For the first time, the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) has launched a mobile app called "Rice Solution" that identifies diseases and pests when farmers send photos of affected rice plants straight from the field. It is a sensor-based rice pest management system.

The agriculture minister launched the app as chief guest on Saturday, 31 December, at BRRI's six-day annual research review workshop. State Minister for Planning Dr. Shamsul Alam and BRRI director general Dr. Md. Shahjahan Kabir were present.

The researcher- and farmer-friendly app was developed with the help of software company One ICT, under the supervision of BRRI's ICT cell, as part of the ICT Division's project on developing skills for mobile games and applications (second revised). It uses Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning and sensor technology, which are among the key technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

• When a photo or information about any disease or pest problem is entered, the app automatically diagnoses the problem shown and gives management advice.
• Farmers save time, money and travel, and field problems are solved in the field.
• A significant number of photos of diseases and pests have already been received and advice provided through the app.
• Because photos arrive regularly from all BRRI regional offices and across the country, the app will show which pests or diseases are most prevalent in which area, supporting scientists' research and serving as a decision-making tool for policymakers.

The workshop was told that 10 to 18 percent of crops are lost at the production stage because of pest attacks and other causes, and that without accurate knowledge, specific management and feedback systems for pest and disease control, farmers miss out on expected yields and lose money.

Under the same project, another app called "Rice Profile", which will identify suitable rice varieties by area across the country, is awaiting launch for field use.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.