CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Rationale

The agricultural sector plays a significant role in the Philippine economy, employing

23.71% of the workforce as of 2022 (O’Neill, 2024). However, the sector still confronts

several problems such as water deficit, ineffective watering methods, and climate

changes effects most especially among the rural areas. In 2024, a prolonged drought

severely affected local agriculture, impacting over 900,000 families and worsening water

shortages nationwide (Save the Children, 2024). These issues clearly bring out the

need for new solution and models for enhancing agricultural yields and also improving

the resilience of agricultural production. A solar-powered automated irrigation system

equipped with soil moisture and temperature sensors offers a practical solution. This

technology can optimize water usage, reduce operational costs, and lessen

environmental impact compared to traditional diesel-powered systems. Studies on

small-scale farmers in the Philippines demonstrate that solar-powered irrigation

improves water access, boosts agricultural productivity, and promotes sustainability

(Agaton & Guno, 2024).

This study aims to introduce an improved mobile solar-powered water irrigation

system for farmers which is constructed from recycled casings in response to

sustainability. The system controls watering by detecting the soil moisture and

temperature levels and thus water resources are utilized effectively. This makes it

possible for usage in small-scale farming and regions that have limited facilities and
infrastructure. Through such innovations, farmers get to improve on the quality of the

yields, conserve water for use in production, and improve on the sustainability of

production.

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Conceptual Background

Water management in agriculture remains a significant challenge, particularly in

regions facing drought or limited water availability. Traditional irrigation methods often

result in water wastage, inefficiency, and higher costs, underscoring the need for more

innovative and sustainable solutions. The convergence of renewable energy and

automation presents a viable path to addressing these challenges effectively. Solar-

powered automated irrigation systems offer an eco-friendly alternative by utilizing solar

energy, allowing them to operate independently of conventional power sources.

Equipped with sensors that monitor soil moisture and temperature, these systems

ensure precise water distribution based on real-time data. This not only optimizes water

usage but also fosters healthier crop growth and reduces the need for manual labor.

Incorporating recycled materials for the casing of these systems further enhances their

sustainability. Utilizing repurposed materials reduces waste and aligns with the

principles of a circular economy, where resources are reused and environmental impact

is minimized. This study focuses on the development and deployment of a solar-

powered automated irrigation system with soil moisture and temperature sensors

housed in recycled casings. It aims to demonstrate the system's ability to enhance

irrigation efficiency, lower environmental impact, and support sustainable agricultural

practices.
 Conceptual Framework

Input
Process Output
 Solar Panels
 Assembly and  Evaluation of
 Soil Moisture installation of irrigation
Sensors the system. efficiency.
 Temperature  Sensor  Analysis of
Sensors configuration water and
 Recycled and energy
zzz
Casings calibration. savings.

 Water Supply  System  Assessment

System deployment of crop yield
in the field. improvement
 Control Unit s.
 Data
collection on  Cost-

Figure 1.1

The study utilizes the IPO model to evaluate the effectiveness of a solar-powered

automated irrigation system with soil moisture and temperature sensors housed in

recycled casings. The Input involves acquiring and preparing materials such as solar

panels for renewable energy, soil moisture and temperature sensors for monitoring soil

conditions, recycled casings to house the system components, a water supply system
for irrigation, and a control unit to automate irrigation based on sensor data. During the

Process, the system is assembled and installed in an agricultural field, where the

sensors are calibrated, and the system is activated to collect real-time data on soil

moisture and temperature. This data triggers automated irrigation as needed, and

additional information is gathered on water consumption, energy usage, and crop

growth. The Output includes analyzing the system’s performance by evaluating irrigation

efficiency, comparing water usage to traditional methods, and assessing crop yield

improvements. Additionally, the study examines the cost-effectiveness of using solar

energy and recycled materials for system construction, providing insights into the

system's potential as an eco-friendly, sustainable solution for water management in

agriculture. This comprehensive evaluation highlights the system's ability to optimize

water usage, enhance crop productivity, and reduce environmental impact.

Significance of the Study

Agricultural Productivity

This study affords the farmers the right and sustainable approach to employing water

for irrigation with an aim of enhancing optimal crop production for sustainable future

agricultural production particularly where water is scarce and restricted to conventional

means of irrigation.

Water Conservation

The applications of solar power and sensors make water management highly

effective which in turn can help minimize water wastage and thus the element of water

for future use in farming, improves sustainable farming.

Climate Resilience

The solar-powered irrigation system presents climate adaptive solutions which are

ideal for arid regions because they can endure severe conditions for examples, drought

and temperature variations.

Rural Development
 This study contributes to rural development by offering affordable and simple to use

irrigation technology to the small-scale farmers and in the process enhance production,

economic returns, and income in the rural areas.

Sustainability in Agriculture

The integration of recycled materials in the system leads to environmental friendly

farming, helping in achieving sustainable developments goals and practice in the region.

Educational Impact

The findings from this study can be incorporated into agricultural education

programs, raising awareness about sustainable irrigation techniques among students,

future farmers, and industry professionals.

Policy and Government Support

The findings of this research would be useful for designing public policies in relation

to promoting sustainable agriculture projects and expanding access to green

technologies in the context of rural populations.

Research and Innovation

The study brings empirical evidence to advance the scientific community, and also

design new ideas for solar irrigation systems and management of renewable resources.
Hypotheses

Null Hypothesis

(H₀): The integration of a solar-powered automated irrigation system with soil

moisture and temperature sensors in recycled casings has no significant effect on water

usage efficiency, crop yield, and sustainability outcomes in agricultural practices.

Alternative Hypothesis

(H₁): The integration of a solar-powered automated irrigation system with soil

moisture and temperature sensors in recycled casings significantly improves water

usage efficiency, crop yield, and sustainability outcomes in agricultural practices.

Statement of the Problem

This study investigates the potential of a solar-powered automated irrigation system

with soil moisture and temperature sensors housed in recycled casings as an alternative

to traditional irrigation methods. Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions:

1.How does the solar-powered automated irrigation system compare to conventional

irrigation methods in terms of irrigation efficiency and water conservation?

2.What impact does the use of recycled casings have on the sustainability and cost-

effectiveness of the system?

3.To what extent can the integration of solar power and automated sensors

contribute to improving crop yields while reducing environmental impact in agricultural

practices?

This study aims to explore the viability of this system as a sustainable, eco-friendly

solution for modern agriculture.

Raw Research Materials

Solar Power Components

Small Solar Panel (5V-10W, portable size) Rechargeable Battery Pack (Lithium-ion,

3.7V-7.4V) Mini Solar Charge Controller

Irrigation System Components

Mini Submersible Water Pump (DC 5V-12V, low-power) Water Reservoir (recycled

container, e.g., a plastic bottle or tank) Flexible Tubing or Drip Lines (for water delivery,

recycled if possible)

Sensor and Control Components

Soil Moisture Sensor Temperature and Humidity Sensor (e.g., DHT11 or DHT22)

Microcontroller (e.g., Arduino Nano, ESP32, or Raspberry Pi Pico) Relay Module (to

control the water pump) Connecting Wires and Jumper Cables

Recycled Casing and Structure

 Plastic or Metal Containers (for electronics housing, waterproofed) Recycled PVC

Pipes (for structural support or tubing) Old Plastic Boards or Containers (for mounting

components)

Additional Components

DC-DC Converter (to regulate voltage for sensors and microcontroller) Manual

Switch (for system testing and override) LED Indicators (to signal system status)

Tools

Soldering Iron and Solder Glue Gun or Adhesive Tape Screwdrivers and Pliers

Multimeter (for testing connections).

Definition of Terms

Solar-Powered Automated Irrigation System: A solar energy based technology

useful in an irrigation system where there is incorporation of devices that measure the

moisture and temperature of the soil to regulate the amount of water needed by the

crops in fields.

Soil Moisture Sensor: A device used to measure the amount of water present in the

soil, helping farmers determine when and how much to irrigate.

Temperature Sensor: A gadget used to monitor the temperature in the field so as to

feed it in order to control the effectiveness of the irrigation system whose functionality

depends on the climate.

Recycled Casings: Used or repurposed materials, such as old containers or structures,

that are reused in the construction of the irrigation system to promote sustainability.
Water Usage Efficiency: The effectiveness with which water is applied and used in

irrigation, aiming to minimize waste while maximizing crop production.

Crop Yield: The total amount of crops harvested from a specific area, which is

influenced by the effectiveness of irrigation and other farming practices.

Sustainability Outcomes: The long-term benefits of using eco-friendly technologies,

such as conserving resources, reducing environmental impact, and supporting

sustainable agricultural practices

Climate Resilience: The system’s ability to perform well even during calamities like dry

season and other hot seasons to produce food crops all year through.

Review of Related Literature

Agriculture has long been a critical component of human sustenance, with irrigation

systems being vital to maintaining crop health. Traditional irrigation methods such as

sprinklers and surface irrigation, which consume significant amounts of water, are giving

way to automated and smart systems. Modern automated systems like Automatic Drip

Irrigation (Ahmmed et al., 2021) use sensors to monitor soil moisture, thus ensuring

precise water usage, conserving water, and enhancing crop yield. These systems

eliminate human error and minimize water runoff, making them more efficient for

agricultural practices. The integration of solar energy into irrigation systems has added

a dimension of sustainability. Solar-powered irrigation systems use photovoltaic (PV)

panels to operate pumps, reducing dependency on fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse

gas (GHG) emissions.

 Studies have shown that solar irrigation reduces environmental pollution and

provides economic benefits, such as lower fuel costs and high return on investment

(Kumar et al., 2021; Guno & Agaton, 2022).

Additionally, these systems can be integrated with recycled batteries to further

reduce costs, making them more accessible to small-scale farmers (Isyaka et al., 2023).

The inclusion of smart technologies such as IoT, GSM modules, and automated

control systems has revolutionized irrigation. These technologies enable real-time

monitoring of environmental conditions, such as soil moisture and temperature, and

control water pumps automatically (Olujimi et al., 2022; Ullah et al., 2022).

Furthermore, the integration of smart sensors ensures effective soil and weather

monitoring, allowing precise water management and reducing resource wastage

(Obaideen et al., 2022).

Advancements in material science, such as biodegradable polymers for soil moisture

sensors, have further contributed to sustainable agriculture.

These sensors address the challenges of e-waste and energy dependence in remote

areas, ensuring minimal environmental impact (Meshram et al., 2024).

Automated irrigation systems also offer scalability, supporting both small-scale farms

and large agricultural operations (Bawa et al., 2023).

Review of Related Studies

 Md. Farhad Ahmmed et al. (2021) developed a microcontroller-based irrigation

system that used soil moisture sensors to regulate water supply, demonstrating

significant water conservation and yield improvement. Similarly, Olujimi et al. (2022)

proposed a solar-powered smart irrigation system integrated with IoT technology,

allowing remote monitoring and control through a mobile app. Their system optimized

water usage based on real-time data from soil moisture and temperature sensors.

Lopez et al. (2024) introduced a solar-powered automatic plant watering system utilizing

Arduino Uno and a moisture sensor. Their study emphasized the importance of efficient

wiring and coding for optimal performance.

Guno and Agaton (2022) analyzed the socio-economic and environmental benefits of

solar irrigation, finding significant reductions in GHG emissions and fuel costs. Ullah et

al. (2022) developed a smart-sensors-based irrigation system integrating GSM modules

for real-time communication. This system effectively monitored weather conditions, soil

moisture, and crop status, ensuring efficient water usage.

Meshram et al. (2024) explored the development of low-cost, biodegradable soil

moisture sensors, addressing sustainability and e-waste concerns.

Lastly, Bawa et al. (2023) highlighted the potential of SPVPSs for drip irrigation,

showcasing their role in enhancing agricultural productivity and resource conservation.

Their study identified initial costs and system optimization as key challenges but

emphasized the environmental and socio-economic benefits of adopting these systems.

Synthesis The reviewed literature and studies highlight the growing importance of

integrating solar energy and automation into irrigation systems to address challenges

such as water scarcity, energy consumption, and environmental degradation. The

convergence of technologies like IoT, GSM modules, and automated control systems

has made irrigation smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable. Studies consistently

emphasize the need for precise soil moisture and temperature monitoring to optimize

water usage and improve crop yield. While advancements in solar energy and

biodegradable materials have addressed some sustainability concerns, challenges such

as high initial costs and system optimization remain. The use of recycled batteries and

biodegradable sensors presents a promising solution to reduce costs and environmental

impact. Additionally, the socio-economic and environmental analyses underscore the

need for policy support to make these systems accessible to small-scale farmers. This

synthesis underscores the potential of a Solar-Powered Automated Irrigation System

with Soil Moisture and Temperature Sensors in recycled casings to contribute to

sustainable agriculture. By combining the efficiency of automated control with the

sustainability of solar power and recycled materials, the proposed model addresses key

challenges while promoting environmental and economic benefits.

 CHAPTER II

METHODOLOGY

Research Design

This study employs the quantitative research method and utilizes the experimental

research design to explore the development of a solar-powered automated irrigation

system that integrates soil moisture and temperature sensors into recycled casings.

Experimental research design focuses on systematically building and refining the

irrigation system, testing its functionality, and measuring its impact on water efficiency,

sustainability, and agricultural productivity while controlling external variables (Bevans,

2019). It seeks to establish how this innovative system performs under different

conditions, particularly in regions with limited infrastructure. The independent variables

include solar power input, soil moisture levels, and temperature data. The dependent

variables include water usage efficiency, crop yield, and sustainability outcomes.

Therefore, this method and design are appropriate for exploring the development of
solar-powered irrigation systems that utilize recycled materials, providing valuable

insights into sustainable agricultural practices and resource conservation