LOW-COST IOT-BASED INTELLIGENT SAFFRON MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Saffron is a high-value crop that requires low growing temperatures and cannot be cultivated in equatorial climates. To address this limitation, an IoT-based Intelligent Saffron Management System (IISMS) is proposed to simulate suitable growing conditions for saffron cultivation in equatorial regions. The IISMS remotely monitors key environmental parameters, and the collected data is displayed via a mobile APP over a Wi-Fi network. The cooling system is automatically activated when the temperature exceeds 10 °C, which is the critical threshold required during the flowering phase. Similarly, the irrigation system is triggered when soil moisture drops below 70%. By providing responsive and automated crop management, the IISMS optimizes growth conditions and improves yield quality. Experimental results showed that saffron cultivated under the IISMS was healthier, taller, exhibited more green shoots, and was generally stronger compared to saffron grown under standard room conditions in Malaysia.