In the heart of Indonesia, a quiet revolution is underway, blending the precision of technology with the timeless art of agriculture. At SMK Negeri 3 Salatiga, a vocational school specializing in agribusiness, students and teachers are embracing the future of farming through the development of an innovative hydroponic monitoring system based on the Internet of Things (IoT). This groundbreaking initiative, spearheaded by Ulfah Mediaty Arief from Universitas Negeri Semarang, is not just about growing lettuce; it’s about cultivating a new generation of tech-savvy farmers.
Traditionally, hydroponic learning at SMK Negeri 3 Salatiga relied on manual methods, leaving both teachers and students with a gap in their understanding of modern agricultural technologies. “The need for technology in the agricultural sector is increasing, and the development of the educational world is also progressing,” Arief explains. “However, the application of IoT technology in hydroponics is still not widely used, especially in educational settings.”
Arief’s research, published in the ‘Edu Komputika Journal’ (translated to ‘Educational Computing Journal’), focuses on bridging this gap. By integrating IoT into hydroponic systems, the school aims to enhance the competence of both teachers and students in this cutting-edge technology. The project uses the ADDIE development model, a framework widely used in educational technology, to create and implement the IoT-based hydroponic monitoring system.
The impact of this research extends far beyond the classroom. As the global population grows, so does the demand for efficient and sustainable farming practices. Hydroponics, which allows plants to grow in nutrient-rich water instead of soil, is already a game-changer in agriculture. By adding IoT to the mix, farmers can monitor and control the growing environment with unprecedented precision, leading to higher yields and reduced resource waste.
The commercial implications are vast. In the energy sector, for instance, precision agriculture can lead to significant savings. By optimizing water and nutrient use, farmers can reduce their energy consumption, lowering operational costs and environmental impact. Moreover, the data collected from IoT sensors can provide valuable insights into crop health and growth patterns, enabling more informed decision-making.
The results of Arief’s study are promising. Out of 31 participants, 26 showed an increase in competency in using hydroponic IoT, marking an 83% improvement. This success highlights the potential of IoT in transforming agricultural education and practice.
As we look to the future, the integration of IoT in hydroponics could revolutionize the way we approach farming. It could lead to the development of smart greenhouses, automated irrigation systems, and real-time crop monitoring, all of which could significantly enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability. This research by Arief and her team at Universitas Negeri Semarang is a significant step in that direction, paving the way for a new era in agriculture where technology and tradition converge to create a more efficient and sustainable future.