IoT device for producers monitors agroclimatic variables

Microsoft, Lantern Technologies and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) developed a device based on the Internet of Things that will allow producers to monitor agroclimatic variables that will facilitate decision-making to manage their farms and improve their yields.

This is the first prototype of a climate station created with the latest range of Internet of Things technologies (IoT, in the acronym in English), equipped with sensors that record in real time data on variables such as soil and environmental humidity, temperature, precipitation, luminosity, dew, wind speed and direction, among others.

According to IICA's manager of Information, Communication and Digital Agriculture Technologies, Emmanuel Picado, the information collected by the sensors will be stored in the cloud, provided by Microsoft, to which producers will have access and will be able to create alerts and notifications about specific variables so that they reach to your mobile devices or by email.

“It is a comprehensive solution for small and medium-sized producers that can be scaled. The sensors use conventional batteries with an autonomy in the field of up to two years. These connect to the cloud through a low-bandwidth, moderate-cost radio frequency network,” detailed Picado.

Initially, this climate station will be used in the field through the Central American Program for Comprehensive Coffee Rust Management (Procagica), implemented by IICA and financed by the European Union.

This program provides technical assistance to coffee growers in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and the Dominican Republic, to address problems related to rust with a productive, social and commercial approach.

“The need for information about the climate is increasing, given the complexity of production scenarios and the greater climate vulnerability with an impact on crop yields and prices”, assured the coordinator of Procagica, Harold Gamboa.

“This technological tool seeks to facilitate decision-making in the management of production units and better planning of actions in the field, according to the characteristics of each region”, he added.

The Institute will play a key role in training, advising and providing support to producers in the use of the device, as well as in interpreting the data and information collected, with the aim of applying good agricultural practices, avoiding crop losses and improve your productivity.

“The climate station prototype is part of IICA's efforts to transform and 'digitize' agriculture, which seeks to reduce digital inequality, provide access to technological tools for producers and ensure that they have security and confidence in this type of solution” , added Picado.