Wireless agricultural sensor network

Abstract

Enhanced agricultural methods can help to improve low productivity agriculture sectors of developing countries. In Sri Lanka, where the country is experiencing a rapid pace of development, the agriculture sector is beginning to appreciate the benefits that can be gained by merging agriculture with engineering. The use of electronic, communication, and information technologies has proven to result in productivity improvements in agriculture, but most developing countries are yet to adopt new technology due to financial and social restraints. Maintaining optimum levels in the microclimate of a crop is a key factor that affects the quality and quantity of its yield. By controlling the said microclimate, crops can be managed more effectively. The monitoring system that controls the surrounding environment must have the flexibility of addressing the diverse requirements of different cultivations, must be simple and reliable enough to operate, and most importantly must be affordable for the average farmer. In this paper, we present a method to develop a cost effective wireless sensor network that enables monitoring of an agricultural space from a single location, while enabling it to adapt to various types of cultivations. It also investigates the feasibility of establishing and promoting affordable agriculture electronics in Sri Lanka.