Enhancing precision agriculture by Internet of Things and cyber physical systems

The recent advances in Internet of Things (IoT) and the proliferation of sensor platforms have allowed the implementation of different applications used to connect physical devices (Things) to the real world, enabling a multi cross domain and multidisciplinary data exchange. The agricultural sector is also greatly benefiting from this progress with several advantages, including the optimal management of resources and the improvement of human labour (i.e., crop growth monitoring and selection, irrigation decision support, fertilizers, pesticide and agrochemicals application, etc.). Moreover, advancements in mechanization and GPS-assisted vehicle guidance in agriculture has established the concept of precision agronomy and precision farming, as well as automation in food production chain. However, current systems still have significant drawbacks in areas such as flexibility, networking, standardization, robustness, skills' requirements and lack of real time data and actuation. A current trend is based on the interaction of machines and autonomous systems, in order to fit into cyber-physical production systems and enabling data collection and networked site-specific monitoring and control. This paper explores all the cutting-edge challenges and solutions required to implement the digital agriculture framework, intended as the evolution from Precision Farming to connected, knowledge-based farm production systems, in a context where digital technologies are first-class elements for the automation of sustainable processes in agriculture.