Applications of Internet of Things (IoT) in agriculture: A review

Abstract:

The rapid growth of the global population and increasing pressure on natural resources have created an urgent need for innovative technologies to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability. The Internet of Things (IoT) has emerged as a transformative technology that integrates sensors, connectivity and data analytics to support smart and precision farming. This paper reviews the applications of IoT in agriculture and examines its potential to improve farm management and decision-making. IoT-based systems enable real-time monitoring of soil moisture, temperature, humidity and crop health through interconnected devices and sensors. These technologies facilitate automated irrigation, precision fertilization, disease detection and livestock monitoring, thereby reducing resource wastage and improving production efficiency. The study also highlights the role of IoT in smart farming components such as drones, greenhouse monitoring systems and data-driven farm management platforms. In the Indian context, several government initiatives and private sector innovations are promoting the adoption of IoT-based smart agriculture solutions. However, challenges such as high initial investment, poor rural connectivity, data management issues and limited technical knowledge among farmers continue to hinder large-scale implementation. Strengthening digital infrastructure, providing training and promoting public–private partnerships are essential for expanding IoT adoption in agriculture. Overall, IoT-based smart farming offers a promising pathway toward sustainable, efficient and climate-resilient agricultural systems capable of meeting future food security demands.