AI Pest Disease Model Launch

TIH at IIT Bombay, in collaboration with Nanaji Deshmukh Krishi Sanjivani Prakalp, Government of Maharashtra, ICAR, State Agriculture Universities and some of other engineering colleges has developed an AI-powered, image-based, crop disease and pest identification & preventive/ curative advisory dissemination app, for 69 diseases, 35 pests across 18 crops. 

The app is extremely easy to use — farmers simply need to upload a photo of the crop, and the Artificial Intelligence technology will identify the disease or pest from the image. Within seconds, accurate diagnosis along with preventive and curative measures is available in Marathi. 

Key features of the app: 

• Instant disease and pest identification through photos 
• Recommended pesticides and fungicides 

• Farmer-friendly guidance in local language 

  This is a fully indigenous solution, and it is a first-of-its kind wherein an end-to-end solution has been developed and made available to farmers through MahaVISTAAR-AI app of Government of Maharashtra. 

  The precision agriculture through the accurate disease diagnosis and scientific advisories are expected to reduce pesticide usage and increase the yield & quality of produce. 

  This is the right time for digital agriculture solutions as smartphone usage is rapidly increasing even in rural area. Through MahaVISTAAR-AI, farmers are enriched with the power of AI technology. Precision agriculture through accurate detection of pests/diseases can enhance the productivity by reducing losses. 

  Prof. Sachin Patwardhan, Dean RnD, mentioned that the work delivered by TIH at IIT Bombay, in collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra, and the state agricultural universities/ ICARs demonstrates how an ideal lab to market engagement should function. The ability to deliver a tangible product within a finite timeline reflects how the TIH is expected to carry out the translational research that has a strong impact at large.