AcroSeeker Helps Farmers Identify Crop Problems, Find Suitable Solutions

KUCHING, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- AcroSeeker, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered application, is helping farmers manage crop health more effectively by accurately identifying crop problems and recommending suitable pesticides, potentially reducing excessive chemical use.

Head of Product Development and Innovation at Agricultural Chemicals (M) Sdn Bhd Alan Yeow said the application, developed using Japanese technology, had been tailored to Malaysia’s agricultural conditions, addressing challenges affecting crops such as padi, vegetables, durian and oil palm.

“Farmers simply need to take a photo of the affected crop using a smartphone, and the application can analyse it, identify the problem and recommend suitable solutions.

“This is crucial as farmers may sometimes find it difficult to distinguish between pest infestations, diseases and nutrient deficiencies, which could result in misdiagnosis and the use of unsuitable pesticides,” he told Bernama when met at the 2nd Sarawak Rice Conference (SARICON II) 2026 here today.

Yeow said selecting the right pesticide based on the type and severity of an infestation could help farmers tackle crop problems more effectively while reducing excessive chemical use, which could harm the environment and affect soil health.

He said this was particularly important as farmers often relied on advice from agricultural input vendors in the field, despite crop problems potentially stemming from multiple underlying causes.

“For example, when a problem occurs in a padi field, a farmer may think it is caused by golden apple snails, when the real cause could be something else that needs to be identified first.

“With this application, farmers have an additional reference to help make an initial diagnosis before deciding on the most appropriate course of action,” he said.

Yeow said AcroSeeker could also help farmers locate nearby suppliers of pesticides and other products recommended for the identified crop problem.

“This approach is in line with efforts to make farming more precise and sustainable, while giving farmers the information they need to make more informed decisions.

“When farmers use the right products for the right problems, we can reduce waste and unnecessary pesticide use while also protecting the environment and maintaining soil health,” he said.

Earlier, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg launched the AcroSeeker crop diagnosis application during a visit to the Agricultural Chemicals booth.

--BERNAMA