Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems
Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems

Green ERA Hub Call 2: FarmScan

Field Analysis via Remote Monitoring and Sustainable, Decomposable Agricultural Nodes

FarmScan

© Fraunhofer IMS
A reader is mounted on a drone (left) to supply power to the degradable soil sensors (right) and read out measurements such as soil water content and pH value.

FarmScan aims to make precision agriculture more sustainable and environmentally friendly – by means of new sensors and intelligent data analysis. Coordinated by the Fraunhofer IMS, innovative soil sensor nodes will be developed in this publicly funded project. These nodes will continuously monitor soil conditions, but eventually decompose into harmless materials. As a result, it will be possible to deploy soil sensors in greater numbers, providing farmers with data of unprecedented spatial detail.

About the project

Expand all Close all

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. Soil sensors are more accurate but require significant effort for both manual deployment and end-of-life retrieval.

© Conor Kohoe, UCD
The image shows spring barley residue incorporation as part of experimental work at UCD Lyons Farm (https://www.ucd.ie/lyonsfarm/about/facilities/), where some of the FarmScan experiments will take place. The photographer is Conor Kohoe, PhD student at UCD.
The image shows field work at the A. Servadei experimental farm located in S. Osvaldo, Udine province, managed by Di4A, UUD (https://aziendagraria.uniud.it/), where the field testing with both summer and winter wheat will take place.

FarmScan aims to explore decomposable soil sensor nodes. These are designed as passive, chipless RFID transponders that break down into harmless materials at the end of the farming season, thus eliminating the need to collect them after data collection. This means that they can be used in much larger numbers, which facilitates the understanding of soil processes and enables farmers to take more targeted action while increasing their yields. 

Main activities of the project

 

  • 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 soil sensors compared to conventional 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.

 

 

© Fraunhofer IMS
The image illustrates the FarmScan concept with a non-functional demo in the form a batteryless RFID transponder that monitors soil moisture.

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 sensors 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.

This project is part of the programme of the Green ERA-Hub that has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101056828.

 

© links: Shutterstock, rechts: Fraunhofer IMS

Industry (Home)

This way back to the overview of the Industry business unit.

Industry