Cashew farmers to benefit as app adds Garo language commands

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 11, 2023

An artificial intelligence (AI) – based website and a mobile app has been created for identification of pests, diseases and nutrient deficiencies in cashew crop.

The app has been developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research- Directorate of Cashew Research in Puttur, Karnataka. “ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam has included Garo language for easy understanding of people from Meghalaya, especially farmers.

The farming community need expert advice for management of pests and diseases along with identifying nutrient deficiencies in cashew crops. “However, advice is not easily available in rural and remote areas.

The mobile app will help the farmer to a great extent and in the long run, the app will help in diagnosing about 60 cashew pests, 20 diseases and 10 nutrient deficiencies instantly from the uploaded images.

“AI and computer vision-based techniques have been used in the app. There are options available for contacting experts and sharing photos on social media in case of no detection or unsatisfactory results. This will help in early forecasting of these problems and alert farmers in a particular region. Further, it helps to channelize efforts and inputs required for management by the concerned agencies in the region of the country”, read a statement issued by the developers of the app.

Apart from ICAR-Directorate of Cashew Research, Puttur, Scientists of AICRP Cashew centres across the country were involved in the project.