Field Analysis via Remote Monitoring and Sustainable, Decomposable Agricultural Nodes

remote agricultural monitoring, climate smart farming, decomposable wireless sensor networks, field analysis, rfid, soil conditions, precision farming, agritech

36 months

Technology Readiness Level (TRL): 6

Introduction

Combining innovative sensor technology and advanced data analytics with an environmental perspective, FarmScan will make precision agriculture more sustainable. Sensor nodes will be developed that continuously monitor soil conditions but eventually decompose into harmless materials. Soil sensors can thus be deployed in greater numbers to provide data with unprecedented spatial detail.

  •  What: Develop decomposable sensor nodes for sustainable soil monitoring.

  • Why: Improve agricultural productivity and sustainability by enabling farmers to monitor their fields remotely at high spatial resolution without generating e-waste.

  • Where: Sensor development in Germany, laboratory testing and life cycle assessment in Ireland, AI development and field testing in Italy and Ireland.

Background

In the face of climate change, spatially detailed knowledge of soil conditions—such as moisture, nutrients, and pest spread—is essential for agriculture to minimize the use of irrigation, fertilizers, and pesticides. Satellite data is a good starting point, but often suffers from limited quality. Ground sensors are more accurate, but require significant effort for both manual deployment and end-of-life retrieval. FarmScan aims to investigate decomposable soil sensor nodes. Designed as passive, chipless RFID transponders, they will break down into harmless materials, eliminating the need to retrieve them after data collection. As a result, they can be deployed in much greater numbers, making it easier to understand soil processes and enabling farmers to take more targeted actions while increasing their yields.

Main project activities

CerealBio's specific objectives include:

  • Design and develop decomposable sensor nodes for remote monitoring of relevant soil parameters using passive, chipless RFID technology.

  • Test and select different material systems to ensure that the sensors decompose into harmless materials.

  • Conduct life cycle assessments to confirm the positive environmental impact of the novel sensor nodes compared to conventional soil sensors.

  • Develop an AI-driven data integration platform and a user-friendly dashboard to provide real-time decision support to farmers.

  • Carry out extensive field trials to test the performance of the novel sensors across different cropping cycles and tillage systems.

  • Collaborate with various stakeholders through workshops and field days for feedback and demonstrations.

Expected social impact

FarmScan will have a significant social impact. By providing precise, real-time soil data, the project will help farmers optimize resource use, leading to higher crop yields, reduced labor and input costs. The use of decomposable sensor nodes promotes environmental sustainability by cutting down e-waste. FarmScan will engage with stakeholders such as agricultural communities, researchers, and policymakers through workshops and field trials, ensuring that the developments address real-world needs and challenges. In broader terms, the project will contribute to general sustainability goals by fostering resilient agricultural practices that adapt to climate change. Ultimately, it will improve food security and rural livelihoods by setting a precedent for environmentally friendly innovation in agriculture.

Implementation and plans to reach target groups

Within FarmScan, relevant stakeholders, e.g., farmers, agencies, and manufacturers, will be identified through comprehensive stakeholder mapping. Workshops and online surveys will then be conducted in all three countries to gather expectations and concerns, inform legislation, and provide an early market perspective. The project website and social media will be used for regular updates and to maintain engagement. The two universities will facilitate collaboration with academic networks. Farmers will be attracted to FarmScan through pilot demonstrations at field days, while online software testing will ensure alignment with agricultural best practices. Participation in agricultural fairs and conferences will help demonstrate the decomposable sensor technology to the agritech industry.

Partners of the project

  • Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems IMS Duisburg, Germany

    Dr.-Ing. Benedikt Loepp

    • University College Dublin

      Dublin, Ireland - Dr. Tamiris da Costa

    • University of Udine

      Udine, Italy - Prof. Niki Martinel

    • Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF, Germany)

    • Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM, Ireland)

    • Ministero dell’agricoltura, sovranità alimentare e delle foreste (MASAF, Italy)