Smart sensors in Modern Agriculture

 

Sensors employed in the field of agriculture are becoming increasingly popular nowadays.

This is due to the ample benefits associated with it in the field. 

Let's take a quick look at the most commonly used agricultural sensors:-

1) Optical sensors: It can determine soil moisture content, clay and organic matter. Various frequencies of light are employed to measure soil properties. 

2) Mechanical sensors: The soil mechanical resistance is measured using this sensor. The force required to break the soil can be known using this sensor. 

3) Electronic sensors: It is used to check tractor, power tiller and other field equipment operations. 

4) Location sensors: The help of GPS satellites are taken for this sensor. These are also known as agricultural weather stations. They help to determine the distance, height and range of any position within the required area. 

5) Electrochemical sensors: Soil nutrient detection also activity of ions like nitrate, potassium or hydrogen is assessed through this sensor.

6) Dielectric soil moisture sensor: The soil moisture plays a crucial role in proper development and yield of crops. This sensor is particularly used for measuring soil moisture content. 

The delighting fact is that lots of Indian farmers even small and middle sized farmers have also started using one or the other sensor in their field reason being the fact that simple sensors have become fairly affordable. 

Some of the significant challenges in agriculture are taken care of by employing sensors. Few include:

• Pest control: By using smart cameras farmers can detect pest activity and take necessary actions. Weed locations can also be detected by smart cameras.
• Tracking of Livestock: This was one of the major challenge in the past. With the use of modern GPS sensor this problem has also been sorted out, as monitoring of animals can be easily done with simple push of button. 
• Monitoring moving equipment: Accelerometers are used in maintaining agricultural equipment. They can be used to monitor status of adjustable spray nozzle to that of drones. 

The advantages of sensors in the field of agriculture is huge and endless. 

Electric fence sensors, solar based mobile operated pumps to name a few. 

The challenges are also being addressed by tech providers and extension workers to ensure smart farming a promising technology to farmers all around the globe.