| dc.description.abstract | Rice is a crucial staple crop globally, providing over half
of humanity's caloric intake. It supports the livelihoods of
small-scale farmers and landless laborers worldwide. With
the growing population, there is a high demand for rice
production. Sri Lanka is renowned for its high-quality rice
and has a long history of paddy cultivation. However, not
all of the country's 708,000 hectares of land dedicated to
paddy cultivation are utilized due to water scarcity and
unstable terrain.
The objective of this project is to enhance the quality of the
paddy crop during its vegetative phase by early
identification of diseases through the utilization of
emerging technologies. The vegetative phase constitutes a
critical stage in the growth of paddy, exerting significant
influence on the overall yield, resistance to pests and
diseases, nutrient assimilation, and the environmental
implications of agricultural practices. The primary
emphasis of this project is to identify diseases to which
paddy crops are susceptible during the vegetative phase
and subsequently present a visual representation of their
locations on a map, serving as the output for end-users.
Early identification of paddy diseases is crucial for
effective crop management and high yields. These
diseases, caused by different pathogens, can significantly
hinder plant growth and productivity if not detected and
treated promptly. Identifying them early allows farmers
and experts to take timely and targeted actions, like
applying suitable fungicides or implementing cultural
practices, to control their spread and minimize crop
damage. | en_US |
