Solar Powered Smart Irrigation System

Project Summary With the exponential increase in human population meeting the food demand is becoming a challenge to countries all around the globe. Several methods are being used for cultivation; some are traditional and some use technology to enhance productivity and overal

Project Title

Solar Powered Smart Irrigation System

Project Area of Specialization

Electrical/Electronic Engineering

Project Summary

Project Summary

With the exponential increase in human population meeting the food demand is becoming a challenge to countries all around the globe. Several methods are being used for cultivation; some are traditional and some use technology to enhance productivity and overall efficiency. In Pakistan, the focus on technology-oriented irrigation systems is comparatively slow which, as a result, affects the overall economy. It is the need of time that new approaches should be implemented to enhance productivity and efficiency by adopting technology-oriented practices in the irrigation system.

Most of the developed countries have already shifted their focus from traditional irrigation methods to better, efficient and sustainable irrigation approaches.  For example, in recent years, the micro-sprinkler (irrigation) and other high-efficiency water-saving irrigation technology in China becoming more widely used. According to the statistics, at present, the area of sprinkler irrigation in China has reached 38,10,000 ha, the area of micro-irrigation has reached 62,80,000 ha, and the area of high-efficiency water-saving irrigation has reached up to 100,90,000 ha, ranking the second in the world. (Yingduo Yu, 2020)

It is of the utmost importance in Pakistan to opt for these sustainable practices. In this project, we will design a prototype of ‘A Cost Effective Solar Powered Iot Based Smart Agriculture & Irrigation System’. These types of systems are already implemented in different countries and, in recent years, there are some projects launched in Pakistan but the progress in the implementation of these systems is not satisfactory. One of the main reasons for the slow shift from traditional practices in irrigation systems to new technology-oriented approaches is the high cost of equipment imported from other countries. We aim to make a better and more efficient system for irrigation using drip irrigation approach. Furthermore, to meet the load demand, we are using solar panels. This approach of using solar panels to meet irrigation loads is best suited for a country like Pakistan facing high energy crisis. The irrigation loads in Pakistan alone accounts for 4% (around 1400MW) of total power consumption. Implementation of solar powered irrigation system, using locally made equipment, will reduce capital cost considerably.

Furthermore, multiple sensors including ambient humidity sensor, and an ambient temperature sensor, soil temperature and moisture sensors, rain sensor are used that help in better water management. Better water management and improving overall irrigation efficiency can reduce total water demand by up to 54% (Upeksha Caldera, 2021). Saving water helps to extend the irrigation land and increase crop production.

Project Objectives

Project Objective

In this project, we will design a prototype of ‘A Cost Effective Solar Powered Iot Based Smart Agriculture & Irrigation System’. These types of systems are already implemented in different countries and, in recent years, there are some projects launched in Pakistan but the progress in the implementation of these systems is not satisfactory. One of the main reasons for the slow shift from traditional practices in irrigation systems to new technology-oriented approaches is the high cost of equipment imported from other countries. We aim to make a better and more efficient system for irrigation using the drip irrigation approach. Furthermore, to meet the load demand, we are using solar panels. This approach of using solar panels to meet irrigation loads is best suited for a country like Pakistan facing a high energy crisis. The irrigation loads in Pakistan alone account for 4% (around 1400MW) of total power consumption. Implementation of solar-powered irrigation system, using locally made equipment, will reduce the capital cost considerably.

Furthermore, multiple sensors including an ambient humidity sensor, and an ambient temperature sensor, soil temperature and moisture sensor, and a rain sensor will be used that help in better water management. Better water management and improving overall irrigation efficiency can reduce total water demand by up to 54% (Upeksha Caldera, 2021). Saving water helps to extend the irrigation land and increase crop production.

Project Implementation Method

Project Implementation Method

This system consists of a solar-powered water pump, power controller along with a microcontroller, and circuitry to derive the pump. In the daytime, power generated through solar panels can be used to drive the water pump and energy will be stored in the backup batteries—if it is in access. The water pump will store water in water reservoir/tank which can be used for irrigation as per requirement.

The data from the four different sensors will be transmitted to the microcontroller. Data from humidity and water level sensors can be used in deciding whether the value of the tank should be turned on or off. In case of rain, the value of water tank will automatically be turned off to save water. All the data from sensors in the farm will be available on clouds and farmers can easily monitor it on an android based app.

There are multiple irrigation techniques used in modern agriculture systems like sprinkler, drip etc. In this project, we will implement drip irrigation system as it is considered to be the best approach to save water considerably than other methods and increase productivity.

Drip Irrigation System

Drip irrigation also called as trickle/micro irrigation is the most efficient technology that makes highly effective use of water, fertilizers, and nutrients. Its main principle is to apply water and other inputs slowly, regularly, and frequently as close to the plant roots as possible through emitters installed on plastic pipes laid out in the field. Regular and timely availability of nutrients throughout the plant growth period as per exact requirements and maintenance of favorable soil moisture conditions facilitate to maximize crop productivity. Drip irrigation technology is best suited for high value row crops such as cotton, maize, sugarcane, vegetables etc. It has become the most valued innovation, which optimizes use of water and fertilizers by enhancing the irrigation efficiency as much as 95 percent.

Benefits of the Project

Benefits of the Project

This project of ‘A Cost-Effective Solar Powered Iot Based Smart Agriculture & Irrigation System’ helps Pakistan to boost crop production, reduce cost, save water and decrease the reliance of irrigation loads—that account for 4% of the total power demand, on the national grid.  This project will further help in expanding public awareness to opt for technology-oriented practices in the agriculture system to increase productivity and efficiency. The drip irrigation system that we are implementing in this project will result in the following benefits:

Water Saving : 50 percent

Crop yield enhancement : 20–100 percent

Fertilizer use reduction : 40 percent

Early picking of vegetables : 10–15 days

Value addition: Improved produce quality

Increase in net farm income per acre per annum : PKR 75,000

(High Efficiency Irrigation Systems, n.d.)

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

Technical Details of Final Deliverable 

The successful completion of ‘Cost-Effective Solar Powered Iot Based Smart Agriculture & Irrigation System’ will result in low-cost locally made monitoring systems for smart irrigation systems. Our final deliverable will consist of 300W solar panel, 50Ah Battery, 12V 24V Automatic Solar Panel Controller Solar Cells Charging Board Controller and microcontroller along with NodeMCU in an enclosed structure. As we are using 300W DC pump, the battery can run the pump for 2 hours on full charge. We can also use the power directly from panels at the daytime to operate the pump and to store water in a reservoir. The water storage capacity of the reservoir will be 500L which will deliver water through drip pipes. The water level in the tank will be monitored by a water level sensor which turns on and off the tank valve depending upon the situation. All the data from sensors will be available on an android based app and farmers can easily monitor the irrigation system from a remote location. An alert will be displayed on the app if the water in the tank is not available for more than one day.

Final Deliverable of the Project

HW/SW integrated system

Core Industry

Agriculture

Other Industries

Food , Energy

Core Technology

Internet of Things (IoT)

Other Technologies

Sustainable Development Goals

No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-Being for People

Required Resources

If you need this project, please contact me on contact@adikhanofficial.com