Smart Irrigation Systems Using the Internet of Things: Applications in Farming Systems

Abstract

Water management in agriculture has been transformed by smart irrigation systems that use the Internet of Things (IoT) to maximize resource use and boost crop yields. IoT-based irrigation, which reduces waste and improves sustainability in the face of growing water scarcity, combines sensors, actuators and real-time data analytics to deliver accurate water flow. The use of IoT in agriculture is reviewed in this paper, which also covers AI-driven decision-making algorithms and communication technologies like LoRa, Zigbee and Wi-Fi. In agriculture, IoT has been widely employed in agriculture to enable better farming and redefine conventional practices. Some of the necessary applications include monitoring crops, monitoring livestock, automation of the supply of water through real-time data, promotion of optimal water consumption and wastage minimization. Furthermore, increased agricultural yields, cost savings and water conservation are just a few benefits of using IoT in irrigation systems. Research also claimed that when compared to traditional methods, IoT-based irrigation systems can save up to 30% on water usage. IoT-based irrigation has drawbacks despite its benefits, including costly upfront costs, complicated technology and cyber security threats. The use of self-powered sensors, AI-powered predictive irrigation and blockchain-enhanced data security are some of the upcoming trends. Smart irrigation systems have the ability to transform precision agriculture and guarantee both environmental preservation and food security by removing implementation obstacles. Future research should focus on enhancing interoperability among IoT devices, improving decision-making algorithms and developing cost-effective solutions for small-scale farmers. With continuous innovation and widespread adoption, IoT-driven smart irrigation has the potential to address global food security concerns while preserving water resources, creating a more sustainable and technologically advanced agriculture industry.