MaizeGenie - Mobile Platform for Sustainable and Profitable Corn Cultivation

Abstract

Maize is an important crop in Sri Lanka, but many farmers still face low yields and income losses due to pest and leaf disease attacks, uncertain weather, and market price changes. Farmers also have limited access to real-time, easy-to-understand decision support in Sinhala, especially in areas with weak internet coverage. This research proposes MaizeGenie, an AI-powered mobile advisory platform that supports sustainable and profitable corn cultivation. The system combines computer vision and machine learning to deliver four main services: (1) pest identification and control guidance using object detection and image classification, (2) leaf disease identification with severity-based advice, (3) yield prediction with prediction-based site-specific real time fertilizer advisory system, and (4) price forecasting and cultivation timing decision support using time-series forecasting. The application is designed for farmerfriendly use, provides Sinhala/English guidance with voice/text output, and supports operation where possible. Overall, the proposed solution aims to reduce trial-and-error farming, improve timely actions against pests and diseases, and help farmers plan inputs and selling decisions with more confidence.