Cucumber (Cucumis sativus), a high-value cash crop, encounters several challenges in its cultivation, including pest and disease pressures, variability in soil quality, and climate-related factors. The CucuApp is developed to provide farmers and agricultural stakeholders with critical, evidence-based information on effective cucumber farming practices. This includes comprehensive guidance on agronomy, pest and disease management, and the selection of suitable cultivars and F1 hybrids. Our objective is to facilitate the adoption of scientifically validated cultivation techniques to enhance both productivity and profitability for growers. The app offers expert recommendations on cultivation practices, detailed information on both public and private sector cultivars, integrated pest management solutions, and a dedicated FAQ section tailored to support students preparing for competitive agricultural examinations. Future updates will expand the app’s scope to include a broader range of vegetable crops. By providing this platform, we aim to assist farmers in implementing modern, research-backed agricultural strategies to optimize yields and profitability, whether in open-field or controlled-environment farming systems.
4. Development Process & Interface
CucuApp was developed using the Flutter framework within the Android Studio integrated development environment (IDE), ensuring full compatibility with Android devices. The development process involved creating a robust relational database, initially designed in MySQL and later migrated to SQLite for seamless local device integration. This database is automatically installed and configured on the user's device during the first installation of the app. The user interface is designed to prioritize simplicity and usability, with a clean layout and intuitive navigation to enhance the overall user experience. CucuApp supports three languages—Hindi, English, and Bangla—catering to a diverse user base. The app includes eight distinct sections, each offering specialized content: "About Us" provides information about the developers, the app's mission, and its scope; "Agronomic Management" visualizes best practices for cucumber farming; "Pest and Disease Management" details common pests and diseases, along with management strategies; "Varieties Information" educates users on available cucumber varieties and their suitability for specific growing zones; "Student Corner" offers resources for students preparing for agricultural competitive exams; "Video and Image Gallery" showcases multimedia content demonstrating solutions for common farming challenges; and "Team Page" introduces the members involved in the app’s development. Through this platform, we aim to assist farmers in adopting scientifically-based farming methods, thereby improving yields and profitability, whether in open fields or controlled environments.