Students invent new technology to detect, identify plant diseases

Speaking yesterday during the 2023 Information and Communications Technology (ICT) workshop in Arusha city, Said Hussein, one of the students at IAA said they came up with the innovative system after realizing that most plants are attacked by diseases while farmers do not have knowledge to fight the diseases.

Hussein said since agriculture is the backbone of the country’s economy, they have decided to invent the system to boost farmers’ welfare and the country’s economy.

“We came to this point after discovering that avocado farmers in Mbeya Region are struggling to fight the harmful insects invading their crops. Framers do not have the knowledge to deal with the insects,” he said.

IAA Principal, Prof Eliamani Sedoyeka said the conference aimed at bringing together stakeholders from within and outside the region to discuss issues regarding ICT.

Prof Sedoyeka said the conference has been a springboard in bringing out talents for students to show their creativity and innovation in ICT as well as discussing how they can take their creativity to the market.

He said such innovations are in line with the government’s efforts in developing the ICT sector. He said the institute continues to invest and improve learning infrastructure, including introduction of new curricula to be able to produce competent experts who will be accepted in the market.

“We have invested in ICT infrastructures, curricula and human resources through the Higher Education for Economic Reforms Project (HEET). We are planning to establish an ICT excellence centre where anyone in need of a solution will come to us for help,” Prof Sedoyeka remarked.

Representing the Director General of the ICT Commission, the Director of Technical Services, Jasson Ndanguzi said the commission will continue to collaborate with higher learning institutions to conduct research that will provide solutions to various challenges including those in the agriculture sector.

Prof Edson Lubua, from the ICT faculty at IAA said the conference has been motivating students and showing the value of their creative work.