Agrishield

Inspiration

AgriShield was inspired by the recurring crop losses experienced by smallholder farmers due to late detection of environmental stress. In many rural areas, farmers rely on observation instead of real-time data, which often results in delayed intervention. We wanted to design a practical, affordable, and autonomous solution that works directly in the field, even without constant internet access.

What it does

AgriShield is a solar-powered IoT monitoring system that measures key environmental parameters such as air temperature, air humidity, and soil moisture. The device analyzes the data in real time using predefined thresholds and provides immediate visual alerts through LEDs or a display. It also stores structured data locally and allows optional access via a mobile application through Wi-Fi for deeper analysis and configuration.

How we built it

The system is built around an ESP32 microcontroller acting as an edge device. It collects sensor data, performs lightweight local processing, and stores readings in JSON format in internal flash memory. The architecture separates responsibilities: the device handles acquisition and basic analysis, while the mobile application manages visualization, configuration, and advanced analytics. Power optimization and modular design were key priorities during development.

Challenges we ran into

We faced constraints related to memory capacity, energy efficiency, and hardware reliability. Optimizing data storage to avoid flash overload, managing Wi-Fi consumption, and ensuring stable sensor readings required careful system design. Another challenge was maintaining simplicity for farmers while building a scalable and technically robust architecture.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We successfully developed a working prototype capable of real-time monitoring, local alerts, and structured data storage. We established a clear and scalable IoT architecture, validated the technical feasibility of edge-based processing, and designed a system adapted to low-connectivity rural environments.

What we learned

Through this project, we gained hands-on experience in embedded systems, IoT architecture, power management, and system scalability. We learned the importance of balancing technical performance with real-world usability and designing technology that aligns with the actual needs of end users.