Description
Genpro is an online app developed for recording data related to the management of genealogical or herd livestock books in Portugal and Spain. It aids in the recording and management of data on livestock breeds, including cattle, sheep, goats, horses and pigs. The application allows for the recording of all kinds of animal data, such as ear tags, ID numbers, genealogies, weights, artificial insemination and medication status, etc. Genpro was developed initially for farmers’ unions and associations engaged in the management of herd books, and the app has been developed while maintaining an ongoing relationship with these associations. The app keeps records of all monitoring data related to local domestic breeds, which can be updated by users and accessible by anyone with an account. The R.campo Android app can be used alongside Genpro for the collection of animal data in the field, and technicians from the farmers’ associations can use Genpro to collect data from several farms and obtain a full portrait of a specific breed. The data can then be used to design and implement conservation programmes that are then passed on to the farmers. These procedures can also be carried out by individual users.
Technology
Genpro is an online application that can be accessed from any device with an Internet connection. It has a modular structure that allows it to be easily adapted to different species and various production systems, and supports various languages including Spanish, Catalan, English, Portuguese and Galician. The information on animal breeds can be accessed anywhere at any time by technicians, farmers and stakeholders in the production chain. R.campo is an Android app that facilitates the collection of data in the field for later synchronization with Genpro. Data can be collected without an Internet connection (offline), and data synchronization is automatic once the user connects to the Internet, with no need for a file transfer. It is also possible to set up a working plan to give the user full control of the work that is yet to be done. Data collection forms can be customized for different field operations and different screen sizes. The uses of R.campo range from the simple collection of live weights, to the complete check of all information about a specific animal. Genpro was developed using standard MySQL/PHP/HTML languages and features a scalable infrastructure that allows the app to grow as the requirements evolve.
Target
The app is available to livestock farmers, public sector actors and researchers operating in Spain and Portugal in the Spanish, Catalan, English, Portuguese and Galician languages.
Business model
Genpro’s costs are covered primarily by farmers' associations, although the app is also accessible by individual farmers. There is an initial admission fee and a monthly fee for the service that varies between USD 110 and USD 160 per month covering maintenance and technical support, as well as the development of new features.
Impact
Established in 2006, Genpro maintains livestock data records of the genetic health of breeds to avoid inbreeding, which can lead to breed extinction, and to develop and implement marketing strategies for such animals, making local communities more sustainable. It is currently being used by farmers’ associations in Portugal and Spain, and features a total catalogue of 81 livestock breeds. More than 12 million animals and more than 3200 users have been registered to date. Genpro partners with the Portuguese Research Center for Agriculture (INIAV), which uses the app for the genetic evaluation of animals, facilitating the characterization of the animals of each breed, which can aid in conservation strategies.
Partners
Portuguese Research Center for Agriculture (INIAV)
Four Betters
Better production
Better life
