IIITB and IIHR Collaborate to Develop Automated Greenhouse System

The Indian Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIITB) in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) is developing an automated greenhouse system to be used in precision agriculture.

This project called AutoGrow will work on real-time activities and data-sensing operations using the Internet of Things (IoT).

Ramesh Kesture, Project Principal Investigator (PI), IIITB told that “When it comes to automated greenhouses, there are two extremes. Western nations have fully automated homes that regulate many different conditions, including temperature, humidity, and climatic factors. We do entirely open farming in India. In order to build a hybrid system that is unique to India, we needed to combine the best elements of both”.

This system will use Iot Sensors set up in the soil which will be able to detect water, and nutrients and will give necessary data for the plant's further requirements.

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Dr. Kestir told that “The final goal is to deploy the sensor system and an AI/ML model into the open farm, which will control water flow, add minerals, and record data such as temperature, humidity, and water flow. Thus, no water or nutrients will be wasted.”

Aswath C.R., Principal Scientist, IIHR said that “this system will use wick irrigation. This can conserve water up to 60% in comparison to traditional drip irrigation systems.” Additionally, the system can be practiced in terrace farming, utilizing full space and improving crop yield.

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As it is an automated-based system therefore even in the absence of farmers, the AI/ML model will ensure that crops don’t dry down and take care of their watering requirements.

This system consists of three arrangements which include hydroponics, open-grow farming, and vertical setup. Dr. Kestur said that “It will be cost-effective and should not cost more than ₹15,000-20,000.  As it is a State government-funded project, we are trying to get it under one of the subsidy schemes to help farmers”.

The IIITB and IIHR have established a set up of a greenhouse in the laboratory in IIITB. Their results are progressive and it’s expected that the final product will be made within six months.

- The Hindu

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