Iot and traceability platform for yield prediction in sustainable agriculture

Overview

This solution is an integrated Internet of Things (IoT) and RFID-based traceability platform designed for sustainable agriculture. It combines real-time environmental monitoring from production sites with end-to-end traceability records, enabling farmers and supply chain actors to generate predictive insights for crop management. By correlating field sensor data with traceability information in a unified database, the platform supports smarter decisions on fertilization, pest control, and resource allocation, directly impacting crop yield profitability.

Beyond yield optimization, the platform addresses growing market and regulatory demands for transparency. Traceability records allow producers to respond more effectively to consumers, supply chain partners, and regulators, enabling quicker reaction to non-conformance events and recalls. The system delivers a triple benefit: traceability documentation, management planning information, and field-level decision support.

Technical specifications

Core capabilities:

• IoT environmental sensors capturing physical variables from production sites (such as soil and weather conditions)
• RFID-based tagging for tracking produce from the field through the processing plant
• Cloud-based unified database correlating traceability events with environmental sensor readings
• Mobile application for on-site data entry and access
• Backend system for device communication and data management
• Graphical reporting tools that translate raw data into actionable management insights

Key benefits for users:

• Predictive models for fertilization and pest control timing and intensity
• Reduced water consumption and minimized agrochemical waste
• Improved crop yield profitability through efficient resource allocation
• Enhanced transparency and regulatory readiness across the supply chain
• Faster response to quality non-conformance and product recalls

Technology readiness level

A first prototype has been developed, including the backend for device communication, a mobile application, a database, and graphical reports. Initial tests confirm that producers can use the traceability records alongside environmental variables to make informed crop management decisions. The platform was developed with support from an entrepreneurship agency in Costa Rica and a partner farming company.

The next phase focuses on completing software development to deliver a user-friendly interface and validating the system in a real production environment over a one-year cycle in a controlled banana plantation. Partnerships with banana producers have already been established for this pilot. The team is seeking support to hire programmers for software development and personnel to oversee the validation study execution.