Cloud and Edge based Smart Agriculture: A Real-World Deployment

Abstract

Smart Agriculture presents significant opportunities for transforming farming methods, although its widespread adoption remains constrained by cost barriers, especially for small and medium-sized farmers. To bridge this divide, we propose a cost-effective solution tailored specifically for soilless cultivation within drip irrigation systems. Our approach harnesses the power of IoT, cloud computing, and edge computing to bolster connectivity and streamline data management. Central to our solution is a three-tiered open-source software architecture, which encompasses local sensors, edge computing, and cloud computing layers. Locally deployed Wireless Sensor Networks facilitate real-time monitoring and data acquisition, while the edge tier orchestrates irrigation tasks in the field using Fuzzy Logic algorithms. The cloud layer serves as the backbone for data analytics, storage, and visualization, ensuring optimal resource management. Through the utilization of IoT protocols, seamless communication is established between sensors, edge devices, and the cloud, enabling efficient data exchange and analysis. Our tangible prototype validates the effectiveness of this platform in optimizing drip irrigation systems. This offering provides an accessible solution for small and medium-scale farmers, empowering them to enhance farming productivity and sustainability.