Ibero-American Cooperation Network for Innovation in Sustainable Precision Agriculture Using IoT Techniques
The project proposes the creation of an Ibero-American scientific cooperation network in the field of IoT (Internet of Things) technologies for the development and implementation of advanced sustainable agriculture techniques and the assessment of the impact of climate change on terrestrial ecosystems. This network will be composed of research groups from Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Uruguay, and Spain, which will carry out the following activities: moisture
- Training of researchers in IoT techniques for precision agriculture, including schemes for real-time remote monitoring of agrometric variables related to water potential, nutrient concentrations, growth indicators, signs of stress, soil characteristics, etc. The training process will also extend to the integration of electronic systems on flexible substrates, electrical impedance measurement systems, and the design of energy harvesting circuits, and the use of rechargeable biodegradable batteries will be explored. Researchers will also be trained in the use of open-source integrated circuit design tools, for which theoretical sessions will be provided accompanied by training materials. These training activities will be carried out through workshops and courses that will contribute to strengthening the scientific and technical capacities and technological independence of the consortium's ODA countries (Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru) in this area of knowledge. Additionally, specialization stays for doctoral students and young researchers from these ODA countries will be planned at the Microelectronics Institute (IMSE) of the CSIC and/or the Engineering Department of the Catholic University of Uruguay (UCU). All training materials generated during the project (courses, presentations, etc.) will be stored in a repository accessible to consortium members.
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As a practical exercise in the training program, the design, implementation, calibration, and validation (with field tests) of a multitask wireless sensor for the direct measurement of electrochemical and microclimatic soil properties for optimal crop fertigation are included. The manufacturing of this device is planned as a collaborative effort among the consortium groups, with each sensor element having its own laboratory. These activities will be funded by each research group's own funds. IMSE will coordinate and advise on individual projects, and will supervise their execution. All soil sensor components will be assembled at IMSE. The following challenges are posed for this case study:
- Versatility across different soil and crop types. The measurement ranges of the agrometric variables available in the sensor must be wide enough to operate correctly in widely varying soil conditions. The following variables will be considered: water potential, pH, and nitrate concentration, in addition to temperature. To validate the functionality of the soil sensor, in addition to characterization using laboratory equipment, field tests will be conducted in agricultural environments with different climatic and phytogeographic characteristics (Pampas region, mountain ranges, sub-Andean valleys, sedimentary basins) in the consortium countries.
- Reduction of production costs with a view to achieving greater acceptance of the technology among producers. To this end, low-cost biodegradable materials will be used to reduce the environmental impact, promote sustainability, and lower installation and operating costs. Furthermore, the use of lithographic manufacturing techniques will be avoided, and screen printing or injection molding methods will be used for flexible electronics.
- Development of specific power control systems to extend the lifespan of soil sensors by several years. To achieve this, a hardware power generation and management protocol will be implemented to optimize battery use, allowing for peak consumption caused by wireless data transmission.
- Compared to conventional solutions based on discrete components with form factors and power consumption unsuitable for mass deployment, cost-effectiveness, and low environmental impact, the sensor will use purpose-built microelectronic circuits implemented in open-source ecosystems. This will avoid the use of expensive licensed software environments, which would be a stumbling block for the development and consolidation of the techniques taught in the project.
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Dissemination of results in international scientific publications and conferences, and dissemination on social platforms and forums specific to the agricultural sector in the consortium countries (e.g., agricultural chambers or producer congresses). In this last point, the consortium will count on the participation and advice of Eng. Lucio Barbieri, CTO of BQN, a company dedicated since 2004 to the development of electronic products for the agro-industry and "Point of Sales" (POS) applications, such as RFID readers for traceability in the agricultural industry, IoT sensors for water meters, home automation, etc. Any expenses that may arise from these activities will not be charged to the project budget and will be financed with the consortium members' own funds.
Field of Study: Plant monitoring is essential for: (1) understanding how environmental stress and pathogen exposure affect crop productivity, (2) early diagnosis of any adverse conditions before visible symptoms appear in the plantation, and (3) optimizing resources, both water and plant protection, promoting the sustainability of agricultural operations.
Although commercial solutions exist that allow the measurement of the proposed parameters, these devices are not suitable for real-time plant monitoring because they are discrete, invasive, require long measurement times, and are often only effective when plants already show physical signs of stress. Furthermore, in many cases, these sensors do not allow field measurements and require sample collection for subsequent laboratory analysis. However, the major drawback is that they are very expensive and specialized, which in practice prevents producers from adapting the technology. Furthermore, the installation, operation, and, above all, deinstallation costs (in most cases, the sensors are neither biodegradable nor environmentally friendly) are unacceptable for the average grower. Therefore, much lower-cost, biodegradable, and easily deployable devices are needed to capture the real-time dynamics of plants responding to stress factors and obtain a comprehensive view of crop development.
International Relevance: According to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report [1], one of the priority actions at the global level is to guarantee food and nutritional security in the face of scarce natural resources. In this area, agriculture plays a fundamental role, providing up to 80% of the food we consume. Given that the world's population is expected to increase to 9.8 billion people by 2050 and 11.2 billion by 2100 (United Nations World Population Projection), the sustainable development of the agricultural sector is essential. However, productivity faces constant threats that negatively impact both plant health and global production. Throughout their life cycle, plants are subject to biotic stresses (such as microbial attacks, herbivores, invasive plants, and pests) and abiotic stresses (such as droughts, floods, salinity, extreme temperatures, and nutrient deficiencies). As a result of these stresses, exacerbated by climate change, there is a significant increase in desertified areas (according to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, the percentage of cropland decreased by 15.54% in 2022); and pathogens annually compromise a significant portion, ranging from 17% to 30% of crop yields, according to the 2020 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report. This underscores the urgent need for measures that not only meet the growing demand for food but also strengthen the agricultural industry in the face of these threats.
