Adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) in Smart Farm Management: Implications for Sustainable Agriculture in Iraq

The Internet of Things (IoT) is revolutionizing agriculture by providing real-time data and insights to optimize farming processes. In Iraq, agriculture plays a critical role in the economy, yet the sector faces challenges such as inefficiency, water scarcity, and low productivity. Despite global advancements in IoT-based smart farming, adoption in Iraq remains limited. The agricultural sector in Iraq suffers from outdated practices, insufficient technological infrastructure, and a lack of awareness about modern farming techniques. Additionally, high costs of IoT implementation and limited expertise exacerbate the issue, preventing farmers from leveraging IoT solutions to enhance productivity and sustainability. This research explores the adoption of IoT technologies in Iraq’s agricultural sector. It aims to: 1-Analyze how IoT can address agricultural inefficiencies in Iraq. 2-Evaluate the potential benefits and challenges of implementing IoT in the country’s farms. 3-Offer actionable recommendations for integrating IoT into agricultural practices sustainably. The study reveals that IoT adoption can significantly improve resource management, reduce costs, and enhance yields. Specific benefits include optimized water usage, reduced pesticide application, and better disease management. However, barriers such as high initial costs, lack of expertise, and data privacy concerns hinder widespread adoption.