Experimental and Practical Study of a Smart Irrigation System Utilizing the Internet of Things
Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 150, Issue 6
Abstract
Water scarcity is a global issue that presents significant challenges to sustainable development. Recent Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) evaluations revealed a concerning trend: more than half of agricultural water is wasted. The widespread use of manual irrigation systems, combined with diminishing water resources, necessitates efficient and effective irrigation methods. This study aims to address this issue by introducing a novel irrigation control system based on an Arduino mechanism. The goal of this research is to design and test an efficient and sustainable irrigation system that maximizes water usage, minimizes waste, and reduces electricity consumption. The study used an Arduino-controlled irrigation system equipped with soil moisture sensors. These sensors were strategically placed to monitor soil moisture levels and trigger irrigation when necessary. The system’s performance was evaluated using a series of experimental trials on small and medium-sized farm plots. The system required approximately 20% less water than traditional manual irrigation methods. Furthermore, there was a significant reduction in electricity consumption for water pumps, with an average 20% savings per year. The ease of integration into existing farm setups and the reduction in manual labor are also significant benefits. This system assists to conserve vital water resources and promotes sustainable agricultural development by optimizing water use and reducing electricity consumption.
Practical Applications
This study demonstrates a low-cost automated irrigation system for small and medium-sized farms that uses an Arduino control system. The system uses soil moisture sensors to ensure that plants receive optimal water exactly when they need it, thereby improving water efficiency and plant health. The use of a control system provides flexible programming options, making it simple to expand and integrate new control features. The system’s adaptability enables the simple integration of automation into existing farm setups, and the number of soil moisture sensors can be increased to cover larger farm areas. This intelligent irrigation solution not only conserves water resources but also reduces the amount of electricity required to power water pumps, resulting in lower operating costs and maintenance needs. Therefore, implementing the proposed automated control system can significantly reduce water usage, maintenance efforts, and electricity consumption, providing farmers with a long-term and efficient irrigation solution.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published article.
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Published In
Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 150 • Issue 6 • December 2024
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Apr 18, 2024
Accepted: Jul 17, 2024
Published online: Oct 14, 2024
Published in print: Dec 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Mar 14, 2025
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