Utilizing IoT Technology for Soil Moisture Management through Integration of pH and Moisture Sensors in an Android Application for Rice Farming

In this study, to help address the challenges involved in rice production (especially optimizing soil and crops in dryland areas that are prone to water scarcity and variable soil pH), we leveraged IoT technology. An IoT soil moisture and pH monitoring system to track soil moisture status in real time using ESP8266 microcontroller along with dedicated sensors coupled with Blynk as a user interface. The system provides instant alerts to farmers on mobile devices about irrigation and soil pH modifications, thereby minimizing the direct dependence on time-consuming maintenance of vegetation monitoring. The results from a trial of 28 upland rice plots in dryland agricultural areas showed that the irrigation alert system provided timely irrigation alerts, improved water use efficiency by up to 30% and increased yield by 15–20% compared to conventional techniques. The significance of these findings in terms of practical applications are water resource management, optimal soil conditions for rice farming and to promote sustainable agricultural practices on the other hand. Furthermore, the system can be applied to other crops in a similar manner to enhance food security at national and local scales despite climate change and resource constraints.