Umudike Journal of Engineering and Technology

Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike


DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A CONVOLUTIONAL NEURAL NETWORK- BASED SYSTEM FOR TOMATOES PLANT DISEASE DETECTION AND SCREENING

Chidinma, E. U.
Department of Computer Engineering Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State Nigeria.

Chiagunye, T. T.
Department of Computer Engineering Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State Nigeria.

Ilo, S. F.
Department of Computer Engineering Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State Nigeria.

Nwali, U. E.
Department of Computer Engineering Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State Nigeria.



ABSTRACT

This research focuses on the development of a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)-based system for the early detection and classification of tomato plant diseases, leveraging transfer learning with the InceptionV3 architecture. The system addresses critical challenges faced by smallholder farmers in Nigeria, such as economic losses and reduced yields due to diseases like Early Blight, Late Blight, and Bacterial Spot. By utilizing a dataset from PlantVillage augmented with field-collected images, the system achieved a validation accuracy of  91.50%, demonstrating robust performance in disease identification. The research employs a web-based interface for real-time image uploads and camera integration, ensuring accessibility for farmers with limited technical expertise. An integrated AI chat assistant provides actionable treatment recommendations, bridging the gap between diagnosis and practical solutions. The system's design follows Agile Scrum methodology, incorporating data pre-processing, model training, and performance evaluation phases. Key findings highlight the model's effectiveness in reducing crop losses and promoting sustainable agriculture. However, limitations such as data variability and internet dependency suggest future improvements, including offline mobile deployment and expanded datasets. This study contributes to precision agriculture by offering a scalable, user-friendly tool for enhancing food security and farmer livelihoods in resource-constrained regions.


Keywords: Tomato plant diseases, Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), InceptionV3, transfer learning, precision agriculture, disease detection, sustainable farming.


https://doi.org/10.33922/j.ujet_v11i2_3
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Published
Monday, July 14, 2025

Issue
Vol. 11 No. 2, December 2025

Article Section
GENERAL

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