Development and Evaluation of the Agrifresh Cloud-Based IoT Monitoring System for Optimized Hydroponics Management

This study presents the development and evaluation of the AgriFresh Cloud-based Monitoring System, designed to address inefficiencies in the current hydroponics system. The current system struggled to maintain stable environmental parameters, leading to disrupted plant growth and health issues. The current system had difficulty maintaining stable environmental parameters, such as temperature, humidity, pH levels, and water conductivity. This instability led to disrupted plant growth, reduced efficiency, and health issues for the plants. Furthermore, the reliance on manual data logging and monitoring led to delays and human errors, hindering timely decision-making, and the lack of real-time alerts was a critical drawback. To overcome these challenges, the AgriFresh Cloud-based Monitoring System integrates IoT technology for real-time environmental monitoring, automation, and enhanced sensor capabilities, enabling more accurate control of the hydroponic system (Kang et al., 2024). The system was evaluated through user feedback and ISO/IEC 21823-4:2022 standards, receiving high marks for perceived ease of use and functional effectiveness. While slight improvements are needed in areas such as system flexibility and environmental impact, the findings suggest that AgriFresh provides a reliable, efficient, and user-friendly solution for modern agricultural management. With continuous refinement, the system holds strong potential for broader implementation and long-term success in advancing sustainable, technology-driven farming practices.