Design and Development of an Agricultural Parameter Monitoring System for Hydroponics

Abstract

The global surge in population, surpassing environmental carrying capacity, poses challenges in ensuring food security, especially in densely populated urban areas. As the demand for food is projected to increase by 60% by 2050, innovative solutions are sought to address constraints like limited land, time, and motivation for traditional agriculture. The study explores hydroponics, a soilless farming method, as a viable solution to enhance food production in confined spaces. Hydroponics involves cultivating plants directly in nutrient-rich water, presenting an efficient and space-saving alternative. The paper details various hydroponic techniques, including Nutrient Film Technique (NFT), Deepwater Culture, and Aeroponics, illustrating their structures and advantages. However, implementing hydroponics in urban settings faces challenges related to time constraints and limited farming knowledge among residents. To address these challenges, the study introduces an innovative PLC-controlled system for hydroponic farming with automated features. The system precisely regulates environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, water pH, and light intensity through algorithms. Leveraging cloud technology, users can remotely monitor and control the system, ensuring optimal plant growth. An integrated alarm system provides timely alerts, reducing the need for constant physical inspections. The methodology outlines the development stages of the monitoring system, emphasizing the selection of sensors, PLC programming, and integration with the cloud platform. Results indicate successful implementation, with the hydroponic system demonstrating effective communication with the cloud and optimal growth conditions for lettuce. The study concludes with future perspectives, suggesting improvements such as renewable power integration and advanced monitoring features. The proposed automated hydroponic system aims to make urban farming more accessible and manageable, contributing to sustainable and efficient food production.