiopia	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Ghana	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Kenya	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Malawi	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Rwanda	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
South Sudan	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Uganda	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Zambia	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ	Subtropic - warm	Subtropic - cool	Tropic - warm	Tropic - cool
Arid	–	–	–	–
Semiarid	–		–
Subhumid
Humid

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Goal 2: zero hunger

Improves crop yields through effective pest management.

Goal 8: decent work and economic growth

Enhances agricultural productivity and economic opportunities.

Goal 12: responsible production and consumption

Encourages efficient use of agricultural inputs, reducing waste.

Download and Setup: Download the app for free on an Android device. Available in multiple languages (English, Spanish, French, Bengali, Swahili, Telugu, Portuguese, Hindi, Nepali, Urdu, Sindhi, Dari/Persian, Pashto, Vietnamese, Thai), the app is ready to use immediately.
Simply enter the field details, sprayer type, and product information, and the app will calculate the precise dosage while providing additional guidance on safer spraying.
Set-Up: Assemble your sprayer and adjust the nozzle to achieve the required spray pattern.
Filling: Add the recommended pesticide or organic solution to the tank.
Application: Walk through the field methodically to ensure even coverage, adjusting the spray volume as needed.
Cleaning: Clean the sprayer thoroughly after use to maintain efficiency and longevity.