Enhancing Agricultural Sustainability Through Offline Smart Irrigation Technologies

Enhancing Agricultural Sustainability Through Offline Smart Irrigation Technologies

Shravan K, Rakshith R Suvarna Department of Computer Applications St Joseph Engineering College, Mangalore, Karnataka, India

Mr. Gururaja S, Ms. Jayashree M Department of Computer Applications St Joseph Engineering College, Mangalore, Karnataka, India

Deepika Santosh Shet Ukshati Technologies Pvt Ltd. Mangalore, Karnataka, India

Abstract – This paper presents a smart irrigation system designed to improve water management in farming, especially in remote areas with little or no internet access. Created under Ukshati Technologies, the system uses an offline mobile app that connects directly to valve controllers through a USB serial connection. The goal is to make irrigation easier and more efficient by automating the process of turning valves on and off, reducing the need for manual work.

The app offers real-time control, a simple zone-based interface, and smooth integration with the hardware. Its built using Expo Dev Client along with custom Kotlin modules. Tests show that the system works reliably offline, responds quickly, and is easy to use. By helping farmers apply water more accurately, the system supports the UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). Its efficient use of resources also aligns with Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

This solution is a great fit for farms, plantations, and drip irrigation systems. It not only helps conserve water but also enhances productivity in rural communities, making a real difference for those who rely on these resources.

1. INTRODUCTION

   Efficient irrigation is essential for sustainable farming, especially in areas grappling with water scarcity or inadequate infrastructure. Many farmers still rely on outdated systems that can be labor-intensive or expensive, often requiring constant internet access, which isnt feasible for everyone. This is where Ukshati Technologies steps in with a revolutionary smart irrigation system designed to work entirely offline. The goal is to empower farmers by providing them with practical solutions that cater to their unique challenges.

   At the heart of this system is a user-friendly mobile app that connects to field hardware through a simple USB connection. This setup allows farmers to easily manage multiple water valves from a single app, track their water usage, and monitor battery levels without needing a stable internet connection. The

   technology utilizes USB UART for communication, enabling the mobile phone to send simple commands to an STM32 microcontroller that controls the valves. Once the task is completed, the system provides feedback back to the app. This reliable communication helps farmers stay informed about their irrigation practices, allowing them to make smarter decisions and optimize their water usage like never before.

   The app, built using Expo Dev Client, is designed to be user- friendly and works without the internet. It displays real-time updates, system logs, and data from flow and battery sensors connected to the STM32 board. This setup ensures farmers have full control of their irrigation systemeven in remote locations

   – with ease and reliability.

2. LITERATURE REVIEW

   Smart irrigation systems have come a long way, providing farmers with tools for better water management through features like real-time scheduling, weather-based adjustments, and mobile app control [4][5]. However, these systems often rely heavily on Wi-Fi, GSM, or LoRa communication, making them dependent on consistent internet connectivity and cloud services. This dependency can be a significant drawback in rural areas or places with limited resources, where network reliability is often an issue and costs can become a burden [4][5].

   Recent research highlights the growing demand among farmers for systems that can work offline and connect directly to hardware, especially in regions with poor connectivity [1]. Unfortunately, current solutions mostly focus on wireless communication and cloud dashboards, with limited integration of USB-based communication or real-time flow data feedback [4][5].

   To address these challenges, newer approaches have been proposed where local microcontrollers, such as Arduino Mega, manage irrigation autonomously using calibrated sensor data. This ensures that irrigation can continue uninterrupted, even without internet access [1]. This project aims to build on these insights by providing an affordable, offline-capable irrigation solution that utilizes direct hardware interfacing and real-time sensor data, ultimately bridging an important gap in the current landscape of smart irrigation technology [1][2][5].

3. HARDWARE COMPONENTS STM32 Development Board

   • Acts as the main control unit that interprets commands from the app and actuates valves while collecting flow and battery data.

   • Efficient and cost-effective microcontroller for embedded systems.

   • Supports multiple input/output pins and reliable UART interface.

     Figure 1: STM32 microcontroller

     USB to UART Converter Board

   • Bridges the communication between the mobile phone's USB port and STM32's serial interface.

   • Facilitates command transmission and response handling.

   • Supports Android USB host communication.

     Figure 2: Usb Uart Board

     12V DC Solenoid Valves

   • Controls the flow of water in the irrigation system.

   • Opens or closes upon receiving a signal from STM32.

   • Operates on DC power, suitable for field deployment.

     Figure 3: Solenoid Valve

     Flow Sensors (YF-S201)

   • Measures the real-time water flow through each valve.

   • Generates pulses proportional to the flow rate.

   • Sends signals to STM32 for calculation and monitoring.

     Figure 4: Flow Sensor

     Battery and Voltage Monitoring Modules

     • Tracks battery charge level and voltage stability.

     • Helps prevent power outages by alerting the user.

     • Enables longer and safer hardware uptime.

   Solar Panel

   • Powers the STM32 and connected modules using renewable solar energy.

   • Ensures consistent operation in remote agricultural fields.

   • Reduces dependency on grid electricity or manual charging.

     Figure 5: Solar Panel

4. SOFTWARE STACK React Native with Expo Dev Client

   • Used for building the cross-platform mobile application.

   • Provides fast refresh, local debugging, and custom development client support.

     Kotlin Native Module

   • Implements USB communication logic.

   • Handles permission requests, device connection, data transmission, and acknowledgment reception.

     VS Code and Android Studio

   • Used for development, debugging, and native code integration.

     STM32CubeIDE

   • Used to program and configure STM32 firmware.

   • Handles UART setup, valve control logic, and sensor data processing.

5. SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

   1. Block Diagram

      Figure 6: Block Diagram

      In this project, weve created a mobile app using the Expo Dev Client that serves as a central contrl hub for farmers. The app is designed to be simple and user-friendly, allowing users to easily select different zones and manage irrigation valves with just a few taps. When a user sends a command to turn a valve

      ON or OFF, the app sends that command as plain ASCII text through a USB connection to a USB-to-UART converter, which then communicates with an STM32 microcontroller.

      Once the STM32 receives the command, it quickly identifies which valve to activate or deactivate, controlling the flow of water to the fields. At the same time, the STM32 gathers real- time information from a flow sensor and checks the battery level with a voltage sensor. After executing the command, it sends back this data, along with a confirmation of the action, through the same USB connection to the app.

      The app displays this feedback in real time, allowing farmers to keep a close watch on their irrigation system. Unlike many traditional setups that rely on cloud services or GSM networks, our system operates entirely offline, which is a huge advantage in remote areas where connectivity can be an issue. The added battery monitoring feature helps prevent unexpected power problems, and the flow meter promotes water-saving practices, making this system both practical and sustainable for today's farming needs.

   2. Flow Chart

   Figure 7: Flow Chart

   The flowchart gives a straightforward rundown of how our smart irrigation system operates. It all kicks off when you connect your mobile phone to the STM32 controller using a USB UART cable. Once you're all set up, you can choose a specific valve in the app and send a command to turn it ON or OFF. The STM32 picks up that command right away and either opens or closes the valve as requested.

   After that, it collects valuable info like water flow readings and the battery level, then relays that data back to the app. You'll see this information in real-time, making it super easy to keep an eye on everythingno internet connection necessary!

6. RESULTS AND EVALUATION

   We put our system to the test in real-world conditions, using STM32 boards to manage valve operations through USB. Throughout the process, we consistently found that command transmissions and acknowledgments were reliable. We made sure to carefully record all responses within the application, making it easy to track everything that happened.

   Both the highly responsive user interface and the efficient zone- based filtering significantly enhanced the overall user experience. Remarkably, during controlled dry runs, the system achieved a perfect 100% delivery and response rate, unequivocally demonstrating its robust performance under specified parameters.

   Figure 8: App connected with the USB to UART Converter

   One accompanying visual illustrates the system in action: the mobile application is directly linked to the hardware through a USB to UART board. When a valve is activated from the app, a precise command is sent to the STM32 controller, which then accurately operates the valve. Simultaneously, the application displays real-time water flow readings and command logs, providing clear confirmation of the system's correct and efficient functioning.

   Figure 9: field image of the installed system

   Figure 10: images of the Valves with the flow meter sensor

   Another image showcases the practical deployment of our smart irrigation system in the field. Solenoid valves are strategically integrated into the pipeline to precisely regulate water flow, and a solar panel efficiently supplies power to the central controller. This entire setup is specifically designed for direct placement within the farm, making it an ideal and self- sufficient solution for remote agricultural areas that often lack traditional electricity infrastructure.

   Figure 10: Testing in the Serial USB Terminal

   This image shows the USB Serial Terminal app being used to test how commands are sent and received for controlling the valves. You can see the connection with the PL2303 device and the log of commands like A and B being sent to turn valves on or off. Based on testing, we noticed that it usually takes around 7 to 8 seconds for the valve to respond after a command is sent.

7. FUTURE WORK

   Future improvements for this project include integrating real- time soil moisture sensors to automate irrigation decisions based on actual field conditions. There are also plans to implement Bluetooth fallback communication for devices that lack USB host support.

   Additionally, notification alerts can be introduced for scenarios such as abnormal flow patterns or critically low battery levels. Large-scale deployments and field testing will also be conducted to gather feedback and improve usability across diverse farming environments.

8. CONCLUSION

   This paper presents a robust and offline-capable smart irrigation solution that leverages USB communication for controlling and monitoring irrigation systems. Developed under Ukshati Technologies, it bridges the gap between affordability and automation, making it suitable for farmers in rural areas.

   With added features like flow meter readings and battery monitoring, the system ensures optimal water usage and hardware longevity. The architectures simplicity and offline- first design make it scalable and reliable, laying the groundwork for future enhancements and broader deployments.

9. REFERENCES

1. Dodi Yudo Setyawan, Warsito, Roniyus Marjunus, and Sumaryo, "A Novel Controlling System for Smart Farming-based Internet of Things (IoT)." International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications (IJACSA), vol. 15, no. 5, pp. 630641, 2024.

2. Regie P. Binayao, Paul Vincent L. Mantua, Holy Rose May Namocatcat, Jade Kachel Klient Seroy, Phoebe Ruth Alithea Sudaria, Kenn Migan Vincent Gumonan, and Shiela Mae Orozco, "Smart Water Irrigation for Rice Farming through the Internet of Things." International Journal of Computing Sciences Research, vol. 8, pp. 25502563, 2024.

3. Cherine Fathy and Hassan M. Ali, "A Secure IoT-Based Irrigation System for Precision Agriculture Using the Expeditious Cipher." Sensors, vol. 23, no. 4, Article 2091, 2023.

4. Huaqun Guo, Chengu Lu, Wu Na, Chen Bo, and Yonglie Zhu, "Smart Agriculture IoT Based on Cloud Computing and Data Mining." arXiv preprint arXiv:1808.02131, 2018.

5. M. Lameski, D. Gavrilovska, V. Kalaitzakis, S. Taskovski, B. Risteska Stojkoska, D. Tsiamitros, and N. Dimcev, "Review of Smart Agriculture Platforms: Data, Applications and Connectivity." Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Information Society and Technology (ICIST), Kopaonik, Serbia, 2018.