Real-time environmental monitoring in smart agriculture through IoT and wireless sensor networks

Abstract

Smart agriculture involves real-time environmental monitoring that combines the Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) to change the traditional method of farming to become an accurate, computerized, and data-driven solution. Conventional farming methods involve manual observations which are usually periodically in nature, so making it prone to everything including over-irrigation and ineffective fertilization leading to low crop yields due to the ever changing climatic conditions. IoT based WSNs use low-cost and low power sensor nodes to deploy in fields to constantly monitor vital parameters that include, soil moisture, temperature, humidity, lights intensity, pH and nutrient content (NPK) and send the real-time data to cloud applications to analyze it. This information-driven solution allows farmers to make precise decisions, automate the process of irrigation, shading, ventilation, and fertilizer application, and act in a dynamic way to the environment. Research shows that WSN-based threshold irrigation may save 28-65 liters by the method, solar-powered nodes may save energy and are 5.75 to 115.75 days more efficient in their work, and data-based interventions in real time can increase crop yields by 30 per cent. Machine learning also helps in improving accuracy of data by reducing redundancy by 35 percent and anomaly detection by 40 percent and reliable communication networks with a lower packet loss rate of 4 percent ensure consistent monitoring. It is not only able to optimize the use of resources and cut operating costs but also allows identifying pests, diseases, or environmental stress early enough, which enhances climate-resilient and sustainable farming methods.