Internet of Things and Agriculture Industry: Advantages and Real-World Cases

Agriculture is undergoing significant changes every year, ranging from the way it is managed, the use of various fertilizers and new crops, to the automation of processes to make the work of employees easier.

In this article, we will talk about the Internet of Things and agriculture in general, about IoT products for smart agriculture that are being developed and implemented to monitor large land plots, irrigation systems, etc. We will look at examples of various apps used in agriculture, the benefits of using the latest IoT technologies, and how Internet of Things development services can help integrate IoT into farming activities.

Shall we get started?

🌱 Understanding IoT in Agriculture

As usual, let's start with the basic definitions of what IoT in agriculture is, what technologies are used, and analyze current market trends in IoT in farming.

Defining IoT Applications in Farming

The Internet of Things in agriculture answers the question of how IoT is used in agriculture, utilizing connected devices and various sensors to collect, monitor, and transmit data in real-time to optimize agricultural operations.

From soil moisture sensors to unmanned aerial vehicles, these devices help automate processes ranging from irrigation to crop health monitoring to livestock management. With accurate data, farmers can reduce agricultural production costs, minimize waste, and improve crop quality.

For example, by using sensors to monitor soil and weather conditions, a farmer can track the nutrients needed for optimal crop growth and plan further actions based on this data.

Some more impressive data from the study:

• The monitoring technology market will exceed USD 8 billion globally by 2032.
• The smart sensor systems sector will reach USD 3.2 billion by 2032
• The global agricultural drones market will exceed USD 2.21 billion by 2032.
• Asia-Pacific accounted for the largest revenue share, approximately 44% in 2022.

This growth in IoT in smart agriculture is driven by the rising demand for sustainable agricultural methods and the need to feed the world's growing population. As more and more farms use IoT technology, the agricultural industry is becoming more efficient and environmentally friendly.

The future of agriculture IoT depends on smart connected devices, from automated irrigation systems to AI-powered crop monitoring. With the development of innovations such as 5G and satellite communications, even remote rural farms will have more opportunities to connect to the Internet of Things, paving the way for wider adoption and further technological advancements.

🌾 Benefits of Implementing IoT in Agriculture

As farmers often face challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity, and the need to feed a growing global population, examples of IoT in agriculture show how it is emerging as a powerful solution to improve agricultural productivity, sustainability, and profitability.

In this section, we look at the main benefits of IoT in agriculture, from increasing efficiency and optimizing resource use to promoting environmentally sustainable practices.

Boosting Efficiency and Productivity

The Internet of Things smart farming approach increases farm productivity as many processes are automated and resources are used appropriately.

For example, irrigation systems help to control water supply to crops with a high level of accuracy to meet demand without wasting water. Thanks to automated livestock monitoring, farmers are aware of any changes in the health of their livestock in time and thus can take appropriate action more quickly.

In general, IoT makes farming easier for farmers by reducing the amount of manual work while increasing agricultural production.

Precision Agriculture and Resource Management

IoT and agriculture work together to continuously monitor fields using sensors and drones, facilitating better decisions about soil conditions, and crop health.

Irrigation and fertilization are also becoming more efficient through the use of SMPS (soil moisture sensors) and VRI (Variable Rate Irrigation) systems. This level of precision minimizes unnecessary consumption of resources and thus ensures sustainable and profitable IoT in farming.

Real-Time Monitoring and Data-Driven Decisions

Agriculture IoT devices are capable of recording, storing and processing large amounts of environmental data, such as humidity, temperature and soil quality.

This information can be accessed from anywhere using a mobile device or a farmer's computer, and then decisions can be made on the go. From controlling the temperature in the greenhouse to using fertilizers based on crop needs, this insight improves crop management and reduces losses.

Robotics and Automation in Farming Operations

Another savior technology for IoT in smart farming is robots that perform labor-intensive tasks such as harvesting, sowing, and weeding.

New products such as unmanned tractors from Eco Robotics are now capable of planting seeds, pulling weeds, and even spraying crops. These technologies help to avoid human errors, reduce costs, and allow farms to expand their scale without having to hire more workers.

IoT Platforms and Data Analytics Tools

IoT in agriculture goes further than data collection. This is where data analytics equipment helps transform raw information into some form of useful data.

There are many apps, such as FarmLogs, that compile data from various sensors into fairly large and informative analytical displays with capabilities such as yield forecasting, irrigation control, and soil quality.

With the use of artificial intelligence technology, especially in machine learning, farmers can easily predict when harvest time will come, when unfavorable times may come, and even better organize themselves in ways they never could in the past.

🌐 Examples of IoT Applications in Agriculture

Traditional farming methods have evolved significantly thanks to various applications of IoT in agriculture, which aim to increase efficiency, minimize costs, and optimize resource use. Let’s explore how IoT is used in agriculture with specific examples from various areas and examine how technology is impacting farming.

Precision Farming Techniques

Precision farming involves the use of information with high accuracy and reliability when performing agricultural work. By using sensors and agriculture IoT devices, farmers benefit from the proper use of water, pesticides, and fertilizers, increasing yields and not harming the environment.

Soil Analysis and Management

Soil moisture, temperature, pH, and nutrient content - these are the real-time data that soil sensors can provide to farmers. With this information, it is possible to accurately determine the right amount of water or fertilizer for certain crops to avoid losses and get the best yield.

For example, CropMetrics uses soil moisture sensors to monitor irrigation systems and water use.

Monitoring Crop Health and Growth

Crops connected to IoT sensors located in the fields are analyzed by IoT devices monitoring environmental parameters such as humidity, temperature, and light. The information obtained from these sensors can detect the first symptoms of certain diseases or pest infestations, allowing farmers to make adjustments before the results are serious.

Programs like Arable provide field monitoring, allowing farmers to increase crop productivity through regular data analysis.

Livestock Management Solutions

Just like in crop production, farming IoT devices together with sensors are used to consciously monitor the health, mobility and behavior of animals. This leads to improved animal care and smooth farming operations.

Animal Tracking and Health Monitoring

A GPS tracker is used for livestock monitoring to enable farmers to control their livestock with real-time health monitoring sensors. These devices help farmers monitor the physical health of the animal to have a history of its condition and be able to detect if it is sick or injured.

For example, thanks to Cowlar, farmers can monitor their cows to treat each of them individually in the event of a disease outbreak.

Automated Feeding and Care Systems

Automated feeding is one of the areas of livestock care where efficiency has changed and increased significantly. IoT sensors enable intelligent feeding systems that make it easier to feed animals at the right time and in the right amount, as this optimization minimizes wastage and increases efficiency.

These systems can be linked to health monitoring devices to ensure a holistic approach to animal husbandry.

Smart Greenhouse Management

IoT-driven smart greenhouses incorporate many of the processes that used to be done manually, including watering and even opening and closing doors to allow fresh air. These systems help control conditions favorable to plant growth and minimize energy consumption.

Climate Control and Optimization

Thanks to IoT sensors, smart greenhouses are able to control the internal environment of the building, and thus the conditions for growing plants.

Technology solutions such as Farmapp control factors such as ventilation and lighting systems as they affect crop production.

Automated Irrigation Systems

Farmers can also utilize IoT for smart farming to control automated irrigation systems, which are managed by a real-time sensor. When choosing the time and amount of irrigation, meteorological and hydrothermal conditions, such as topsoil moisture, are taken into account to avoid both over- and under-watering.

GreenIQ offers technological solutions for irrigation management that help cut water losses in half.

Supply Chain Optimization

IoT technologies are not limited to those used directly on the farm. They can also be applied in the supply chain process, increasing supply transparency and reducing losses. These solutions make it easier for products to get to agriculture market without unnecessary obstacles.

Inventory Tracking and Management

IoT sensors track inventory, providing farmers with real-time information about their products on the shelves. This allows for better storage and transportation planning to minimize spoilage and maximize sales opportunities.

The Operations Center system allows farmers to track their inventory and coordinate harvest logistics, which helps to optimize the delivery and storage of products.

Quality Assurance and Traceability

With the help of blockchain and smart contracts, as well as the use of the Internet of Things, agricultural products can be traced from producer to consumer. This helps consumers get more information about where the food they consume came from and whether it is organic. Thanks to the tracking systems created with the help of the Internet of Things, accountability is increased and farmers' products remain identifiable, which guarantees their quality.

Walmart uses IBM Food Trust to track the supply of products such as lettuce to quickly identify sources of possible contamination and minimize health risks to consumers.

⚠️ Challenges in Adopting IoT in Agriculture

As IoT begins to transform the agriculture industry, and because these technologies are interconnected, they are not without their own unique challenges. Below are the main barriers that farmers and agricultural enterprises face when implementing IoT systems.

Initial Investment and Cost Barriers

Lack of funds is one of the key barriers to adopting IoT in smart agriculture, as it requires a lot of capital to start with. Most IoT systems require sophisticated equipment, including smart sensors, drones, and unmanned vehicles, and such tools are expensive for most small farmers.

In addition, once such systems are implemented, they require certain costs that regularly reappear for maintenance, software subscriptions, and system upgrades.

There is information on how IoT can improve apps in agriculture, but the cost of implementing this technology is a major issue that hinders adoption by small farms that have low budgets. This, in turn, creates a significant barrier, limiting the application of IoT across the entire agricultural value chain.

🔧 Best Practices for Developing IoT Agricultural Solutions

As in most industries that IoT is transforming, successful deployment of the technology in agriculture depends on some key principles. Let's take a look at the best practices for developing IoT-based agricultural solutions.

Assessing Specific Agricultural Needs

The first step in developing any IoT solution applicable to agriculture is always to assess the needs of a specific agricultural enterprise. The community of interest should be identified with farmers' problems, such as water supply, crop inspection, or livestock diseases. This approach helps to direct efforts to where they are needed most, because with such priorities you feel like you have a fire in your belly. For example, precision farming always aims to use water and pesticides efficiently by measuring soil moisture and weather conditions, which minimizes their loss and increases yields.

Choosing Appropriate Technologies and Partners

The choice of IoT technologies, understanding what is IoT prototyping, and selecting the right providers is critical to the success of the solution. Some of these aspects include current environmental pressures, useful connectivity to other networks, and the degree of exploitation, among others. Smart agriculture IoT involves the use of sensors such as soil moisture, temperature, and humidity, as well as the need for networks such as 5G and LPWAN. Collaborating with successful IT partners and implementing analytics solutions ensures that the solution can provide valuable data.

🔮 Future Trends in Agricultural IoT

The use of the Internet of Things in agriculture is gradually gaining momentum as it provides farmers with the means by which they can increase their yields. But when it comes to bio-enlightenment that aligns with the growth principles of the IoT, the future looks bright. Here are some of the trends driving this transformation:

Integration with AI and Machine Learning

Artificial intelligence and machine learning play an extremely important role in the agricultural business. They allow farmers to predict outcomes that depend on previous ones, increase yields, and free them from routine work. AI has implemented the Internet of Things on farms to detect and respond to problems such as pest attacks, water shortages, and plant diseases. For example, predictive models can provide real-time alerts on optimal harvest times or potential equipment failures, further increasing farm efficiency.

🌍 The Impact of IoT on the Future of Agriculture

Now let's look at the role of the Internet of Things in agriculture and its impact on the future:

📝 Steps to Integrate IoT into Your Farming Practices

With IoT agriculture sensors, drones, and automation tools, IoT is making agriculture smarter and more efficient. But in order to implement IoT on your farm, you need to have a solid strategy in place to take advantage of all the benefits that accompany these technologies. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you implement the Internet of Things in your farming systems without any problems.

1. Define Your Farming Needs and Objectives

When creating an IoT environment, it's crucial to first define what problems you want to solve with agriculture IoT solutions. Identify your important goals - whether it's regular monitoring, irrigation control, crop and livestock management, or environmental monitoring. This step will allow you to choose the right tools and solutions.

2. Choose the Right IoT Platform

Depending on your specific needs, you can choose an agricultural IoT platform or a general IoT platform for any device and sensor. The services in an IoTHub or a GPS-based tracking software solution can help you create the necessary structure to handle sensors, devices, and input data. When comparing different platforms, you need to consider some aspects such as usability, expansion prospects, and functionality in terms of data management.

3. Select the Appropriate Technology Stack

You can implement IoT to support different functionalities by choosing the right technology stack. Consider the following:

• Sensors and devices: Determine what type of sensors you'll need to transmit data, such as soil moisture or even weather and livestock movement.
• Connectivity: Devices should have a stable connection method that includes LoRa, NB-IoT, or 5G, depending on the geographic location of your farm.
• Data storage and management: It can be useful to consider whether it makes sense for your company to store data locally or use cloud services that will provide better prospects for scaling.
• Integration: Check whether your IoT platform can easily interact with your farming software or any mobile application currently in use.

4. Implement Data Collection and Processing Tools

The next step is to install devices and sensors throughout the farm to collect and analyze data. Choose a data storage solution that is appropriate for the amount and frequency of data collected, and make sure it is integrated with your IoT platform. Use data analytics tools to turn raw data into actionable insights that help you make informed decisions in real time.

5. Develop a User-Friendly Dashboard

One of the main goals of IoT implementation is to develop a user-friendly dashboard for monitoring and reporting. Make sure that the dashboard can be viewed from different devices such as mobile phones, tablets, and it should provide the ability to monitor data and trends, alarms, and reports.

6. Test and Optimize the System

After implementing the IoT system, you should conduct testing to confirm its effectiveness and compliance with the expected performance. Include all issues related to data transmission, sensor accuracy, and platform functioning.

7. Monitor and Scale Over Time

Over time, you will see that the number of farming IoT devices increases, as does the amount of data generated. Monitor system performance and keep logs that will allow you to identify any problem or issue at a fairly early stage.

To maintain efficiency, the agriculture IoT solutions in your system should be updated and patched regularly. In addition, expand your platform by adding more sensors or changing the type of software you use to meet new needs in the agricultural industry.

🤝 Discover How Our Experience Can Benefit You

Stormotion is a reputable IoT solutions provider that helps companies increase efficiency through instant connectivity and industry innovation. By implementing IoT solutions around the world in a variety of industries, we at Stormotion have successfully turned concepts into realistic solutions, and integrated applications that work in a complementary way. Our expertise spans the complete IoT solution, from how a concept can be scaled to the level required for deployment to ensuring a secure and uninterrupted communication channel between devices if needed.

Learn more about what is the “hidden cost”, and how to safely reduce IoT app development cost and avoid money waste in our article about the cost of developing an IoT application.

👂 Takeaways

The Internet of Things is changing agriculture by making it smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable. Therefore, it is very important for us to summarize once again the important aspects we learned from this article:

• Thanks to the Internet of Things, real-time monitoring is possible using various sensors, such as soil moisture, weather conditions, crop health, etc. It's like irrigation and livestock working on autopilot, so productivity is increased and losses are minimized.
• Farmers have more opportunities to be more efficient, minimize costs, and effectively manage available resources. Through integration into the Internet of Things, agriculture becomes more data-driven, with information about what water is useful, when it is profitable to apply fertilizer, or how to reduce environmental impact.
• Sensors, drones, robots, and data analytics are revolutionizing agriculture. These technologies allow for precise observation and are used, among other things, in sowing and harvesting.
• The challenges of IoT in agriculture are the initial costs, technical requirements, and concerns about data protection.
• The future of agriculture is about improving accuracy through artificial intelligence, using blockchain for traceability, and developing self-driving equipment to support agricultural sustainability.

If you want to take full advantage of the possibilities of the Internet of Things, consult an expert partner. With Stormotion, you can implement specific IoT solutions for agriculture and increase productivity and sustainability.