The Corn Pest Identifier is an innovative mobile application designed to assist farmers in the Ilocos region of the Philippines in identifying and managing corn pests effectively. The app leverages cutting-edge technology, including a machine learning model and a comprehensive database, to offer real-time pest identification, informative details about each pest, pesticide recommendations, and convenient shopping links for pest control products. With offline functionality, the app ensures farmers can access crucial information even in remote areas without internet connectivity.
Challenges
Farmers in the Ilocos region, Philippines, face significant challenges in dealing with corn pests, which can adversely impact crop yields and overall agricultural productivity. Identifying and addressing pest infestations accurately and promptly is crucial to ensuring optimal harvests and sustaining livelihoods.
Solutions
To address these challenges, a sophisticated and robust solution was devised with two main components: the Machine Learning (ML) Model and the SQLite Database.
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Machine Learning Model:
The heart of the Corn Pest Identifier is its machine learning model, meticulously trained using a dataset of 12,000 images of various corn pests found in the Ilocos region. TensorFlow Lite was employed to train the model, which was later seamlessly integrated into the Android Studio environment. The ML model's ability to recognize 50 common species of corn pests with a 96.7% accuracy allows farmers to swiftly identify potential threats and take appropriate action.
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SQLite Database:
The app's extensive SQLite Database serves as a repository of essential information related to each identified corn pest and recommended pesticides for eradication. By providing detailed pest profiles, including appearance, behavior, and potential risks to corn crops, farmers can make informed decisions in managing pest infestations effectively.
Key Features:
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Pest Identification:
The ML model accurately identifies 50 common corn pests in the Ilocos region, enabling rapid pest recognition in the field.
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Detailed Pest Information:
Each identified pest is accompanied by informative details, including visual characteristics, lifecycle stages, and typical infestation signs.
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Pesticide Recommendations:
The app provides practical and science-based pesticide recommendations for effectively eradicating specific corn pests, promoting sustainable pest management practices.
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Convenient Shopping Links:
To facilitate the acquisition of recommended pest control products, the app offers direct links to popular shopping platforms, Lazada and Shopee.
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Camera and Media Gallery Integration:
Users can capture images of corn leaves infested with pests using their device's camera or select images from the media gallery for analysis.
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Image Dismissal Functionality:
The app allows users to dismiss images that are not relevant to corn pests, streamlining the identification process.
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Offline Functionality:
In recognition of farmers' limited access to the internet in remote areas, the app operates seamlessly offline, ensuring crucial information is always available.
Thrilled for being able to accurately note the functionalities/features that met the client's needs and expectations. The next step was to create a stunning User Interface (UI) design. With frequent and proper communication with the client, incorporating their feedback and suggestions along the way. The outcome was a set of the following Figma designs that captured the client's vision:
Outcome
The Corn Pest Identifier has significantly enhanced pest management practices for corn farmers in the Ilocos region. With its reliable pest identification capabilities, accessible pest profiles, and pesticide recommendations, farmers can respond promptly to pest threats, reducing crop losses and increasing agricultural productivity.
Conclusion
The Corn Pest Identifier exemplifies the power of advanced technology, such as machine learning, in addressing real-world challenges faced by farmers. By empowering farmers with actionable information and reliable pest identification, the app plays a vital role in supporting sustainable agriculture practices and contributing to food security in the farmers that use it in Ilocos region.
