SUKKUR, Feb 28 (APP): Scholar Abdul Khalique, supervised by Prof. Dr Riaz Ahmed Shaikh of the Shah Abdul Latif University, on Saturday created a system that automates date fruit handling, variety identification, size sorting and quality grading using traditional machine learning models that hit 99.3 % accuracy, especially for Aseel dates. Size sorting achieved F1 scores of 0.98 for small and 0.97 for large.
Another scholar, Aijaz Ahmed, under Dr Rafaqat Arain and Dr Hidayatullah Shaikh, has developed a deep learning model that scans sugarcane leaf images to spot diseases such as red rot and leaf scald, enabling early intervention and potentially saving large crop losses.
Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Yousuf Khushk hailed the defenses as successful, urging patents and societal impact. Pro VC Prof Dr Wahid Bux Jatoi and Dean Prof Dr Noor Ahmed Shaikh stressed integrating machine learning into farming and delivering products, not just papers.
The university plans to commercialise the technologies, helping farmers cut losses, boost quality and compete globally.