Optimizing Potato Disease Classification Using a Metaheuristics Algorithm for Deep Learning: A Novel Approach for Sustainable Agriculture

Potato is a food crop at a global scale, bearing a hefty importance for the food security and nutrition of millions of people worldwide. Nonetheless, some obstacles have to be overcome in the cultivation of potatoes, such as susceptibility to a number of diseases that affect quality and yield. Thus, sound disease management approaches are critical to protect potato crops and support maximum production. In this perspective, optimization techniques are vital in improving disease classification accuracy, thus helping in early detection and timely intervention. In this research, we suggest the hybridization of the Greylag Goose Optimizer (GGO) with the Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO), which is called GGGWO, for the optimization of convolutional neural network (CNN) models for potato disease classification. Through our approach, we are seeking to enhance precision and timeliness in the diagnosis of diseases that will eventually lead to the development of appropriate crop management practices and sustainable agriculture. The performance of the GGGWO-CNN model is assessed in terms of accuracy and is compared to other optimization algorithms using statistical testing methods like ANOVA and Wilcoxon signed rank tests. The results exhibit the excellent performance of the GGGWO-CNN model with an accuracy of 0.9904 and a sensitivity of 0.9421 in identifying potato diseases accurately, highlighting its potential to aid farmers and general agriculture practitioners. Utilizing optimization techniques and CNN models, our research helps in the development of precision agriculture as well as the improvement of resilient potato cropping systems. The proposed method’s approach provides an exciting way of dealing with the problem of potato diseases. It provides an excellent platform for carrying out further studies on improving agricultural decision-making processes aimed at better crop health and productivity.