International Journal of Engineering Research and Technology. ISSN 0974-3154, Volume 12, Number 3 (2019), pp.

357-363
© International Research Publication House. http://www.irphouse.com

IoT Based Approach for Smart Irrigation System Suited to Multiple Crop
Cultivation

Krishna Singh1, Samyak Jain2, Varun Andhra3, Shilpi Sharma4

[1-4]
ASET, Amity University, Uttar Pradesh 201313, India.

Abstract important resource for the growth and development of any

crop. During the lifecycle of the crop, water has a great
India has always been an agriculture-dependent nation. This
influence on each phase [4]. Either the short or excessive
paper proposes an advanced automated irrigation approach
supply of water can negatively harm each phase. Water also
suited to Indian cultivation practices. Heretofore, the proposed
affects the quality and harvest of the crop. Various problems
systems and research work were focused on single crop
such as a decrease in the availability of nutrients, waterlogging,
cultivation, whereas the Indian farmers follow multi-crop
a decrease in productivity and salt imbalance can occur due to
cultivation. This paper is structured upon Indian agriculture
improper supply of water. Hence, it becomes important to
system and Indian weather conditions. This model applies the
control the water supply to ensure proper development of the
technology of the Internet of Things and Data Science to
crop.
implement real-time analytics of the collected data. Multiple
sensors are deployed in the field to create an on-field dataset Many Indian farmers employ the concept of multiple cropping
into the cloud system. The cloud system scraps the required in their fields to maximize their use of available land and also
data from the meteorological center and compares it with the to ensure the proper yield of the crops. To implement a multi-
on-field data set. The analysis is then done using the concepts crop system, the water supply needs to be very efficiently
of data science to determine the amount of water to be released delivered. In this paper, we assume that a field is divided into
according to each crop type in the field. The proposed system sections to grow various crops together. Crops of different
is highly efficient and economically feasible. The system also varieties are sown in each section of the field. An on-Field
provides a mobile application which helps the farmer to track module which comprises of sensors and the automated valve is
the developments occurring throughout the field. installed at every section. Field-modules are connected to the
master router through Wi-Fi modules.
Keywords: IoT, Data Science, Automation, Agriculture,
Irrigation, Multiple Cropping. The concepts of the Internet of Things are used in the proposed
system to collect on-field data from each field module (using
sensors installed). This collected data is then sent to the cloud
1. INTRODUCTION system through the master router. In a cloud system, collection
Internet of things is a technology that enables the automation and integration of data are performed to form the on-field data
of various devices and the real-time analysis of the data set. This data set is then compared with other datasets within
collected through/for these devices [1]. Due to its enhanced the cloud system. Using concepts of Data Science, data is
data collection capability, the integration of the system and analyzed to derive optimum values for water requirement
their accuracy is increased significantly. It employs various suited for each field. These values are then stored in another
sensors for the data collection procedures. The analysis of the database through which the optimum values are further sent to
collected data can be done through the use of Data science. Data the digital pump and the automated valve accordingly through
science is the approach which makes use of predictive and the master router. The automated valve is given the instruction
prescriptive analysis to get useful information out of data [2]. about the actual amount of water to be supplied to the field.
It uses a quantitative approach to achieve accurate decisions Master Router coordinates with the automated valves to turn
and precise results. them on and off so that the optimum amount of water is
supplied to the fields.
Currently, agriculture accounts for about 18% of the country’s
GDP (Gross Domestic Product), and about 54% of the total
workforce of the country is still employed in the agriculture 2. LITERATURE REVIEW
sector [3]. With time, most technologies in our country have
Research Paper [5] proposes a system which will help a farmer
grown and developed further, including Agriculture. But in
to make decisions using real-time information being generated
most parts of India, the methods used for agriculture are
regarding the field and the associated crops. Multiple cropping
primitive even in this era. Hence, there is a necessity to
practices enhance productivity in agriculture especially in
transform and evolve the traditional methods being used for
regions with a limited area of operation. Multi cropping enables
farming and other agricultural activities in India. The
the farmer to perform efficient farming by limiting resource
development in the field of agriculture (or this field) needs to
usage and also providing crop support through companion
be focused primarily on water usage. Water is the most
crops [6]. Implementation of the Penman-Monteith and Pan

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 International Journal of Engineering Research and Technology. ISSN 0974-3154, Volume 12, Number 3 (2019), pp. 357-363
© International Research Publication House. http://www.irphouse.com

Evaporation Method for the analysis and computation of water Fi module for transfer of data throughout the system. Wireless
requirement for various crops during various stages has been sensor network and GPRS module have been used to build an
done [7]. Real-time field analytics can be carried through the automated irrigation system by the researchers [14]. A sensor-
use of sensor networks to control irrigation in the field in a based system for a smart irrigation system can be expanded
manner that the crop yield is maximized and water usage is easily without losing the primary organization [15]. For
minimized [8]. automatic irrigation in rural areas, robotic systems are deployed
in the fields [16].
Researchers [9] have proven that water usage is reduced when
an automated irrigation system that relies on soil moisture as a Heretofore, the research work done related to automated
parameter is implemented. A customized sensor-based system irrigation using modern technologies had various drawbacks
can be used which reduces the power consumption as well as which prevented them from being adequately implemented in
the cost incurred during the irrigation process [10]. Researcher the Indian agricultural scenario.
[11] showed the effective use of wireless communication to
achieve smart irrigation and sensing system to enable smart
farming. The microcontroller board, Arduino which has been 3. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP
proven to be power efficient and compact is used for the system The Field shown in Fig. 1 is divided into a number of sections.
[12]. GSM mobile network is used to operate an irrigation These sections are created to incorporate the technique of
control system for efficient use of water and electricity [13]. multiple crop cultivation. The on-field module is planted at
But GSM is limited in its data transfer rates, so it needs a Wi- every section of the field.

Fig. 1. Experimental Setup with Deployment of On-Field Sensors.

A digital pump, which is fitted with the water storage tank, system. The master router identifies the cloud system [17] and
releases water through pipe arrangement connected to every can communicate with it via the static IP. The pump module
section of the field. The digital pump distributes water through and on-field module are connected to the master router.
a sprinkler present at every section. The On-Field module
controls these sprinklers. A static IP is assigned to the cloud

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© International Research Publication House. http://www.irphouse.com

Arduino Uno transmits the collected On-field data from the

sensor module to cloud through the master router. On-field
Database is formed from collected data.

Fig. 2. Simulation of On-Field Module.

3.1. On-Field Module

The On-Field module comprises of following components:
• Arduino Uno
• Sensors (FC-28, TMP-36)
• Wi-Fi module (ESP8266) Fig. 3. Overview of Proposed System.
• Automated Valve
User database is formed from the data entered into the
application that is being provided to the user (farmer). Also, a
The Arduino Uno is an open source micro-controller [18]
database is derived from previous research work [17].
which serves as the housing and control unit for generating
Meteorological database is retrieved from the nearest
inputs and outputs for the connected components (Both digital
Meteorological center.
and analog). Sensors comprise of FC-28 (Humidity sensor) and
TMP-36 (Temperature sensor) which are connected to micro-
controller through analog pins (A0) and (A1) respectively [19].
Table 1. Detailed Description of Databases of Proposed
ESP8266 (Wi-Fi module) is connected to micro-controller
System.
through communication pin (TX and RX). Automated valve is
being controlled with the digital pin of the Arduino Uno. Name Function Attributes

User Database This is created when the Day, Field number

3.2. Pump Module user inputs the required and Crop type.
data into the provided
The pump module comprises of following components: application.
• Arduino Uno On-Field This is created by the data Temperature,
• Wi-Fi module (ESP8266) Database that has been transmitted Humidity of the
by the on-field corresponding field.
• Digital pump Sensor module.

Meteorological This is retrieved from the Evaporation rate,

Database nearest meteorological water rise (in mm),
The TX pin of ESP8266 (Wi-Fi module) is connected to RX center. temperature.
pin of Arduino Uno and vice-versa. The Digital Pump is being
controlled with the digital pin of the Arduino Uno. Stored Database This is a predefined Crop type, Initial
database that has been stage, Intermediate
created from the work of stage, Final stage.
4. WORKING previous research paper.
[17]
The field taken into consideration is distributed into a number
of sections. A variety of crops are sown in each section of the Output Database This is created after the Field number,
field. The On-Field module transmits data regarding analysis and computation Water released.
parameters like humidity and temperature to the Arduino Uno. have been completed.

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 International Journal of Engineering Research and Technology. ISSN 0974-3154, Volume 12, Number 3 (2019), pp. 357-363
© International Research Publication House. http://www.irphouse.com

4.1. Mobile Application 4.2. Data Analysis

The User first starts the application and logs in. The user then
gets the option to selects the field number and then to fill in the
associated crop that has been planted in that section of the field.
Once all the data is fed to the application, the data is transmitted
to the cloud system where the User Database is created. The
user is then directed to a new screen wherein the required
amount of water, which is released by the system, is displayed.
The current conditions screen includes the information about
the sensed parameters (i.e., humidity, temperature and the age
of the crop) of the current day and the subsequent day as shown
in Fig. 4.

Fig. 5. Diagram of Data Analysis.

Fig. 5 depicts the data analysis performed in the cloud system

Fig. 4. Mobile Application Screenshot (Current Conditions). which starts with the retrieval of the data from the user
Database. Parallelly, data is retrieved from the stored Database
and merged with the user database. Then the field selection
The Home screen displays the total amount of water that is process shown in Fig. 6 followed by age selection process
released in the entire field, the field numbers and the associated (Fig.7) is performed which leads to the formation of
crops with them and the current days’ conditions, i.e., humidity, intermediate data.
temperature and the age of the crop.

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Once the field selection mechanism is complete, the age

selection mechanism begins. Here, a decision mechanism is put
to use which uses the age of the crop to determine the total
amount of water required at each section of the field and these
values are stored in the intermediate data. Finally, the
intermediate data constitutes the required total amount of water
to be needed in the respective sections of the field.
The collected data from the On-field sensor constitutes the
present moisture level at each section of the field. This data is
then compared with the intermediate data that has been
produced earlier in order to state the amount of water to be
released in the field. For example, 50 units of water are required
for the crop at the present age, and currently, the field
constitutes 30 units of water then 20 units of water is needed to
be released.
The collected data from the meteorological database contains
the various climatic parameters like evaporation rate and/or the
precipitation on the following day. So, alterations in water
requirements have to be done in such a way that it neutralizes
the water loss due to evaporation and/or increase in water due
to precipitation. For example, the former optimum value of
water requirement was 20 units and say if evaporation causes
loss of 5 units of water, then 25 units of water are supposed to
be released. Or say if precipitation would cause 10 units of
increase in water then 15 units of water is supposed to be
released. After all the comparison and decision-making
Fig. 6. Field Selection Process. mechanisms finish execution, we get a final optimum value of
water requirement for respective field sections. This data is
stored in the output database and is transmitted to Arduino Uno
through the master router.
The field selection process begins with the retrieval of the
consequent field numbers. Now for each field, parallelly, a Arduino Uno commands the digital pump about the total water
selection control mechanism is put into use. This mechanism requirement in the field. Once, the digital pump starts to release
produces an intermediate data which constitutes of field the water then at every half of a second, the on-field sensor
sections with associated crop type with them. transmits the updated value of water in each field section. This
updated value is then subtracted from the total water
requirement value to decide whether to continue releasing the
water or to turn off the current valve. Once all the valves are
turned off, then the digital pump is turned off as well.

Fig. 8. Difference Calculation Process for Water Requirement.

Fig. 7. Age Selection Process.

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 International Journal of Engineering Research and Technology. ISSN 0974-3154, Volume 12, Number 3 (2019), pp. 357-363
© International Research Publication House. http://www.irphouse.com

5. RESULT AND DISCUSSION necessarily readily available to an average farmer. Hence many
farmers of India struggle with this process. So, there is a need
Different crops require different amounts of water at different
for an automated irrigation system to enable efficient and
ages. The data are given in the paper [7] was used in order to
effective irrigation in multiple cropping systems which offer
obtain the following table: -
benefits in the sense that they provide enhanced productivity
especially in regions where the area is limited [6]. Multiple
cropping not only improves the yield from a limited space
Table 2. Water Requirement in mm.
available but also increases the crop production and provides
better soil utilization. Also, it helps to control weeds and
Crop Initial Stage Intermediate Stage Final Stage
maintain the soil fertility.
Rice 146.60 286.80 192.90 The approach to an automated irrigation system has been
demonstrated. Here, the field has been assumed to have
Maize 42.75 225.90 360.30
multiple sections for incorporating multiple crop cultivation.
Wheat 24.10 27.80 127.20 Each section of the field is equipped with a sensor module
which is a collection of various sensors that measure various
parameters like soil moisture and temperature about a particular
field section. This data is then sent to the cloud system through
the use of a master router to form a dataset. Another dataset is
This table represents the water requirements of crops at various obtained from previous research works which contain the
stages in their life cycles. The water requirements of these crops details regarding the stage of a crop and the corresponding
were analyzed with meteorological and other datasets to obtain water requirement for the crop at that stage. Further data is also
the final optimum values of water requirement. obtained from the meteorological center. All the datasets are
These values are displayed along with the weather conditions then put through the data analysis process incorporating the
through an application interface provided to the user (farmer) concept of data science. This analyzed data is then transmitted
so that the user can track the developments throughout the field. to Arduino Uno via the master router to command the digital
pump about the total water requirement in the field. Real-time
comparisons of the field conditions are performed to decide
whether to continue releasing water or not. Once the water
requirements are met, the automated valves are turned off
followed by the digital pump. Hence this approach provides an
efficient solution to the modern-day irrigation requirements
suited to the Indian agricultural scenario.

7. FUTURE WORK
Though the pesticides and fertilizers have their individual uses
in the agricultural field, if these are put in excess, they can cause
harm to the soil, crops, and environment. Thus, controlled
amounts of these could be deployed in a proper manner. Further
work could also be done in the field of nutrient management for
the soil. Parameters apart from moisture and temperature can
be taken into consideration in order to increase the efficiency
of the system. The farmers can be provided with information
about the ideal crop combinations for the multiple cropping
scenarios in order to ensure low costs and higher production.

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