A recent study led by Emmanuel Effah from the Computer Science and Engineering Department at the University of Mines and Technology in Ghana has unveiled a promising solution to the challenges of food insecurity exacerbated by climate change in sub-Saharan Africa. The research, published in the journal Sensors, focuses on the development and evaluation of a multihop cluster-based agricultural Internet of Things (MCA-IoT) network that leverages Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE) and LoRa communication technologies.
Traditional agricultural practices in regions like Africa are increasingly vulnerable to climate-induced disruptions, such as droughts, which have significantly affected food production. The International Monetary Fund notes that droughts accounted for over 20 percent of food insecurity in the region in 2023. Effah’s research addresses these pressing issues by creating a cost-effective and adaptable IoT framework that enables efficient resource management and farm automation.
The MCA-IoT network employs a variety of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components, including the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+, STEMMA soil moisture sensors, and LoPy low-power Wi-Fi modules. This innovative setup allows for remote monitoring and data collection on crucial agricultural parameters, enhancing the ability to optimize water, fertilizer, and pesticide use. As Effah states, “The proposed solution demonstrated favorable performance in indoor and outdoor environments, particularly in water-stressed regions of Northern Ghana.”
One of the key advantages of this technology is its scalability and ease of deployment, making it accessible for users with limited technical expertise. The system can operate independently of fixed infrastructure, which is often unavailable in many rural areas. This flexibility can significantly reduce operational costs for farmers and smallholder agricultural businesses, providing an opportunity for increased productivity without heavy investment in traditional infrastructure.
The research highlights the potential for energy-efficient operations, as the network can be powered by renewable sources like solar energy. The study indicates that power depletion for network participants did not exceed 70% with a 60,000 mAh solar-powered bank, showcasing the system’s sustainability. This aspect is particularly relevant for the energy sector, as it opens avenues for integrating renewable energy solutions with agricultural practices, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable food production system.
Effah emphasizes the importance of integrating existing IoT-based communication technologies in typical farming contexts, stating that “the most effective approach is to combine these technologies to enhance agricultural practices.” This integration not only fosters innovation within the agricultural sector but also presents commercial opportunities for energy companies looking to expand their services into the agricultural domain.
As this research paves the way for improved agricultural practices, it also presents significant implications for the energy sector. By enabling energy-efficient, scalable, and flexible solutions for farmers, there is an opportunity to create a more resilient agricultural landscape in sub-Saharan Africa. The insights from this study could inform future developments in agricultural IoT technologies and their integration with renewable energy solutions, ultimately contributing to food security and sustainable development in the region.