PlantVillage AI Empowers Communities in Northern Kenya to Fight Livestock Disease

A section of CDRs recently trained in Lokichar, Turkana County, on using the PlantVillage App to diagnose and contain livestock disease. Photo Credit Dennis Avokoywa PlantVillage media officer.

 

Consider the case of 'Ariong', a nomadic farmer in Naanam village, Lokichogio Sub-County. Just a few months ago, a notifiable disease swept through his village, claiming the lives of over six livestock from his herd alone.

 

Despite employing various traditional medicines, such as tree roots and leaves, as recommended to him, Ariong's attempts to control the disease were unsuccessful. With each attempt at a new remedy, precious time passed, and the disease continued to spread, bringing more losses.

 

"A concerned Ariong called me," said Moses Ekalale, a Community Disease Reporter from Lokichogio Sub-County. "His goat exhibited unusual symptoms - popping out eyes and weak legs. I had never witnessed anything like it."

 

Saving Livestock with PlantVillage AI

Ekalale, equipped with training in using the PlantVillage app, used his phone to capture photos of the goat. The app empowers CDRs to take pictures of diseased animals, their symptoms, and location data. This information is then uploaded to a server, allowing a veterinarian to review it remotely and recommend appropriate intervention through the CDR to the local pastoralist.

 

"We received a diagnosis within minutes," Ekalale explained. "The app facilitated the veterinarian's determination of the problem and recommendation of the correct course of action. Thanks to PlantVillage, we swiftly contained the outbreak, preventing further losses within the community."

 

^{Samuel Lomoakwan, a CDR, is taking a photo of a goat in Turkana County.  Photo Credit Dennis Avokoywa PlantVillage media officer.}

Ekalale's experience exemplifies the value of the PlantVillage app in fostering a more efficient and data-driven approach to livestock disease management. The app's ability to transmit data promptly and accurately allows veterinarians to diagnose and address outbreaks more rapidly, minimizing the impact on both livestock and livelihoods.

 

Prior to the app's implementation, obtaining real-time disease data across the vast county posed a significant challenge for the department. This hindered the establishment of disease status and timely response.

 

"Previously, collecting information on livestock disease outbreaks relied on either word-of-mouth communication or written descriptions of symptoms submitted on paper to veterinary offices. This method, requiring veterinary officers to review and respond to the information, was both time-consuming and often unreliable," said Jackson Ekarang, a CDR reporter in Naoros ward, Turkana Central Sub-County.

^{A CDR in Turkana County uploading a photo of a goat to the PlantVillage app. Photo credit: Dennis Avokoywa, PlantVillage Media Officer.}

Dr. Benson Etelej Longor, County director of veterinary services, applauds the integration of PlantVillage AI. He highlights how the information collected has assisted the department in understanding syndromic trends, disease hotspots, and commonly reported diseases.

 

"It has transformed disease response from reactive to proactive," he says. "Early detection leads to reduced livestock mortality and economic losses for pastoralists. The app also generates valuable data for research, improving animal health management practices."

 

The app can detect various livestock diseases based on visual symptoms reported by pastoralists, including abortion, diarrhea, circling, coughing, oscula-nasal discharge, hair loss, and lameness. This wide range of detection capabilities makes PlantVillage AI a powerful tool for safeguarding animal health in the County.

 

The app goes beyond basic diagnostics. It analyzes data to identify patterns and trends in outbreaks, empowering veterinary services to be more proactive. This allows for data-driven decisions on resource allocation and disease control strategies.