Abstract: |
Agricultural sector is increasingly adopting advanced technologies to enhance crop productivity and sustainability. Precision agriculture leverages IoT devices, sensors, and data analytics to monitor and manage various environmental parameters, addressing challenges such as global food demand, climate change, and resource optimization. Previous research has demonstrated the efficacy of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) and remote sensing technologies in improving irrigation efficiency and early disease detection. However, these systems often assume that all components continue to operate, thereby offering an incomplete view. This study presents an advanced agricultural monitoring system referred to as Agri-Guard that integrates a wide array of sensors to measure temperature, humidity, soil moisture, and gases like CO2, methane and ammonia. By utilizing an ESP8266 microcontroller and IoT connectivity, the system ensures seamless data transmission and real-time processing. Additionally, a centralized hub, equipped with a Raspberry Pi 5 and a thermal camera, enhances the detection of crop anomalies, and an inoperative sensor hub. The sensor hub in the form of a cone is optimally designed to detect environmental parameters besides being rainproof. The proposed Agri-Gaurd setup clearly demonstrated the lack of manure and water from the sensors’ data, whereas thermal imaging showcased the classification of 92.7% between a dead and alive plant. The anomaly between an operating and non-operating Agri-cone was found to be in complete agreement (100%). The proposed system represents a significant improvement over existing solutions, empowering farmers with precise data and faulty hub detection, leading to quick recovery and more sustainable farming practices. |