By Prince Chese
A Plumtree student showcased a groundbreaking software application designed to solve local agricultural challenges at the Provincial Annual Science,Sports and Arts Festival competition on Tuesday.
Munashe Matengarufu invented the application, called Evate, to help community members stop relying on outdated farming methods.
In an interview with Ziyah News Network, Matengarufu said that over 65 percent of Zimbabweans rely on small gardens or farms for food but often use historical assumptions to predict current crop outcomes.
The Evate software allows users to upload an image of a plant to instantly scan and diagnose its health condition.
If the plant is healthy, the application provides confirmation and maintenance tips to keep the crop thriving.
If the plant is diseased, the software identifies the specific sickness and provides an immediate solution.
Beyond crop diagnostics, the innovator built an integrated social and learning platform within the software to boost agricultural education.
The digital platform provides students with practical agricultural lessons and instructional videos.
A built-in student portal allows learners to track their educational progress over time.
The system also features a dedicated teacher’s portal, enabling educators to monitor students participation and manage lessons.