ITB Agricultural Engineering Students Win First Place at IIARC ITS with Early Chili Disease Detection Innovation
By Helga Evangelina - Mahasiswa Rekayasa Pertanian, 2021
Editor M. Naufal Hafizh, S.S.
JATINANGOR.itb.ac.id -Three students from the Agricultural Engineering program at ITB, Farrel Sajid Alfarez, Mohammad Rafi Bonardi, and Andyta Ceria Putri Harahap, won first place in the Industrial Automation and Robotic Competition (IIARC) 2024, organized by the Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS).
The competition, themed "Exploring the Advancement and Applications of Automation in Industrial Practices: Driving Innovation and Efficiency," featured the team CHILLYA!, who competed under the subtheme Autonomous Systems in Industrial Automation, which aligns closely with the Agricultural Engineering field.
In this competition, CHILLYA! proposed an innovation in the agroindustry, specifically aimed at early detection of diseases in horticultural plants. They focused on anthracnose disease, which affects chili plants. Caused by the Colletotrichum fungus, this disease can reduce chili production by up to 75%.
When infected, plants release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as a defense mechanism. To address this, CHILLYA! used an electronic nose sensor (E-Nose) to detect these VOCs, enabling early disease detection before visible symptoms appear.
In addition to the E-Nose, their system incorporates environmental sensors and image-based detection to model disease spread using the susceptible-infected-recovered (SIR) framework. This early detection allows for faster intervention, optimizes disease control strategies, and reduces the use of chemical pesticides.
The innovation stemmed from the team’s experiences as Agricultural Engineering students at ITB, where they regularly conducted fieldwork, including visits to Sukawangi Village in Sumedang, a chili-producing center in West Java fostered by School of Life Sciences and Technology (SITH) ITB. During their observations, they found that local farmers frequently suffered losses during the rainy season due to fungal infections that were difficult to control. CHILLYA! recognized that delayed disease detection hindered effective control. They thus developed a system that detects fungal spores before they reach the generative phase, allowing for earlier treatment.
According to CHILLYA!, the key strength of their innovation lies in its ability to address real-world challenges faced by farmers. Its high relevance to the agricultural sector sets them apart from other participants. Additionally, the team carefully prepared their presentation, ensuring that their concepts and innovations were communicated clearly and persuasively.
This innovation aligns with the concept of Agriculture 5.0, which uses smart technologies to enhance efficiency and sustainability. The early detection system reduces chemical pesticide use, supports organic farming, and saves labor costs in plant maintenance.
CHILLYA!’s success in IIARC ITS 2024 not only demonstrates the excellence of their innovation but also offers an innovative solution for a more advanced, efficient, and environmentally friendly agricultural sector in Indonesia.
Reporter: Helga Evangelina (Agricultural Engineering, 2021)
Translator: Atika Widya Nurfaizah (Postharvest Technology, 2021)
