Autonomous Hydroponic Farming using Internet of Things

Natural sunlight is widely recognized as the best source for plant growth and development. However, during the winter months, some plants may not receive adequate light and may die due to neglect. To promote faster or balanced growth, we plan to develop a prototype for hydroponic systems. This system will enable us to provide the necessary nutrients, water, and light to plants whenever needed. The prototype comprises multiple sensors, including a pH sensor to monitor the pH level inside the water, a DHT11 sensor to detect the temperature and humidity of the environment, and a DS18B20 sensor to detect the water temperature. Additionally, it includes a relay used for controlling a water pump to maintain the water level inside the tank and an HCSR04 sensor to detect the water level. Moreover, the prototype features an ESP32 micro-controller that performs all the necessary computations, such as reading sensor values, turning on/off the water pump, and facilitating data transmission to farmers using the Blynk IoT application. This application is connected to the micro-controller through the internet. Finally, we deployed a pepper plant in the prototype, validated its functionality, and observed the data associated with the plant.