Binil Seminar Incomplete
Binil Seminar Incomplete
SEMINAR REPORT
Submitted by
BINIL GEORGE
(Reg No: VJC21EC024)
To
The APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University
In partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Degree
of
Bachelor of Technology in
Electronics and Communication Engineering
December 2023
VISWAJYOTHI COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY,
VAZHAKULAM
Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering
Vision
Moulding Electronics Engineers with Professional Competence and Global Outlook.
Mission
1. To create a vibrant academic ambience conducive for progressive learning.
2. Build up excellent infrastructure and lab facilities to train the students in the current &
emerging technology.
3. Maintain well qualified faculty who are willing to upgrade their knowledge continuously.
4. Groom students towards successful careers by facilitating industry-institute relationships and
value addition through regular skill-development programmes.
problems.
2. Problem analysis: Identify, formulate, review research literature, and analyse complex
3. Design / development of solutions: Design solutions for complex engineering problems and
design system components or processes that meet the specified needs with appropriate
consideration for the public health and safety, and the cultural, societal, and environmental
considerations.
4. Conduct investigations of complex problems: Use research-based knowledge and research
methods including design of experiments, analysis and interpretation of data, and synthesis
5. Modern tool usage: Create, select, and apply appropriate techniques, resources, and modern
6. The engineer and society: Apply reasoning informed by the contextual knowledge to assess
societal, health, safety, legal and cultural issues and the consequent responsibilities relevant
to the professional engineering practice.
7. Environment and sustainability: Understand the impact of the professional engineering
solutions in societal and environmental contexts, and demonstrate the knowledge of, and
need for sustainable development.
8. Ethics: Apply ethical principles and commit to professional ethics and responsibilities and
norms of the engineering practice.
9. Individual and team work: Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader
in diverse teams, and in multidisciplinary settings.
engineering and management principles and apply these to one’s own work, as a member
12. Life-long learning: Recognize the need for, and have the preparation and ability to engage
2. Apply the concepts of signal processing and develop algorithms to solve real-world
electronics and communication problems.
3. Design and manage cost effective low power electronic systems to address global
challenges with a strong social commitment and ethical values.
DECLARATION
I hereby declare that the seminar report entitled "IoT Based Agriculture" submitted by me to the
Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering Viswajyothi College of Engineering
& Technology, Vazhakulam, in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the award of the degree of
B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering is a bonafide report of the seminar work
carried out by me under the guidance of Ms.Ranjini Surendran, Assistant Professor & Asst.HOD,
Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering. The material contained in this report
has not been submitted either in part or in full, to any university or institution for the award of any
degree.
Place: Vazhakulam
Date: 05-11-2024
Binil George
Reg No. VJC21EC024
VISWAJYOTHI COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY, VAZHAKULAM
BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the report entitled “IOT BASED AGRICULTURE” submitted by
BINIL GEORGE (Reg No. VJC21EC024) to APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University,
Thiruvananthapuram in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of
Bachelor of Technology in Electronics and Communication Engineering is a bonafide record of
the seminar presented by him. This report in any form has not been submitted to any other
University or Institute for any purpose.
First and foremost, we thank God Almighty for His divine grace and blessings in making all this
possible. May he continue to lead us in the years to come. It is my privilege to render my heartfelt
thanks and gratitude to our most beloved manager, Msgr. Dr. Pius Malekandathil, our director Rev.
Fr. Dr. Paul Parathazham and our Principal, Dr. K.K. Rajan for providing me the opportunity to do
this seminar during the fourth year of my B.Tech degree course. I am deeply thankful to our Head
of the Department, Dr. Naveen Jacob for his support and encouragement.
I would like to express our sincere gratitude to our seminar coordinator Ms. Rose Maria Jose,
Assistant Professor, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering for her
motivation, assistance and help for the seminar.
I also thank all the staff members of the Electronics and Communication Engineering department
for providing their assistance and support. Last, but not the least I thank all our friends and my
family for their valuable feedback from time to time as well as their help and encouragement.
i
ABSTRACT
This seminar explores the transformative role of the Internet of Things (IoT) in modern agriculture,
emphasizing its potential to enhance productivity, resource efficiency, and sustainability. By
integrating IoT-enabled devices such as smart sensors and actuators, agricultural processes can be
optimized through real-time data collection and analysis, facilitating precise farming practices,
improved water management, and remote crop and livestock monitoring. The report discusses IoT
architecture tailored to agricultural needs, highlighting key components like wireless sensor
networks, cloud computing, and farm management software. Additionally, it identifies critical
challenges that impact IoT adoption in agriculture, including high capital investment, data privacy,
connectivity issues, and the need for standardized protocols. Addressing these barriers could
significantly advance IoT implementation, leading to sustainable growth and innovation in
agriculture, particularly in rural and remote areas. This seminar underscores IoT’s potential to
revolutionize the agriculture sector while paving the way for scalable, data-driven solutions to
agricultural challenges.
ii
CONTENTS
iii
LIST OF FIGURES
NO. Title Page No.
Fig 3. 1 IoT 4
Fig 3. 2 Layer of IoT 6
Fig 4. 1 Iot enabled crop monitoring 10
Fig 4. 2 data flow 12
Fig 4. 3 Smart sensor architecture 13
Fig 4. 4 Acoustic sensor 14
Fig 4. 5 GPR 15
Fig 4. 6 Electrochemical sensor 16
Fig 4.7 LIDAR 17
Fig 4. 8 Optical sensor 18
Fig 4.9 mechanical sensor 19
Fig 4.10 Architecture 22
Fig 4.11 WSN 23
Fig 4.12 Gateway 24
iv
ABBREVIATIONS
AI – Artificial Intelligence
CCW – Certain Conventional Weapons
GAN – Generative Adversarial Network
LAWS – Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems
NLP – Natural Language Processing
UN – United Nations
v
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Farming and agriculture is the basis of human life which gives food, grains, and other raw
materials. Technology holds a tremendous role in increasing production and decreasing extra
manpower. Internet of Things (IoT) has opened up a suit- able solution for smart farming and
agriculture, however, it remains a dream till the connectivity is not reached to rural areas. The
WiFi-based long distance (WiLD) network is successfully been used to connect the rural
regions with low cost With the extended range, for bet- ter and efficient IoT in such region
and cloud computing solutions can be incorporated in WiFi devices. Implementation of
IoT in field of agriculture can greatly take agriculture to next level by increasing productivity,
scalabilty, feasibility and quality of agro products. With the advent of high processing
technologies, strong connectivity, sensitive and smart sensors, internet of things can be more
efficiently and effectively implemented in agricultural scenario. This seminar deals about
importance of internet of things in the field of agriculture and IoT architecture that has to be
enabled in agriculture for efficient and feasible working. This seminar also points out various
challenges that needs to be overcome to make this technology sustainable.
1
CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE SURVEY
Agriculture has always been a backbone of economies worldwide, with its evolution pivotal to
addressing food security and resource management. In recent years, the integration of the Internet
of Things (IoT) in agriculture has emerged as a revolutionary approach to optimizing agricultural
productivity, sustainability, and resource management. IoT-based agriculture harnesses smart
devices, sensors, and data analytics to monitor and manage essential factors like soil moisture,
crop health, and environmental conditions. By connecting these sensors and devices to the internet,
real-time data collection and analysis are possible, empowering farmers to make data-driven
decisions that enhance efficiency and reduce waste.
This literature survey explores key advancements in IoT-based agriculture, including the latest
sensor technologies, network architectures, data management techniques, and applications in
precision farming. It also examines the challenges and limitations, such as connectivity issues in
rural areas, data security, and the economic viability of IoT solutions for small-scale farmers. The
survey reviews and synthesizes findings from recent studies, presenting insights into how IoT is
transforming traditional agricultural practices and outlining areas where further research and
development are needed.
2
2.2. IOT ARCHITECTURE FOR AGRICULTURAL APPLICATIONS
Ojha et al. present a comprehensive survey of IoT architectures, highlighting how various
frameworks (e.g., Sensor-Cloud, Edge Computing, and WSNs) can be optimized for agricultural
applications. The study discusses critical aspects of IoT in agriculture, such as heterogeneity,
context-awareness, and scalability. They emphasize the need for robust communication
technologies (e.g., 6LoWPAN for addressing scalability) and propose using a cloud-edge hierarchy
to handle the diverse data generated by agricultural IoT systems. This layered architecture ensures
data processing efficiency, reduces latency, and enhances system resilience, making it ideal for
precision agriculture, irrigation, pest control, and livestock monitoring.
3
CHAPTER 3
WHAT IS INTERNET OF THINGS
The Internet of Things (IoT) describes the network of physical objects “things” that are
embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies for the purpose of connecting and
exchanging data with other devices and systems over the internet. These devices range from
ordinary household objects to sophisticated industrial tools. Physical objects may exchange
and gather data with little assistance from humans by means of low-cost computers, the cloud,
big data, analytics, and mobile technologies. In this world of hyperconnection, every contact
between connected objects can be recorded, watched over, and modified by computer systems.
Meeting point: the digital and physical realms work together.
4
3.1. TECHNOLOGIES THAT HAVE MADE IOT POSSIBLE
While the idea of IoT has been in existence for a long time, a collection of recent advances
in a number of different technologies has made it practical.
• Connectivity. A host of network protocols for the internet has made it easy to
connect sensors to the cloud and to other “things” for efficient data transfer.
• Cloud computing platforms. The increase in the availability of cloud plat- forms
enables both businesses and consumers to access the infrastructure they need to
scale up without actually having to manage it all.
• Machine learning and analytics. With advances in machine learning and analytics,
along with access to varied and vast amounts of data stored in the cloud, businesses
can gather insights faster and more easily. The emergence of these allied technologies
continues to push the boundaries of IoT and the data produced by IoT also feeds these
technologies.
5
3.2. LAYERS OF INTERNET OF THINGS
General IoT architecture can be divided into four layers. They are Sensing layer, network layer,
Data processing layer and application layer. The 4 layer architecture of Iot is shown in the figure
3.2.
• Sensing Layer :The sensing layer is the first layer of the IoT architecture and is
responsible for collecting data from different sources. This layer includes sensors and
actuators that are placed in the environment to gather information about temperature,
humidity, light, sound, and other physical parameters. These devices are connected to the
network layer through wired or wireless communication protocols.
• Network Layer :The network layer of an IoT architecture is responsible for providing
communication and connectivity between devices in the IoT system. It includes protocols
and tech- nologies that enable devices to connect and communicate with each other and
6
with the wider internet. Examples of network technologies that are commonly used in IoT
include WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and cellular networks such as 4G and 5G.
• Data processing Layer :The data processing layer of IoT architecture refers to the
software and hardware components that are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and
interpreting data from IoT devices. This layer is responsible for receiving raw data from
the devices, pro- cessing it, and making it available for further analysis or action.The data
processing layer includes a variety of technologies and tools, such as data management
systems, analytics platforms, and machine learning algorithms.
• Application Layer :The application layer of IoT architecture is the topmost layer that
interacts directly with the end-user. It is responsible for providing user-friendly interfaces
and function- alities that enable users to access and control IoT devices.This layer
includes various software and applications such as mobile apps, web portals, and other
user interfaces that are designed to interact with the underlying IoT infrastructure. It also
includes middleware services that allow different IoT devices and systems to
communicate and share data seamlessly.
7
CHAPTER 4
IOT AND AGRICULTURE
4.1. SIGNIFICANCE OF IOT IN AGRICULTURE
The Internet of Things (IoT) plays a crucial role in transforming various industries, and
agriculture is no exception. The integration of IoT in agriculture brings about nu- merous
benefits, contributing to increased efficiency, productivity, and sustainability. Here are some
key aspects highlighting the importance of IoT in agriculture:
.
9
4.2. IOT ENABLED CROP MONITORING
IoT has brought about a significant change in crop monitoring, turning it from an
experience-based, qualitative effort into a quantitative, data-driven endeavor that includes
soil, microclimate, and crop sensing. IoT based technology enables farmers to precisely
monitor crop health and growth. Different scenarios in IoT enabled crop monitoring is
depicted in the figure 4.1
It assists farm workers to evaluate insect attacks and plant diseases in real time. Acquisition
and processing of real time data by IoT tagged sensors offer great ad- vantage to farmers and
researchers for intelligent management of crop cultivation, fertilizer application, irrigation,
and plant surroundings. The key components of IoT-based smart crop monitoring systems are
sensors that are deployed in the field to collect data on various environmental factors,
10
including as temperature, humidity, soil moisture, and nutrient levels. Due to the frequent
networking of these sensors, real-time data transfer to a centralized cloud-based plat- form is
made possible. The information obtained from these sensors is then analyzed using machine
learning and other data analytics methods to get insights on crop health, growth rates, and
yield potential. Farmers can use this information to make choices on crop management
including irrigation, pest control, and harvest Implication of wireless sensor technologies can
alert administrators and farmers regarding equipment fault and initiates troubleshooting. IoT-
enabled UAS are emerging trends in agriculture where the system allow the farmers to
gather landscape imaging in real time with smooth workflow of processing and data storage.
Moreover, IoT-based systems are effective in monitoring agricultural environmental
parameters such as plant growth morphology, air temperature, light intensity, soil moisture,
humidity, CO2 concentration, pH values, and crop water use efficiency. In a study, CC2430,
an intelligent irrigation system was developed and employed to evaluate multiple agricultural
parameters.
IoT-based devices are used to accurately perform data acquisition, monitoring, and field
surveillance in multipoint assessment systems. Farmers can trace pests in real time and
quickly take appropriate preventive action with the help of IoT-enabled devices. A
variety of sensors, including the Noir camera, DHT11, LDR, DS18B20, and soil
moisture sensors, as well as single-board microcontrollers and Application
Programming Interfaces (APIs), assist in collecting data related to crop growth
parameters like sun light intensity and other factors. Utilizing machine learning
algorithms like decision trees, SVM, KNN, Random Forest, and Gaussian Na¨ıve Bayes,
the Smart Crop Selection (SCS) model is based on information about soil and
metrological fac- tors like pH, temperature, rainfall, phosphorus, potassium, CO2, and
humidity. This will make it possible for the farmers to take the required actions to
improve crop growth.
11
4.2.1. Data Flow in IoT Based Agriculture
The figure 4.2 show the flow of data through various layers of IoT architecture. The Data
comprises of information collected from sensors. These data is then passed to cloud based
platforms where it is processed using various machine learning techniques. The results are then
passed to farmers for taking better decisions based on that.
12
4.3. REMOTE SENSING USING SMART SENSORS
Due to the swift progress in communication technologies, the semiconductor industry, and
computing, a new generation of sensors, referred to as ”smart” sensors, has emerged as cutting-
edge technologies. These sensors can engage in wireless communication from a remote location
and possess the capability for inter-device communication, coupled with automated data
processing networks. As a result smart sensors are highly effective in detecting patterns and
correlations within raw data, as well as establishing cause-and-effect relationships among
various factors. Unlike earlier sensor networks that were primarily focused on sensing
capabilities, subsequent versions have been endowed with intelligence to conduct computations
alongside data sensing. What defines a sensor as ”smart” is its capacity to facilitate
communication among these intelligent sensing devices, thereby forming a ”smart sensor
network. The basic architecture of a smart sensor is shown in the figure 4.3. It includes
one or more sensors, a microcontroller, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a communication
link, memory, and a power source. A smart sensor node is made up of three fundamental
components viz. a physical transducer, a memory core or processor, and a network
interface. The physical parameters are sensed by the physical transducer, which are then
converted into an electrical signal. The ADC aids in producing a digital value for use by the
processor. Signal processing on the sensed data and conveying the resulting data to the network
is done by the processor, which is often a microcontroller.
14
surface processes and vegetation types. Ground penetrating radar(Figure 4.5) and
electromagnetic induction are particularly effective in estimating soil-water content.
Furthermore, these sensors are valuable for measuring residual nitrate levels, concentrations
of organic matter in the soil, and providing real-time measurements of transpiration rates.
Electromagnetic sensors are essential in IoT-based agriculture for monitoring soil and
environmental conditions accurately and non-invasively. These sensors use electromagnetic
waves to measure soil properties like moisture, salinity, and nutrient levels, which are crucial
for plant growth and health. By integrating electromagnetic sensors with IoT, farmers can
access real-time data on soil conditions, allowing for precise irrigation and fertilization. For
instance, soil moisture sensors inform when and how much water crops need, reducing water
wastage. Electromagnetic sensors can also monitor crop growth, detect pests, and assess plant
health, helping farmers make informed decisions and optimize resources, ultimately boosting
yield and sustainability.
15
4.3.3. Electrochemical Sensors
Electrochemical sensors are the light weight eco-friendly sensors that are easily portable to the
agricultural lands. These sensors have efficiency to monitor plant growth, diseases, and
environmental pollution more accurately in real time. Moreover envi- ronmental impacts of
electrochemical sensors are comparatively less. Several sensors have been tested for biochemical
parameters that are critical to agricultural yields. For instance, humidity sensors containing
graphene oxide is employed in sensing plant leaf water (figure 4.6). NO2 sensor consisting
silver and reduced graphene oxide can be used to sense toxic gases in the agricultural fields.
For example, a fully flexible device was constructed using metallic single-walled carbon
nanotubes as conductive electrodes and AgNPs-decorated reduced graphene oxide as sensing
layers. The de- vice was able to sense as low as 0.2 ppm NO2 at room temperature.
16
4.3.4. LIDAR
LIDAR technology relies on measuring the distance between a sensor and a target object
using light-based techniques. Due to the constant speed of light, LIDAR can precisely
determine the distance by analyzing the time taken for emitted light to reach the object and
return to the sensor. The system emits light pulses periodically, detecting collisions to construct a
detailed map of the surrounding environment. Advanced LIDAR systems use fewer pulses to
enhance efficiency, and key performance features include operating range, estimated error, and
scanning frequency. The co- ordinates obtained from light collisions are stored in a “point
cloud” file, facilitating the creation of a 3D space. LIDAR has diverse applications in
agriculture, such as monitoring fruit ripening, assessing vegetation structure, and measuring
agricultural landscapes and topography. It is particularly useful for sensing structural
characteristics of trees, including leaf area index and canopy volume. The figure 3.7 shows
a TF-LUNA Micro LiDAR Distance Sensor with a range of 8 meters.
17
4.3.5. Optical Sensors
Wide range of optical sensors has potential implications in agriculture. Such sensors are
based on their ability to detect lights of various wavelengths. Light of specific wavelength
is emitted from a light source to collide with the target object. The re- flected light is sensed
by the optical sensor to generate reflectant data and stored as text file. Freidenreich et al
employed non-distructive optical sensors such as SPAD and GreenSeeker for analysis of
nutrient uptake. Parameters like Normalized Dif- ference Vegetation Index, soil leachate,
and total leaf Carbon:Nitrogen levels were examined.The figure 3.8 is the image of an
optical sensor that can be employed in agiculture.
Physical and chemical factors of soil are responsible for variability in crop yield across the
agricultural lands. Soil strength reflects the compactness of soil particles in a particular area.
18
Higher soil compactness imposes negative impacts on crop yield. Mechanical sensors can be
used to measure the soil compactness and mechanical resistance in soil. This information
could be helpful to customize the irrigation process according to the mechanical features of
the land. Honeywell FSG15N1A is an example of mechanical sensor (Figure 3.9).
Honeywell FSG15N1A senses the force that is exerted by plant roots to absorb water. In
a study, vertical and horizontal sensors were used to measure the soil compactness in a
given area. This integrated approach utilized an ultrasonic distance sensor to measure the
depth penetrated by coulter into the topsoil layer. Results indicated that, the integrated
approach was useful to sense the alterations in top soil strength according to the depth. This
could help in mapping the mechanical resistance of soil in agricultural lands
4.4. ACTUATORS
An actuator is a machine component or system that moves or controls the mechanism of the
system. Sensors in the device sense the environment, then control signals are generated for the
actuators according to the actions needed to perform. different types of actuators are given
below.
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• Irrigation Actuators:
Solenoid Valves: These are commonly used to control the flow of water in irrigation systems.
IoT-based irrigation systems can use solenoid valves that are remotely controlled based on data
from sensors such as soil moisture sensors.
Electric Motors: Electric motors can be used to control various precision farming
equipment, such as automated plows, planters, and harvesters. These can be remotely
operated or programmed based on data received from sensors.
• Ventilation Actuators:
• Shading Actuators:
Motorized Shade Systems: In greenhouses, shading systems can be au- tomated using motorized
shades. These shades can be adjusted based on the intensity of sunlight, helping to optimize the
light conditions for plant growth.
• Fertilization Actuators:
Dosing Pumps: IoT systems can control the amount of fertilizers or nutrients delivered
to plants using dosing pumps. These pumps can be adjusted based on real-time data from
soil nutrient sensors.
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• Harvesting Actuators:
Automated Spraying Systems: Actuators in the form of nozzles or spray systems can be
used for automated application of pesticides or insecticides. These can be triggered based
on data from pest monitoring sensors.
Automated Feeders and Water Dispensers: For smart livestock farming, automated feeders
and water dispensers can be controlled based on data from sensors monitoring the health
and needs of the animals.
Roll-up Sidewalls and Curtains: Actuators can control roll-up sidewalls or curtains in
greenhouses to protect crops from adverse weather conditions or to regulate temperature
and humidity.
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4.5. IOT ARCHITECTURE IN AGRICULTURE
22
4.5.1. Wireless Sensor Network
A Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) is a wireless network structure devoid of a fixed setup,
where numerous wireless sensors are strategically placed to monitor system, physical, or
environmental conditions. The conceptual image of WSN is as shown in the figure 4.11.
Sensor nodes within the WSN are furnished with onboard processors tasked with overseeing
and managing conditions in a designated area. These sensor nodes communicate with a Base
Station, which functions as a processing unit in the WSN system. The Base Station is
connected to the Internet, facilitating the exchange of data. The 6LoWPAN-based wireless
sensor and actuator network is used in the farm domain for sensing and actuating many
operations. 6LoWPAN is a low power wireless personal area network with devices of IEEE
802.15.4 standard using IPv6.A sensor node is a tiny device accessible using IPv6 address having
low storage capacity, capable of low computation and processing capability, and low power
consuming. A large number of IoT devices need larger address space and auto-configuration which
is provided by IPv6. Characteristics of a 6LoWPAN network are small packet size, low bandwidth,
lossy link, and mesh management. It uses the 6LoWPAN protocol stack (IPv6 and adaptation
layer).
Various LoPWAN technologies, including LoRaWAN, SigFox, are specifically de- signed
for long-range connections. However, due to their limited data rates and processing capabilities,
they are not well-suited for handling large amounts of data or running fog computation.
Nevertheless, the WiLD network easily accommodates both LoRaWAN and NB-IoT. The
24
WiLD network serves the purpose of connecting remote rural regions located far from points
of Internet connectivity. In the WiLD network, a graph G(R, E) is employed, where R
represents a set of WiLD nodes comprising a gateway, relay nodes, and leaf nodes, and
E signifies the set of long-distance point-to-point links. This network is characterized by
multiple point-to-point links forming a mesh scenario. The network connectivity extends
from a gateway node situated at a district headquarters to rural areas, providing last-
mile coverage. The proposed architecture adopts a Time Division Multiple Access
(TDMA)-based MAC protocol, specifically a two-color scheduling (2C-MAC) pro-
tocol.The figure 3.13 below illustrates how WiLD network facilitate communication between
sensors in rural areas point of internet connectivity.
4.5.4. Societal AI Bias
Societal AI bias refers to the manifestation of systemic societal inequalities and prejudices within
artificial intelligence systems. This bias can emerge when AI algorithms, trained on data reflecting
societal norms and disparities, inadvertently perpetuate and amplify existing social biases, leading
to discriminatory outcomes in areas such as hiring, law enforcement, and healthcare. This is where
our assumptions and norms as a society cause us to have blind spots or certain expectations in our
thinking.
25
smoother coordination of remote teams, particularly during high-activity seasons like harvest,
contributing to productivity gains and cost savings. It also provides secure traceability and
compliance management, allowing farmers to meet increasing regulatory standards and consumer
demands for transparent, safe food production, which can open doors to premium markets. FMS
also simplifies financial and inventory management by providing detailed insights into harvest
inventory, supplies, and profitability for individual fields or crops, improving budgeting accuracy
and profitability. The continuous monitoring of farming practices supported by FMS promotes
better soil health, biodiversity, and sustainability, ensuring the production of safe, nutritious food
and fostering a satisfied workforce. Lastly, FMS streamlines administrative tasks by digitizing
paperwork and record-keeping, replacing outdated notebooks and spreadsheets with centralized
tracking, making farm administration more efficient and freeing up time for essential on-field
work. This holistic approach allows farms to leverage data-driven strategies, boosting productivity,
profitability, and sustainability.
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CHAPTER 5
CHALLENGES IN IOT BASED AGRICULTURE
1. High Capital investment
The capital investment cost for the implementation of IoT systems need to be minimized to ensure
its widespread implementation in agri-food sector.
2. Lack of security
With the implementation of numerous embedded devices along the SC, the potential for their
hacking increases, leading to manipulation of system, or unethical collection of data. As a result,
lack of data privacy and security is the foremost technical concern influencing IoT adoption.
3. Lack of interoperability
The application of IoT systems along the agri-food sector demands seamless exchange of data
among several entities, people, and systems to work together. Further, IoT applications require
greater interoperability amongst different systems and shareholders.
4. Network Challenges
IoT systems rely heavily on network communication technology and issues like communication
range, propagation losses, routing, etc. significantly influence its adoption in AFSC.
5. Lack of standardization
The existence of several parallel standards and protocols for communication, frequency, etc. cause
problems in the interpretation and sharing of data. Thus, the lack of standardization is a significant
factor influencing IoT adoption.
6. Energy Efficiency
IoT systems generally consist of several sensor nodes that depend on batteries to power
themselves, and are deployed in large quantities at remote locations. Due to the large numbers of
sensor nodes there is a demand for energy-efficient systems.
27
7. Technical Complexity
Each novel technology comes with its own challenges and restrictions such as complexity of
equipment, software, etc. The adoption of IoT for the agriculture sector is heavily dependent on
the choice of technology.
9. Lack of connectivity
IoT solutions require huge number sensor connections to form a network over internet. However,
lack of internet connectivity in rural areas is a major concern. Rural areas of emerging economies
must have good 4G/5G coverage.
10. Scalability
A large quantity of IoT devices need to be deployed in the agricultural sector in future. The system
architecture must be designed to enable up-gradation of computational resources alone, instead of
the need for an overall redesign of the system.
11. Heterogeneity
There are various entities in the agri-food sector, ranging from farmers, to supermarkets, suppliers,
etc. Additionally, the number of sensors, both wired and wireless technologies deployed in the SC
is bound to increase. Hence, no single solution will accommodate the needs of all facets.
13. Trust
Lack of support, technical complexities and high cost of novel technologies severely affect the
farmers trust in technology. As a result, trust plays a important role in the IoT adoption for the agri-
food domain.
28
14. Lack of data reliability
IoT solutions in the AFSC may be used for monitoring various climatic conditions, perishability,
etc. and may have to alert users about critical information immediately. For this, there must be
minimal loss of data during its transmission for it to be reliable. Thus, many researchers have been
experimenting with various data compression techniques.
CHAPTER 6
CONCLUSION
IoT offers potential benefits such as automated systems, bio control, ecological feedback, energy
management, and dematerialization. It facilitates information between objects at different
locations which are interconnected and has enormous applications in AFSC. This seminar has
presented about various layers of Internet of Things and it’s implementations in the field of
agriculture. This seminar explained about specific architecture of internet of things in relation to
agriculture. The use of Wifi based long distance network has tremendously enhanced scalability
of IoT based agriculture. This field offers many startup opportunities also. However there are
certain challenges we have to face in initial stages. Overcoming those challenges can bring
substantial amount of positive changes in agricultural sector of India.
29
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2018
[2] M. K. Saini and R. K. Saini, "Agriculture monitoring and prediction using Internet of Things
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Waknaghat, India, 2020, pp. 53-56
[3] T. Ojha, S. Misra and N. S. Raghuwanshi, "Internet of Things for Agricultural Applications:
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July15, 2021
[4] A. Hasan, N. S. Diya and S. Sultana, "IoT Based Smart Agriculture Management System,"
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