The digitization of various agricultural processes is a growing reality in Portugal and in the world.
Some of the application areas use sensor networks to monitor several parameters, including monitoring plant
growth, atmospheric conditions or optimizing the irrigation process. However, in the agricultural environment
where energy sources may be scarce, the implementation of an autonomous sensor network must consider the
limitations imposed by the energy consumption of sensor nodes, powered by batteries. Moreover, spatial
distribution models must be tested to optimize the number of sensors and their placement in the field.
This paper presents an ongoing work, being developed in partnership with a company, owner of an extensive
almond grove in the region of Idanha-a-Nova and Fundão, Portugal. The objective is to implement a sensor
network, making use of a LoRa technology and battery-powered nodes, and collect information on various
parameters associated with intensive almond trees groves.
The proposed sensor network is part of an IoT middleware framework that captures multiple data from
different sources. Through smart farming, precision agriculture, real time monitoring and business intelligence
solutions, the expected results are productivity increase and optimization of the use of resources in the almond
cultivation process and a significative reduction of the environmental impact.N/
