Integration of smart sensors and IOT in precision agriculture: trends, challenges and future prospectives

Traditional farming methods, effective for generations, struggle to meet rising global food demands due to limitations in productivity, efficiency, and sustainability amid climate change and resource scarcity. Precision agriculture presents a viable solution by optimizing resource use, enhancing efficiency, and fostering sustainable practices through data-driven decision-making supported by advanced sensors and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. This review examines various smart sensors used in precision agriculture, including soil sensors for moisture, pH, and plant stress sensors etc. These sensors deliver real-time data that enables informed decision-making, facilitating targeted interventions like optimized irrigation, fertilization, and pest management. Additionally, the review highlights the transformative role of IoT in precision agriculture. The integration of sensor networks with IoT platforms allows for remote monitoring, data analysis via artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), and automated control systems, enabling predictive analytics to address challenges such as disease outbreaks and yield forecasting. However, while precision agriculture offers significant benefits, it faces challenges including high initial investment costs, complexities in data management, needs for technical expertise, data security and privacy concerns, and issues with connectivity in remote agricultural areas. Addressing these technological and economic challenges is essential for maximizing the potential of precision agriculture in enhancing global food security and sustainability. Therefore, in this review we explore the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities associated with IoT enabled smart sensors in precision agriculture.