IoT-Enabled Soil and Crop Monitoring System Using Low-Cost Smart Sensors for Precision Agriculture

A game-changing strategy for increasing crop productivity while preserving vital resources is precision agriculture. The development of cloud computing and the Internet of Things (IoT) has made it possible and efficient to monitor soil and environmental data in real time. In order to monitor temperature, soil moisture, humidity, and light intensity, this work proposes an inexpensive, IoT-enabled smart agriculture system that uses low-cost sensors. The real-time data is wirelessly transmitted by an ESP32 edge computing device and stored and analyzed on cloud platforms like Firebase or ThingSpeak. A rule-based algorithm generates alerts when sensor values surpass predefined thresholds, enabling prompt and informed decision-making. Field experiments reveal that the proposed system is accurate, economical, and energy-efficient, making it ideal for automation and remote monitoring in precision agriculture. A user-friendly dashboard allows farmers to easily visualize data trends and receive timely notifications. The system supports scalability and can be adapted to different crop types and soil conditions with minimal effort. Moreover, by optimizing water and resource usage, the system contributes to sustainable farming practices and environmental conservation. This deployable solution offers a practical and affordable pathway for small- and medium-sized farmers to adopt smart agriculture technologies and improve crop yield outcomes efficiently.