IoT enabled next generation farming

Introduction

Internet of things in farming means accessing and controlling daily usable devices and equipment using the Internet. IOT is an advanced automation and analytics system that deals with artificial intelligence, networking, sensor, electronic, cloud messaging, etc., which deliver complete systems for the products or services. Modern agriculture is an emerging concept, because IOT sensors are capable of providing information about agriculture fields. The 5 ways of improvement in the agricultural sectors are: Data, tons of data, collected by smart agriculture sensors. If there is better control over the internal processes then it may decrease production risks.

There are different IoT sensors available for the agriculture domain as well as IoT applications in the agriculture field.

Why there is need of IoT in farming

IoT smart agriculture products are developed to help monitor crop fields using sensors and to automate irrigation systems. As a result, farmers and associated brands can easily monitor the field conditions from anywhere with less effort.

Techniques for IoT enabled farming

There are 5 best modern techniques

1. Precision farming

IoT technology is used in precision farming to produce high crop yields, make data-driven decisions, and save operating costs. Agricultural embedded solutions rely on specialised machinery, networked sensors, robotics, wireless connectivity, and specialised software.

a) To deliver the precise amount of water, nourishment, and to maximise pest control, use digital agricultural data (soil, crop health, weather, etc.).

b) Boost the farm’s ability to sustain its financial and environmental health.

c) Predict weather changes and take preventative action as necessary.

2. Agricultural Drones

Drones with internet access can assist farmers in the following ways.

• Soil analysis: Drone-driven soil analysis after planting gives information that helps in managing nitrogen levels and irrigation.
• Planting: They are able to shoot nutrient-filled pods into the soil, giving the plant everything it needs to survive.
• Spraying: They are able to scan the ground and evenly distribute the right amount of liquid. It will take five times as long as the old-fashioned approaches.

Agricultural drone

Irrigation: Drones using thermal, hyper-spectral, or multispectral sensors can spot which areas of a field need to be improved or irrigated. The drone will be given a line of movement from the satellite, which will also ensure that it only goes within the field.

3. Livestock monitoring

The health of animals, most frequently cattle, is tracked and monitored using IoT-enabled sensors. Precision livestock farming or livestock management are other names for it. One of the greatest approaches to obtain a thorough study of the development of the mobile application required in locating and controlling the deformed cattle for the user alert purpose is through this method. They can also keep an eye on livestock movement and herd grazing.

4. Smart Greenhouse

Using Cisco packet tracer, a smart greenhouse based on the IoT (Internet of Things) is implemented, and the output is checked against the anticipated outcomes. Keywords: Cisco packet tracer, smart greenhouse, sensors, IOT, and greenhouse.

5. Robotics in Agriculture

Automation got more evolved to efficiently handle sophisticated tasks and also to increase production. With increasing demands and shortage of labor across the world, agriculture robots or commonly known as Agri bots are starting to gain popularity among farmers. We are in the early stages of an ag-robotics revolution, harnessing the full potential of the Internet of Things in agriculture, with most of the products still in development and early trial phases in R&D mode.

Benefits of IoT in farming

Internet of Things (IoT) advantages for farming and smart farming The Internet of Things (IoT) in agriculture has the potential to transform humankind and the entire planet. We are currently seeing an increase in the difficulty and cost of food production due to harsh weather, deteriorating soil, drying up regions, and collapsing ecosystems.

Challenges of IoT in farming

Connectivity

Unfortunately, as many devices use various protocols and data transmission techniques, connectivity continues to be a challenge with the Internet of Things as a whole. Hopefully, efforts to govern this space, establish standards, will soon be able to address this issue and offer each space with a quick and dependable Internet connection regardless of its size and circumstances.

Design and durability

In order to “operate in the farm,” drones, portable sensors, IoT in smart grid, and weather monitoring stations need to be designed simply but effectively.

Limited resources and time

Companies who design and build IoT for agriculture must account for the impacts of adverse elements including declining pollinator populations, rapid climate change, and new weather extremes.

Difference between traditional and IoT based farming

Traditional methods of farming

1. It uses an antiquated method of farming.
2. The output rate is low.
3. This farming technique protects the environment.

IOT Based farming

1. It is a cutting edge, scientific farming technique.

2. In a shorter period, the rate of output is high.

3. This farming practice is unfriendly to the environment.

Applications

1. Sensor-based devices for keeping an eye on crops, fields, livestock, barns, and pretty much any other significant aspect that affects production.
2. Drones, autonomous robots, and smart agricultural actuators.
3. Connected agricultural environments like hydroponics or smart greenhouses.
4. systems for managing, displaying, and analyzing data.
5. modelling and planning that is predictive.

Real time example

Herd Dogg is an automated ear tag manufacturer for monitoring animals and their conditions. The system is composed of three parts: the tag, which gathers and stores the data; the reader, also known as “DoggBone,” which combines the data from the tags; and the cloud, where data is processed and rendered into an understandable display.

Conclusion

In this blog, we have discussed the applications using IOT in agriculture. Food security is a very important part of the world. So, the development of the agriculture field is always a top priority. Use of IOT in agriculture has a great future. This has helped bridge the gap between production and quality and quantity yield.With seamless end to end intelligent operations and improved business process execution, produce gets processed faster and reaches supermarkets in the fastest time possible.

Authors

Siddhesh Memane

Sarang More

Somnath More

Akanksha Pokale