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Case Study Report
on
Smart Agriculture
Monitoring System
Course Name: Industrial IOT (IIOT)
Course Code: BCS404
Syed Imran Ulla
1DT23CS227
4D
Academic Year: 2024-2025
Table of Contents
Sl no Content Pg no
1 Introduction 1
2 Background 2
3 Problem Statement 3
4 Anaylsis 4
5 Discussion 5-6
6 Conclusion 7
7 Reference 8
Introduction
This case study examines an Industrial IoT (IIoT)-based smart agriculture monitoring system
developed collaboratively by research teams in Pakistan and Malaysia. Agriculture
contributes about 23% of Pakistan’s GDP and remains important in Malaysia, but farming
often still relies on inefficient traditional methods. Smart farming approaches leveraging
real-time data promise to improve yields, conserve water, and promote sustainability. In the
system examined, environmental data (soil moisture, temperature, humidity, air quality) are
collected by field sensors and processed by microcontrollers . These data are uploaded to an
IoT cloud platform and visualized through a smartphone app , providing farmers with real-
time access to field conditions.
Automated routines, triggered by sensor thresholds, can
activate irrigation pumps to maintain optimal soil moisture and avoid overwatering. Studies
indicate that such IoT-driven irrigation can reduce water use by roughly 30% while
maintaining crop yields. Likewise, mobile monitoring and alert systems can streamline farm
management, reduce labor requirements and costs, and improve responsiveness. This case
aims to evaluate how these integrated sensor-based monitoring and visualization tools
enhance decision-making, automate irrigation, reduce labor costs, and ultimately boost crop
health and productivity under the Industrial IoT paradigm.
1
Background
The IoT-Based Smart Agriculture Monitoring System case study revolves around the design,
deployment, and testing of an intelligent agricultural solution aimed at addressing the
inefficiencies of traditional farming methods through technological intervention. This project
was collaboratively undertaken by research teams from the International Islamic University,
Islamabad (Pakistan) and Tuanku Sultanah Bahiyah Polytechnic (Malaysia), beginning in
2023 and continuing through 2024. The system integrates environmental sensors with
microcontrollers like Arduino UNO and ESP32 to collect real-time data on soil moisture,
temperature, humidity, and air quality.
This data is then transmitted to cloud platforms such
as ThingSpeak and visualized via mobile apps like Blynk, enabling farmers to monitor field
conditions remotely and respond with timely actions. The project was tested in both
countries to address region-specific agricultural challenges, including water scarcity in
Malaysia and over-irrigation in Pakistan. It represents a practical, scalable model for
precision farming tailored to both small and large-scale agricultural operations.
2
Problem Statement
The primary challenge in this case is the lack of efficient, data-driven systems in agriculture
that can monitor and respond to critical environmental factors in real time. Traditional
farming methods, which are still widely used in countries like Pakistan and Malaysia, rely
heavily on manual observation and experience, making them prone to inefficiencies and
inaccuracies. This outdated approach results in over-irrigation, wastage of water, increased
labor costs, and vulnerability to climate variability, all of which negatively impact crop
health and yield. In many rural areas, farmers do not have access to tools that provide real-
time insights into soil moisture, temperature, humidity, and air quality—parameters essential
for sustainable farming. For example, the IIUI research revealed that in Pakistan, over-
irrigation combined with exposure to harmful gases led to stunted crop growth, while in
Malaysia, limited water resources demanded a more precise irrigation method.
This situation
is problematic because it affects food security, resource conservation, and farmers’
livelihoods. Without automation and real-time monitoring, agricultural operations remain
reactive rather than proactive. The growing global demand for food, coupled with
environmental challenges, necessitates a shift toward smart farming solutions that can
enhance productivity, conserve resources, and support informed agricultural decision-making.
3
Analysis
The core problem addressed by this case study is the persistent inefficiency and unreliability
of traditional farming methods in managing environmental factors critical to crop health. A
root cause analysis reveals that the absence of real-time data on soil moisture, temperature,
humidity, and air quality results in poor decision-making, leading to over-irrigation, water
wastage, reduced crop yield, and increased labor costs. In countries like Pakistan and
Malaysia, farmers often rely on visual observation and outdated techniques, which are
ineffective against unpredictable climate changes and environmental stressors. A SWOT
analysis highlights that while traditional farming is low-cost (strength), it lacks precision and
adaptability (weakness). IoT-based systems offer real-time data and automation
(opportunity), but may face resistance due to lack of digital literacy (threat).
For instance,
the IIUI study reported crop stunting caused by excessive watering and toxic gas exposure in
Pakistan, while Malaysia’s team cited inefficient irrigation during water shortages. Journal
research by Patil & Kale (2016) supports this by demonstrating how sensor-based
monitoring significantly reduces water usage while improving crop quality. Thus, the key
issue lies in the inability of conventional methods to adapt to modern agricultural demands,
necessitating the adoption of smart technologies that bridge information gaps and support
data-driven interventions.
4
Alternatives and recommendations
To address the challenges in traditional agriculture, several technological alternatives can be
considered alongside the IoT-based Smart Agriculture Monitoring System. Each approach
offers unique advantages and limitations based on context, cost, and scalability.
1. Manual Digital Logging with Weather Apps and Portable Sensors: This approach
involves equipping farmers with handheld sensors to measure soil moisture, temperature,
and humidity, while using mobile weather forecasting apps for climate planning.
Pros: Low initial cost, relatively easy to implement, and more accessible for smallholder
farmers without technical expertise. It promotes data awareness and can act as a stepping
stone toward more advanced systems.
Cons: Requires constant manual effort, lacks automation, and collected data may not be
systematically stored or analyzed. The absence of real-time responsiveness limits its
impact in rapidly changing environmental conditions. Human error can also affect data
accuracy.
2. Satellite-Based Remote Sensing and GIS Integration: Using satellite imagery and GIS
(Geographic Information Systems), this solution can analyze large-scale crop health, soil
variability, and weather patterns.
Pros: Excellent for macro-level agricultural monitoring, provides broad spatial insights
across regions, and supports strategic planning and policymaking. It is ideal for
government and institutional use.
Cons: High cost of data acquisition, complex data interpretation requiring trained
personnel, and limited resolution for small-scale farms. It also cannot detect underground
conditions like root moisture.
5
3. IoT-Based Automated Monitoring and Irrigation (Recommended): This solution
integrates environmental sensors, microcontrollers, and cloud-based platforms to
automate irrigation and monitor critical parameters like soil moisture, temperature, and
air quality in real time.
Pros: Enables precision agriculture by delivering timely alerts, reducing labor costs,
optimizing resource use, and improving yield. Scalable across different farm sizes and
adaptable with various modules like pest detection or solar energy.
Cons: Requires upfront investment in hardware and infrastructure, consistent internet
connectivity, and technical knowledge for installation and maintenance. However, these
challenges can be mitigated through training programs and government subsidies.
Overall, while each solution has merit, the IoT-based system offers the most balanced
combination of scalability, efficiency, and adaptability for modernizing agriculture in both
rural and developed settings.
6
Conclusion
In conclusion, the IoT-based Smart Agriculture Monitoring System presents a transformative
solution to many persistent challenges in traditional farming practices. By leveraging real-
time environmental data and automation, the system addresses critical issues such as
inefficient water usage, labor dependency, and vulnerability to unpredictable weather. The
integration of sensors and cloud platforms enables farmers to make timely, data-driven
decisions that significantly enhance crop health and yield. Through case studies in Pakistan
and Malaysia, the system proved to be scalable, adaptable, and effective in both small and
large farm settings. Alternatives such as manual digital logging and satellite-based GIS offer
varying levels of support, but they either lack automation or are resource-intensive.
The IoT-
based solution stands out as a practical and sustainable method for modern agriculture,
capable of empowering rural communities and strengthening food security. These findings
reinforce the importance of adopting precision agriculture technologies to ensure long-term
agricultural resilience, environmental conservation, and economic viability in an era of
growing food demands and climatic uncertainty.
7
References
Abou Bakar Bin Mushtaq et al., “IoT Based Smart Agriculture Monitoring System,” IIUI,
2023. DOI: [10.13140/RG.2.2.14040.47367]
Sharipah binti Daud et al., “IoT-Based Smart Agriculture Monitoring System,” Tuanku
Sultanah Bahiyah Polytechnic, 2025. [ResearchGate Publication]
