Computerizing Piggery Farm Management System
Chapter One
OBJECTIVE/ PURPOSE OF THE STUDY.
The objective that led to this research work is basically to expose the Nigeria farmers in general and especially NPADSCE farmer manager with the effective, efficient, accurate and timely form of management information system. That is to replace manual management information system with computerized management information system. The researcher hope to achieve the following after this research thus
- To equip the management with quality information on regular basis.
- To eliminate the steady decline in the management.
- To automate all the activities of management information system
- To accelerate decision performance
- To design a management information system.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
INTRODUCTION
In the ancient days computers weren’t existence the processing data were done manually. But when computer was introduced, the society became most lively than before. Every institution, organization, homes, offices changes from their old manual methods of data processing to a computerized one. One could clearly see that the computer system is so much demand by people because of its characteristics which includes:
- Speed of processing data
- Accuracy
- Capacity
- Storage speed
- Reliability
- Flexibility
In some developing countries like ours (Nigeria) the computer came into existence in the 1970’s and was sued by few organization that could afford to define the system but in the alt 70’s and early 80’s more public/private organization started using the system. A clear investigation shows that computer is the heart-beat of most business. Almost every organization has one or two computer in order to improve their services.
By the way what is the system called computer all about? The computer system has been defined by many in different ways. Collins (1988) comprehensive directive of computing defines a computer as a machine that receives stores and process data quickly according to a stored program.
DEFINITION OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS
Adekunle O.E. Oderunke I.E. and Olutummilayo M.A. (1995; 99) describes a computer as a machine or devices which under the control of stored program can accept data in a prescribed form. Process the data and supply the result as information in a specific form.
It is obviously clear that from the above all the definitions such as:
- Computer is a machine; it consists of electronic and electro-mechanical parts/components working together to process data. These machine components are referred to as “Computer hardware”
- Computer process data: essentially a computer process data automatically. It performs these major functions.
- It accepts data often referred to as input.
- It process data
- It supplies data or information often referred to as output
- Computer is control by stored programmes. A stored program is a set of instruction which tell the computer what to do. The general terms used to describe computer programs are softwares in contrast to hardware. A program is normally stored in the computer memory while the instruction is carried out.
Professionals trained in the act of instructing the computer to solve problem normally write the program. The manufacturers usually fix some permanent program called firmware. In contrast, software can be placed in the computer memory, used and taken out, and re-used again whenever required.
Since we have analyzed what a computer is all about, one might also ask, what is data processing. It has been also defined by many professions in their own method of understanding it.
Data processing according to Kenneth c. (1992) is defined as those activities concerned with systematic recording, computing up-dating, displaying and printing of data relating to business transaction.
Grene G. (1983), also has this to say that the collection transfer organization and conversion of data to provide information is called data processing. Systems are more than the collections of characters and digits data processing system are capable of searching for and finding relationship between data items and thus creating new information while this given in a tremendous tool for search in business, personal rights can be infringed if the information in misused.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This basically deals with the way of data collection. This research work was conducted through careful identification and selection of data that contains reliable information about the farm structure.
Nigeria prison agriculture project, state command Enugu (NPAPSE) was selected as a source of data for both primary and secondary type of data. The research obtained the primary sources of data after frequent visitations and interviews to the different departments of agriculture division. The secondary data were collected from views and finding of some previously researched work and comprehensive review of literature on the subject matters contained in textbooks, journals, libraries, magazine, newspapers and internet. There are fact finding techniques employed during the research work. A computer system can be seen as a collection of interrelated and interdependent hardware and software component working together in a regular relation to achieve a specific objective or goal.
Hardware is the computer component that can be seen and handled, while software are programs designed by a programmer on manufacturer and use in the computer system with their associated documentation if parallel therefore, system analysis can be defined as the study of system by examining its parts and their relationship in order to recommend the specified business requirement for the techniques used in obtaining data which is to be used in the course of the project. This particular aspect of data which is been elaborated would include:
- the various methods of facts findings techniques
- Their merit and demerits.
- Amidst the various methods, one would be adopted and the reason for adoption would be clearly stated.
After investigating the old system a new system is proposed. It is here that the management analyze situations that could trigger or set an action or process in motion, a change of the old system which includes, What to do, how to do it, when to do it, to enhance the performance of the system.
Chapters Four
SYSTEM DESIGN
Therefore system design could be seen as the specification of construction of a technical computer based solution for the business requirement identified in as system analysis or system design in the evaluation of solution and the specification of a detailed computer base solution. This is called the physical design. The goal of this stage of system design to build a technical blue print of how the proposed procedure being brought into a workable state. The purpose of this designing state is the develop specification for each of the components of the system. (hardware, software, procedure, people) the feasibility study stage, investigation, analysis, etc services as input to the design processor, system design can be further directed into two namely.
- Logical design: this lays down the component of the system and the relationship to each other as they would appear to the user of defines the input the output as well as the processing functions to be performed, business procedures, models and control.
- Physical design: this is the process of translating the abstract logical model into the specification technical design for the new system. It provides the actual specification for software physical database, input and output media, manual procedure and specific control. This proposed system is carefully constructed data flow diagrams.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
SUMMARY
Based on the facts above, it is therefore the intension of the researcher to change the manual system/method to a computerized system/method which is simpler and flexible to operate. The major aim of computerized system is to provide management with an information management system that can aide in decision making. It also embraces customers with standard services and demanded by growing societal need.
Furthermore, critically analysis of the farm management system has been taken care of. It will interest to know that other areas of the manual and computerized system were distinguished with certain specific features.
During the course of this research we had a case study (piggery farm). It does its operations manually and the purpose of this research was to computerize its operations. To achieve this, the existing system had to be studied (system investigation and analysis) to know how things are done and the shortcomings/errors they encounter and a result theory of inventory management to know what concepts will be most appropriate to enhance the efficiency of the farm.
CONCLUSION
Computer is fast in changing the method of organizational management. Generally, computer and automated systems brings better and more efficient ways of carrying out operations. Based on findings, it is recommended to every farm, to embark and embrace computerize system of data management in every system.
RECOMMENDATION
In view of evidence proven and advantages associated with the uses of computerized farm management system, it is recommended as thus:
The farm management (and every other farm still employing manual system of management) should engage in the uses of computerized farm management system.
I also recommend the employment of competent computer personnel to ensure effective and efficient management of the system
The management should therefore ensure that all the staff involved in the using of the new system is knowledgeable enough to operate the system by undergoing trainings.
The new system should be subjected to review periodically and be determined whether its aims and objectives are achieved.
The system or style of replacing the old system with the new should be a parallel system of replacement or change over. This will implement the new system by a gradual change over method.
REFERENCES
- Akin Odebunm (1994). Understanding Agriculture and its importance, Umudike: Umudike Age Publisher Limited
- Collins, M.N. (1988). Comprehensive dictionary of Computer, London: Evans Brothers Limited.
- French, C.S. (1989). Data Processing and Information (Eighteenth Edition), Oxford: Kindons DP Publisher Limited.
- Galantion, A.O. (1994). Computer Science for Mathematics teacher and students, Nigeria: Anuchuna Educational Books Nigeria Limited.
- Green, G. (1988). Database manager in Microsoft Basic, Canada: Tab Book In. ridge Submit Pans.
- Uma, RAM, NATH (1986). Agricultural science (Third edition), Oxford: New year Oxford University Press.
