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1. Work In Progress Submission 1 Section : 1 Batch : G Date : 28-09-2024 KLU Design Thinking For Innovation Project Title : Sustainable Fertilizer Usage Optimizer For Higher Yield

2. Project Team - Introduction S.NO ID.NO Name Role in the project 1 2410080008 Arnav Mishra Lead 2 2410030103 P. Lalitha Preethi Reddy Member 3 2410030107 Manaswitha Reddy Member 4 2410030309 Jayanth Member 5 2410040007 Gopi Member Trainer 1: Dr. Lakshmana Swamy .B Trainer 2: Dr. Ramesh Ade

3. Rules to be followed 1. Provide hyper link wherever necessary 2. Zip all the documents and submit in the LMS submission link provided 3. The zipped document shouldn’t be more than 5MB 4. The presentation must be shared among all the teammates 5. Any queries on submissions may be clarified from respective section faculty (Trainers)

4. Project Identification : Submitted Together with this Report

5. 1. Our Most Important Learnings Contextualization : Farmers are working hard to grow more food, but using too much or too little fertilizer can hurt their crops and the environment. This project aims to create a simple tool that helps farmers apply the right amount of fertilizer, so they can grow healthier crops, save money, and take better care of the land for future generations. Sustainable goals : This project supports Zero Hunger by increasing food production, and Climate Action by reducing fertilizer waste and pollution. Story behind the problem selection (motivation) : Farmers play a crucial role in feeding the world's growing population. However, determining the right amount of fertilizer to use can be challenging. Overusing fertilizers can harm the environment and increase costs, while underusing them may result in lower crop yields. We want to support them by creating a simple tool that makes it easier to use fertilizers wisely, so they can grow better crops and protect the environment for future generations.

6. Empathy : Submitted Together with this Report Stake holders and power interest matrix Interview protocols for all target groups Interview reports for all Interviews (at least 30) One-drive Link of your empathetic interview recordings (at least 30) Persona for important stake holders (at least two) Group participation report for this portion of the project (Empathy and Define)

7. Power – Interest Matrix

8. Interview Protocol I need t0 know (thoughts, feelings, actions) Questions I will ask (open questions) Insights I hope to gain Thoughts What are your thoughts on your current fertilizer practices? Understanding if the current fertilizer practices are seen as efficient or not Actions What actions have you taken to reduce fertilizer waste and maximize yield? Identifying steps already taken toward sustainability and optimization. Actions How do you adjust fertilizer use based on your crop yield goals? Understanding how fertilizer use is linked to crop yield targets Feelings What are your concerns regarding fertilizers and environmental impact on your land? Gathering concerns about sustainability and soil health. Actions How do prices or availability affect your fertilizer choices? Understanding how economic factors influence fertilizer decisions.

9. Interview Report (Best 5 only in this slide) Interview Description User / Interview Questions Asked Insights Gained Rama Rao What are your thoughts on your current fertilizer practices? The farmer believes current practices are effective but sees room for improvement. Suresh What actions have you taken to reduce fertilizer waste and maximize yield? The farmer has started using organic fertilizers and soil testing to minimize waste. Rama Rao How do you adjust fertilizer use based on your crop yield goals? The landowner tailors fertilizer applications based on crop type and soil conditions. Suresh What are your concerns regarding fertilizers and environmental impact on your land? He is worried about long-term soil degradation and water contamination. Rama Rao How do prices or availability affect your fertilizer choices? Market fluctuations impact the types and amounts of fertilizers used.

10. \ PERSONA A smallholder farmer in a rural community, growing a variety of crops to support family and local markets. With over a decade of experience, this farmer blends traditional methods with some modern techniques. There’s a constant worry about rising fertilizer costs and the unpredictable effects of climate change. The fear of overusing fertilizer and damaging the soil, but so is the concern that using too little might leave crops struggling to grow . 1. Finding the right balance of fertilizer is a daily challenge. 2.Rising prices 3. The pressure to produce enough food for the family and community The goal is to increase crop yields while maintaining soil health and protecting the environment. They are Motivated by the desire to provide for family and future generations and To enhance their land productivity. Every planting season brings new hope and hard work. The farmer dreams of growing abundant crops to feed the family and the local community while caring for the land for future generations.

11. 1. Our Most Important Learnings 1. Sustainable practices matter : By focusing on the responsible use of fertilizers, crop yields are increased together with the protection of the environment for future users. 2. Responsibilities : The need to take care of the family and assist the surrounding community obviously demonstrates interdependence between farming and social responsibility. 3. Knowledge Gap: Many farmers expressed a lack of access to information and resources about optimal fertilizer application, indicating a need for awareness. the Insights gained in the Empathetic Research as Fact/Evidence based are: 1. Cost Concerns: farmers are concerned regarding the rise in the cost of the fertilisers which is more than their budget. 2. Yield Anxiety: A majority of farmers noted that uncertain weather patterns and changing climate conditions make it challenging to achieve consistent crop yields, further complicating fertilizer decisions. three most important things I learned are :

12. 2. Other Things We Learned Many farmers stressed the importance of understanding local soil health and characteristics, as these can have impact on fertilizer effectiveness and crop development. Some farmers feel hesitant to change their usual practices because they worry it might not work. They need support and encouragement when considering new, sustainable methods. Every farmer has their own way of doing things, and they grow different crops. This means that any solutions need to be flexible and fit their individual situations.

13. 3. Things we Saw and Heard (Key Observations) Concerns About the Environment: There’s a growing worry among farmers about how fertilizers affect the environment, especially concerning soil health and water quality. They genuinely want to protect their land for their kids and future generations. Adjusting for Goals: When it comes to meeting their crop yield goals, farmers do make adjustments to their fertilizer use. However, most rely on their instincts and past experiences rather than precise data to guide their decisions. Influence of Prices and Availability: Fertilizer prices have a big impact on what farmers choose to use. As prices go up, some are forced to cut back or switch to cheaper options, which might not be the best for their crops. Additionally, if fertilizers aren’t readily available, it creates stress and makes them make hasty decisions

14. Define : Submitted Together with this Report

15. Five Why Questions to Identify Cause-Effect and Root Cause Why are farmers unsure about the correct amount of fertilizer to use? Because there is a lack of clear guidelines and information on fertilizer application. Why is there a lack of clear guidelines and information? Because agricultural extension services are limited, and existing resources are not easily accessible or understandable. Why are agricultural extension services limited and resources difficult to access? Because of inadequate funding and support for agricultural education and outreach programs in rural areas. Why is there inadequate funding and support for agricultural education and outreach programs? Because government policies prioritize other areas over agriculture, resulting in underinvestment in rural development. Why do government policies prioritize other areas over agriculture? Because there is a perception that agriculture does not generate as much economic growth compared to urban industries, leading to a focus on urban development. Root Cause: The root cause of farmers' uncertainty about fertilizer usage is linked to systemic issues in agricultural policy and funding that prioritize urban over rural development, resulting in inadequate support for educational resources and outreach in farming communities.

16. 10 PoV Statements and Questions 1. Statement: Farmers need clear guidelines on fertilizer application so they can optimize crop yields without harming the environment. Question: How might we provide farmers with clear, accessible guidelines on fertilizer application that are easy to understand? 2. Statement: Farmers are overwhelmed by conflicting information about fertilizer use, which causes hesitation and anxiety in their decision-making. Question: What platforms can we develop to consolidate conflicting information about fertilizer use into a single, reliable source? 3. Statement: Farmers want access to affordable tools and resources that can help them determine the right amount of fertilizer for their specific crops and soil conditions. Question: How can we create affordable and user-friendly tools for farmers to determine their fertilizer needs based on local conditions? 4. Statement: Farmers are motivated to improve their land productivity, but they struggle with the financial implications of fertilizer costs. Question: In what ways can we help farmers better manage the financial burden associated with fertilizer costs? 5. Statement: Farmers fear that improper fertilizer use will lead to long-term soil degradation, affecting future generations' ability to farm. Question: How might we raise awareness among farmers about the long-term consequences of improper fertilizer use on soil health?

17. 6. Statement: Farmers value community knowledge and experiences, but they often find it difficult to translate this into practical fertilizer application strategies. Question: What community-based approaches can we leverage to enhance the sharing of practical fertilizer application strategies among farmers? 7. Statement: Farmers face logistical challenges in accessing reliable information, particularly in remote areas with limited internet access. Question: How can we improve the accessibility of reliable agricultural information for farmers in remote areas with limited resources? 8. Statement: Farmers need support from agricultural experts to build confidence in their fertilizer application practices. Question: What kind of training or resources can we provide to help farmers gain confidence in their fertilizer application decisions? 9. Statement: Farmers are concerned about the environmental impact of their farming practices, including the effects of excess fertilizer runoff. Question: How can we educate farmers about the environmental impacts of excess fertilizer usage and promote sustainable practices? 10. Statement: Farmers desire a simple, user-friendly tool that allows them to input their specific conditions and receive tailored fertilizer recommendations. Question: What features should a fertilizer recommendation tool include to ensure it meets the needs of farmers and is easy to use?

18. Customer Journey Map

19. 1. Our Most Important Learnings The three most important things I learned: 1) Balancing Fertilizer Use: Farmers need a tool that helps them apply the right amount of fertilizer, ensuring healthy crop growth without overuse or underuse. Striking this balance is essential for maximizing crop yields while minimizing environmental impact and costs. 2) Sustainable Farming Practices: The project contributes to global sustainability goals by supporting both Zero Hunger and Climate Action. By optimizing fertilizer use, the tool helps increase food production and reduce waste, pollution, and the ecological footprint of farming. 3) Supporting Farmers' Critical Role: Farmers face the dual challenge of feeding a growing population and maintaining environmental health. The motivation behind this project is to empower farmers with a simple, accessible solution that improves productivity and sustainability, securing food sources for the future and protecting natural resources. This project helps farmers balance fertilizer use to grow healthier crops, save money, and reduce environmental harm. By optimizing fertilizer application, it supports global goals of Zero Hunger and Climate Action, increasing food production while minimizing waste and pollution. Ultimately, the tool empowers farmers to meet the challenge of feeding a growing population while protecting the land for future generations.

20. Problem Statement The farmers of Aziz Nagar highlight a key problem: Farmers face the ongoing challenge of determining the right amount of fertilizer to apply to their crops. Overusing fertilizer leads to environmental degradation and increased costs, while underusing it results in reduced crop yields. Without a simple and accessible solution, farmers struggle to balance productivity with sustainability. There is a critical need for a tool that helps farmers apply the correct amount of fertilizer, enabling them to grow healthier crops, reduce waste, save money, and protect the environment for future generations. Over-application of fertilizer can lead to soil degradation, water contamination, and higher costs, while under-application results in poor crop yields, threatening food security and their livelihoods. Compounding these issues are the rising costs of agricultural inputs and the unpredictable effects of climate change, which make it even harder to strike the right balance. Farmers need a simple, reliable tool that guides them in applying the optimal amount of fertilizer, helping them grow healthier crops, save money, reduce environmental harm, and contribute to sustainable agricultural practices for future generations. Without such a solution, they risk harming their land and facing long-term economic and environmental consequences.

21. 2. Other Things We Learned Additional learnings: 1) Impact of Fertilizer Misuse. 2) Economic pressures on farmers. 3) Enviornmental sustainability. How laws of design thinking are useful in empathy and define steps: Building Empathy: Understanding users deeply helps create more targeted, relevant solutions. By applying these design principles, we avoid assuming what the farmer needs and instead base the solution on real-world insights. Defining the Problem: By using the design laws in the define stage, the problem is distilled into a clear, actionable challenge, leading to practical, user-friendly solutions that align with the farmer's realities and limitations.

22. 3. Things we Learned about Design Thinking Key Learnings from Design Thinking Tools and Rules We learned that it takes multiple interviews and diverse perspectives to truly understand the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors of the target group. Relying on just one or two sources can lead to incomplete or biased conclusions. The Power-Interest Matrix helped us prioritize stakeholders based on their influence and level of interest, guiding us in managing stakeholder expectations more effectively. Creating Personas allowed us to develop deeper empathy by putting ourselves in the shoes of specific user archetypes, helping us address real needs rather than assumptions. Customer Journey Maps highlighted critical pain points at each stage of interaction, helping us identify areas where interventions could be most impactful. Developing PoV statements and questions provided clarity in defining actionable problem statements, leading to more targeted solutions.

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