The Internet of Things (IoT) technology is becoming popular among industries to connect physical objects through a network. IT allows faster communication, data transfer and knowledge sharing. One of the fastest-growing industries in the world is the agriculture industry. IoT in agriculture can be utilised for several applications such as smart farming, precision agriculture, e-agriculture, digital agriculture and so forth. Though the impact of technology on agriculture has been positive in terms of productivity, sustainability and effectivity, it still requires improvements in performance, affordability and deployment. IoT is one of the promising technologies that will reshape the future of agriculture and will work as a fundamental building block of modern agriculture.

Use Cases of IoT in agriculture:

• Help farmers to monitor essential information in the field including air temperature, humidity, water stress

• Improve yields through efficient irrigation planning and precise harvest forecasts

• Provide data regarding genome and micro-climate effects on crop production that help biologists in optimising yield and quality

• Implement a network of connected devices to collect a massive amount of data through farms and transfer it to associated individuals such as farmers, service providers, researchers, scientists and engineers

• Collect real-time data about weather, air quality, soil health, hydration levels, crop nutrition and health and help farmers making better decisions about crop planting and harvesting

• Effective extensive farm size surveys for data collection, monitoring of field activities and field mapping to maximise the productivity

• Analyse irrigation and nutrition requirements and optimise strategy for irrigation and fertiliser supplement

• Ensure efficient and accurate communication to individuals in the agriculture and food supply chain and provide real-time information related to dynamic agricultural processes

• Pest management and control through observation, inspection, identification and record tracking plant growth, environmental parameters and pest behaviour to prevent crop damage and degradation

• Ensure food safety at different levels of the supply chain such as harvesting, warehousing, storage, transportation and handling by monitoring quality parameters of yield

• Determine the optimal time and season plant, harvest, spray fertilisers, and pest management

The proven impact of technology on agriculture regarding crop productivity, product quality, cost control and resource conservation has accelerated the research and development of innovative agricultural solutions. Agriculture has the perfect business case for IoT implementation that will transform future farming and food production. The adoption of innovative farming technologies is increasing to make agriculture more connected, efficient, streamlined, productive and accurate. The number of connected devices will grow to 225 million by 2024 compared to 13 million in 2014! With IoT-enabled devices, high-risk, low-reward, increases and labour-intensive industries will soon become automated, digitalised, and profitable businesses.