IoT Enabled Water Management Systems in Sustainable Agriculture Practices: A Methodological Approach in Rural Kenyan Communities

Sustainable agriculture practices are crucial for food security in rural communities, particularly in resource-limited settings like Kenya. The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies into water management systems offers a promising approach to optimise irrigation and reduce wastage. The research employs a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative data collection through sensors installed on farms with qualitative interviews among farmers. A statistical model was developed to predict water usage based on environmental factors using linear regression analysis (Y = β0 + β1X1 + β2X2 + ε, where Y is predicted water usage, X1 and X2 are environmental variables, and ε represents the error term). The statistical model demonstrated a significant positive correlation between temperature and irrigation needs with a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.75, indicating that the system accurately predicts water requirements for optimal crop growth. This study validates the potential of IoT-enabled water management systems in improving agricultural productivity in rural settings by providing precise and timely data on resource usage. Farmers should be trained to use these systems effectively and policymakers should consider incentivizing their adoption to promote sustainable agriculture practices across Kenya.