We are delighted to celebrate the exceptional achievement of Mr. Fikiri Matatizo, a talented student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Education (specializing in Physics and Information Technology). He is currently in his third year, studying in the Department of Chemistry and Physics, College of Natural and Applied Sciences at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA).
On the memorable occasion of the Sokoine Memorial Week, the Directorate of Postgraduate Studies, Research, Technology Transfer, and Consultancy (DPRTC) of SUA organized a captivating pitching event. Named, “University-Industry Partnership: A holistic approach to Accelerate Innovation and Technology in Agriculture,” this event showcased the remarkable talents and innovative ideas of students at SUA.
During this event held on 23rd May 2023, Mr. Fikiri Matatizo showcased his brilliant project and emerged as the victor. His impressive final year project revolves around the development of a mobile application known as the “Plant Diseases Detection and Monitoring App.” By leveraging the power of machine vision (MV) technology driven by artificial intelligence (AI), the app aims to detect and monitor diseases that commonly affect tomato plants.
Mr. Fikiri’s exemplary work draws from the extensive YEESI Lab dataset, enabling him to train the app’s model effectively. The app itself is built upon Flutter technology to offer a seamless user experience. Its backend is powered by TensorFlow Lite, to ensure optimal performance. Mr. Fikiri is supervised by Dr. Kadeghe Fue, from the School of Agriculture Engineering.
In recognition of his remarkable achievement, Mr. Fikiri Matatizo was awarded a cash prize of 1.5 Million Tanzanian Shillings and a winner certificate. Additionally, the first and second runners-up were also honored for their exceptional contributions, receiving prizes of 1.0 Million TZS and 0.5 Million TZS respectively.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Fikiri Matatizo on this incredible milestone. His dedication, innovative mindset, and commitment to pushing the boundaries of agricultural technology serve as an inspiration to fellow youth at SUA.
