Prototype for an agricultural research organisation

To further their work on Wheat Blast prevention, CABI approached Fruto to prototype a digital decision support tool. The goal was to visually demonstrate how such a tool could track the prevalence of Wheat Blast using map-based visualisations. The prototype would serve as a proof of concept to engage high-level government officials in Bangladesh, India, and Thailand, and support CABI’s funding efforts with international donors.

We began with a kick-off session to clarify project objectives, understand user groups, and define the core use case for the prototype. CABI’s key audiences included government agencies, agricultural advisors, and farmers, each with different levels of needs from the platform.

We created clickable wireframes for the core journey. The map enabled toggling between layers to display wheat production areas, seasonal risk factors such as drought or rainfall, and indicators of crop health (e.g., Leaf Area Index).

By transforming abstract data into an intuitive and interactive experience, the prototype shifted conversations from theoretical planning to actionable strategy, helping CABI inspire confidence among stakeholders and strengthen its funding applications.

The prototype enabled CABI to effectively communicate the value and functionality of the envisioned decision support tool to both internal stakeholders and potential funders. The interactive elements brought the concept to life and supported CABI’s pitch to secure future funding for full-scale development.

Following the delivery of the prototype, CABI enhanced engagement with regional policymakers, with the tool featured in high-level meetings and donor proposals within weeks of its completion.

The design laid the groundwork for a more robust, fully interactive future platform that could actively support farmers and policymakers in disease prevention by visually demonstrating how data could be layered to predict Wheat Blast risks.