Internet of Things in Agriculture

Bartes Razvan, Clapou Alexandru

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT

Keywords: The Internet of Things (IoT) represents a paradigm shift in connecting physical devices to the
Internet of Things digital realm, fostering seamless communication and data exchange. In the agricultural sector, IoT
IoT applications are revolutionizing traditional farming practices through the integration of sensors,
smart agriculture actuators, and data analytics. This transformation, known as IoT in agriculture, encompasses precision
IoT in agriculture farming techniques, livestock monitoring, smart irrigation systems, supply chain management.By
leveraging real-time data on soil conditions, crop health, and environmental factors, farmers can make
informed decisions, optimize resource usage, and enhance overall productivity.

1. Systematic literature review (SLR) 2.3. Protocol definition

Internet of things (IoT) describes physical objects or
Internet of Things (IoT) in Agriculture is comparable to
groups of such objects. These objects are equipped with
a structured network system responsible for gathering data
sensors, processing capabilities and software to exchange
transmitted from various interconnected "smart" devices
data with other devices and systems through various com-
through the internet.
munication networks.
Cloud-based devices equipped with sensors communi-
Our main focus is on IoT applications in agriculture and
cate with each other, forming an interconnected ecosystem.
its potential usage in this field. As a result, we exclude the
In recent times, IoT applications have significantly impacted
studies that addressed IoT in other domains.
the agricultural sector, leading to advancements in precision
farming and smart agriculture practices.
This paper conducts a systematic literature review, fol- 3. Conducting the SLR
lowing the methodology outlined by Kitchenham and Char- 3.1. Search and selection process
ters (2007), to explore the utilization of IoT in agriculture Our review follows the procedure outlined by Kitchen-
and the devices designed to enhance farming practices. ham and Charters (2007). We identified a set of re- search
questions derived from the objective of this review which
2. Study design we previously presented

2.1. Review need identification 3.1.1. Database search

This systematic literature study aims to provide an We searched for relevant papers based on the above key-
overview of the state-of-the-art for IoT in agriculture as words. As for databases, we chose SciendeDirect, IEEEX-
of right now. The topic of choice is IoT applications in plore and AgEcon Search. We identified 30 papers according
agriculture, with a particular focus on devices and apps. The to our topic of interest.
motivation for this topic stems from the increasing potential
of IoT in various fields, including agriculture. The study aims 3.1.2. Merging, and duplicates and impurity removal
to explore how IoT devices contribute to more efficient and After we identified the 30 papers, we filtered them and
sustainable farming practices. excluded the papers that were not in English and/or were not
Furthermore, the agriculture sector, in general, derives addressing the role of IoT in Agriculture specifically.
significant benefits from IoT-enabled devices, as they assist
farmers in efficiently monitoring and managing their farms. 3.1.3. Application of the selection criteria
These devices contribute to streamlined agricultural oper- Based on the papers’s abstract we decided if the topic
ations, making it easier for farmers to track and optimize is relevant or not for this research. The paper was selected
various aspects of their farming practices. if the study was about: IoT roles in agriculture and/or IoT
gadgets that can be used for farming and/or examples of good
2.2. Research questions definition practices of implementation of IoT in agriculture.
The following research questions served as the basis for
this comprehensive literature review: What is the potential 3.2. Data extraction
role of Internet of Things in agriculture? Which Internet of The final sample consist of 10 articles that addressed
Things gadgets have been created specifically for farming? topics such as: the application of IOT to improve Food and
How can IoT be efficiently used in agriculture? Farming Technology, the potential role of IoT in agriculture
and challenges. 3.2
ORCID (s):

Bartes Razan, Clapou Alexandru: Preprint submitted to Elsevier Page 1 of 4

 Internet of Things in Agriculture

Id Cite Title, Author Year

IOT agriculture to improve
food and farming technology,
P1 3.3.1. 2017
S. Jaiganesh; K. Gunaseelan;
V. Ellappan
The future of Internet of Things in agriculture:
Plant high-throughput phenotypic platform ,
P2 3.3.2. 2021
Jiangchuan Fan, Ying Zhang,
Weiliang Wen, Shenghao Gu, Xianju Lu, Xinyu Guo
Recent advancements and challenges
P3 3.3.3. of Internet of Things in smart agriculture: 2022
A survey, Bam Bahadur Sinha
An Overview of Internet of Things (IoT)
and Data Analytics in Agriculture:
P4 3.3.4. Benefits and Challenges, Olakunle Elijah; 2018
Tharek Abdul Rahman;
Igbafe Orikumhi; Chee Yen Leow
INTERNET OF THINGS (IOT)
P5 3.3.5. AND CLOUD COMPUTING FOR AGRICULTURE, 2012
V.C. Patil, K.A. Al-Gaadi, D. P. Biradar
Internet of things for smart agriculture:
P6 3.3.6. Technologies, practices and future direction, 2017
Ray, Partha Pratim
The Internet of Things in Agriculture
P7 3.3.7. for Sustainable Rural Development, 2015
Nomusa Dlodlo, Josephat Kalezhi
Smart Agriculture and IoT Technology,
P8 3.3.8. 2022
YANG, Jian; LIU, Zhongyou
A Creative IoT agriculture platform
P9 3.3.9. 2020
for cloud fog computing, Tse-Chuan Hsu
Adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) in agriculture
P10 3.3.10. 2019
and smart farming towards urban greening: A review,

3.3. Data synthesis insights into the formation mechanisms of specific biolog-
3.3.1. IOT agriculture to improve food and farming ical traits. Utilizing integrated automation platforms, the
technology research emphasizes the acquisition of multi-scale, multi-
This paper focus into the role of the Internet of Things environmental, and multi-mode plant traits, forming big data
(IoT) in the Agricultural Sector, exploring the integration of on plant phenotypes.
GPS and sensors for improved communication and data ex-
change among agricultural devices. Emphasizing the bene- 3.3.3. Recent advancements and challenges of Internet
fits of Information Technology (IT), particularly cloud tech- of Things in smart agriculture: A survey
nology, the study demonstrates how it enhances farmers’ This paper explores the dynamic evolution of the In-
management capabilities in areas such as crop growth, yield ternet of Things (IoT) as a paradigm for connecting di-
estimation, fertilizer application, and disease prevention. verse smart physical components, aiming at multi-domain
The application of a cloud-based agro-cloud system is ex- modernization. Focused on minimizing human intervention
amined as a catalyst for advancing agricultural techniques, in the management and tracking of agricultural lands, the
streamlining communication, reducing costs, and expediting study explores a number of IoT-based frameworks, offering
information exchange. a thorough analysis of their key elements, new technologies,
security concerns, difficulties, and potential developments in
3.3.2. The future of Internet of Things in agriculture: the field of agriculture.
Plant high-throughput phenotypic platform
Advancements in sensor, communication, plant, com- 3.3.4. An Overview of Internet of Things (IoT) and
puter, and engineering sciences have propelled Internet of Data Analytics in Agriculture: Benefits and
Things (IoT) in agriculture. Environmental sensor networks, Challenges
non-destructive imaging, spectral analysis, and robotics The global population surge prompts a shift to smart
contribute to a qualitative leap in obtaining continuous plant agriculture, addressing food security concerns amid dimin-
phenotypic data. This study explores the genotype–phenotype ishing resources and unpredictable weather. This paper ex-
–envirotype relationships in the omics system, enabling deep plores the transition from wireless sensor networks (WSN) to

Bartes Razan, Clapou Alexandru: Preprint submitted to Elsevier Page 2 of 4

 Internet of Things in Agriculture

the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) and data analytics 3.3.8. Smart Agriculture and IoT Technology
(DA), outlining benefits, challenges, and the IoT ecosystem’s This paper provides a comprehensive overview of Inter-
role. The combination of IoT and DA is driving operational net of Things (IoT) applications in modern agriculture, em-
efficiency in agriculture, and the paper outlines future trends phasizing achievements and advancements in vertical farm-
and opportunities across technological innovations, applica- ing, hydroponics, and phenotyping. Examining the role of
tion scenarios, business, and marketability. IoT in agricultural practices, the study explores the potential
and challenges associated with wireless sensors integration
3.3.5. INTERNET OF THINGS (IOT) AND CLOUD into traditional farming methods. The paper details specific
COMPUTING FOR AGRICULTURE sensor applications for agriculture and outlines current and
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a transformative tech- future scenarios and platforms based on IoT. Additionally,
nology shaping the future of computing and communica- it reviews ongoing research by major technology companies
tions, constituting a self-configuring wireless network of worldwide, aiming to guide researchers and agricultural en-
interconnected objects. Global food security hinges on a gineers in implementing IoT technology for the development
unified digital market, future internet, knowledge sharing, of smart parks.
social networks, data protection, and open access to wis-
dom. Wisdom-based systems for agriculture, focusing on 3.3.9. A Creative IoT agriculture platform for cloud
IoT, geomatics, sensor technology, WSN, RFID, and Cloud fog computing
Computing, contribute to greener farming with increased This study introduces an innovative service process
environmental stewardship and economic viability. Despite leveraging a cloud computing platform within the Internet of
technological strides, integrating IoT into agriculture for Things (IoT), enhancing the integration of cloud-to-physical
online monitoring and managing complex ecosystems de- networking and accelerating IoT computing speed. By fo-
mands structured, collaborative efforts. cusing on high-speed computing and remote operations, the
proposed service process facilitates seamless collaboration,
3.3.6. Internet of things for smart agriculture: efficiently moving data between Cloud and Fog resources.
Technologies, practices and future direction The research applies this innovative platform technology
This paper delves into the burgeoning realm of agricul- to the realm of cloud agriculture, enabling large-scale data
tural innovation propelled by the Internet of Things (IoT). collection and analysis for automated solutions in agricul-
At its early stages, IoT in agriculture demands extensive tural monitoring, pest management, and image analysis.
experimentation for widespread application across diverse This approach addresses challenges in large-area automation
farming scenarios. The study systematically reviews poten- construction, particularly in farmland with limited network
tial IoT applications, scrutinizing associated challenges and resources.
issues for effective deployment in farming. A comprehen-
sive analysis of IoT devices and wireless communication 3.3.10. Adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) in
technologies tailored to agricultural contexts is conducted to agriculture and smart farming towards urban
meet specific requirements. The paper investigates sensor- greening: A review
enabled IoT systems, offering intelligent services for en- This study investigates the incorporation of Internet of
hanced farming practices. Through case studies, it explores Things (IoT) technology in agriculture and farming prac-
existing IoT solutions categorized by deployment parame- tices, aiming to boost productivity and cost-effectiveness
ters, highlighting associated challenges and paving the way through automation. Examining 60 peer-reviewed scientific
for future improvements and advancements in smart agricul- publications spanning 2016-2018, the research focuses on
ture. IoT applications, sensor data collection, and sub-verticals
such as water and crop management. Findings highlight wa-
3.3.7. The internet of things in agriculture for ter management as the predominant sub-vertical, followed
sustainable rural development by crop management and smart farming. Notable sensor data
This research explores the shared challenges faced by priorities include environmental temperature and humidity,
rural areas in South Africa and Zambia across agriculture, with Wi-Fi and mobile technology emerging as the primary
connectivity, water, transport, health, and education. Focus- technological choices. The study underscores a significant
ing on IoT technologies, the study aims to uncover potential emphasis on the agricultural sector compared to farming
solutions for poverty reduction aligned with the identified and offers valuable insights for the industry to optimize IoT
needs in these communities. Emphasizing agriculture, the for enhanced production efficiencies. Future research rec-
paper highlights specific IoT applications for crop farming, ommendations encompass scalability, heterogeneity, system
weather forecasting, wildlife management, forestry, live- architecture, data analysis methods, security protocols, and
stock farming, market identification, and rural financing. technological considerations.

4. Results
IoT and cloud technology play a pivotal role in enhancing
farmers’ management capabilities, spanning areas such as

Bartes Razan, Clapou Alexandru: Preprint submitted to Elsevier Page 3 of 4

 Internet of Things in Agriculture

crop growth, yield estimation, fertilizer application, and Othmane Friha, Mohamed Amine Ferrag, Lei Shu, Leandros
disease prevention. This integration not only reduces costs Maglaras, and Xiaochan Wang, "Internet of Things for the
but also expedites information exchange among agricultural Future of Smart Agriculture: A Comprehensive Survey of
devices. Meanwhile, advancements in sensor technology Emerging Technologies," IEEE/CAA J. Autom. Sinica, vol.
and automation platforms contribute to the acquisition of 8, no. 4, pp. 718-752, Apr. 2021.
continuous plant phenotypic data, providing valuable in- doi: 10.1109/JAS.2021.1003925 shu
sights into genotype-phenotype-envirotype relationships and
generating extensive big data on plant phenotypes. In the Ray, Partha Pratim. ‘Internet of Things for Smart Agricul-
realm of smart agriculture, the dynamic evolution of IoT ture: Technologies, Practices and Future Direction’. 1 Jan.
aims at minimizing human intervention in land manage- 2017 : 395 – 420.
ment, exploring various frameworks, technologies, security
concerns, and potential developments across diverse agri- Madushanki, A. A. R., Halgamuge, M. N., Wirasagoda,
cultural domains. Furthermore, the integration of IoT and W. A. H. S., Syed, A. (2019). Adoption of the Internet
data analytics in agriculture is driving operational efficiency, of Things (IoT) in agriculture and smart farming towards
addressing global food security concerns, and outlining the urban greening: A review. International Journal of Ad-
benefits, challenges, and future trends in technological inno- vanced Computer Science and Applications, 10(4), 11-28.
vations, application scenarios, business, and marketability. https://doi.org/10.14569/ijacsa.2019.0100402
The transformative potential of IoT, geomatics, sensor tech-
nology, wireless sensor networks (WSN), RFID, and Cloud L. Lambrinos, "Internet of Things in Agriculture: A Deci-
Computing in agriculture is highlighted, emphasizing the sion Support System for Precision Farming," 2019 IEEE Intl
need for structured, collaborative efforts to integrate IoT into Conf on Dependable, Autonomic and Secure Computing,
agriculture for online monitoring and the management of Intl Conf on Pervasive Intelligence and Computing, Intl
complex ecosystems. Conf on Cloud and Big Data Computing, Intl Conf on Cyber
contribution details Science and Technology Congress , Fukuoka, Japan, 2019,
pp. 889-892
References
Madushanki, A. A. R., Halgamuge, M. N., Wirasagoda, J. Ma, X. Zhou, S. Li and Z. Li, "Connecting Agricul-
W. A. H. S., Syed, A. (2019). Adoption of the Internet ture to the Internet of Things through Sensor Networks,"
of Things (IoT) in agriculture and smart farming towards 2011 International Conference on Internet of Things and
urban greening: A review. International Journal of Ad- 4th International Conference on Cyber, Physical and So-
vanced Computer Science and Applications, 10(4), 11-28. cial Computing, Dalian, China, 2011, pp. 184-187, doi:
https://doi.org/10.14569/ijacsa.2019.0100402 10.1109/iThings/CPSCom.2011.32.

S. Jaiganesh, K. Gunaseelan and V. Ellappan, "IOT agricul-

ture to improve food and farming technology," 2017 Confer-
ence on Emerging Devices and Smart Systems (ICEDSS),
Mallasamudram, India, 2017, pp. 260-266,
doi: 10.1109/ICEDSS.2017.8073690.

M. Abbasi, M. H. Yaghmaee and F. Rahnama, "Internet

of Things in agriculture: A survey," 2019 3rd International
Conference on Internet of Things and Applications (IoT),
Isfahan, Iran, 2019, pp. 1-12,
doi: 10.1109/IICITA.2019.8808839.

N. Dlodlo and J. Kalezhi, "The internet of things in agricul-

ture for sustainable rural development," 2015 International
Conference on Emerging Trends in Networks and Computer
Communications (ETNCC), Windhoek, Namibia, 2015, pp.
13-18, doi: 10.1109/ETNCC.2015.7184801.

O. Elijah, T. A. Rahman, I. Orikumhi, C. Y. Leow and M. N.

Hindia, "An Overview of Internet of Things (IoT) and Data
Analytics in Agriculture: Benefits and Challenges," in IEEE
Internet of Things Journal, vol. 5, no. 5, pp. 3758-3773, Oct.
2018, doi: 10.1109/JIOT.2018.2844296.

Bartes Razan, Clapou Alexandru: Preprint submitted to Elsevier Page 4 of 4