Moyo teams up with Dell to launch drone for crop disease detection

South African digital business consultancy Moyo has teamed up with Dell to introduce an drone that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to detect potato leaf diseases. This innovative tool aims to address the ongoing challenges faced by potato farmers in monitoring and managing crop health.

In recent years, AI technology has rapidly evolved, finding applications across various sectors, with agriculture emerging as a prime beneficiary. The integration of AI-driven solutions in agriculture allows farmers to monitor crop health and detect diseases with greater precision and efficiency than traditional methods.

Moyo’s partnership with Dell, which utilizes the Dell AI Factory with NVIDIA, has led to the creation of drone specifically designed to identify early signs of disease in potato crops, offering timely interventions that can prevent disease spread and minimize crop damage.

This drone employs a Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) system that combines high-resolution image capture with AI-based analysis to identify subtle signs of potato leaf disease, such as fungal infections. Early detection of these diseases is crucial, as it enables farmers to address problems before they escalate, ultimately improving the quality and yield of their potato harvests.

How the AI Drone Works

The drone’s intelligence is trained to detect potato leaf disease by analyzing patterns in the leaf structure that may indicate infection or distress. Equipped with high-performance computing power, the AI model processes vast amounts of data in real-time. The model was trained using the NVIDIA AI Workbench, achieving an impressive accuracy rate of 99.52% within a short span of two weeks.

This high level of accuracy enables the drone to pinpoint disease symptoms that may be challenging for the human eye to detect, even at an early stage. By using a combination of image processing, pattern recognition, and data analysis, the drone can provide farmers with an unprecedented level of insight into their crop health, allowing for prompt, informed interventions.

Benefits of AI for Potato Farming

Potatoes are a staple crop in South Africa, making up a substantial portion of the agricultural economy. However, potato crops are vulnerable to several diseases, such as late blight, which can devastate entire fields if left unchecked. Traditionally, farmers would rely on visual inspections or sample testing, both of which are time-intensive and may not catch diseases in their nascent stages.

Moyo’s AI drone can autonomously scan large fields and capturing high-definition images of each plant. Through detailed AI analysis, the drone can identify areas affected by disease, allowing farmers to apply targeted treatments only where necessary. This reduces the need for blanket pesticide applications, saving costs, and promoting more sustainable farming practices.

Philip Heydenrych, a director at Moyo, said the consulting firm is proud to have launched a solution that could make a difference for farmer across the continent. “The drone has the potential to improve food security, reduce crop losses, and enhance the sustainability of potato farming. Beyond potatoes, this drobe technology can be adapted to other crops, representing a promising future for AI in agriculture across diverse sectors.”