IOT Based Irrigation System

Abstract

In the context of increasing population and diminishing water resources, the need for efficient and automated irrigation systems has become crucial for sustainable agriculture. This paper introduces an IoT-enabled smart irrigation system aimed at automating the irrigation process while integrating security features to protect field equipment from theft. The system is built around a Node MCU ESP8266 microcontroller, which interfaces with sensors that monitor soil moisture, temperature, and humidity in real time. When the soil moisture level falls below a predetermined threshold, the irrigation system activates automatically. Furthermore, a PIR (Passive Infrared) sensor is included to detect unauthorized movement near the equipment, sending alerts to users via the BlynkIoT platform. This innovative dual-purpose system not only enhances water efficiency but also provides protection for equipment situated in open agricultural areas. Designed to be cost-effective, scalable, and easy to use, this system offers a practical and secure solution for contemporary farming practices. This dual-purpose design—combining water management and security—makes the proposed system particularly valuable for modern agricultural operations. It is engineered to be accessible and easy to deploy, prioritizing a low-cost design that can be scaled according to the size and needs of different farms. The user-friendly interface provided by the Blynk platform allows farmers to monitor soil conditions, control irrigation schedules, and receive real-time alerts remotely from their smartphones or computers, thus increasing convenience and operational efficiency.

Introduction

Overview:
Agriculture is vital for food security and economic stability, yet traditional irrigation methods often lead to water waste and reduced crop yields. With rising global concerns over water scarcity, the study proposes a cost-effective smart irrigation system using IoT technology to automate and optimize water use in farming.

Key Features of the Proposed System:

• Microcontroller:
  Utilizes the NodeMCU ESP8266, a Wi-Fi-enabled microcontroller that processes sensor data and controls irrigation.

• Sensors Used:

  • Soil Moisture Sensor: Triggers irrigation when moisture falls below a threshold.

  • Temperature & Humidity Sensors (e.g., DHT11): Inform irrigation decisions based on climate.

  • PIR Motion Sensor: Detects unauthorized access; sends alerts via mobile app.

  • LCD Display with I2C Module: Shows real-time field conditions.

• Irrigation Control:

  • Uses relay modules to operate water pumps or valves.

  • Can be powered by DC supply, batteries, or solar panels, making it viable in remote areas.

• Mobile Interface:
  Integrated with the Blynk IoT app, allowing remote monitoring, manual control, and real-time notifications.

System Workflow:

1. Data Collection: Sensors gather real-time environmental data.

2. Decision Making: Microcontroller checks soil moisture against a predefined threshold.

3. Irrigation Activation: If needed, the pump/valve is automatically turned on.

4. Monitoring: Users receive real-time updates and can control the system via the mobile app.

5. Security: PIR sensor alerts users about possible tampering or theft.

6. Energy Efficiency: System is programmed to minimize power use.

Literature Insights:

• Previous Research:
  Past studies used Arduino and wireless networks to improve water efficiency, but often lacked affordability, scalability, or ease of use for small farmers.

• Gaps Addressed:
  This system tackles those limitations by being low-cost, user-friendly, and suitable for small to medium farms with limited infrastructure.

Results:

• Effectiveness:
  The system accurately monitored soil moisture and automated irrigation accordingly.

• Water Conservation:
  Prevented overwatering by switching off pumps when moisture thresholds were met.

• User Experience:
  Farmers could monitor and control the system remotely using the Blynk app, enhancing flexibility and responsiveness.

• Security:
  Motion detection added protection for unattended systems in open fields.

Conclusion

This paper presents the design and development of a low-cost, energy-efficient IoT-based smart irrigation system aimed at optimizing water usage in agricultural fields. By utilizing soil moisture, temperature, and humidity sensors connected to a Node MCU microcontroller, the system automates irrigation based on real-time data, ensuring that crops receive adequate water only when necessary.The integration with the Blynk IoT platform allows for remote monitoring and control, adding flexibility and convenience for farmers. The results of the system testing confirm that the smart irrigation system successfully reduces water wastage, saves labor costs, and promotes sustainable agricultural practices.Given its simple design, affordability, and scalability, the proposed system is particularly beneficial for rural farmers and can contribute significantly towards achieving more efficient water management in agriculture.

References

[1] Dang, Q. V., Park, S., & Kim, S. (2020). A Fuzzy Logic-Based Automatic Irrigation System Using Wireless Sensor Networks. Sensors, 20(18), 5273. https://doi.org/10.3390/s20185273 [2] Sandoval-Solis, S., Giraldo, F., & Torres, A. (2018). Smart Irrigation System Using IoT. International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Science, 9(5), 40–45. [3] Priyanka, P., & Jain, D. (2017). Automated Irrigation System Using Arduino and Soil Moisture Sensor. International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET), 4(7), 1635–1638. [4] Blynk. (n.d.). Blynk IoT Platform. Retrieved from https://blynk.io/ [5] ESP8266 Community. (n.d.). NodeMCU ESP8266 Documentation. Retrieved from https://www.espressif.com/en/products/socs/esp8266 .

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Amit Singh, Naimish Kumar Verma, Saurabh Verma, Shubham , Asst. Prof. Mr. Vikas Porwal. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.