INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN ENGINEERING,  
MANAGEMENT & APPLIED SCIENCE (IJLTEMAS)  
ISSN 2278-2540 | DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS | Volume XV, Issue V, May 2026  
AgriConnect: A Mobile Application Linking Farmers and  
Businesses in Western Pangasinan  
Miguel Glycewin N. Bristol1, James Carlo Garcia 2 , Chester John R. Gomba 3, Marc Ranielle C.  
Rabanillo4, Carlo Genster P. Camposagrado5  
Information Technology, Pangasinan State University, Alaminos City Campus  
DOI: https://doi.org/10.51583/IJLTEMAS.2026.150500270  
Received: 29 May 2026; Accepted: 03 June 2026; Published: 24 June 2026  
ABSTRACT  
This study focused on the development of AgriConnect, a mobile application designed to connect farmers  
directly with businesses in Western Pangasinan. The application was developed to address common  
challenges faced by farmers, including limited market access, dependence on middlemen, lack of direct  
communication with buyers, and reduced income opportunities. These issues often result in lower profit  
margins, inefficient transactions, and difficulties in establishing reliable market connections. The study  
aimed to provide a digital solution that would improve agricultural trading processes and strengthen  
relationships between farmers and businesses.  
A descriptive–developmental research approach was utilized in the study. Data were gathered through  
survey questionnaires and interviews conducted with farmers, business owners, and representatives from  
local agricultural offices to identify existing trading practices, challenges, and essential system  
requirements. The Agile methodology was employed in the development process, allowing iterative  
improvements and continuous refinement of the application based on user feedback and evaluation. The  
system was developed using modern mobile application technologies and integrated features designed to  
support efficient agricultural transactions.  
AgriConnect includes functionalities such as secure user authentication, product listings, direct messaging,  
notifications, transaction history, sales computation, and performance analytics. These features enable  
users to communicate effectively, manage transactions efficiently, maintain organized records, and  
monitor trading activities through a centralized platform. The application also provides farmers with  
greater product visibility and direct access to potential buyers, reducing reliance on intermediaries.  
The study concludes that AgriConnect effectively addresses key problems in the existing agricultural  
trading system by providing a transparent, accessible, and reliable digital platform. The evaluation results  
indicated that the application is usable, acceptable, and beneficial for both farmers and businesses. The  
findings suggest that AgriConnect has the potential to improve communication, transaction management,  
market accessibility, and overall agricultural trading efficiency in Western Pangasinan.  
Keywords – agriculture, mobile application, agricultural trading, farmers, businesses, market access.  
INTRODUCTION  
Agriculture remains one of the primary pillars of the Philippine economy, providing food security,  
employment, and livelihood to millions of Filipinos. Despite its importance, farmers often face persistent  
issues such as unstable income, lack of direct market access, and dependence on middlemen who reduce  
their profit margins. Rural farmers benefit from improved access to local and international markets because  
it increases product diversity, income opportunities, and food security (Ma et al., 2024). However, many  
smallholder farmers continue to experience difficulties in accessing fair and reliable markets due to  
inefficient trading systems and limited bargaining power (Ali et al., 2025). The government has been  
encouraging modernization and digital transformation in agriculture, yet technology adoption among local  
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farmers remains slow because of limited resources, technological literacy, and access to digital tools  
(Shoaib, 2025). With the rise of mobile technology and e-commerce platforms, opportunities to improve  
agricultural marketing and communication have become more accessible. Mobile applications and digital  
platforms now provide innovative ways to connect farmers directly with buyers while improving  
transparency and efficiency in agricultural transactions (Arunkamar & Manida, 2024).  
The lack of efficient connections between farmers and businesses not only affects farmers’ livelihoods but  
also hinders businesses such as restaurants, stores, and markets from accessing fresh produce consistently.  
Traditional agricultural trading processes still rely heavily on middlemen, verbal negotiations, handwritten  
records, and informal communication methods, which often lead to delays, misunderstandings, and  
reduced profit opportunities for farmers (Odsinida et al., 2023). The lack of reliable market information  
contributes to unstable pricing and poor decision-making among farmers. Similarly, Sudrajat et al. (2021)  
explained that middlemen often gain greater control over pricing and profit margins, leaving farmers with  
weaker bargaining power. These inefficiencies highlight the need for technology-driven systems that can  
improve communication, organization, and transparency in agricultural trading.  
In recent years, digital platforms have emerged as effective tools for improving agricultural marketing,  
supply chain coordination, and direct market access. Direct Market Access (DMA) allows farmers to  
bypass intermediaries and directly connect with buyers, increasing profit margins and improving supply  
chain efficiency (Ali et al., 2025). Digital platforms also provide farmers with access to market  
information, product monitoring, communication tools, and online trading opportunities (Akinwale et al.,  
2023). Mobile applications improve efficiency in managing product listings, transactions, and market  
accessibility while also enhancing user experience through responsive and user-friendly interfaces.  
Furthermore, Kenny and Regan (2021) stated that mobile technologies help farmers improve  
communication, decision-making, and productivity through accessible digital tools.  
In the Philippines, agriculture remains a major contributor to rural livelihood and regional economic  
activity. Pangasinan, one of the country’s largest agricultural provinces, produces rice, corn, root crops,  
fruits, vegetables, coconut, and mangoes that support both local consumption and regional trade. However,  
despite its agricultural productivity, many farmers in Pangasinan still experience financial struggles due  
to fluctuating prices, limited market access, and dependence on middlemen. Western Pangasinan,  
including Alaminos City, Bolinao, and nearby municipalities, is recognized as an important agricultural  
area in Region I. The province has a total of 257,052 farmers, although the exact number in Western  
Pangasinan continuously changes because many small-scale farmers remain unregistered (PPDO, 2023).  
The area also contributes significantly to coconut production, with Bolinao accounting for a large  
percentage of the province’s output (PPDO, 2023).  
Local businesses such as restaurants, resorts, food establishments, and agribusinesses in Western  
Pangasinan require a stable and reliable supply of fresh agricultural products to sustain their operations.  
In Alaminos City, there are 371 food and beverage establishments, while Bolinao has 176 hotels, resorts,  
and restaurants that depend on agricultural products from local farmers (Municipality of Bolinao, 2021).  
Despite the strong agricultural and business potential of the area, the connection between farmers and  
businesses remains limited and inefficient. Many transactions are still conducted manually through phone  
calls, text messages, and verbal agreements, resulting in communication delays, inconsistent pricing, and  
poor transaction monitoring.  
To address these issues, the proponents developed AgriConnect, a mobile application designed to directly  
connect farmers and businesses in Western Pangasinan. The application aims to improve communication,  
market accessibility, transaction management, and transparency while reducing farmers’ dependence on  
middlemen. AgriConnect integrates features such as product listings, direct messaging, notifications, sales  
monitoring, and transaction history to support more organized and efficient agricultural trading activities.  
By integrating digital technology into the agricultural trading process, the study seeks to empower farmers,  
improve income opportunities, strengthen business connections, and contribute to agricultural  
modernization and economic development in Western Pangasinan.  
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ISSN 2278-2540 | DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS | Volume XV, Issue V, May 2026  
This study aims to develop AgriConnect, a mobile application that directly connects farmers and  
businesses in Western Pangasinan to improve agricultural trading processes and reduce dependence on  
middlemen. Specifically, the study seeks to examine the existing processes used by farmers and businesses  
in selling and supplying agricultural products, identify the challenges and inefficiencies present in the  
current trading system, determine the key features needed to provide an efficient and user-friendly mobile  
application, and evaluate the usability and acceptability of the developed system among farmers and  
business owners in Western Pangasinan.  
METHODOLOGY  
This study utilized a descriptive-developmental research approach to assess the challenges experienced by  
farmers and business owners in Western Pangasinan regarding the marketing and supply of agricultural  
products. The study combined qualitative and quantitative methods through interviews and survey  
questionnaires to gather relevant information from the target users. The gathered data served as the basis  
for the design and development of AgriConnect, a mobile application intended to improve communication,  
transaction management, and market accessibility between farmers and businesses while reducing  
dependence on traditional middlemen.  
The Agile methodology was used as the primary software development model of the study. Agile promotes  
iterative and flexible development, allowing continuous improvement of the system through regular  
feedback from users and stakeholders. The methodology was selected because it supports collaboration,  
adaptability, and progressive enhancement throughout the development process (Bhimanapati et al.,  
2024). The development process was divided into several phases including requirements gathering, design,  
development, testing, and review.  
During the requirements phase, interviews and consultations with farmers, business representatives, and  
agriculture office personnel were conducted to identify the current agricultural trading practices, common  
challenges, and system requirements. In the design phase, interface prototypes, layouts, and system  
structures were created using design tools to visualize the proposed application. The development phase  
focused on building the application using Flutter, Dart, Firebase, and Android Studio. The testing phase  
involved usability testing and evaluation of the system to identify issues and improvements. Lastly, the  
review phase collected user feedback to refine the system and ensure that the application met the needs of  
the target users. Figure 1 shows the Agile methodology used in the development process of the  
AgriConnect mobile application.  
Fig. 1 Agile Methodology  
This research was conducted in District I of Western Pangasinan, Philippines, an area known for its  
agricultural productivity and crop diversity such as rice, corn, vegetables, root crops, and fruits.  
Agriculture serves as one of the primary sources of livelihood in the area, making it an appropriate location  
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ISSN 2278-2540 | DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS | Volume XV, Issue V, May 2026  
for the study. The respondents of the study consisted of local farmers, business representatives, agriculture  
office personnel, and IT experts. Farmers and business owners participated as the primary users of the  
system, while agriculture office personnel provided insights regarding agricultural practices and local  
trading conditions. IT experts assisted in evaluating the technical functionality and usability of the  
developed application. Table I presents the respondents involved in the conduct and evaluation of the  
study.  
TABLE I.  
Respondents of the Study  
Respondents  
Number of Respondents  
Head of Agriculture Office  
Farmers  
1
13  
8
Business Representatives  
IT experts  
2
Total  
24  
The study employed purposive sampling in selecting the respondents. A total of 24 respondents  
participated in the evaluation, consisting of 13 farmers, 8 business representatives, 1 Head of the  
Agriculture Office, and 2 IT experts. The farmers and business representatives were selected based on  
their direct involvement in agricultural production, marketing, and trading activities, making them the  
primary intended users of the AgriConnect system. The Head of the Agriculture Office was included to  
provide insights from the local agricultural sector, while the IT experts were selected to assess the system’s  
technical quality and functionality.  
The study was conducted within a localized setting, and the selected respondents met the specific criteria  
necessary to evaluate the system effectively. Given the scope of the study and the availability of qualified  
participants during the data collection period, the respondent group was considered adequate for gathering  
meaningful feedback regarding the usability and functionality of the proposed system.  
The selection of Western Pangasinan as the study area was based on the need for a more accessible and  
organized trading platform that can directly connect farmers and businesses. Traditional agricultural  
trading practices in the area remain largely manual and dependent on middlemen, limiting farmers’ market  
access and income opportunities. Through the development of AgriConnect, the study aimed to provide a  
localized digital solution that improves communication, transparency, and efficiency in agricultural  
transactions.  
To collect the necessary data for the study, the researchers utilized interviews and survey questionnaires.  
Interviews were conducted with selected farmers, business representatives, and agriculture office  
personnel to identify the existing trading processes, challenges encountered, and expectations for the  
proposed system. Survey questionnaires were used during the system evaluation phase to assess the  
usability and acceptability of the developed application.  
For data analysis, the weighted mean was used to determine the average responses of the participants  
regarding the usability and functionality of the system. The formula for weighted mean was applied to  
interpret the responses gathered from the survey questionnaires and evaluate the level of user satisfaction  
with the developed application. Table II presents the scale of measurement used in interpreting the  
usability evaluation results of the developed system.  
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TABLE II.  
The Scale of Measurement for Usability Test  
Scale  
5
Statistical limits  
Rating  
Interpretation  
Highly Usable  
4.21 – 5.00  
Strongly Agree  
4
3
3.41 – 4.20  
Agree  
Fair  
Usable  
2.61 – 3.40  
Requires Modifications  
2
1
1.81 – 2.60  
Disagree  
Not Usable  
Not Usable  
1.00 – 1.80  
Strongly Disagree  
Several development tools and technologies were utilized in building the AgriConnect mobile application.  
Figma was used for interface design and prototyping, while Flutter and Dart were used for developing the  
cross-platform mobile application. Firebase served as the backend database and authentication platform  
of the system. Android Studio was utilized as the integrated development environment for coding, testing,  
and debugging the application. Additionally, Git was used for version control and project collaboration  
during the development process.  
The developed system underwent usability testing with selected respondents to evaluate its functionality,  
reliability, accessibility, and overall user experience. Feedback gathered from the respondents was  
analyzed and used to improve the application further. Through the integration of appropriate research  
methods, development tools, and user-centered testing, the study was able to develop a functional and  
localized mobile application designed to improve agricultural trading transactions between farmers and  
businesses in Western Pangasinan.  
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION  
This section presents the findings gathered from interviews, surveys, and system evaluation conducted for  
the development of AgriConnect: A Mobile Application Linking Farmers and Businesses in Western  
Pangasinan. It discusses the existing agricultural trading processes, the challenges encountered by farmers  
and business owners, the developed system architecture, and the usability and acceptability evaluation  
results of the proposed application.  
Existing Processes of Farmers and Businesses in Agricultural Trading  
Based on the interviews conducted with farmers, business owners, and representatives from local  
agriculture offices in Western Pangasinan, the proponents identified that agricultural trading processes are  
still commonly performed through manual and traditional methods. Most transactions rely on verbal  
agreements, personal connections, handwritten records, and middlemen for communication and  
coordination between farmers and buyers.  
Farmers often depend on middlemen to market and sell their agricultural products to business owners. In  
cases where buyers are unavailable, products are delivered to trading posts or bagsakan centers where  
wholesalers purchase goods at lower prices before reselling them to businesses. Some farmers also seek  
assistance from cooperatives for transportation and delivery services, while others personally deliver  
products using their own vehicles based on existing customer relationships and verbal negotiations.  
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These traditional methods lack organized transaction management, proper documentation, and efficient  
communication channels, resulting in difficulties for both farmers and business owners in monitoring  
transactions and maintaining reliable trading operations.  
Challenges and Inefficiencies in the Existing Trading System  
The study identified several major challenges affecting the current agricultural trading system in Western  
Pangasinan. To analyze the root causes of these issues, the proponents utilized a Fishbone Diagram based  
on the data gathered during interviews and observations. Figure 2 illustrates the Fishbone Diagram used  
to identify the challenges and inefficiencies in the existing agricultural trading process.  
Fig. 2 Fishbone Diagram of Challenges in Agricultural Trading  
One of the primary problems identified was the absence of proper transaction records. Most agreements  
between farmers and buyers are conducted verbally without written or digital documentation, making it  
difficult to verify orders, monitor deliveries, and track payments accurately.  
Another issue identified was the lack of a standardized pricing system. Farmers frequently rely on prices  
offered by middlemen or buyers, resulting in inconsistent pricing and reduced profit opportunities. Due to  
limited bargaining power and market access, farmers are often forced to accept lower prices for their  
products.  
Missed orders and communication delays were also common problems. Since most transactions are  
handled through phone calls, text messages, or verbal communication, important transaction details are  
sometimes forgotten or misunderstood. This often leads to delivery delays, incomplete orders, and  
confusion between parties.  
The study also revealed the strong dependence of farmers on middlemen for market access and buyer  
connections. While middlemen assist in facilitating transactions, they also gain greater control over  
product pricing and profits, reducing farmers’ income and limiting direct interaction between producers  
and buyers.  
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These findings demonstrate the need for a centralized digital platform that can improve communication,  
organize transactions, and provide a more transparent and efficient agricultural trading process.  
Development of AgriConnect System  
To address the identified problems, the proponents developed AgriConnect, a mobile application designed  
to directly connect farmers and business owners in Western Pangasinan. The system aims to improve  
communication, reduce dependence on middlemen, and provide a more organized and transparent trading  
environment.  
The AgriConnect system utilizes a three-tier architecture composed of the presentation layer, application  
layer, and database layer to ensure efficient system operation, secure data management, and reliable  
communication between users. Figure 3 presents the three-tier architecture utilized in the development of  
the AgriConnect mobile application.  
Fig. 3 Three-Tier Architecture  
The presentation layer serves as the user interface where farmers and business owners interact with the  
system through mobile devices. The application layer processes user requests, messaging functions, and  
transaction-related activities, while the database layer securely stores user information, product details,  
transaction history, and other system records.  
Through the integration of these components, AgriConnect provides a centralized platform that improves  
communication, transaction organization, and accessibility between farmers and businesses in Western  
Pangasinan.  
System Features of AgriConnect  
The developed AgriConnect mobile application includes several features designed to address the  
challenges identified in the existing agricultural trading system of Western Pangasinan. These features  
were developed based on the needs gathered from farmers, business owners, and agriculture office  
representatives during interviews and surveys.  
The system aims to improve communication, transaction management, product accessibility, and market  
connectivity between farmers and businesses. Figure 4 presents the product listing interface used for  
managing and browsing agricultural products.  
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Fig. 4 Product Listing Interface  
The product listing feature enables farmers to upload, manage, and update information about available  
agricultural products. Business owners can browse product listings, check product availability, and  
identify suppliers based on their needs. This feature addresses the problem of limited market access by  
providing farmers with a direct platform to showcase their products without relying heavily on middlemen.  
It also improves product visibility and strengthens direct farmer-business connections. Figure 5 shows the  
messaging and transaction interface used for communication and transaction coordination between users.  
Fig. 5 Messaging and Transaction Interface  
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The messaging and transaction feature allows farmers and business owners to communicate directly  
regarding product inquiries, pricing, delivery schedules, and transaction details. This feature addresses the  
communication delays and misunderstandings identified in the traditional trading process. By providing  
direct and organized communication within the application, the system improves coordination, minimizes  
missed orders, and supports more transparent transactions between users. Figure 6 presents the sales  
monitoring and notification interface of the application.  
Fig. 6 Sales Monitoring and Notification Interface  
The sales monitoring and notification feature helps users monitor ongoing transactions, track sales  
activities, and receive updates regarding orders and product requests. This feature addresses the lack of  
proper documentation and transaction records observed in the existing trading system. Through digital  
monitoring and notifications, users are able to maintain organized records, improve transaction tracking,  
and make better decisions regarding agricultural trading activities.  
System Evaluation and Acceptability  
The developed AgriConnect mobile application was evaluated by farmers and business owners to  
determine its usability and acceptability. The evaluation focused on Appropriateness Recognizability,  
Learnability, Operability, User Error Protection, User Interface, Accessibility, Usefulness, and  
Satisfaction using a five-point Likert scale. Table III presents the overall system evaluation results of the  
AgriConnect mobile application based on respondents’ assessments.  
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TABLE III.  
Overall System Evaluation of AgriConnect Mobile Application  
Criteria  
Mean  
Interpretation  
1.  
Appropriateness Recognizability  
4.78  
Strongly Agree  
2.  
3.  
4.  
Learnability  
4.73  
4.63  
4.53  
Strongly Agree  
Strongly Agree  
Strongly Agree  
Operability  
User Error Protection  
5.  
6.  
7.  
8.  
User Interface  
Accessibility  
Usefulness  
4.88  
4.73  
4.78  
4.88  
4.75  
Strongly Agree  
Strongly Agree  
Strongly Agree  
Strongly Agree  
Strongly Agree  
Satisfaction  
Weighted Mean=  
The overall evaluation results indicate that AgriConnect achieved a high level of usability and  
acceptability among farmers and business owners in Western Pangasinan. The system obtained an overall  
weighted mean of 4.75, interpreted as Strongly Agree, indicating that respondents found the application  
easy to use, reliable, accessible, and beneficial in improving agricultural trading activities.  
The highest evaluation result was obtained in User Interface with a weighted mean of 4.88, indicating that  
respondents strongly agreed that the system’s design, layout, text, and visual appearance were clear and  
user-friendly.  
Appropriateness Recognizability and Usefulness both received weighted means of 4.78, showing that  
users clearly understood the purpose of the system and found it valuable for improving communication  
and transactions between farmers and businesses.  
Learnability and Accessibility both received weighted means of 4.73, indicating that respondents were  
able to understand and use the application easily regardless of their technical skill level. Operability  
obtained a weighted mean of 4.63, while User Error Protection received 4.53, demonstrating that the  
system functions properly and effectively assists users in preventing and correcting mistakes during  
operation.  
Overall, the findings indicate that AgriConnect successfully addresses the communication, transaction  
management, and documentation problems present in the traditional agricultural trading process. The  
system demonstrates strong potential for implementation as a reliable and user-friendly digital platform  
for agricultural trading in Western Pangasinan.  
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CONCLUSIONS  
This study successfully developed AgriConnect, a mobile application designed to directly connect farmers  
and businesses in Western Pangasinan. The findings revealed that the existing agricultural trading system  
still relies on manual processes, verbal agreements, handwritten records, and middlemen, which often lead  
to communication gaps, inconsistent pricing, undocumented transactions, and limited market access for  
farmers. These challenges highlighted the need for a more organized, transparent, and technology-based  
trading platform.  
To address these issues, the proponents developed AgriConnect using the Agile methodology and  
integrated features such as direct messaging, notifications, transaction history, and sales monitoring. The  
system evaluation showed a high level of usability and acceptability, with respondents rating the system  
as Strongly Agree in terms of usability and acceptability. Therefore, the study concludes that AgriConnect  
is an effective and user-friendly mobile application that can improve agricultural trading processes and  
strengthen direct connections between farmers and businesses in Western Pangasinan.  
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT  
This capstone project would not have been possible without the people who contributed to its completion  
through their guidance, support, and encouragement. With utmost appreciation, the proponents would like  
to acknowledge the following:  
First and foremost, to Almighty God, for granting the strength, wisdom, and perseverance needed to fulfill  
every task and overcome every challenge throughout this study.  
To Sir Carlo Genster P. Camposagrado, our subject adviser and our research adviser, for his insightful  
mentorship, valuable recommendations, and unwavering support throughout the development of this  
study. His commitment, patience, and dedication in both instruction and research supervision greatly  
contributed to the success of this project.  
To the chairman and panel members, for their insightful suggestions, thorough evaluation, and valuable  
recommendations that significantly improved the technical and research aspects of this work.  
To the Municipal/City Agriculture Office of Western Pangasinan, along with the farmers, business owners,  
and respondents who generously participated in interviews, surveys, and system testing. Their cooperation  
played a vital role in ensuring that this project addresses real needs in the agricultural community.  
Finally, to everyone who extended support in any form, no matter how big or small, thank you. Your  
contribution has made this achievement possible.  
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