Developing a user-friendly application for smallholder farmers for detection of plant disorders

Project Description

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the annual loss in crop production due to pests and diseases ranges between 20 and 40% globally. Each year plant diseases cost the world’s economy around 220 billion USD, and invasive insects around 70 billion USD.

To address this challenge in the Middle East and North Africa region, ICBA partnered with the University of Barcelona to develop an AI-powered mobile app to help smallholder farmers to detect and deal with crop disorders.

The app uses image processing and machine learning to identify disorders based on symptoms such as color, shape, and spectral signatures. It takes advantage of a data collection and processing platform developed by the University of Barcelona.

The app is designed to spot crop disorders at early stages, help to minimize yield losses, and improve incomes. It can provide guidance to farmers on how to address crop disorders effectively.

It can identify 20 different common disorders affecting tomato, capsicum, and cucumber. These cash crops are considered important for smallholder farmers who practice protected agriculture.

Research Innovation Theme

Crop improvement and sustainable production

Project SDGs
SDG 1: No poverty
SDG 2: Zero hunger
SDG 17: Partnership for the goals
Beneficiaries
Farmers in Egypt, Tunisia, and UAE (More than 1,000 downloads of the app over the duration of the project)
Duration
December 2019 - March 2023
Project Lead

Dr. Henda Mahmoudi (HMJ@biosaline.org.ae)

Project Region
Near East and North Africa
Project Countries
Egypt
Tunisia
United Arab Emirates
Partner(s)

University of Barcelona