Integrating artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, and remote sensing for smart irrigation management of field crops: A review

Smart irrigation systems are a transformative approach to mitigating global water scarcity and advancing agricultural sustainability. As traditional irrigation methods waste a lot of water, integrating digital technologies offers a pathway to optimise resource use, maximise crop yields, and mitigate environmental degradation. This review provides a comprehensive and structured analysis of the applications of artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and remote sensing (RS) technologies in irrigation management, especially in optimising weather-, soil-, and plant-based irrigation scheduling. Ground-based IoT-enabled devices and RS technologies enable the collection of real-time environmental and agricultural data. AI algorithms analyse these data to produce precise irrigation schedules, reducing overwatering and preventing underwatering for optimal crop health. From the literature review, smart irrigation systems achieve many benefits, such as water conservation (up to 20-60% reduction in usage), reduced energy consumption, and enhanced crop productivity. These systems also mitigate nutrient leaching and soil degradation, promoting long-term ecological resilience. However, challenges such as high initial infrastructure costs, limited technical knowledge among farmers, and rural connectivity gaps hinder widespread adoption, particularly in developing countries and among smallholder farmers. Future research should prioritise cost-effective sensor development and user-friendly AI interfaces. Additionally, implementing hybrid monitoring systems that integrate satellite RS with a limited IoT unit (powered by renewable energy) serving as a ground reference station. This approach mitigates two major challenges: the reduced accuracy of satellite data under atmospheric conditions that obstruct or attenuate signals, and the high cost associated with deploying IoT infrastructure across the entire cultivated area.