Precision Farming through Automation: Enhancing Crop Yield and Input Efficiency with IoT Technologies
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61978/sativa.v1i3.1422Keywords:
IOT, Smart Irrigation, Fertigation Automation, Precision Agriculture, Sustainability, Input Efficiency, Crop ProductivityAbstract
Precision agriculture continues to evolve with the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, offering new pathways for improving resource efficiency and sustainability. This study evaluates the impact of IoT-based automation in irrigation and fertigation systems, focusing on agricultural input efficiency, crop productivity, and sustainability metrics. A comparative field experiment was conducted, contrasting traditional manual input management with sensor-guided automated systems. The automated system employed capacitive soil moisture sensors, fertigation controllers, and a real-time dashboard for monitoring and control. Results indicated that automated systems reduced irrigation volumes by 30% and fertilizer use by 20%, while increasing crop yield from 6.5 to 7.2 tons per hectare. Crop water productivity improved from 3.61 to 5.76 kg/m³, and water use efficiency rose significantly. Sustainability outcomes were positive, with reduced labor demands, enhanced user perception, and a 120% return on investment. These findings were contextualized with global literature, which supports the value of IoT technologies in achieving adaptive input management, especially under variable environmental conditions. The study concludes that IoT-enabled automation in irrigation and fertigation contributes significantly to sustainable agricultural intensification. Broader adoption can be supported through policy incentives, training, and infrastructure development to overcome existing socio-technical barriers. Future research should expand to multi-season and multi-regional studies to validate long-term impacts and scalability.
References
Abdi, D. E., Blanchard, J., Fields, J. S., Santos, L., Beasley, L. E., & Beasley, J. S. (2023). Reducing Anion Nutrient Leaching Losses From a Short-Cycle Container-Grown Crop (Tagetes Patula) Using Activated Aluminum. Agriculture, 13(5), 1028. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13051028
Ahansal, Y., Bouziani, M., Yaagoubi, R., Sebari, I., Sebari, K., & Kenny, L. (2022). Towards Smart Irrigation: A Literature Review on the Use of Geospatial Technologies and Machine Learning in the Management of Water Resources in Arboriculture. Agronomy, 12(2), 297. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12020297
Alnaim, M. A., Mohamed, M. S., Mohammed, M., & Munir, M. (2022). Effects of Automated Irrigation Systems and Water Regimes on Soil Properties, Water Productivity, Yield and Fruit Quality of Date Palm. Agriculture, 12(3), 343. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12030343
Atalla, S., Tarapiah, S., Gawanmeh, A., Daradkeh, M., Mukhtar, H., Himeur, Y., Mansoor, W., Hashim, K. F., & Daadoo, M. (2023). IoT-Enabled Precision Agriculture: Developing an Ecosystem for Optimized Crop Management. Information, 14(4), 205. https://doi.org/10.3390/info14040205
Atta, A. A., Morgan, K. T., Kadyampakeni, D. M., & Mahmoud, K. (2021). The Effect of Foliar and Ground-Applied Essential Nutrients on Huanglongbing-Affected Mature Citrus Trees. Plants, 10(5), 925. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10050925
Choudhary, A., Kumar, A., Kumar, U., Choudhary, R., Kumar, R., Jat, R., Nidhibahen, P., Hatamleh, A. A., Al-Dosary, M. A., Alwasel, Y. A., Rajagopal, R., & Ravindran, B. (2022). Various Fertilization Managements Influence the Flowering Attributes, Yield Response, Biochemical Activity and SoilNutrient Status of Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum Morifolium Ramat.). Sustainability, 14(8), 4561. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14084561
Daru, G., & Alemu, S. (2024). Exploring Farmers’ Perception and Constraints on the Adoption of Small‐Scale Irrigation in Hulet Eju Enesie District, North‐Western Ethiopia. Advances in Agriculture, 2024(1). https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/4979184
Darwish, T., Shaban, A., Faour, G., Jomaa, I., Moubarak, P., & Khadra, R. (2024). Transforming Irrigated Agriculture in Semi-Arid and Dry Subhumid Mediterranean Conditions: A Case of Protected Cucumber Cultivation. Sustainability, 16(22), 10050. https://doi.org/10.3390/su162210050
Dou, C., Lv, Y., Sun, Y., Chen, X., & Li, Y. (2024). Assessment of Soil Enzyme Activities in Plant Root Zone of Saline Soil Reclaimed by Drip Irrigation With Saline Groundwater. Agronomy, 14(7), 1416. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14071416
García, L., Parra, L., Jiménez, J. M., Lloret, J., & Lorenz, P. (2020). IoT-Based Smart Irrigation Systems: An Overview on the Recent Trends on Sensors and IoT Systems for Irrigation in Precision Agriculture. Sensors, 20(4), 1042. https://doi.org/10.3390/s20041042
Hairu, C., Hanafi, M., Ilahi, W. F. F., Zamri, M. A. S., Shafie, S. M., & Mashohor, S. (2022). The Effect of Smart Fertigation Systems on Chilli Grown in a Greenhouse for Urban Farming. Irrigation and Drainage, 71(4), 959–970. https://doi.org/10.1002/ird.2709
Hamido, S. A., Morgan, K. T., Ebel, R. C., & Kadyampakeni, D. M. (2017). Improved Irrigation Management of Sweet Orange With Huanglongbing. Hortscience, 52(6), 916–921. https://doi.org/10.21273/hortsci12013-17
Incrocci, L., Massa, D., & Pardossi, A. (2017). New Trends in the Fertigation Management of Irrigated Vegetable Crops. Horticulturae, 3(2), 37. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae3020037
Ismail, D. K. B., Kane, A., McJury, M., & Kenny, I. (2024). Prevalence of Health Misinformation on Social Media—Challenges and Mitigation Before, During, and Beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic: Scoping Literature Review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 26, e38786. https://doi.org/10.2196/38786
Jalajamony, H. M., Nair, M., Mead, P., & Fernandez, R. E. (2023). Drone Aided Thermal Mapping for Selective Irrigation of Localized Dry Spots. Ieee Access, 11, 7320–7335. https://doi.org/10.1109/access.2023.3237546
Jamroen, C., Komkum, P., Fongkerd, C., & Krongpha, W. (2020). An Intelligent Irrigation Scheduling System Using Low-Cost Wireless Sensor Network Toward Sustainable and Precision Agriculture. Ieee Access, 8, 172756–172769. https://doi.org/10.1109/access.2020.3025590
Kannan, N., & Anandhi, A. (2020). Water Management for Sustainable Food Production. Water, 12(3), 778. https://doi.org/10.3390/w12030778
Kaur, R., Mishra, S. K., Singh, K., Pal, R. K., Gill, K. K., & Kingra, P. K. (2024). Enhancing Crop and Water Productivity of Bt Cotton (Gossypium Hirsutum) Through Drip Irrigation and Fertigation in Semi-Arid Environments of South-Western Punjab. The Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 94(11), 1195–1200. https://doi.org/10.56093/ijas.v94i11.142943
Khamarunneesa, M., Sajeena, S., Hakkim, V. M. A., & Prashanth, K. M. (2023). Field Evaluation of Site Specific Drip Fertigation in Tomato. International Journal of Environment and Climate Change, 13(7), 351–362. https://doi.org/10.9734/ijecc/2023/v13i71887
Khan, M. T., Khan, T. I., & Ahmed, Mr. S. (2020). Halal Products: Not Restricted to Food and Its Marketing Opportunity in the Muslim World. Research Journal of Social Sciences & Economics Review (Rjsser), 1(4), 101–112. https://doi.org/10.36902/rjsser-vol1-iss4-2020(101-112)
Köhl, L. & Marcel G. A. van der Heijden. (2016). Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Species Differ in Their Effect on Nutrient Leaching. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 94, 191–199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2015.11.019
Kumar, S., Yadav, A. K., Kumar, A., Hasanain, M., Shankar, K., Karan, S., Rawat, S., Sinha, A., Kumar, V., Gairola, A., Prajapati, S. K., & Dayal, P. (2023). Climate Smart Irrigation Practices for Improving Water Productivity in India: A Comprehensive Review. International Journal of Environment and Climate Change, 13(12), 333–348. https://doi.org/10.9734/ijecc/2023/v13i123689
Mohammed, M., Sallam, A. A., Munir, M., & Ali-Dinar, H. (2021). Effects of Deficit Irrigation Scheduling on Water Use, Gas Exchange, Yield, and Fruit Quality of Date Palm. Agronomy, 11(11), 2256. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11112256
Mowla, Md. N., Mowla, N., A. F. M. Shahen Shah, Rabie, K. M., & Shongwe, T. (2023). Internet of Things and Wireless Sensor Networks for Smart Agriculture Applications: A Survey. Ieee Access, 11, 145813–145852. https://doi.org/10.1109/access.2023.3346299
Neupane, J., & Guo, W. (2019). Agronomic Basis and Strategies for Precision Water Management: A Review. Agronomy, 9(2), 87. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy9020087
Paradkar, V., Ray, S. K., Bhat, A. G., Hasan, M., Kumar, L., & Lakshminarayana, S. V. (2023). Improving Yield of Tomatoes Grown in Greenhouses Using IoT Based Nutrient Management System. International Journal of Environment and Climate Change, 13(10), 2349–2365. https://doi.org/10.9734/ijecc/2023/v13i102900
Prabu, M., Natarajan, S., Pugalendhi, L., & Murugesan, R. (2017). Fertigation Technology for Enhancing Nutrient Use Efficiency in Hybrid Chilli (Capsicum annuumL.). Agriculture Update, 12(Special-7), 1853–1858. https://doi.org/10.15740/has/au/12.techsear(7)2017/1853-1858
Rukhiran, M., Sutanthavibul, C., Boonsong, S., & Netinant, P. (2023). IoT-Based Mushroom Cultivation System With Solar Renewable Energy Integration: Assessing the Sustainable Impact of the Yield and Quality. Sustainability, 15(18), 13968. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151813968
Sajid, I., Tischbein, B., Borgemeister, C., & Flörke, M. (2022). Assessing Barriers in Adaptation of Water Management Innovations Under Rotational Canal Water Distribution System. Agriculture, 12(7), 913. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12070913
Sharma, V., Singh, P., BHAKAR, S. R., YADAV, K. K., LAKHAWAT, S. S., & Singh, M. (2021). Pan Evaporation and Sensor Based Approaches of Irrigation Scheduling for Crop Water Requirement, Growth and Yield of Okra. Journal of Agrometeorology, 23(4), 389–395. https://doi.org/10.54386/jam.v23i4.142
Thomas, S., Bindhu, J., Pillai, S., Beena, R., Biju, J. P., & Sarada, S. (2024). Nutrient Dynamics and Moisture Distribution Under Drip Irrigation System. Journal of Experimental Agriculture International, 46(10), 485–493. https://doi.org/10.9734/jeai/2024/v46i102972
Tian, D., Zhang, Y., Mu, Y., Zhou, Y., Zhang, C., & Liu, J. (2017). The Effect of Drip Irrigation and Drip Fertigation on N2O and NO Emissions, Water Saving and Grain Yields in a Maize Field in the North China Plain. The Science of the Total Environment, 575, 1034–1040. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.09.166
Wenzhu, Y., Yongqin, J., You-lin, H., Jie, Y., Gu, P., & Yan, J. (2024). Effects of Irrigation and Fertilization on the Emission Factors and Emission Intensities of Nitrous Oxide in Alkaline Soil. Environmental Research Communications, 6(2), 025017. https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7620/ad29b6
Yuvaraj, M., & Mahendran, P. P. (2017). Nitrogen Distribution Under Sub Surface Drip Fertigation System on Banana Cv. RASTHALI. An Asian Journal of Soil Science, 12(2), 242–247. https://doi.org/10.15740/has/ajss/12.2/242-247
Zannat, R., Rahman, Md. M., Akter, S., Rana, Md. M., Oliver, M. M. H., Ali, Md. A., Moniruzzaman, M., Uddin, M. Z., & Saha, K. K. (2023). Development of Automated Water Delivery System for Microirrigation in Bangladesh for Okra Cultivation. European Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences, 5(2), 63–71. https://doi.org/10.24018/ejfood.2023.5.2.668.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Sativa : Journal of Agricultural Sciences
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
