Challenge: Sub-Saharan Africa and other developing regions face significant agricultural challenges due to varying rainfall, pests, droughts, and other conditions that create vulnerabilities in the agricultural sector. To mitigate risks of soil and plant degradation, improve productivity, and create revenue opportunities for the large rural population, innovations in sustainable field management are essential. Effective water and irrigation management, crop monitoring, precision farming, and other innovative services are critical for modern, sustainable agriculture. However, achieving consistent and reliable connectivity in remote rural areas is a significant challenge, as is the need for data collection from numerous measurement points, provision of data to farmers regardless of location, and remote command of field actuators like irrigation valves.
Solution: neXat, leveraging its extensive on-the-field experience and collaboration with partners, developed a comprehensive satellite communication solution tailored for agricultural management in rural areas. Key elements of this solution include:
- Reliable Connectivity: The solution ensures above 99.5% service availability, providing consistent connectivity in remote areas.
- Micro-VSAT Equipment: Low-cost, easy-to-install satellite terminals facilitate reliable communication.
- Local Partner Network: A network of local partners offers licenses, equipment installation, maintenance, and after-sales service.
- Data Collection and Distribution: Sensors and actuators within a 10km radius of an IoT Gateway collect data and transmit it via satellite to an agricultural management application in the cloud.
- Remote Supervision and Control: The system supports remote monitoring and control of field sensors and actuators, even in the most remote locations.
- Wi-Fi Hotspot: The satellite link also backhauls a local Wi-Fi network, providing farmers with access to applications via mobile devices.
System Operations
The system operates through a network of sensors and actuators deployed in the field. These devices communicate with an IoT Gateway, which is connected to a satellite terminal. Data collected by sensors are sent to the cloud-based agricultural management application. Based on this data and predefined management policies, commands are sent to actuators via the satellite link and IoT Gateway. The network topology is illustrated in Figure 1.
Hardware and Software Components
The solution requires specific hardware and software:
- Satellite Terminal: Composed of an indoor unit (IDU) with a satellite modem and a Wi-Fi router, and an outdoor unit (ODU) with a 1m parabolic antenna and electronic transmission device.
- Sensors and Actuators: Long-range, low-power LoRa technology sensors and actuators provide long-term autonomous operation with minimal maintenance.
- Agricultural Management Application: A cloud-based suite of interoperable software for smart farming, integrating data from various sources to generate specific agricultural policies and actions.
Results: The implementation of neXat’s SatCom for Agriculture solution has led to several positive outcomes:
- Improved Agricultural Productivity: Farmers now have access to precise data and actionable insights, leading to better crop management and higher yields.
- Sustainable Operations: The low-cost, easy-to-install equipment, combined with local support and the potential for commercial hotspot services, ensures long-term sustainability.
- Reliable Connectivity: High service availability and reliable communication in remote areas have transformed agricultural practices.
- Enhanced Decision-Making: The integration of multiple data parameters and remote command capabilities allows for more informed and effective agricultural policies and actions.
neXat’s innovative solution has significantly enhanced agricultural management in rural areas, providing farmers with the tools and information needed to optimize their operations and achieve sustainable growth.