What tools can we use to survey, monitor and manage Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN)?

1. MLN Surveillance: Tools and
Information Management
Updates and progress
Dave Hodson
CIMMYT-Ethiopia
d.hodson@cigar.org
USAID MLN Project Meeting CIMMYT Nairobi 17 Oct, 2016

2. Outline
• Survey Tools
• Data Management – MLN Toolbox
• MLN Africa web portal
• Next Steps

3. Enabling Tools & Technologies:
survey + sampling
Traditional New Options
• Smartphone / tablets (GPS, Camera, Electronic
Form, Barcode scanner)
•Automatic data transfer
Standardized geo-referenced field surveys across countries
Field to database now possible in near real-time
• GPS + Paper forms
• Manual data entry

4. Survey Tools
• Standardized survey forms and protocols developed
in consultation with partners (field and seed surveys)
• Paper forms (+GPS) available for download
• Standard Excel templates created for data input
• Electronic survey tool developed using ODK
• Training in Harare and Nairobi
• Survey tool deployed and available for download

5. Paper Forms + GPS 1
• Standardized Forms
(draft)
• 1. FIELD Survey
• Used in farmer fields /
seed production fields /
maize trials + LEAF
samples
• Key components:
• FIELD Survey
– Geo-referenced (GPS)
– Basic site data
– MLN + other diseases
– Insects
– LEAF Samples
– AgriStrip results
– Basic Farm
information

6. Paper Forms + GPS 2
• 2. SEED Survey
• Used at Agro-dealers +
commercial seed samples
• Key components:
• SEED Survey
– Geo-referenced (GPS)
– Basic Agro-dealer data
– Commercial seed sample data

7. Survey Data Entry
• If using Paper forms:
– Use the standard .XLS templates for MLN FIELD & MLN SEED Surveys
– Return data to national focal point (check and forward to CIMMYT [for
Dbase entry])
• If using Electronic Surveys – Data entry is automatic!
– Data secured. ONLY returned to country national focal point / submitter
(xls + map until full data management system operational)

8. Electronic Survey Tool
• Developed using ODK
• Functional on any
Android device
• Quality controlled data
input
• Incorporates: GPS,
photos, barcode
scanning of sample
labels
• Direct transfer to central
Dbases

9. MLN FIELD Survey Page 1
Text Entry
Pick List (names of countries)
Date / Calendar
Text Entry
GPS Location button

10. MLN FIELD Survey – QR Code
Scanning
D4QjulZ9
2. Opens Camera
3. Scan QR code
4. Auto-fill QR code in
survey form1. Get Barcode button

11. Use of Survey Tools
• Successfully used in 2016 in Malawi, Zambia and
Zimbabwe
• 489 survey locations – all confirmed negative for
MLN with Agristrip tests
Data Sources: DARS, Malawi; ZARI/PQPS, Zambia,
DRSSS (Agritex, PPRI, PQS, PSQI, SSI), Zimbabwe

12. MLN Toolbox
• Developed in collaboration with Aarhus University,
Denmark (Jens G. Hansen & Poul Lassen)
• Advanced data management system (based on
existing wheat rust Toolbox)
– flexible Dbase structure (field and seed surveys, agristrip
and ELISA data)
– Automated import of data
– Quality control of data
– Suite of display tools
– Secure, controlled access

13. MLN Toolbox Overview
• MLN toolbox – Not public. Only for partners and
data providers – after login

14. 1. Upload of data, overview and Edit data
2. Publish data to next level
Documentation of names and codes
3. Country survey manager make data public
MLN Website
Show versions
Overview of Toolbox Functionality

15. Internal QC before
publishing
MLN Website
MLN Toolbox – Display Tools

16. MLN Toolbox Display Tools
• Interactive Maps (available)
• Interactive Charts (available)
Locations MLN survey results
Frequency of MLN. By country –
Pie charts
Frequency of MLN across time
Stacked bars

17. MLN Data Management + Tools
• Essentially the same data management and set of
display tools as for wheat rusts
• BUT – developed in <1 year (compared to about 5+
years for wheat rusts!)
Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN)Wheat Stem Rust

18. MLN Web Portal
• Beta+ version available: mln.cimmyt.org

19. MLN Web Information Portal
• Aim
– To be a single source of information relating to MLN for all
partners
• Key Themes & Features
– MLN Overview (field guides, spread, control, diagnostics…..)
– MLN Research (germplasm, publications….)
– MLN Surveillance (country pages, current status, interactive
maps, charts……)
– MLN Screening (screening sites, phenotyping services…)
– News & Media (MLN in the media, photos….)
– MLN Community of Practice
– MLN Resources (reports, videos, ppts…….)

26. Next Steps
• MLN Web Portal
– expand and enhance the platform that is now in place
– We see this as community resource, so all contributions
welcome!
• Toolbox
– Complete all functionality (by end of year)
– Training for country managers
– We now have a robust data management platform, plus
lots of added value tools. Use + populate with data!
• Models
– Vector dispersal, environmental suitability, risk maps

27. Early Warning / Forecasting
NB: Surveys / crowd sourcing data have high value for model validation
Risk + Hazard Maps
Optimzing suvreys + Sampling
Insect Vector Dispersal????

28. Conclusion
• Standardized MLN survey forms developed – FIELD &
SEED Surveys
• Available and working in paper + electronic format
(Android tablets / smartphones)
• Geo-referencing a key component of both formats
(essential for data management and value addition /
modelling work)
• MLN Toolbox now functional and display tools working
• MLN web portal (beta+) now available
• WE NOW HAVE THE TOOLS AND INFORMATION
FRAMEWORK FOR MLN SURVEILLANCE IN PLACE.
• LET’S USE THEM!

29. Thanks!
• All partners in Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda,
Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe
• Jens G Hansen and Poul Lassen Aarhus University,
Denmark
• CIMMYT colleagues – Addis, Mexico & Nairobi