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Project title

Field Analysis via Remote Monitoring and Sustainable, Decomposable Agricultural Nodes

Primary Funding Agency

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

Lead Organisation

University College Dublin (UCD)

Lead Applicant

Not listed

Project Abstract

Enhancing agricultural productivity while minimizing environmental impact is crucial in the face of global climate challenges. Detailed knowledge of soil conditions, moisture, nutrients, and pest spread with high spatial resolution can increase agricultural yields while reducing the need for irrigation, fertilizers, and pesticides. Satellite data provides a good starting point, but suffers from poor spatial resolution and limited data quality. Ground-based sensors are more accurate, but require significant effort for manual deployment and must be recovered at the end of their life. The goal of the FarmScan project is to develop a novel approach to field analysis and remote monitoring by creating decomposable sensor nodes. The main advantage of these innovative nodes is that they do not need to be collected after data acquisition, thereby reducing manual labor. Instead, they decompose into harmless materials at the end of their operational lifetime, preventing e-waste from remaining in the soil. This allows sensors to be deployed in much larger numbers, offering an understanding of field processes with an unprecedented level of spatial detail. Combined with other data sources, e.g., conventional sensors and satellite imagery, this can increase yields, resilience, and water use efficiency while reducing reliance on fertilizers and pesticides. The approach will be based on RFID technology powered by electromagnetic waves emitted by a reader, eliminating the need for a battery to operate. This makes them a promising candidate for small decomposable nodes. In chipless RFID, the tags even operate without an integrated circuit, further reducing potentially harmful components. Experience in inkjet printing of circuit elements with various materials will enable theproject to create decomposable RFID tag-based nodes. By combining innovative sensor technology, environmental considerations, and advanced data analytics, this collaborative effort will represent a significant step forward in the pursuit of sustainable and resource-efficient precision agriculture.

Grant Approved

�383,824.21

Research Hub

Climate Change

Research Theme

2. Ireland's Future Climate, its Impacts, and Adaptation Options

Start Date

01/04/2025

Initial Projected Completion Date

31/03/2029