Farmers to benefit from launch of pest, weed identification app

Farmers in Kenya will now be able to access agronomic advice on weeds, diseases, and pest control, following the launch of an application that links them to agricultural experts from Corteva Agriscience.                                                                                                

The mobile application, known as Corteva FarmFundi, has been developed in partnership with Plantix and provides an easy-to-use, digital pest and disease identification guide for farmers.

Once threats are accurately identified using the app, farmers can consult with Corteva’s specialised crop scientists and local agronomists for treatment recommendations via e-mail or the web links provided.

“Researchers estimate that invasive species alone cost Africa’s agricultural sector $74.3 billion each year, compounded by an approximate $21.5 billion worth of crop losses inflicted by insects and other pests,” marketing manager Corveta Agriscience Kenya Charles Mutema said.

 “Our collaboration with Plantix allows us to combine the very best of innovative mobile farming technology with the keen insights and vast expertise of our technical teams; helping to mitigate potential impacts to livelihoods and food security."

Mutema further stated that the most critical part of managing crop failure is correctly identifying the cause so that appropriate solutions can be implemented, and costly mistakes avoided.

He also noted that the app was introduced in Kenya owing to high internet connectivity rates in the country, adding that Kenya was a pioneer in Africa in the application of mobile technology solutions.

The app is available to farmers at no cost in English, Afrikaans, Swahili, French, and Arabic from the Apple iOS and Google Android app stores.

The platform empowers farmers to upload or scan pictures, along with a short description of symptoms and accompanying notes, enabling timeous risk management and prevention. Experts are also able to update and transfer the latest information on new, emerging pests and trends in real-time.

While internet access is required for downloading the app as well as subsequent updates, farmers can still access essential information offline; an important feature for users who do not have access to a mobile connection while out in the field.

Crop pests are recognised worldwide as a serious challenge to agricultural production and are a real threat to food security, especially in Africa.  Farmers report that yields losses experienced due to pests significantly affect net income, whilst undermining other livelihood assets.

The platform will also save farmers essential time and resources spent on physical movement to seek and access expert advice and is expected to impact positively on food security and resilience in Kenya.

Dennis Njenga, a maize and tomato farmer in Juja said the app has assisted him in diagnosing pests and diseases affecting his crops, connecting him to a skilled support system of agronomists for best practice solutions.

With the increasing demand for healthier, quality food, against the backdrop of Covid-19, the Corteva FarmFundi app also delivers on Corteva’s sustainability commitments; ensuring progress for generations to come