In this blog, you will learn all about the sensors used in farming, what functions they perform and how can they take your farming to next level.

Several factors significantly impact farming, including rapid social change, reduced rainfall, and the need for surplus food to feed billions of people worldwide. That has detrimental effects on conventional farming methods.
The current scenario aims to make farming “smarter” through cutting-edge technology. To come up with ways to meet the rising consumption needs of the world’s population while making the best use of available resources.
IoT-based agricultural sensors give information farmers can use to monitor and improve their crops and stay current with shifting environmental and ecological elements.

There is a great impact of IoT-based sensors in agriculture

• Instead of guessing, it helps farmers to make data-driven decisions.
• It also helps them to achieve higher yields while spending less on pesticides, fertigation, and irrigation.

Different Forms of Sensors in Agriculture

Although many different types of intelligent farming sensors exist, IoT sensors for agriculture are the most prevalent and widely used.

Are you aware? All these sensors are present in the Fasal system. With the help of these sensors, you can enhance your crop productivity. Fill out this form to take a demo.

Types of sensors used in agriculture

A. Soil sensors

1. Soil moisture sensors

• A soil moisture sensor is a tool used for measuring the exact moisture amount in the soil near plant root zones.
• The data collected by these sensors is useful information for precise irrigation practices.
• The soil moisture sensors allow for much more efficient scheduling of water supply and distribution.
• For the best plant growth, such sensors aid in reducing or increasing irrigation.
• The soil moisture sensors can be divided into primary and secondary sensors.
• The role of these sensors is to give soil moisture readings at primary and secondary root zones.

2. Soil temperature sensors

• Soil temperature sensors are used for measuring the real-time temperature of the soil. These temperature readings help predict any possible soil-borne disease infections.
• In agricultural assessment and research, soil temperature sensors are frequently used.
• The soil temperature sensor can operate for an extended period of time in humid conditions with a quick response.
• It has a high measurement accuracy and consistency, allowing it to simultaneously monitor the temperature of the soil, atmosphere, and water in real-time, giving the overall temperature of the soil.

B. Canopy sensors

1. Leaf wetness sensors

• The Leaf Wetness sensor is an innovative and user-friendly tool that makes it possible to detect leaf wetness accurately and affordably.
• Many bacterial and fungal diseases only harm plants when there is moisture on the leaf surface.
• The Sensor detects dampness on the surface of a leaf, allowing researchers and growers to foresee disease & pests and preserve plant canopies.

C. Micro-climate sensors

1. Air humidity sensors

• Light, water, soil, and air are the four elements that crops need to survive.
• The impact of water, however, is the most crucial factor in growing healthy crops.
• The amount of water the air can store at any particular temperature is measured by relative humidity.
• Humidity Sensors assist in predicting disease and pest attacks that might attack the farm at a specific relative humidity. This dramatically enhances farmers’ efforts and lower expenses.

2. Windspeed and direction sensors

• Wind speed and direction sensors monitor the wind during farming activities like spraying.
• In general, an anemometer is the best tool for measuring wind speed, whereas vane sensors assist in measuring wind direction.
• Farming activities considering the wind speed and direction measurements can draw better outcomes because the wind can impact many factors in the farm.
• The magnitude of the wind speed will influence seed transmission distance and pollination efficiency, which will impact plant reproduction and fruit set.
• In addition to having a positive effect on the environment of farmlands, wind also negatively affects agricultural output by spreading pathogens, causing widespread plant diseases, assisting pests in migrating, and also by causing crops to fall and trees to break, as well as the phenomenon of falling flowers and fruits.

3. Rainfall sensors or Rain sensors

• Rainfall sensors can help with plant health maintenance and water conservation by avoiding the need for frequent irrigation.
• Farmers can schedule their farming activities based on the information provided by the rainfall sensors, which detect the quantity of rainfall that has happened.
• They can decide when to irrigate their crops at the ideal time using rainfall sensors.

4. Lux sensor

• Crop cultivation is a delicate balancing act. To keep plants healthy and in bloom, the ideal sun, water, and soil conditions must be met.
• An instrument known as a lux meter is used to measure brightness, more precisely, the intensity needed for crops.
• Some diseases and pests attack at a specific intensity of sunlight. Farmers are informed whether there is a chance of a disease or pest attack on their farm based on the measurement of solar light intensity provided by lux sensors.

5. Temperature sensors

• The three factors that affect plant growth the most are light, temperature, and moisture.
• By using temperature sensors, farmers can easily keep an eye on the temperature at the plant canopy level, thus reducing the risk of disease and pest infestation for their crops.

How is Fasal assisting farmers in utilizing data-driven agriculture?

Fasal is an IoT-based intelligence platform for horticulture crops. In order to provide farmers with actionable recommendations customized to their farms, crops, and crop stages, it collects real-time data on conditions from on-farm sensors.

• Precise irrigation – With the help of sensors, farmers can now meet the precise irrigation needs of their crop & avoid chances of poor yield caused by over or under-irrigation.
• Reduce pesticide cost – Agriculture sensors work in a way that they can help provide pest & disease forewarnings & suggests preventative sprays only when necessary, considerably reducing pesticide cost.
• Manage weather uncertainties – Using sensors and other monitoring tools, Fasal System continuously tracks your farm’s micro-climatic conditions allowing you to plan irrigation and fertigation in advance, reducing the toil of uncertain weather on your crops. Farmers can better organize their farms and labor with the help of a weather forecast tailored to their location.
• Increase yield – Fasal System helps you with optimal management of each phase of your crop’s growth. This not only leads to good quality fruit but also helps in increasing the yield.
• Increase fruit quality – Fasal System keeps a constant track of the soil and crop health along with their optimum mineral and water needs resulting in sweeter & healthier fruit quality.

Other information about the Fasal system

• Solar-powered equipment, hence no need for charging or any other electrical support.
• The device is positioned at the plant canopy level or somewhat above the plant’s height.
• Check on the state of your farm whenever you want, from anywhere, as though you were constantly there.
• The Fasal main unit is capable of predicting parameters such as Weather conditions (Rainfall, Wind direction & speed)
• Farmers can view their farm’s crop, soil, and microclimate conditions on any device and keep themselves informed of any crop-threatening circumstances.
• With Fasal, farmers can easily and intuitively plan, monitor, and analyze every activity on their farm. It handles sales, expenses, and cash flow to ensure the stability of farmers’ finances and provides real-time insight into the daily progress of their crops and operations.
• If one plans to harvest their crop within the following 14 days, they can know in advance about weather conditions through SMS, smartphone notifications, and email alerts.