Mobile Based Fertilizer Management System (mFMS)
The objective of the Mobile based Fertilizer Management System(mFMS) is to monitor using IT based Technology Solution, the movement and sales of the different fertilizers from fertilizer manufacturer/importers to fertilizer wholesalers and from wholesalers to retailers across the country. The system acts as a tool for Government Bodies to track and ensure the timely distribution of fertilizers to the farmer community. mFMS Technology solution, a Centralized System with Web, Mobile and Point of Sale(POS) device access channels has been developed using Open Source Technology Stack. mFMS web application facilitates companies, wholesalers and retailers to report fertilizer sales, receipts and stock. Wholesalers and retailers are using a simple user friendly mFMS mobile application for acknowledging receipt of fertilizers, reporting onward fertilizer sale, and reporting daily stock position. The transparency portal provides dissemination of information across the fertilizer supply chain up to retailer level. The other salient features of portal includes training material, mobile application download, notices, MIS reports, FAQ, Excel-to-xml converter s/w utilities etc. mFMS Dealer registration process has helped in building an authentic dealer database of fertilizer retailers and wholesalers. Stock, sales and dispatch reports generated from the system augment the process of determining availability of different fertilizers in the country. The benefits of mFMS include (1) Single point of Access for all stake holders, (2) Instant status on fertilizer availability, stock, consumption etc., (3) Fertilizer subsidy disbursement process is moving towards greater transparency since the payments is made to the manufacturers on the basis of retailer receipt acknowledgement, (4) With the information visibility at the last point of sale to the farmer, it is expected that the diversion to non-agricultural use or its black-marketing etc. will be significantly reduced.