A MySQL Relational Database for a Web-Based Agricultural Trading System: Design, Development, and Performance Evaluation

The agricultural trading practices in rural areas, such as those at the Agri-Pinoy Trading Center in Roxas, Isabela, Philippines, continue to face inefficiencies stemming from labor-intensive manual transactions, disorganized marketplaces, and limited market access. This study presents the design, development, and evaluation of a relational database system using MySQL to support a web-based Market Goods Trading System tailored to the needs of agricultural stakeholders. The database structure follows rigorous normalization from 1NF to 5NF to ensure data integrity, reduce redundancy, and improve data handling efficiency. Core features include user account management, product inventory tracking, transaction logging, and role-based access control. To evaluate system performance, the database underwent load testing, stress testing, and performance profiling using tools such as Apache JMeter and MySQL Workbench. Results showed optimal scalability and responsiveness under various user loads, with success rates consistently above 97%. The implementation of indexing, query optimization, and connection pooling techniques further improved performance. The findings demonstrate the database's readiness for real-world deployment and its potential to significantly improve operational efficiency, data accessibility, and decision-making within the Agri-Pinoy Trading Center. Future enhancements may include mobile support, payment integration, and analytics dashboards to scale its impact.