Design and implementation of a smart maize crop storage monitoring system

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.