Egerton student creates App to help farmers detect crop diseases

For many small-scale farmers in Nakuru, a disease outbreak on the farm can mean the difference between a harvest and a loss.

But diagnosing the problem is often challenging, especially when reliable information is hard to find, and an expert’s help is out of reach.

That’s the gap Fabius Lianda Achevi, a final-year Computer Science student at Egerton University, is trying to close with Mkulima Aid, a web-based app that helps farmers detect crop diseases and access real-time advice.

The app, which is targeted at smallholder farmers, allows users to upload photos of affected crops and receive feedback on possible diseases.

Achevi says the goal is to make disease diagnosis simpler, faster, and more trustworthy, especially for farmers overwhelmed by unreliable internet search results or lacking access to agronomists.

“The motivation behind the app came from seeing how difficult it is for farmers to get accurate information when their crops are affected by pests and diseases. I wanted to create something that linked farmers directly to agricultural experts who can offer advisory services,” he says.

Once a farmer signs up on the platform, they are guided on how to take a clear photo of the affected crop in their field, a step Achevi says is important for accurate feedback.

“The system works best with clear images taken directly from the farm environment,” Achevi explains, adding that the app is designed to recognize a wide range of common crops and continues to be updated to meet more farming needs.

He notes that what sets his app apart from similar tools is its integration with human expertise.

While many apps stop at detection, Mkulima Aid aims to connect farmers directly to agricultural experts.

The app also includes educational content such as videos and written guides on trending diseases and how to manage them. 

It’s designed to be user-friendly and responsive, with updates on how users engage with the platform.

To get to where he is, Achevi says the app has undergone extensive testing with farmers in different settings and continues to be refined.

“We tried it on maize and got great feedback, but we’re still improving it,” he says.

In the future, he hopes to add intelligent support features that can offer automated advice for farmers who may not have time to chat with experts.

He is also exploring ways to improve access and usability for farmers in remote regions by integrating local dialects.