Smart pest control device launched by AU scientists

Visakhapatnam: Agri AIDevice – Adaptive IoT–AI Pest Control System with LLM Integration, developed by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Chair, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, with financial support from the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, has been formally launched.

The device was inaugurated at the farming fields of Pinagadi Village in Pendurthi mandal near here on Sunday by Manoj Tiwari, Director, Dr Ambedkar Foundation (DAF), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.The launch event was attended by village leaders, panchayat presidents, local farmers, academicians, and community representatives.

Following the inauguration, the device was deployed in real-time in a farmer’s field, demonstrating its ability to identify pests, analyse crop conditions, and instantly transmit advisory messages along with field images directly to farmers’ mobile phones. The live field demonstration was conducted by the Principal Investigator of the project and Chair Professor of the Dr BR Ambedkar Chair, Prof M James Stephen, who explained the functioning and benefits of the device to the participating farmers.AgriAI device is designed to analyse agricultural land conditions, detect pest infestations, and send detailed analysis reports along with photographs directly to farmers’ mobile phones through message alerts.

Powered by advanced Artificial Intelligence and IoT technologies, the device provides scientifically validated pest control measures and recommends appropriate pesticide usage. Importantly, the information is delivered to farmers in their vernacular language (Telugu), ensuring accessibility and ease of understanding.