IoT for Precision Farming and Resource Optimization

The integration of intelligent technologies within the agricultural sector is essential for minimizing resource use, reducing environmental impact, and enhancing productivity, sustainability, and efficiency. Traditionally, agricultural practices relied on manual labor, which posed significant challenges. To address these issues, agriculture has evolved through stages from 1.0 to 4.0, with precision farming representing a key component of Agriculture 3.0. The adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) has addressed challenges such as pest control, weed detection, fertilization, harvesting, and sorting. This chapter explores the emergence of precision farming, examining the challenges and benefits of IoT integration in agriculture and how these advancements help farmers operate more profitably. Additionally, this chapter identifies opportunities for researchers, academic institutions, and undergraduate students engaged in projects or research on technology applications in precision farming, with a focus on sustainability and productivity-enhancing practices. Furthermore, IoT integration contributes to achieving the objectives of the EU Green Deal by reducing emissions that drive climate change and supports the Sustainable Development Goal of “Zero Hunger” by meeting global food demand.