Automatic Irrigation System

Small Island Developing states face various challenges in the field of agriculture. One of the major challenges in Fiji is insufficient irrigation; therefore, it is crucial to develop a “smart irrigation system based on IoT” that is available for use through mobile and web applications. This article presents an innovative solution to sustainable farming that incorporates advanced IoT technologies. The system utilizes water flow, temperature, humidity, and soil moisture sensors, together with solenoid valves, and water pumps controlled using an ESP32 Node-MCU microcontroller. Continuous monitoring of real-time data on soil and environmental parameters is used to control the irrigation.

This significantly minimizes water wastage without compromising crop health. The system mainly focuses on specific crops such as ginger, turmeric, eggplant, chili, okra, etc., which are majorly grown in Fiji. The main aim is to make this IoT system efficient yet simple and user-friendly, to be managed by farmers without much technical knowledge. It allows farmers to select a crop type, and according to previously collected and stored data, the system automatically selects parameters to provide a conducive environment for the selected crop and manages irrigation efficiently without any human intervention. It provides a new and innovative approach to maintaining resilience, sustainability, and economic development of rural communities. Real-time testing across several agricultural instances shows the system’s effectiveness. This holistic approach demonstrates dedication to Fiji's agricultural sustainability as well as economic growth. It illustrates the integration of advanced technology to elevate Fiji's agriculture to a level of superior effectiveness and sustainability.