
Project start date: 1/1/2016
Akorion
Uganda
The EzyArmyWorm (EAW) is an enhancement of the pest and disease diagnostic in the EzyAgric app, aimed at assisting farmers, extension workers, and agribusinesses in Uganda with early detection and accurate diagnosis of Fall Armyworm (FAW). It leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning to enable farmers to detect the pest across crops at any production stage. With SMS and smart alert notifications, EAW offers real-time information on FAW detection, management, and resolution.
1-3 years
Last update: October 05, 2023
Challenge
Fall armyworm (FAW) poses a serious threat to food security in sub-Saharan Africa. Originally from the Americas, FAW outbreaks first occurred in West Africa in early 2016 and are now on the precipice of devastating food supplies across the continent, exacerbating global poverty and hunger. FAW attacks more than 80 different plant species and agriculture experts estimate the pest may cause over $13 billion in losses for crops like maize, sorghum, rice, and sugarcane. It can also fly up to 1,600 kilometers (nearly 1,000 miles) in 30 hours meaning it can easily migrate to surrounding farms and countries.
Description
The EzyArmyWorm (EAW), an enhancement of the pest and disease diagnostic in the EzyAgric app, aims to assist farmers, extension workers, and agribusinesses in Uganda with early detection and accurate diagnosis of FAW. It uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to allow farmers to easily detect the pest across possible affected crops at any stage of the production cycle. With SMS and smart alert notifications, EAW provides farmers with constant reminders and real-time information on how to detect, manage, and address fall armyworm.