Abstract:
The agricultural sector in Kamonyi District, Rwanda, faces significant post-harvest losses,
especially in maize storage, due to inadequate monitoring and management of essential storage
conditions. During my research, I visited a store called Rumbuka Seeds in Kamonyi District, which
uses a system that fills maize into slots and monitors only humidity and temperature. This limited
approach highlights a gap in comprehensive monitoring, as other crucial parameters like CO2
levels are not tracked.
To address these challenges, this project aims to develop and implement a smart maize crop storage
monitoring system using the Thingspeak cloud platform. The system will utilize NodeMCU,
DHT11 sensors, and smoke gas detectors to monitor key storage parameters, including temperature,
humidity, and CO2 levels. Integrating the Thing Speak platform allows the system to monitor and
manage these parameters in real time effectively.
NodeMCU, a microcontroller with Wi-Fi capabilities, acts as the core unit, collecting sensor data
and transmitting it to the Thingspeak cloud server. This data is then processed and stored, enabling
farmers to access real-time and historical trends through a user-friendly mobile interface. This
interface, provided by the Thingspeak application, allows farmers to view data, analyze trends, and
receive alerts, facilitating timely interventions without needing to be physically present at the
storage site.
By continuously monitoring storage conditions and providing actionable insights, the smart maize
storage system aims to reduce spoilage and post-harvest losses, promote sustainable storage
practices, and enhance productivity and profitability for maize farmers in Kamonyi District. The
alert system within the Thingspeak platform ensures that farmers are promptly informed of adverse
conditions, enabling swift corrective actions. This innovative approach leverages IoT technology
and the Thingspeak cloud to provide a more efficient and reliable maize storage solution,
addressing a critical need in the region's agricultural sector.
