Innovative app for crop pest, disease identification on anvil

Panaji: Farmers will soon be able to capture a photo of the insect, pest, or disease affecting their crops, and upload it on an app to receive instant information about it, along with suggested control measures from scientists.

The Union ministry of agriculture, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Central Plantation Crops Marketing and Processing Cooperative Limited, has introduced a national pest surveillance system (NPSS) to help farmers.

Director of agriculture, Nevil Alphonso said that a sensitisation programme was held for selected farmers designated as Sathi, and officials of the directorate of agriculture in collaboration with the Goa office of the central integrated pest management centre (CIPMC), Vasco.

Pandurang Patil, a progressive farmer from Goa, has been selected as a testing lead for this innovative initiative and gained exclusive access to the system during the trial phase.

“I am currently collecting data on two crops – paddy and chili – that are often affected in Goa. After uploading the images, the system helps me identify the pest or disease and recommends solutions,” he told TOI.

“With the help of this technology, farmers are likely to make informed decisions about pest and disease management, ultimately contributing to improved crop yields and overall productivity,” said Nilesh Sadashiv Saste, the assistant plant protection officer at CIMPC.

The app may take another year to finalise.

“Once fully operational, this app will empower farmers with an advanced system of crop management. It will work like a farmer helpline,” Patil said.