AUSIR Autonomous Irrigation System
AUSIR Autonomous Irrigation System
A Developmental Research
Presented to
Calbayog City
March 2024
AUSIR: Autonomous Irrigation System
A Developmental Research
Presented to
Calbayog City
March 2024
i
APPROVAL SHEET
GERARDO M. ROXAS
Chairman
PANEL OF EXAMINERS
Approved by the Committee on Oral Examination with the grade of .
LAZARO R. BINAY JR.
Chairman
GERARDO M. ROXAS
Chairman
MILANER R. OYO-A
School Principal
II
Acknowledgment
This study's development has been a crucial and critical task that would not have
been accomplished without the help and support of others. The researchers wish to
express their heartfelt gratitude to the following individuals for their contributions to
To Ms. Rosa Jean T. Gonzaga for generously contributing her time, knowledge,
and guidance to the creation of the whole study, manuscript, and the product. As well
To Mr. Lazaro R. Binay for generously contributing his time and knowledge
to the idea and creation of the product and the recommendations he accorded to
product, heartfelt appreciation from the researchers. Your dedication and assistance
assistance, and provision of resources, the researchers express heartfelt gratitude. Thank
Above all, our Almighty God for providing his everlasting offerings, strength,
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Abstract
heavily reliant on agriculture, faces significant obstacles such as drought, water scarcity,
four key sensors: soil moisture, humidity, temperature, and air quality to deliver precise
accuracy in monitoring rice plants and its impact on crop growth and health compared
approach to irrigation that conserves water and reduces labor. The researcher also made
use of the quantitative approach on the data collected from the experiments on the
effectiveness of the product. Results showed that the product performed differently
from manual irrigation processes by producing 2.65 more better rice quality and 1.7
more rice yielded. AUSIR also yielded 9 out of 9 rice seeds than the 4 out of 9 from
manual irrigation processes. AUSIR also proved it’s accuracy by gaining a total average
IV
Table of Contents
Contents Page
Title Page I
Approval Sheet II
Acknowledgment III
Abstract IV
Table of Contents V
List of Tables VI
List of Appendices IX
Introduction 1
Significance 5
Research Design 7
Research Instrumentation 8
Product Development 10
Materials 10
Methods 10
Materials 14
V
Methods 14
Data Analysis 14
Results 16
Discussions 18
Summary of Findings 20
Conclusion 21
Recommendations 22
References 23
VI
List of Tables
VII
List of Figures
VIII
List of Appendices
C Sensors Used 28
IX
Introduction
In the heart of a rapidly evolving agricultural landscape, where the need for
sustainable practices grows more urgent with each passing day, the pursuit of
innovation has never been more critical. Picture vast expanses of farmland, stretching
out under the relentless sun, where traditional irrigation methods struggle to keep pace
with the demands of modern farming. Here, the inefficiencies of manual watering not
only drain precious resources but also jeopardize crop yields and livelihoods. This
seamlessly delivering the precise amount of water needed, exactly when and where it's
required. Such a system promises not just to conserve water and energy but to
revolutionize agricultural productivity, paving the way for a future where technology
and sustainability thrive side by side. This research delves into the intricacies of crafting
live in agricultural areas with high to very high-water shortages or scarcity, of whom
1.2 billion people – roughly one-sixth of the world’s population – live in severely water-
scarce. Subsequently, about one out of six people on the planet face severe water
shortages or scarcity in agriculture, with about 15 percent of the rural population being
at risk. Around 520 million of such people live in Southern Asia, and about 460 million
live in Eastern and South-eastern Asia. In Central Asia and in Northern Africa and
Western Asia, about one-fifth of the population live in agricultural areas with very high-
water shortages or scarcity. In Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, Northern
America and Oceania, only 1–4 percent live in extremely water-constrained areas. In
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sub-Saharan Africa, only about 5 percent of the population live in affected areas. There,
most areas are rainfed, suggesting that water constraints are driven by severe drought
or lack of irrigation.
The Philippines' primary industry are agriculture. The majority of Filipinos still
reside in rural regions and rely on agriculture for their livelihood. Fishing and
9% of the gross domestic product was derived from agriculture. One-third of the 29.81
million hectares of total land area, or around 9.7 million hectares, are utilized for
agriculture. The Philippines faces numerous natural disasters, but one of its biggest
issues is drought. Global warming has intensified stronger El Niño and created severe
droughts that significantly influenced agriculture, hindered crop yield, placed a severe
hardship on farmers' lives, endangered food security, and increased animal diseases and
crop pests (PAGASA, n.d.). The majority of Filipinos rely on agriculture as their
primary source of income, and it significantly affects the national economy. Irrigation
becomes difficult in arid regions or when there is insufficient rainfall (Auburn, 2020).
Therefore, automation is needed for a happy yield. Currently, farmers in the Philippines
techniques. The manual execution of agricultural routines demands a great deal of care
and attention. It is difficult to complete the necessary tasks accurately and efficiently.
Poor quality, uneven magnification, and decreased crop yield could be the end results
of this.
The most common problems faced by farmers in Samar, Philippines include low
production in white corn, rising cost of farm inputs, limited farm mechanization and
shortage of farm laborers, and weather conditions affecting harvest volume, absence of
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water source for efficient farming irrigation, unavailability of advanced farming
technologies, high cost of farming inputs, climatic changes, and insufficient water
supply.
more sustainable and equitable. Improved water management strategies for sustainable
variability and attain potential yields in agriculture for improved food security and
production.
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Statement of the Problem
This study aims to develop an autonomous irrigation system that offers four
sensors for more accurate and efficient results in agricultural production of crops.
Moreover, this study was conducted and tested at Brgy. Hamorawon, Calbayog City,
1.3 Temperature?
B. How does the AUSIR: Autonomous Irrigation System impact the growth and
2.3 Color?
4
Significance
The study’s findings are beneficial to farmers, communities, future researchers,
cultivation practices for farmers. By increasing efficiency and productivity, AUSIR has
ability to optimize water usage translates to reduced operational costs and a minimized
environmental footprint. AUSIR can also directly contribute to enhanced food security
translates into a greater economic benefit for communities. Farmers can earn higher
incomes, leading to improved living standards and increased economic activity within
the agricultural sector. AUSIR contributes directly to food security within communities
heavily reliant on rice production by enhancing rice yields and promoting water use.
Energy Security. While this study focuses on agriculture, its findings have
in optimizing water use and improving crop yields, it contributes to the development of
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crucial for promoting energy efficiency and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The
study’s findings can also inform the development of renewable energy technologies for
renewable energy sources like solar power, further reducing reliance on fossil fuels, by
technologies.
the growing body of knowledge about sustainable rice cultivation practices. This data
will inform future research on optimizing AUSIR technology and exploring its potential
weaknesses of AUSIR, this study will guide researchers in developing more efficient
and robust autonomous irrigation systems for the future. This will lead to continuous
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Materials and Methods
This section presents the methods and procedures that were employed in the
conduct of the study. This chapter includes the research design, time and locale of the
Research Design
assessing instructional programs, procedures, and products that must meet the criteria
inquiry techniques (Seels & Richey, 1994). Thus, this study employed the said research
design to develop and test the AUSIR: Autonomous Integrated Irrigation System.
further evaluate the collected data during the conduct of the study. As stated by Creswell
& Manzoor (2020), mixed method research is a combined approach in which qualitative
terms, it involves the collection or analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data in
a study. This approach is essential as it reinforces and improves the reliability of the
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Time and Locale of the Study
This study will be conducted at the rooftop on one of the researchers' homes in
Brgy. Hamorawon, Calbayog City throughout the years 2023-2024. Due to continuous
climate change affecting the growth of livestock in the city, the researchers agreed that
this area is ideal for the investigation. This system will integrate soil moisture,
humidity, and temperature monitoring for crops requiring irrigation, ensuring optimal
water management by precisely supplying water, thereby enhancing crop growth and
productivity while conserving water resources. The locale is also well-equipped with
all necessary facilities, including free high-speed internet, and can accommodate all the
researchers.
Research Instrumentation
This study utilized data collection sheets to examine the following variables:
Temperature, Humidity, Soil Moisture, Rice Yield, Size of Rice Grain and Color. In
line with this, a data collection sheet is a systematic tool for collecting and analyzing
data in research. It may also be characterized as a worksheet that assists the researcher
in gathering, processing, and making sense of information from multiple data resources
and soil moisture were evaluated through natural conditions to test the accuracy of the
AUSIR in terms of the signals sent by the sensor and the system’s response to the signal.
The data gathered from the said variables during the testing was recorded in a table.
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Part II. Rice Yield, Size and Color of Rice Grain. The rice yield, size and color
of the rice grain were evaluated to determine whether the AUSIR has a significant
difference to the manual irrigation processes. The data gathered from the mentioned
Validation of Instrumentation
For the validity of the instrument utilized in gathering data for the accuracy and
the impact of the AUSIR: Autonomous Irrigation System to the growth and health of
rice crops, the researchers utilized the data gathering sheet adapted from the study of
Moreover, the researchers sought expert validation in which the crafted data
collection sheets, aligning with the study’s pertinent variables, were subjected to
In gathering the data for rice yield, the researchers used manual irrigation
processes in (9) rice seeds and recorded the rice yielded from plant. Another (9) rice
seeds were utilized for the AUSIR to be used and the data gathered from each plant was
The manually yielded rice will be checked by their sizes whether long & slender
the AUSIR. The gathered data were recorded in the data collection sheet.
The colors of the manually yielded rice will then be checked whether they’re
white and polished (Good Quality) or Yellow/Brown (Poor Quality) as well as the rice
yielded by the AUSIR. The gathered data were recorded in the data collection sheet.
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Product Development
Materials
A. Programming Materials
For the programming of the product and its sensors, the researchers
MQ-2 (Air Quality Sensor), Ultrasonic Sensor (Water Level Sensor), Soil
B. Electronic Materials
For the electronics, the researchers utilized a 9-Volt and 12-Volt battery,
Jumper Wires, Switch, Light Emitting Diode, Small Water Pump, and a
Relay Module.
C. Hardware Materials
For the hardware, the researchers utilized a reused 3.5-liter tub, reused
Methods
D. Programming Methods
The researchers utilized Arduino IDE to initialize the sensors, read and
transmit data from the sensors to the Arduino, transmit the data to server:
E. Electronic Methods
The 12-Volt Battery powers the Small Water Pump while the 9-Volt
Battery powers the Arduino Uno. The Arduino Uno runs the (4) sensors
and is connected to each one through jumper wires. The Arduino Uno is
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stationed near the water tank and the plantation zone. It is covered using
used illustration board cutouts. Attached to the roof of the Arduino cover is
devices attached to the roof is the LED Bulb that will serve as the indicator
once the switch is turned on if the system is running. The Ultrasonic sensor
is attached to holes at the top of the water tank. This sensor reads the water
level inside the tank. Lastly, the Soil Moisture sensors are attached to the
exterior side of the plantation zone. This monitors the moisture present in
the soil.
F. Hardware Methods
A 3.5-liter tub is used as the water tank. Next to it is a water pump. The
small water pump is attached to the water tank and connected to the built-in
plantation zone through a plastic pipe so that the water will directly flow
from the water tank to the plantation zone on demand. The plantation zone
is made up of a used jollibee spaghetti pan. The Arduino Uno and other
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G. Product Design
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H. Schematic Diagram
I. Actual Product
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Testing of the Product
A. Materials
In testing the product, the researchers utilized (18) rice seeds and time.
B. Methods
monitored, and assessed manually while another (9) seeds will be planted in the
AUSIR’s plantation zone then will be monitored and assessed using AUSIR.
Data Analysis
C. AUSIR’s Accuracy
rice plants, the researchers aimed to get the average of every variable in the table
𝐴 = ∑ 𝑥𝑖/𝑛
Wherein:
A = Arithmetic Mean
The researchers measured the average seconds it would take for the
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D. AUSIR’s Impact on Growth and Health of Rice Crops
For the data analysis of AUSIR’s impact on growth and health of rice plants,
the researchers aimed to get the average of every variable in the table by utilizing
𝐴 = ∑ 𝑥𝑖/𝑛
Wherein:
A = Arithmetic Mean
The researchers measured and compared the average percentage of the AUSIR’s
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Results
Readings (Seconds)
Variables Conditions
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average
Table 1 above revealed the results after series of trials were conducted by the
researchers to record the accuracy of AUSIR. The product is tested through its response
time to the signals sent by the sensors. Additionally, the testing yielded varying time
AUSIR
Variables Conditions Average
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3
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Rice Yield (3) Seeds 3 3 3 3
Table 2 revealed the different results of irrigation using manual processes and
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Discussions
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18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Sunny Cloudy Clear Weather Rainy Weather Dry Soil Wet Soil
Temperature Temperature Humidity Humidity
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3
temperature, humidity, and soil moisture. Recording the response time in seconds of
the AUSIR in each trial through different natural settings to further test its accuracy in
natural settings.
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Rice Yield Size of Rice Grain Size of Rice Grain Color of Rice Color of Rice
(Long & Slender) (Medium-Sized) Grain (White & Grain
Polished) (Yellow/Brown)
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Manual irrigation processes produced more medium-sized rice grains and
2.5
1.5
0.5
0
Rice Yield Size of Rice Grain Size of Rice Grain Color of Rice Color of Rice
(Long & Slender) (Medium-Sized) Grain (White & Grain
Polished) (Yellow/Brown
Clearly, the AUSIR produced more rice yields than manual irrigation processes.
AUSIR also produced longer and slenderer, white and polished rice grains than in
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Summary of Findings
Once the experiment results were gathered, the researcher was able to provide
The difference of the average rice yield of the autonomous irrigation system to
The autonomous irrigation system produced 2.65 more of premium rice than the
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Conclusion
With the assistance and consultations from various experts in the field, the
researchers were able to develop AUSIR: Autonomous Irrigation System and reached
compared to the manual irrigation processes and is proven more efficient and faster.
After conducting several trials, the AUSIR: Autonomous Irrigation System can
monitor the temperature, humidity, and soil moisture of a rice plant in 15.21 seconds in
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Recommendations
System, the following recommendations were made by the researcher for the
status of the water inside the tank as well as the temperature, humidity, and soil moisture
power up the autonomous irrigation system such as solar panels to improve the
product’s efficiency and dependability plus, boost a green and healthy environment.
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References
Current Knowledge and Response Gaps, and How to Improve Agriculture
(n.d.)
https://pubfiles.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/climps/climateforum/agriculture.pd
f
https://typeset.io/questions/what-are-the-most-common-problems-
faced-by-farmers-in-samar-12l717dgen
https://www.fao.org/policy-support/tools-and-publications/resources-
details/en/c/1333955/
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Appendices
Readings (Seconds)
Variables Conditions
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average
Sunny
Temperature
Cloudy
Clear Weather
Humidity
Rainy Weather
Dry Soil
Soil Moisture
Wet Soil
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Appendix A (Sample Data Collection Sheets)
AUSIR
Variables Conditions Average
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3
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Appendix B (Accomplished Data Collection Sheets)
Readings (Seconds)
Variables Conditions
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average
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Appendix B (Accomplished Data Collection Sheets)
AUSIR
Variables Conditions Average
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3
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Appendix C (Sensors Used)
DH-11 Sensor
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Appendix C (Sensors Used)
MQ-2 Sensor
29
Appendix C (Sensors Used)
Ultrasonic Sensor
30
Appendix C (Sensors Used)
31