The objective of the study was to develop a mobile application, PlanteSaine, to help Burkina Faso’s maize, tomato, and onion farmers combat plant diseases and pests. Agriculture plays a pivotal role in the country’s economy, with a significant portion of the population depending on farming for their livelihood. However, the agricultural sector is constantly under threat from pests and pathogens, leading to severe crop losses and threatening food security.
Plant diseases caused by multiple pathogens can impair crop growth and development, reducing yields. Similarly, pests like insects and fungi can devastate crops, posing a substantial threat to food security. In Burkina Faso, addressing these challenges is vital for the country’s food security and economic stability. Fighting pests and diseases in key crops such as maize, tomatoes, and onions is essential to protect farmers’ livelihoods and ensure food availability.
To address these challenges, the study developed PlanteSaine, a mobile application that utilizes Artificial Intelligence (AI) and remote communication capabilities to assist farmers. The app allows users to capture pictures of affected plants, and its AI algorithms analyze the images to provide diagnoses. PlanteSaine’s AI functionality, built using EfficientNetB3 and an effective Artificial Neural Network (ANN) classifier, occupies less memory space than similar apps. This innovative tool aims to provide real-time information and expert knowledge to farmers, empowering them to make informed decisions and safeguard their crops.