Designing a Cost-Effective IoT System for Water-Efficient Hydroponic NFT Farming: A Frugal Innovation Approach

The increasing demand for sustainable and resource-efficient food production has accelerated the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies into hydroponic cultivation systems. This study develops and evaluates a cost-effective IoT-enabled Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) prototype grounded in a frugal innovation framework. The system incorporates an ESP32-based printed circuit board integrated with DHT22 temperature–humidity sensors, TDS and pH sensors, and dual relay modules for automated pump regulation. Real-time environmental and nutrient data are transmitted to a mobile IoT dashboard to enable continuous monitoring and adaptive control. Experimental testing under simulated greenhouse conditions demonstrated stable automation performance, improved thermal stability (temperature fluctuation reduced from ±6°C to ±2°C), and consistent nutrient concentrations within optimal thresholds (pH 5.8–6.5; TDS 900–1100 ppm). The closed-loop control mechanism enhanced irrigation precision and system responsiveness. These findings substantiate the prototype’s technical feasibility, operational reliability, and cost-effectiveness, highlighting its potential contribution to scalable, precision-oriented, and sustainable hydroponic production systems.