An application to provide instruction for farmers who lack knowledge about selecting suitable plants for their land and using fertilisers for their plantation.
This is the project we, Team Tech Hawks presented when participating the Spark Challenge 2022/23, organized by the Department of Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering in University of Moratuwa(SPARK@UoM) in 2023.
● Environmental conservation and preservation
● Power generation and efficiency
● Health care improvement
Farmers waste a lot of resources and money because they are unable to choose the right plants to cultivate on a particular piece of land. Food production is diminished as a result, and agricultural sustainability is hampered. As a result, a solution is required that can reliably identify acceptable plants for a particular piece of land, track the plants' nutritional needs throughout their growth cycle, and save the current state of the nutrient levels for future use. Problem description: Farmers face challenges in selecting suitable plants due to factors like soil type, climate, and nutrient availability. This can lead to wasted time, resources, and financial losses. Current nutrient monitoring techniques are labor-intensive and prone to errors, limiting farmers' ability to provide proper care for optimal plant growth. To address these challenges, a reliable system is needed. It should recommend appropriate plant selections, continuously monitor nutrient needs, and store data for future reference. Such a system would empower farmers to make informed decisions, allocate resources efficiently, and enhance overall agricultural sustainability.
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Surveys and Interviews: we have conducted surveys and interviews with farmers and agricultural experts to understand their challenges and experiences in determining suitable plants for specific lands and monitoring nutrient requirements.
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Data Analysis: Analyzing historical data on crop yield, resource usage, and financial losses to identify patterns and correlations between plant selection, nutrient management, and agricultural sustainability.
The problem affects several user segments involved in agriculture, including:
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Farmers: Farmers who own or manage agricultural land face the challenge of selecting suitable plants and managing nutrient requirements effectively.
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Agricultural Experts and Advisors: Professionals who provide guidance and expertise to farmers can benefit from a reliable solution that assists in plant selection and nutrient monitoring, allowing them to offer more accurate recommendations.
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Agricultural Technology Companies: Companies developing agricultural technologies and solutions can identify the problem as an opportunity to create innovative tools that address the needs of farmers and contribute to agricultural sustainability.
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Efficient Resource Allocation: Farmers can optimize resource management by recommending suitable plants, reducing waste of water, fertilizer, and pesticides. This minimizes the environmental impact of agriculture, including water use, chemical runoff, and greenhouse gas emissions.
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Soil Health and Carbon Sequestration: Selecting plant species that enhance soil quality and sequester carbon indirectly contributes to carbon sequestration. Improved soil fertility and organic matter content act as a carbon sink, reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and combating climate change.
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Preventing Deforestation: Careful plant selection helps maximize land use and prevent deforestation. By suggesting crops suitable for existing areas, farmers can avoid the need to clear more forests or natural habitats for agriculture expansion. Preserving forests conserves biodiversity and prevents the release of carbon stored in trees, which contributes to climate change.
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Sustainable Agricultural Practices: Promoting sustainable practices like crop rotation, intercropping, and agroforestry maximizes land utilization, improves soil health, manages water efficiently, and reduces reliance on synthetic inputs. Sustainable agriculture reduces greenhouse gas emissions, safeguards ecosystem services, and enhances climate resilience.
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Knowledge Sharing and Adoption: Tracking nutrient status and providing guidance on plant selection facilitates knowledge sharing among farmers. The adoption of successful farming methods promotes widespread use of sustainable practices. By collectively adopting climate-smart behaviors, we can mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, protect natural resources, and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
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Resource and Financial Wastage: Farmers waste time, money, and resources by planting plants that might not survive on their particular plot of land.
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Lower Food Production: The inability to identify plants that will grow well on a particular piece of land might result in below-average crop yields and lower Food Production in general.
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Agricultural Sustainability: Inaccurate plant selection and nutrient monitoring make agriculture less sustainable by using up resources, causing environmental deterioration, and making agricultural methods less effective.
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Farmer Livelihoods: Financial setbacks and decreased food production can have a severe effect on farmers' livelihoods, reducing their earnings and long-term viability.
After conducting our research, we discovered that there are a number of things to take into account when selecting the best plant for a specific piece of land. It is crucial to take the features of the soil into account when selecting a plant for a particular piece of land. When it comes to providing the materials and support needed for plant growth, the soil is absolutely essential. Here's a quick breakdown of how the soil should be taken into account:
- Adequate drainage is crucial for plant growth.
- Poor drainage can lead to waterlogged conditions.
- Excessively well-drained soils may not retain enough moisture.
- Choose plants adapted to the soil's drainage characteristics.
- Soil texture refers to the proportions of sand, silt, and clay particles.
- Different textures have varying water-holding capacities and drainage characteristics.
- Sandy soils drain quickly but may not retain enough moisture.
- Clay soils retain more water but can have poor drainage.
- Select plants that can tolerate the specific water-holding and drainage conditions.
- Soil nutrient content is essential for plant growth and productivity.
- Different plants have varying nutrient requirements.
- Assess soil nutrient levels through testing.
- Select plants that can thrive in the available nutrient conditions.
- Implement appropriate fertilization strategies if needed.
- Soil pH refers to the acidity or alkalinity of the soil.
- pH influences nutrient availability to plants.
- Some plants prefer acidic soils, while others thrive in neutral or alkaline conditions.
- Test soil pH to select suitable plants or adjust pH through soil amendments if necessary.
- NPK value refers to the concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in the soil.
- These macronutrients are crucial for plant growth and productivity.
- Different plants have varying NPK requirements.
- Soil testing helps determine nutrient levels and guide fertilization strategies.
- Organic matter content affects soil structure, water retention, and nutrient availability.
- Soils with higher organic matter content are generally more fertile and have better water-holding capacity.
- Consider organic matter content when selecting plants.
- Soil compaction affects root development and nutrient uptake.
- Compacted soils restrict root growth, requiring plants with deeper root systems.
- Assess soil compaction levels and consider plant tolerance or soil management practices.
- Soil temperature affects seed germination, root development, and overall plant metabolism.
- Different plant species have specific temperature requirements.
- Warm soil promotes faster germination and root growth, while cold soil can inhibit growth.
- Oxygen is essential for root respiration, nutrient uptake, beneficial microbiology, soil structure, and disease prevention.
- Insufficient oxygen can lead to nutrient deficiencies, compaction, waterlogging, and poor seed germination.
- Regular soil testing and proper soil aeration are important for maintaining optimal oxygen levels.
- Soil depth refers to the thickness of the soil layer available for root growth.
- Different plants have varying root system requirements.
- Shallow soils may limit the selection of plants with deep-rooting requirements.
- Consider soil depth when selecting plants for optimal root development.
These factors collectively contribute to the suitability of the soil for plant growth and should be considered when selecting plants and implementing appropriate soil management practices.
Existing solutions for plant selection and nutrient management in agriculture include farmer training and education, agricultural extension services, TV programs and social media, soil testing kits, and sensor-based nutrient monitoring. Farmer training and education programs enhance farmers' knowledge of plant selection, nutrient management, and sustainable practices. These programs provide workshops and training to equip farmers with practical skills, empowering them to make informed decisions. Agricultural extension services offer guidance and information to farmers, providing access to experts who advise based on best practices in plant selection and nutrient management. TV programs and social media platforms share valuable agricultural information, expert advice, and practical demonstrations. Farmers learn about suitable plant varieties, planting techniques, and soil management practices. Soil testing kits assess soil properties, enabling farmers to determine nutrient levels and pH. This knowledge helps in selecting appropriate plants and determining the need for soil amendments or fertilizers.
Sensor-based nutrient monitoring systems continuously measure soil and plant parameters, such as nutrient levels and moisture content. Farmers analyze this data to make informed decisions on fertilization and nutrient maintenance. These solutions improve plant selection and nutrient management, empowering farmers with knowledge, guidance, and tools to enhance plant growth and agricultural productivity.
Establish networks of experts, agronomists, and local farmers for guidance on plant selection and nutrient management. Their knowledge contributes to the recommendation system, ensuring accuracy. Experts assist in interpreting sensor data and provide on-ground insights to empower farmers.
Develop systems that integrate data from multiple sources like soil sensors, weather stations, and crop monitoring tools. This provides a comprehensive overview of nutrient status, environmental conditions, and crop performance. Farmers can access real-time insights, receive alerts, and optimize farming practices. Mobile Applications and Online Platforms:
Provide mobile apps and online platforms with information on plant selection, nutrient requirements, and best practices. These platforms use data, expert knowledge, and analytics to offer personalized recommendations based on location and farming conditions. Implementing these solutions enables informed decisions, accurate nutrient monitoring, and sustainable practices. Leveraging data and expert knowledge, farmers optimize resource utilization, increase food production, and promote a profitable agricultural sector.
The purpose of our solution is to provide instruction for farmers who lack knowledge about selecting suitable plants for their land and using fertilisers for their plantation. So, our team involved the development of a soil monitoring device equipped with various sensors to measure critical soil parameters such as NPK value, pH value, soil temperature, moisture content, organic matter content, oxygen content of soil and other specifications essential for plant growth. This device communicates with a mobile app via Bluetooth, which is further connected to a database containing plant-specific information. By leveraging the collected data, the mobile app suggests the most suitable 10 plants for the given soil conditions and provides guidance on optimal farming practices.
The soil monitoring device serves as the foundation of the proposed solution. It incorporates electronic sensors which are capable of measuring the following parameters:
a. NPK Value: The device has a NPK sensor to quantify the levels of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in the soil. This data is crucial for determining the soil's nutrient composition.
b. pH Value: A pH sensor is integrated into the device to measure the acidity or alkalinity of the soil.
c. Soil Temperature: The device includes a temperature sensor to monitor the soil's temperature.
d. moisture Content: Through a moisture sensor, the device measures the water content in the soil. This data aids farmers in understanding the soil's moisture levels, enabling effective irrigation practices.
e.Oxygen sensor: Measures the oxygen content of soil.
The mobile app acts as a user-friendly interface for farmers, allowing them to interact with the soil monitoring device and provide valuable information about plants which are most suitable for the particular land. The key features of the mobile app include:
a. Bluetooth Connectivity: The mobile app communicates with the soil monitoring device via Bluetooth to collect the necessary data about the soil.
b. Location Access: The app utilises location services to determine the specific geographic location of the farm. This information is used to provide localised plant recommendations and farming instructions.
c. Database Integration: The mobile app is linked to a database containing detailed information about various plants and their environmental requirements for growth, special nutrient requirements, optimal temperature and soil type for each plant, and recommended water levels. The app retrieves relevant data from the database to offer personalised recommendations to farmers.
To validate the effectiveness of the provided solution from an end user perspective, the following steps were taken:
a.Requirements Gathering: The validation process began by engaging with agricultural instructors who have direct experience working with farmers. Through interviews, surveys, and workshops, their requirements and problems regarding plant selection and soil monitoring were collected. This step ensured that the solution was aligned with the actual needs of end users.
b.Stakeholder Collaboration: The collected requirements were reviewed and analysed to identify common and essential features we should provide in our solution. Continuous collaboration with agricultural instructors and domain experts helped refine the solution and ensure its practicality and effectiveness.
a. User-friendly: The mobile app was designed with a simple interface, allowing farmers with limited technical knowledge to easily connect the sensor, access soil data, and receive plant recommendations.
b. Customizable and adaptable: The solution accommodated diverse farmer needs and varying soil conditions. The extensive plant database provided tailored recommendations based on specific soil and geographical factors.
c. Knowledge enhancement: The app served as a comprehensive knowledge hub, offering detailed information on suitable plants, nutrient requirements, soil amendments, and farming instructions to empower farmers in making informed decisions.
d. Cost-effective: The solution aimed to optimize resource usage, reduce input costs, and improve crop yields, providing farmers with targeted recommendations on fertilizers, water usage, and plant selection to minimize financial risks and maximize returns on investment. Through a validation process involving farmers and agricultural instructors, the soil monitoring device and mobile app were refined to address user requirements. The user-centric approach resulted in a user-friendly and comprehensive product that empowers farmers, enhances decision-making, and improves agricultural practices and productivity.
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SDG 1: No Poverty - The product helps farmers increase crop yields, reducing poverty and improving livelihoods.
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SDG 2: Zero Hunger - The product suggests suitable plants, optimizing nutrient management, and reducing food waste to achieve zero hunger.
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SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being - The product promotes safe and nutritious food production, improving health outcomes.
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SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation - The product minimizes water pollution by optimizing nutrient management.
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SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy - The product promotes sustainable practices, reducing energy requirements.
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SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth - The product stimulates economic growth and creates employment opportunities.
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SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production - The product promotes responsible resource use and sustainable practices.
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SDG 13: Climate Action - The product reduces greenhouse gas emissions and enhances climate resilience.
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SDG 15: Life on Land - The product supports biodiversity conservation and ecological balance.
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SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals - The product fosters collaboration and knowledge exchange among stakeholders.
Overall, the product contributes to the SDGs by improving productivity, reducing waste, ensuring food security, promoting sustainability, protecting the environment, and fostering partnerships.
a. Farmer Empowerment: The solution empowers farmers with accurate, real-time soil data for informed plant selection, improving yields and livelihoods.
b. Reduce crop failures: The app suggests suitable plants based on soil analysis, minimizing crop failures and financial losses.
c. Water Conservation: Monitoring soil moisture enables efficient water management, conserving resources and minimizing environmental impact.
d. Reduction of Chemical Inputs: The solution optimizes fertilizer usage, minimizing pollution and environmental harm.
e. Optimal Nutrient Management: Accurate soil nutrient measurements guide fertilizer application, reducing waste and pollution.
f. Efficient land usage: The app recommends crops suited to the soil, maximizing productivity and minimizing crop failure risks.
Tech Hawks is a dedicated team of highly motivated and skilled undergraduate students with a passion for technology. Our team is comprised of technical enthusiasts who possess a deep understanding of the latest advancements in the tech industry. With a strong focus on innovation and creativity, we strive to develop cutting-edge solutions that address the challenges faced by today's digital landscape. We are committed to utilizing our knowledge and skills to make a positive impact and create a better future.
Our Team presented this project and placed Top 10. SPARK Challenge 2022/23 Results
Regardless of the place and prize, we gained a lot of in-hand experience and went through the full process of product development and manufacturing. About the experience of each member got, we have included it in blogs and as other records. Links for members' experiences are as follows.
Here : by Kavindu Kalinga
A Spark Challenge where contestents compete with sustainable ideas, organized by the ENTC@UoM is one of a competition for Sri Lankans who have innovative minds.
The intention of Project SPARK is to expose ENTC undergraduates to a set of challenges not made available in any other university in Asia, Europe, or the Americas. This unique project will not only provide a platform to develop innovative ideas to solve real-world problems but also develop some of the soft and hard skill sets required by undergraduates to be effective and productive professionals in the modern-day industry.
- A year-long challenge was undertaken by the second and third-year undergraduates to develop unique solutions to solve real-world problems
- The delivery of at least three Raspberry JAMs a year to educate the wider community beyond the faculty on the capabilities of the Pi platform
- Delivery of a teachers training program to promote the use of Raspberry Pis at the school level
- The delivery 8 online lectures and workshops to promote the modern design process and the principles associated with the United Nations – Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDG’s)
Developing a vibrant and productive Raspberry Pi community is one of the major outcomes of the project. The use of the Raspberry Pi on a personal basis, within the academic coursework, and potentially the challenge framework will allow ENTC undergraduates to participate and contribute individually to that overall objective within the faculty. A nominal target of initially gathering around 1000 Pi enthusiasts around the island has been set as a target before growing that community wider
In engaging with the above challenges, undergraduates will gain the following skills that can measurably enhance and differentiate ENTC graduates from the rest qualified from other universities.
- Hands-on Project Management experience and associated tools
- Additional experience in participating in group projects
- Construction of well-documented project proposal
- Defining the scope and feasibility of a project proposal
- Communicating and delegating tasks within the group to effectively deliver objectives
- Planning and managing tasks and people associated with delivering a year-long project
After the successful conclusion of Spark Challenge 2021/22, the next chapter of the competition, Spark Challenge 2022/23 was launched with the hope of energizing the young innovators preparing them to take up the future industry and to fight the climate change.
SPARK Challenge 2021/22 Results : Visit
In supporting the SPARK objectives, the following web and social media sites have been created and managed by the E-Club and the SPARK Branch.
SPARK Forum Web Site : Official Platform of SPARK@UOM
SPARK Facebook Group : Private Facebook group
Raspberry Pi Facebook Group : Public Facebook group
Raspberry Pi Live Streaming : Public Facebook group