IoT key to sustainable farming and food production – squo traditional farming fails

Water is a vital component in agricultural production, playing a significant role in plant growth. To achieve better agricultural production levels, it is crucial to provide essential and sufficient water at the right time [1]. However, in some regions, traditional irrigation methods are used, with farmers relying on their experience to determine irrigation time and water consumption. This approach fails to meet crop irrigation standards, leading to significant water and manpower waste [2]. One of the key technologies to enable precision is water management in irrigation systems. Unsuitable irrigation can lead to a decrease in crop yields, emphasizing the need for efficient irrigation in agricultural irrigation management. To provide accurate information about irrigation needs in real time, modern communication technologies such as the IoT and big data can be leveraged [3]. The Internet of Agricultural Things is a network that links agricultural information-sensing devices to the Internet, connecting agricultural production factors and the environment. Through the exchange and communication of information, it intelligently identifies, monitors, tracks, and manages agricultural processes and objects. Combining the IoT with traditional agricultural production methods shifts agriculture from a human-centered production model that relies on isolated machinery to a software-centric production model. This approach requires a large number of automated, intelligent, and remote production equipment. The improvement of agricultural IoT technology in the new era can reduce the cost of agricultural production and increase agricultural profitability. By utilizing IoT technology, various agricultural parameters such as soil moisture, weather conditions, and crop status can be monitored. These parameters can help farmers make timely decisions. For example, based on parameters such as soil moisture and rainfall, the water requirements of crops can be determined, and irrigation plans can be adjusted accordingly. Similarly, soil pH can be adjusted based on soil conditions to provide a suitable soil environment for different crops [4]. Fertilizer types and quantities can be determined based on measurements of soil nutrient levels at specific locations. This can improve fertilizer efficiency and reduce environmental side effects [5]. Accurate pesticide application plans can be formulated based on crop growth status, pest and disease risks, and other factors. This can reduce the improper use of pesticides and mitigate environmental pollution risks [6,7]. The above examples illustrate that the use of IoT not only enables timely action based on accurate information but also facilitates the management and on-demand utilization of agricultural resources such as water, fertilizers, and pesticides. This achieves cost savings and improves production outcomes. With the use of IoT technology, farmers can predict crop yields and market demand [8]. Planned and targeted agricultural production can be carried out based on market demand, thereby reducing economic losses and improving cost-effectiveness. In agriculture, the use of IoT devices such as automated machinery can automate labor-intensive tasks, reducing the need for manual labor and lowering labor costs. The reduction in manual labor and improvement in automation levels will enhance productivity in every aspect of the agricultural sector [9]. The general trend of the Internet of Things in agriculture is to use artificial intelligence technology and IoT wireless communication technology to create a smart agricultural irrigation technology system [8] Wireless communication technology can play a very important role in agricultural irrigation management, which is mainly used in central control systems, field-monitoring systems, control terminals, and pressure-sensing systems. The combination of wireless communication technology and artificial intelligence (AI) can provide intelligent decision support for irrigation systems. Data such as soil moisture and weather conditions collected by sensors are transmitted to the central control system through wireless communication technology. The system utilizes AI algorithms, machine learning, and data models [10,11,12] based on historical and real-time monitoring data to provide farmers with irrigation decision recommendations and optimization plans. This enables farmers to make scientifically sound irrigation decisions. The integration of wireless communication technology and AI allows for the remote monitoring and management [13] of irrigation systems, along with system warnings. The environmental data and real-time status of irrigation equipment are transmitted to user terminals through wireless communication technology, allowing users to remotely monitor the operational status of irrigation equipment through mobile phones, tablets, and other devices [14]. With AI algorithms, the system can automatically detect anomalies and faults in irrigation equipment and promptly notify farmers to take repair measures, thereby improving the efficiency of irrigation system operation. It can also provide early warnings for disasters, pests, and diseases, and initiate emergency measures, thereby reducing crop losses and economic losses [15]. Most importantly, compared to traditional manual irrigation, this approach helps achieve water-saving goals in agricultural irrigation systems [16]. IoT sensing devices enable the real-time monitoring of soil moisture, weather conditions, and other parameters. The data are sent to the central control system through wireless communication technology, where AI algorithms process and perform predictive analysis on the data. This assists farmers in making scientifically sound irrigation decisions and adjusting irrigation plans in a timely manner, enabling precise on-demand irrigation and reducing excessive and unnecessary irrigation. This greatly minimizes water wastage [17], which is of great significance in water-scarce areas. Climate change can lead to drought or insufficient water supply in regions with water scarcity [18], resulting in environmental issues such as soil salinization and groundwater depletion [19]. By employing IoT and AI technologies in irrigation systems, it is possible to provide crops with adequate water under limited water resources, enhancing drought resistance and ensuring the stability and sustainability of agricultural production. Additionally, it promotes water resource conservation, improves the sustainable utilization of water resources, and protects the ecological environment. This paper summarizes the existing research on various commonly used wireless communication technologies in the transmission layer of IoT networks. It also explores the application of these wireless communication technologies in agricultural irrigation management, analyzing their merits, limitations, and applicable scenarios. Furthermore, the challenges that arise when using IoT wireless communication technology in agricultural irrigation management are identified and discussed for future consideration.