1.1 Introduction
Smart Agriculture is a concept in which information and communication technology is implemented to manage all the activities and processes related to the agriculture domain. Internet of things has the capability to influence many of the areas of the world we live in such as advanced industries, smart cities and novel technologies in connected vehicles (Kamienski, et al., 2017). However, IoT could have an even more significant impact on the agriculture area. The designed solution described in this paper illustrates an IoT-based smart agriculture system built to perform crop fields monitorization based on multiple sensors (for temperature measurements, temperature of leaves and flower buds, level of oxygen in the soil, shortwave global radiation, UV global radiation, etc.) and to improve the irrigation system. One of the impacts that the system has is to enhance productivity while keeping the costs to a minimum.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background Of Study
According to FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), by 2050 worldwide food production should increase by 70% to feed 9.6 billion people. Thus, developing smart agriculture with IoT becomes a must. Besides, both weather and biological disasters produced a total damage of 36 billion dollars in a ten years period (FAO, 2019). Various solutions that offer outstanding facilities and monitoring features on agriculture processes are available. However, the accuracy and the relevance of the measurements represent a big concern when it comes to making decisions based on the analysis performed on gathered data. Libelium and Beecham Research are improving knowledge on smart agriculture as a critical application in the IoT market, offering deep insight on how wireless sensor networks would have an impact in reducing crop losses and increasing production (Haptic, 2016).
In Ferrández-Pastor et al., (2018) a solution for the existing automated systems in precision agriculture is developed. The proposed infrastructure uses AI (Artificial Intelligence) paradigms to optimize and improve the results. It can be installed on both current and new facilities. Two edge nodes and one fog node are proposed to control the irrigation process and climate. However, the AI services are implemented in fog node. The final goal is to optimize resources: water, energy, etc. without losing productivity.
The Harrison piggery farm also state Pig farming as the raising and breeding of domestic pigs. It is a branch of animal husbandry. Pigs are raised principally as food (e.g pork, bacon, gammon) and sometimes for their skin. Pigs are amenable to many different styles of farming intensive commercial units, commercial free range enterprises, extensive farming being allowed to wander around a village, town or city, or tethered in a simple shelter or kept in a pen outside the owners house.
The main aim of this project is to design an IOT Based Smart Agriculture System that has been operated manually. Management information system is and will remain the system that is aimed at providing information for the smooth running of the farm on a regular basis. This call to mind the time value of information which implies that when the required information needed is received behind the period it will be used, it becomes useless.
Management information system provides a means to manage and retrieve information as at when due. Management is aimed at reading the climax in the decision performance for attainment of set objectives and if this system lacks the effective information tool which can provide the management with quality and needed information at the appropriate time, then taking decisions for the growth and development of the farm will be affected drastically.
Quality information, thus, is very essential and the only information that can accelerate the management decision performance is the information that possesses such qualities like: accuracy, completeness, reliability and timeline. This qualities mentioned were not found in the former system which is manual, thus, an alternative system is suggested which is an automated system. Software is developed to replace the manual operation of management information system. This form of software is an expert system.
1.3 Statement of the Problem
Investigation revealed that IOT Based Smart Agriculture System for the precision irrigation has different challenges such as;
- The existing system cannot adapt to new agricultural adjustment;
- It has deployment issue due to the uncompatibility of hardware and software devices; and
- There is complexity using cameras, actuators for real-time management of irrigation system.
1.4 Aim and Objective of the Study
The aim of the study is to design and implement of a Internet of Things (IOT) Based Smart Agriculture System: In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To accelerate decision performance of IOT based agriculture system;
- To automate all the activities of agriculture management information system;
- To eliminate the steady decline in the management; and
- To design an expert system that will be fast, reliable and be able to make decision.
1.5 Significance of the Study
In the event of the above mentioned faults and errors discovered in the manual system. It is believed that the introduction of an IOT Based Smart Agriculture System will change the whole thing positively to the agriculture management.
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.6 Scope of the Study
The scope of this research is to Design and Implementation of a Internet of Things (IOT) Based Smart Agriculture System.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this project work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this institution to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
1.8 Definition Of Terms
Computer: A machine used in modern times in organization and homes do manipulate data.
Data: Is a row fact that has no meaning.
Database: A collection of interrelated data stared with controlled redundancy to serve one or more application.
Information System: A systematic way of organizing the handling of information, from information gathering to information retrieval and use.
