Populations, food production, economic activity, and society’s affluence all contribute to an ever-increasing need for water. Climate warming is putting even more significant strain on our water supplies. The need for water exceeds availability in many areas, especially during periods of restricted supply, such as drought, or during periods of high demand, such as the need for irrigation water. 

This is not a new problem.

Multiple methods have already been used to improve farming processes. There are several new solutions that can be implemented in the form of local differences in soil drainage and evaporation, precise dendrometers, which can measure changes in plant diameters as little as a few micrometers, and sensors that monitor conditions for photosynthesis.

In both open fields and greenhouses, where micro-climates are critical, these methods can help. In some circumstances, gas sensors may be of interest.

Subject to the flaws of the human mind

Droughts can be overcome by using efficient irrigation procedures, more than one crop cycle per year may be achieved, and the overall efficiency of production resources can be greatly increased. Increasing the amount of area irrigated while decreasing the strain on already-depleted water supplies is also an option.

Here’s a look at how to grow plants in a greenhouse as an illustration. The agronomists carry out ground sensing and vegetable assessment regularly during their check visits. Qualitative data is recorded on paper notes in this stage.

Afterward, the data is analyzed. The agronomist uses this data to make judgments and carry out operations on plants and grounds in the field. When they undertake activities (such as irrigation, seeding, and pesticide treatments), they must record them on paper before saving them to a computerized system. Using this program, a farm may keep track of everything from how plants are cared for to how they’re grown. Remote terminal devices with a sophisticated computerized control system automate watering and temperature management.

Incorporating wireless soil moisture sensor systems into farming techniques

Irrigation scheduling can be activated by employing a soil moisture sensor, a well-known method. Soil moisture sensors have exploded in popularity when dielectric soil water was introduced. VWC (volumetric water content) and electrical conductivity (EC). are the two most important metrics to keep an eye on. Each plot, or at the very least each set of sprinklers or drippers, has a controller and sensor fitted for precise real-time watering control. A specific watering schedule is set and re-programmed for each controller on a regular basis.

A high number of sensors are needed in each irrigation zone to provide an accurate reading of soil moisture. Many controls and sensors are involved and thus far the costs of investing, installing wiring, maintenance, and data handling have been a barrier. New, enhanced, and cost-effective monitoring and control systems have been sought by producers as a result of this

As a result, wireless sensor networks have been implemented throughout the sector. Costs for both installation and management are much reduced, yet the end result is the same for consumers.

A wide range of LoRaWAN soil moisture sensor system options

Sensors using LoRaWAN technology have long been a popular choice for tracking and monitoring a wide variety of objects. We now have new possibilities for smart IoT agricultural solutions since we can employ sensors with long-lasting batteries.

The agricultural business is particularly interested in soil moisture, temperature, and electrical conductivity (EC). Sensors that transmit soil moisture, temperature, and electrical conductivity (EC) data wirelessly over LoRaWAN might considerably improve soil monitoring and data processing.

• Soil moisture sensor. Determining the soil’s moisture level before irrigating a given region can save up to 40% of water, making irrigation more efficient.

• Soil temperature and ambient temperature sensors:   Aside from humidity sensors, these sensors are also used to prohibit the irrigation system from operating when the temperature would allow the water to freeze, which is not advised in many circumstances.

• Soil Electrical Conductivity. If you know ahead of time how much nutrient-rich soil water you’ll be using, you may set your irrigation system up to provide the greatest possible results for your crops or plants each time you water them.

This is how a LoRaWAN soil moisture sensor system application might operate:

• There are no issues with the placement of Long-Life Battery sensors. The precise position will depend on the field, crops, and parts of the property that the farmer wishes to keep an eye on. Consider the fact that sensors can be easily relocated.

• Sensor data is collected from the field using LoRaWAN Gateways. The sensor’s unique identifier is linked to the sensor’s data. Data collection and processing may be automated without the introduction of error-prone tasks like manually recording data.

• Water and fertilizer requirements may be broken down by field area, and the system will determine how much water and nutrients it needs to provide to each region in order to achieve optimal development.

• The irrigation equipment will supply the crops and plants with the appropriate amount of supplies based on the processing system’s predetermined regions.

Wireless sensors can considerably improve crop and plant growth in the farming business. Using a LoRaWAN soil moisture sensor system has the following advantages:

• Consumption of water is decreased.
• The yields of crops are boosted.
• You may set up tariffs based on your usage and keep track of it.
• The use of unauthorized water has been discovered.

Because they do not require battery replacement, the LoRaWAN soil moisture sensor system cuts sensor device investment and maintenance expenses. The farming business can benefit greatly from the use of these methods.