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A research team from the International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Hyderabad, led by Prof. P. Krishna Reddy, in collaboration with scientists from Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU), has launched Version 2 of the Crop Darpan app—an AI-powered mobile tool designed to help farmers instantly diagnose crop health issues.
The development of Crop Darpan is part of a joint research initiative between India and Japan under the India-Japan Joint Research Laboratory project. The initiative, titled ‘Data Science-based Farming Support System for Sustainable Crop Production under Climatic Change’, involves multiple institutes, including IIT Hyderabad, IIT Bombay, PJTSAU, and the University of Tokyo.
Designed as a portable agricultural expert, Crop Darpan helps farmers detect issues in rice and cotton crops, including pest infestations, bacterial and fungal diseases, and nutrient deficiencies. The app not only diagnoses problems but also offers scientific guidance on corrective measures. “Currently, it is available for use in English and Telugu languages with a vision to expand into other Indian languages,” said Prof Krishna Reddy.
The system uses a structured, question-based approach, where farmers respond to a series of “Yes” or “No” questions based on visual symptoms observed in their crops. As they progress through the hierarchy of questions, the app narrows down the issue and provides specific solutions.
Crop cultivation involves three key stages:
- Selecting the right crop and sowing time
- Managing crop health, including pests, diseases, and nutrient deficiencies
- Maximizing market price realization
“Crop Darpan primarily focuses on phase two, allowing farmers to manage crop health without requiring direct assistance from agricultural experts,” says Prof Krishna Reddy. By leveraging data science and AI, the app acts as a virtual extension of experts from National Agricultural Institutes, providing real-time, field-based support.
Farmers can download the Crop Darpan app for free on:
Google Play Store: Crop Darpan on Play Store Apple App Store: Crop Darpan on App Store
With Version 2, Crop Darpan continues to bridge the gap between traditional farming expertise and modern digital solutions, helping farmers improve crop health, productivity, and sustainability in the face of climate change.
