SAIIER 2016:Measuring Wholesome Progress

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Background

This project is part of the wider initiative of Entity::AuroStat (Auroville Statistical Initiative), which aims at providing sound data management practices to Auroville. The broad aim of AuroStat is to develop indicators for a holistic evaluation of Auroville’s development. It is envisioned that various levels of indicators are developed: at the unit/activity level, at the sector wise and at thematic levels and proxy‐indicators for intangible values. A proposal for developing the first strategic framework for the indicators for multiple sectors of Auroville (food, education & learning, economy) was submitted to SAIIER in May 2015. After feedback from SAIIER board this proposal was scaled down in terms of scope and budget and finally focused on the Auroville Farming sector viz. research and development of a framework for data collection, management and computing system for the farms.

Objectives

The objectives of the revised proposal were:

Research on food indicators through online research and participatory sessions with stakeholders
Data collection for demand and supply side management of food/crops
Computing of indicators for the food sector
Branding and identity design for AuroStat

Description of project

Need identification

Several meetings with the Farm Group and sub‐groups (Vegetable, Grain, Diary and Animal husbandry) as well as with committed individual farmers were held in order to identify their needs in data management and crop planning. Farmers expressed the need for an increased information exchange between themselves, in order to coordinate crop planning and to avoid eventual surplus production of particular crops due to lack of communication. The need for increased visibility regarding the demand per crop item was expressed, as this will assist with crop planning and enable farmers to better respond to changing demand. Additionally, farmers expressed the need for regular data collection and recording, as this will support the process for obtaining organic certification. These findings were incorporated in the wire frames that were developed, and were presented to the Farm Group for feedback and approval.

We also meet with Foodlink (the distribution hub for the Auroville farms) and with some food distribution units and restaurants such as Solar Kitchen, Pour Tous Distribution Center (PTDC), Pour Tous (PTPS), Naturellement, Tanto and Visitors Centre in order to identify their information needs relating to the supply from Auroville farms. Most of them shared data on their monthly food purchases for the last year, and many agreed that data may be exported on a regular basis from their accounting or database systems, in order to get an overall picture of their purchases. This feedback has been incorporated in the wire frame developed and will be given as a brief to the programming team.

Research and development of indicators for the food sector

Indicators and reporting requirements were researched and defined in close collaboration with the farmers and with Foodlink. The proposed set of indicators was developed applying an internationally recognized framework developed by Tanahasi, on the concept of universal access (viz. availability, accessibility, acceptability and quality).

Algorithms for forecasting of crop produce as well as performance indicators were also developed. These will be built into the website for automatic computation.

2016 Measuring Wholesome Progress table indicators.jpg

Wireframe for an online website application

Based on the indicators and the data needs of the farmers, the team developed a wireframe prototype of a website application for the farmers. The website will allow for data entry of planting and harvest, using a standard computer or mobile device. The data gets entered into a web database, and reports are generated in real time. These reports give a detailed overview of the demand and supply patterns taking all data that has been entered by the farms and food establishments. Features of the website application include:

Forecasting of produce
Farm diary for monitoring of individual farm plots and crop batches
Indicator of demand per crop item based on last year’s sales/purchases at various food outlets
Weather related data (rainfall, humidity)
Display of financial data (income and expense by predefined categories)
Price comparison of Auroville and non-Auroville produce
Monitoring of soil, water and energy input
Monitoring of granary (input, wastage, output)
Monitoring for organic certified or not certified produce
Regular notifications via email or SMS to stakeholders

The final wire‐frame was presented during a farm group meeting and has approved by the farmers. Further funds (phase 2 of the project proposal) will be required for completion of the website.

Matching of data sets of various stakeholders

Each of Auroville’s food processing and distributing units are using their own unique categorization and nomenclature system for food and crop items, which makes comparison of data from various sources cumbersome. A template was developed to match the multiple nomenclature systems and to integrate them into a coherent system.

Visual identity for AuroStat

The logo and visual identify for AuroStat was completed. This will serve as a design guideline for all future initiatives under AuroStat.

Future plans

Phase 2 of this project will entail the following:

Programming of all components of the application as specified by the wire‐frame
Finalization of notification system and messages for the application
Integration of existing and future databases of food distributors and processors
Establishing an inventory for all fruit and dairy farms in Auroville
User Interface testing of the website application
Launch of application for all stakeholder groups
Mobilize further food processing units to participate
Train farmers to use the software
Design data collection system to complete Community Level Indicators