OPTIMIZATION IOT TECHNOLOGY IN WEATHER STATIONS FOR IMPROVE AGRICULTURAL SUCCESS DURING EL NIÑO ERA

The El Niño phenomenon is significant to global weather patterns, particularly in Indonesia, which adversely affects the agricultural sector, especially rice production. El Niño causes drastic changes in rainfall patterns, making it difficult for farmers to determine the right planting time. Limited access to accurate weather information is a major obstacle for farmers in planning their agricultural activities. This research aims to develop an Internet of Things (IoT)-based weather station capable of providing real-time and accurate weather data to support farmers' decision-making in their land management. The research method starts with observation in Babakan Jaya Village, Gabuswetan District, Indramayu Regency, to understand the local weather conditions and specific challenges faced by farmers. Next, the construction and implementation of a weather station equipped with sensors to measure various weather parameters such as temperature, humidity, wind direction and speed, and rainfall. The weather data collected by these stations is then processed and presented in real-time through a cloud platform, which allows access from computer devices and smart phones. The observation results from 1 June to 27 July 2024 showed that the air temperature ranged from 29°C to 35°C, humidity between 55% to 90%, and wind speed ranged from 0 to 7 km/h, with sporadic rainfall patterns. The developed IoT weather station successfully provides relevant and accurate weather data, which can be accessed in real-time by farmers. With this data, farmers can make more informed decisions in their land management, hopefully improving the efficiency and success of farming practices, especially in the midst of erratic weather conditions due to El Niño.