In the rapidly evolving landscape of agriculture, technology is increasingly becoming a game-changer, especially in the realm of hydroponic cultivation. A groundbreaking study led by Simon Prananta Barus of the Informatics Study Program at Matana University has pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in smart agriculture. Barus, along with his team, has developed a sophisticated system that monitors not just pH and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), but also temperature and humidity in real-time. This advancement, published in ‘Jurnal Sisfokom’ (Journal of Information Systems and Communication), is set to revolutionize how we approach hydroponic farming, with significant implications for the energy sector and beyond.
The research builds upon previous work, expanding the scope of hydroponic monitoring to include temperature and humidity. By integrating these crucial parameters, the system provides a more comprehensive overview of the cultivation environment. “This system can produce a hydroponic dataset that includes temperature and humidity parameters, which can be used for data analysis and improvement of hydroponic management,” Barus explains. This level of detail is paramount for optimizing growth conditions, reducing waste, and enhancing overall efficiency.
At the heart of this innovation lies a combination of cutting-edge hardware and software. The team utilized NodeMCU ESP8266 microcontroller and DHT11 sensors for hardware development, while the software side leveraged JavaScript for the front-end, PHP for the back-end, Apache as the web server, and MySQL for database management. This tech stack ensures real-time monitoring with a high degree of accuracy, a feat that was previously challenging to achieve.
The implications of this research extend far beyond the agricultural sector. In the energy sector, for instance, precise monitoring of environmental conditions can lead to more efficient use of resources. By optimizing growth conditions, farmers can reduce the energy required for lighting, heating, and cooling, thereby lowering operational costs and carbon footprint. “This study contributes to optimizing the hydroponic cultivation system and supporting the development of data-based smart agriculture,” Barus asserts. This optimization not only benefits farmers but also aligns with global sustainability goals.
Looking ahead, the potential for this technology is vast. Future research plans include integrating more monitoring parameters, conducting direct hydroponic cultivation trials, and applying artificial intelligence such as machine learning and deep learning. These advancements could further enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of hydroponic cultivation, making it a more viable and sustainable option for large-scale farming.
As we stand on the cusp of a new era in agriculture, driven by data and technology, Barus’s research serves as a beacon of innovation. It showcases how the convergence of IoT, data analytics, and smart farming can transform traditional practices, paving the way for a more sustainable and efficient future. The study, published in ‘Jurnal Sisfokom’ (Journal of Information Systems and Communication), underscores the importance of interdisciplinary research in driving progress. With such developments, the future of agriculture looks not just green, but also smart and sustainable.
