Putting Internet-of-Things at the service of sustainable agriculture. Case study: Sysagria

Abstract

Continuous growth of global population requires a better management of food resources: increasing productivity, maximizing crop yields, reducing losses (water, energy, chemicals), protecting the environment, preventing plant disease, minimizing the manpower. Since the mid-1980s when precision agriculture has its roots, the new concept could rely on advancement in electronics, agriculture research and emerging technologies. Syswin Solutions has been focused on Internet-of-Things, since it seems to be more adequate compared to drones or satellite imagery because it offers much more complete data from sensors placed directly in the cultivated environment. Thus, was born SysAgria, a system that provides comprehensive, real-time environmental information and development conditions at various phenological stages of crops, fruit trees, vines and vegetables, on the basis of which proactive treatment, planned fertilization, sowing and harvesting can be achieved. The system monitors the vital parameters of soil, air and light and identifies prototypes through a series of intelligent algorithms that analyze the data obtained and correlates them with a relevant history of the culture. Built using very low power consumption circuits, the system is energetically independent since it uses solar power and optimized algorithms for communication. Data is available anywhere in the cloud, thus the farmer can act immediately if parameters change. Syswin Solutions has five systems under test in real operating conditions, in different places around Romania, in greenhouse and in field, for monitoring cereals and vegetables. The paper presents the SysAgria system and some eloquent results of the monitoring. Soil sensors placed at different depths revealed possible water absorbtion problems. The automation of the ventilation in the greenhouse has been shown to be beneficial for plant development.