Development of smart irrigation system with IoT-based rain forecast capability

Nadarajah, Mugilarasan (2025) Development of smart irrigation system with IoT-based rain forecast capability. Project Report. Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Melaka, Malaysia. (Submitted)

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Abstract

In this era of rapid technological advancements and increasing environmental challenges, sustainable resource management has become a critical focus, especially in agriculture. Water is a critical resource for agricultural sustainability, yet it is becoming increasingly scarce due to climate change, population growth, and inefficient water management practices. Traditional irrigation systems often rely on fixed schedules or manual operations, leading to excessive water use or insufficient irrigation, which can adversely affect crop yield and soil health. In this context, modern technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) offer transformative potential in agriculture by enabling smart, data-driven solutions for precise water management. The first objective is to design and construct hardware that enables the irrigation system to communicate over the internet. The second objective is to create software capable of controlling the system, providing rain forecasting, and enabling real-time monitoring of the irrigation process. The final objective is to evaluate the system's performance by assessing its ability to optimize water usage, its responsiveness to weather forecasts, and its overall reliability in improving irrigation efficiency. This project system using an ESP8266 microcontroller as a control input and output of the system and to transmit the data to the mobile application, respectively. Soil moisture is used to detect the soil moisture in plant container and rain sensors is used to detect the dryness or wetness of the atmospheric, and a buck converter powered by a 12V DC supply. In the later stages, the app will automatically check and monitor all system parameters, including soil moisture, weather forecasts, and irrigation status, ensuring seamless and efficient operation. Observations over five days were conducted to compare the performance of the automated irrigation system with a traditional manual system. The automated system demonstrated efficient water usage by responding to real-time soil moisture levels and rain forecasts. The results highlight the advantages of automation in improving water conservation and reducing human intervention. This project highlights the potential of combining IoT and smart technologies to promote sustainable farming practices and conserve vital resources. This project is also easy to use and user-friendly as it provides a simple Android application for remote monitoring and control, ensuring seamless interaction and convenience for users.

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