IoT-Based Smart Farming Cultivation of sugarcane in Pune, Maharashtra

The agricultural sector is one of the contributors towards economic stability and rural livelihoods of Maharashtra. Among the cash crops that are grown throughout the state, the cultivation of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) has proved crucial, especially in Pune district. Nevertheless, there are many obstacles in growing sugarcane due to the availability of unreliable water supply, soil degradation, nutrient deficiency, unpredicted climatic conditions at the micro-level, and expensive labor force. Traditional cultivation methods depend on field observation and they fail to provide real-time information for effective resource management and crop care. The present paper presents a concept of Internet of Things (IoT)- based smart farming solution for sugarcane planting in Pune District, Maharashtra. The paper suggests the use of IoT technology to measure physical parameters of soil and other environmental variables through the deployment of sensor systems, namely soil volumetric water content, soil temperature, relative humidity, soil pH level, and the presence of a water source. These data are sent wirelessly from the deployed microcontrollers to the digital dashboard for visual display purposes. Furthermore, the implementation difficulties are discussed with regards to sensors calibration, cost of IoT devices, reliability of rural power supply and cellular networks, and farmer technology adoption barriers.