A Context-Aware Middleware Cloud Approach for Integrating Precision Farming Facilities into the IoT toward Agriculture 4.0

Abstract

The adoption of Precision Farming (PF) practices involving ubiquitous computing advancements and conceptual innovations of “smart” agricultural production toward Agriculture 4.0 is a significant factor for the benefit of sustainable growth. In this context, the dynamic integration of PF facility systems into the Internet of Things (IoT) represents an excessive challenge considering the large amount of heterogeneous raw data acquired in agricultural environments by Wireless Sensor and Actuator Networks (WSANs). This paper focuses on the issue of facilitating the management, process, and exchange of the numerous and diverse data points generated in multiple PF environments by introducing a framework of a cloud-based context-aware middleware solution as part of a responsive, adaptive, and service-oriented IoT integrated system. More particularly, the paper presents in detail a layered hierarchical structure according to which all functional elements of the system cope with context, while the context awareness operation is accomplished into a cloud-based distributed middleware component that is the core of the entire system acting as a Decision Support System (DSS). Furthermore, as proof of concept, the functionality of the proposed system is studied in real conditions where some evaluation results regarding its performance are quoted.

Exploring the Adoption of Precision Agriculture for Irrigation in the Context of Agriculture 4.0: The Key Role of Internet of Things

“…Research on Agriculture 4.0 is mainly concentrated on automation and robotics [ 66 , 67 ], food and sustainability [ 11 , 14 , 62 ]. While studies on operations management, inspired by the concept of Industry 4.0, are limited.…”

“…IoT is also one of the key technologies for Agriculture 4.0 [ 11 ]. This concept appeared at the beginning of the 21st century, as an evolution of the PA concept through the diffusion of IoT [ 12 ].…”

“…Several studies highlight the potential of Agriculture 4.0, such as improvements in planning and control [ 17 ], intelligent use of data collected by using advanced technologies mounted on board tractors, mobile ground robots, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and satellites [ 18 ] and sustainable growth [ 11 ]. Others highlight the challenges to be solved.…”

The Development of a State-Aware Equipment Maintenance Application Using Sensor Data Ranking Techniques

“…Based on this system, they developed an automatic cognitive health assessment application in a natural older adult living environment [15]. Eleni et al focused on the issue of facilitating the management, process, and exchange of the numerous and diverse data points generated in multiple precision farming environments by introducing a framework with a cloud-based context-aware middleware solution as part of a responsive, adaptive, and service-oriented IoT integrated system [16]. In [17], an architecture for building and running context-aware smart classrooms was proposed.…”

Emerging Line of Research Approach in Precision Agriculture: An Insight Study

“…It can also furnish various real-time data of their farming land, identifying specific production patterns or identifying any associated risk factors during cultivation and harvesting season. Adopting PA also facilitates exclusive access to the agricultural records via cloud-based resources where the data can be accessed anytime and anywhere [8]. It also leads to an adequate formulation of measures towards crop protection.…”