Advancing Coffee Leaf Rust Disease Management: A Deep Learning Approach for Accurate Detection and Classification Using Convolutional Neural Networks

Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR), caused by the fungus Hemileia vastatrix, poses a severe threat to global coffee production. Timely detection is critical for effective control measures. This study employs Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) to enhance CLR detection accuracy. Traditionally, this task relies on expert assessment. DL emerges as a promising approach, capable of autonomously extracting salient features. Our model, trained on a diverse dataset, accurately identifies CLR. Using 1365 meticulously curated images, the model undergoes rigorous preprocessing and augmentation. The DL-based approach achieves remarkable accuracy (98.89%), precision (99.00%), recall (98.07%), and an F1 score of (98.55%). These outcomes establish the CNN model as a proficient system for precise, real-time CLR diagnosis. This study contributes to the creation of an efficient system, safeguarding coffee orchard vitality and productivity.