Scientists of Chandigarh University Launches Crop Diseases Detection Mobile App

AI-based mobile app developed by Chandigarh University Research Scholar Amit Verma that can assist farmers in the early detection of crop diseases. Dr. Rashmi Singh, Scientist F of SEED, NCSTC Division, Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi, and Prof. Sanjeet Singh, Dean Research, Chandigarh University, launched the Mobile App.

Among the many issues confronting Indian farmers, crop diseases have resulted in significant losses for the farming community. According to estimates, Indian farmers lose Rs. 90,000 crores per year due to pests and diseases that destroy standing crops in the field. Chandigarh University has stepped forward to assist Indian farmers in dealing with the growing crop loss problem caused by diseases.

Prof. Sanjeet Singh, Dean of Research at Chandigarh University, stated, "The app took six months to completely design and test, and the research was funded by the University's Department of Research." Prof Sanjeet added that Chandigarh University has formed a special research group to carry out advanced projects in the field of agriculture and that in the last three years, the research group has filed 31 patents in the field of farming and agriculture, which will be launched soon in the market and will help Indian farmers overcome their numerous problems.

Dr. Rashmi Sharma, DST Scientist F (SEED, NCSTC Division) Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi, praised the Chandigarh University's role in finding sustainable solutions to the challenges faced by farmers with the launch of this early detection application, which will help farmers across India overcome crop loss.

About Mobile App:

• The Chandigarh University Department of Research and Development has created an Artificial Intelligence-based Mobile Application that will detect crop diseases at an early stage in the farming cycle. This will allow farmers to make preparations before the disease spreads to healthy crops.

• Amit Verma, the app's inventor & project scientist at Chandigarh University, stated, "Diseases like cutworms and potato tuber moth are common in potatoes." Tomatoes are severely harmed by early and late blight. To overcome these and many other diseases, this detecting application can be used to identify and detect the illness in these crops in order to increase agricultural production.”

How does it work?                 

• Amit Verma explained that the mobile application works on a three-step disease detection process based on image processing, which compares the crop's current image to that of a disease-infected crop.

• The app detects any significant change in the leaves, stems, or branches by using a pattern matching technique. Furthermore, based on the stage of the crop damaged by pests and insects, the mobile app suggests additional treatments.

• The app will be able to detect 39 diseases in two crops, with a study underway to expand detection to 19 more crops.

As India advances in research & innovation, it is ranked 8^th in artificial intelligence, with 4000 patents filed in the last five years, demonstrating the country's capability in research using artificial intelligence. Dr. Rashmi Sharma explained the benefits of the application by broadly explaining the harmful effects of pesticides used in crop protection and their effect on farmers in terms of life-threatening diseases such as cancer.