A new tool to fight cassava diseases using an artificially intelligent machine has been launched.

Nuru, as the device is known, has been developed by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in collaboration with the Pennsylvania State University of the United States.

The machine, according to the institute’s official, can accurately recognise leaves damaged by the two viral diseases attacking the crop as well as damage by red and green mites.

The two diseases, Cassava Mosaic and Cassava Brown Streak, are said to be have affected hugely cassava production in Africa, reducing the yield by 50 per cent. Read more