Potato blight, driven by Phytophthora infestans, results in a staggering 20% loss in global crop yield, costing the economy £3.5 billion annually. In Wales, preventive fungicides alone cost farmers over £5.27 million yearly. To combat this, researchers at Aberystwyth University have initiated the DeepDetect project, leveraging machine learning to deliver real-time, location-specific disease forecasts right to farmers’ smartphones. Dr. Edore Akpokodje emphasizes the project’s aim to equip farmers with a user-friendly tool for precise disease management. Traditional blight detection methods are labor-intensive and error-prone; however, the new AI-driven app can identify early signs of blight before they become visible, facilitating timely interventions. With potatoes being a key global staple crop, optimizing production is critical for food security. Funded by the Welsh Government through the Smart Flexible Innovation Support (SFIS) program, the project aims to develop an Early Warning System for potato blight, with expansion potential for other crops.
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