Internet of Things key for precision agriculture

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Nearly all works currently cannot stand alone without applying Internet of Things (IoT), including for agriculture, which now has a new system called precision agriculture.

Precision agriculture is a strategic scope of study because the system helps farmers use all resources effectively and efficiently with the data input process using the IoT.

Agustami Sitorus, a researcher at the Research Center for Applied Technology at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), has recently explained the application of IoT for agricultural technology at a public lecture held by the Biosystem Engineering Education Program at the Sumatra Institute of Technology (ITERA).

One of IoT that can be applied for precision agriculture is telemonitoring system, which is applied to agricultural tools and machinery, he said in LIPI’s statement received by Indonesia Window here on Thursday.

“In general, telemonitoring means data collection process is carried out by sensors, then they are sent via such wireless network as Bluetooth or other connections,” Agustami noted.

“Data from the field can be accessed from anywhere and anytime using telecommunications tools,” he continued, adding that the drawback of telemonitoring is a requirement of cloud servers.

“Apart from that, we also have to consider data security,” he said.

In the era of precision agriculture, he added, accuracy in setting planting times needs precise data which should be quickly available.

“The data will be processed to produce information which is useful in making decisions. Thus, the use of IoT-based telemonitoring is a necessity,” he said.

“Currently, a research demands real-time process in data collection to generate valid information. In the era of the ‘data tsunami’, understanding data will lead to better decisions, especially if the data can be accessed at any time,” Agustami said.

He pointed out, some devices which are used in telemonitoring systems generally include hardware and software, such as sensors, panel boxes/terminals, internet networks, and database providers.

Agustami said IoT-based telemonitoring could be applied to mechanical drying machines to monitor temperature, air pressure, and other parameters, as well as moisture content without having to stop the working process.

“Telemonitoring can also be applied to irrigation systems to measure water levels in order to achieve effectiveness in irrigating paddy fields,” he said.

Reporting by Indonesia Window