Smart Agriculture: IoT for Precision Farming and Savings

Modern farming is under pressure from two sides. The cost of fertiliser, water, and labour keeps rising, while yields must stay high and consistent. On many farms, watering and fertilising decisions still follow habitual schedules and doses, without looking at the actual state of the soil.

IoT-based smart agriculture brings one simple principle: give crops exactly what they need, no less and no more. This article is an introduction and a gateway to more detailed guides on precision farming. The same principle applies in aquaculture, where monitoring water quality in shrimp ponds guides aeration and feeding.

The problem with habit-based decisions

• Wasted water when irrigating soil that is still moist, or after rain.
• Excess fertiliser that is costly, partly washed away by rain, and can harm the soil over time.
• Crops going short in certain zones because a uniform dose does not fit every part of the field.
• Problems spotted late, such as drought or disease, because observations are occasional.

How precision farming works

1. Measure. Soil sensors read moisture, temperature, pH, EC, and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. A weather station records rainfall, wind, and solar radiation.
2. Analyse. Readings are compared with optimal ranges for the crop and local conditions.
3. Act. The system recommends actions, such as when to irrigate, which zones need fertiliser, or when the weather is unsuitable for spraying.

Guides by topic

• Irrigation: precision irrigation from soil moisture.
• Fertilising: soil NPK sensors and their limits.
• Soil acidity: how to measure soil pH.
• Local weather: automatic weather stations for farming.
• Indoor crops: greenhouse horticulture monitoring.

Start with one plot

There is no need to put sensors across the whole farm at once. Pick one representative plot, install soil sensors at a few points and one weather station, then compare data-driven decisions with the old way over one growing season. The result becomes the basis for expanding to other plots.

Field challenges and answers

• Power: sensors and weather stations can run on solar panels and batteries.
• Network: gateways with cellular or long-range connectivity reach large fields.
• Maintenance: sensors should be pulled before tillage, cleaned, and reinstalled at the same spot.
• Habits: farmers and managers need to see for themselves that data recommendations work. Start by comparing, not by replacing the old way outright.

Measuring the benefit

Record water use, fertiliser use, and yield on the monitored plot, then compare with a similar plot managed the old way. A comparison on your own land is the strongest evidence for deciding to expand.

Examples of daily data-driven decisions

• Morning: soil moisture in zone A is below optimal, and the local forecast shows no rain. Irrigation is scheduled for zone A only.
• Midday: the weather station records strong wind, so spraying moves to late afternoon.
• After heavy rain: nutrient levels in the low zone drop faster than elsewhere, a sign of leaching. That zone goes on the fertilising check list.
• End of week: the pH trend in one block keeps falling, so a lab test is booked to decide on liming.

Each small decision saves water, fertiliser, or labour, and together they add up over a growing season.

For farms, estates, and farmer groups

Precision farming is not only for large companies. Farmer groups or cooperatives can share one weather station and a few soil sensors across members with similar land. Estates with many blocks can compare conditions between blocks on one dashboard and send labour where it is most needed. The approach is the same: start at one point, prove it, then expand.

Collected data becomes an asset

After a few seasons, records of moisture, nutrients, weather, and yield form a valuable history of the land. That history helps plan seasons, choose varieties, and explain field conditions to advisers, buyers, or lenders.

Start recording from the very first season, even with only a few sensors. A long history is always worth more than complete data that starts late. Over time it becomes the reference every future decision on the land can lean on.

Frequently asked questions

How many sensors does one plot need?

It depends on the size and uniformity of the land. To start, a few points covering different zones and one weather station are usually enough.

Is smart agriculture only for large farms?

No. Monitoring can start on one small plot, then expand once results are proven.

Can sensors work on land without mains power?

Yes, with solar panels and batteries.

Does sensor data replace laboratory soil tests?

Not entirely. Sensors track trends continuously, while lab tests provide an accurate reference.

Precision farming with InFarmer

InFarmer on the INCLUDE platform shows 7-in-1 soil sensor and weather station data on one dashboard, with per-parameter thresholds and action recommendations. IncludeBox soil and weather devices are available when needed.