The agricultural sector is witnessing a transformative shift with the advent of cutting-edge technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, and big data. One such revolutionary concept gaining momentum is the digitization of agriculture through IoT, paving the way for large-scale smart farming.
By leveraging IoT technology throughout various stages of crop production, farmers can achieve enhanced efficiency and precision in their management practices. Traditional farms enclosed by fences and managed manually are now giving way to digitized, visualized, and intelligent farms, enabling the transition toward efficient ecological agriculture.
IoT in Agriculture:
IoT in agriculture bridges crops with their surrounding environment, soil, and nutrient levels. By analyzing multi-dimensional information at different levels, IoT enables optimal environmental adjustments and efficient crop fertilization management.
Pre-Planting Stage:
During the pre-planting stage, multiple sensors can be deployed inside greenhouses to analyze real-time soil information, enabling farmers to make informed decisions regarding suitable crop selection.
Growth Stage:
In the growth stage, IoT technology is used to gather temperature and humidity data for efficient management, ensuring that young plants thrive in the best possible environment. For instance, temperature and humidity sensors can detect changes in greenhouse conditions, allowing for timely adjustments to maintain an optimal environment for plant growth.
Cultivation Stage:
In this phase, IoT facilitates real-time monitoring of crop growth conditions, nutrient levels, and the presence of pests and diseases. Relevant sensors provide accurate and immediate data on soil moisture, environmental temperature and humidity, and light conditions. Using this real-time information along with expert knowledge, farmers can adjust crop growth environments, improve nutrient levels, and promptly address any potential outbreaks of pests or diseases.
High-Performance IoT Sensors for Agricultural Applications:
Japanese EKO Photovoltaic Sensor – MS-402:
The EKO MS-402 is an ISO first-class solar radiation sensor, designed for accurate measurement and temperature compensation in all weather conditions. With its robust brass mechanical structure, it is highly durable, making it suitable for harsh environmental conditions in agricultural settings. This sensor plays a crucial role in researching plant growth, photosynthesis, and vegetation indices.
Features of the EKO MS-402 Photovoltaic Sensor include:
- Class I Solar Radiation Meter: It meets the stringent requirements of ISO Class I standards for solar radiation measurement.
- Response Time (95% < 8s): The sensor has a fast response time, capturing changes in solar radiation quickly.
- Temperature Compensation < 1% (50°C bandwidth): The sensor compensates for temperature changes to an accuracy level of less than 1%, ensuring precise measurements.
- Close to Class II Standard Specifications: The MS-402 is designed to be similar to the Class II standard sensor MS-802 but with additional improvements.
Specifications of the EKO MS-402 Photovoltaic Sensor:
- Model: MS-402 / MS-402F
- ISO 9060 Classification: Class I Standard
- Response Time (95%): 8 seconds
- Zero Offset Error (200 W/m²): < 6 W/m²
- Zero Offset Error due to Temperature Changes (5K/hr): < 2 W/m²
- Instability (Change per year): < 0.5 %
- Non-linearity (1000 W/m²): < 0.2 %
- Directional Response (at 1000 W/m²): < 20 W/m²
- Spectral Selectivity (0.35 – 1.5 µm): < 1 %
- Temporal Response (50°C bandwidth): < 1 %
- Tilt Response (at 1000 W/m²): < 0.2 %
- Sensitivity (µV/W•m⁻²): Approximately 7
- Impedance (Ω): Approximately 500
- Operating Temperature Range (°C): -40 to +80
- Cable Length: 10m
- Wavelength Range: 285 to 3000 nm
Korean SOHA High-Humidity Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Sensor Module – SH-NDC:
The SH-NDC sensor module by SOHA employs a dual-wavelength non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) principle to detect carbon dioxide levels in high-humidity environments. With a wide detection range of 0-3000 ppm/5000 ppm/10000 ppm, this sensor is ideal for agricultural IoT applications, especially in greenhouse and controlled environments.
Parameter:
- Detection principle: Dual light wave non-dispersive infrared principle (NDIR)
- Detection range: 0~3000ppm/5000ppm/10000ppm
- Accuracy: ± 60 ppm ± 3% ppm @ 0~50 ℃
- Data update: every 2 seconds
- Working environment: -10~50 ℃, 0~99.5% RH (without condensation)
- Power supply: DC 7V~12V input
- Power consumption: average 35mA, peak 80mA
Conclusion:
The integration of IoT technology in agriculture is propelling the industry toward a future of smart farming and sustainable agricultural practices. By digitizing farming processes, from seedling nurturing to harvesting and processing, automation not only optimizes agricultural costs and boosts crop yields and quality but also enables the advancement of large-scale production and improved farming techniques. High-performance IoT sensors like the EKO MS-402 and SOHA SH-NDC are instrumental in revolutionizing agriculture and fostering a greener and more efficient agricultural landscape.
With continuous advancements in IoT, AI, and data analytics, smart farming will become increasingly sophisticated, offering farmers greater control and precision in their agricultural practices, ultimately contributing to global food security and sustainable resource management. As the agriculture industry continues to embrace digital transformation, the full potential of IoT and smart farming will be realized, shaping the future of agriculture for generations to come.