Helping Farmers with Smart Tools - AgriTech Survey on IoT Solution for Smallholders
Since the mid-1990s, the internet has connected people across the world. A few years later, the idea of connecting everyday devices to each other started to grow. This idea became what we now call the Internet of Things (IoT).
Over time devices became available also for functions in agriculture. However, implementing them has challenges.
So, how can AgriTech and IoT help out smallholder farmers appropriately?
“If the technology decreases the operational (input) cost and complexity of the smallholder – consider it – else send it back to the drawing board”
– Gram Disha Trust Agritech Maxim
Gram Disha Trust is actively engaging in the global discussion around appropriateness of AgriTech when implemented for Smallholders of the Global South. Forums such as Digital Agri Hub provide an appropriate development platform for such discussions. Within such forums we have proposed a maxim to consider when implementing technology, appropriately, for smallholders. In Himachal Pradesh, our trust works primarly with rain-fed smallholders, who may also have access to seasonal and fresh surface water.
It is within such a context that we are attempting to develop technology solutions which have a basis of reduction of input cost AND complexity for the smallholders. It is important to understand that cost and complexity are to be taken in conjunction and not just with tradeoffs.
If science and technology are to work for the betterment of smallholders, then both these considerations are important when developing appropriate solutions.
IoT For Farmers
Knowledge of farm surroundings, soil, ambient temprature, humidity and land conditions are essential for good production. Now there are sensors available which can measure indicators useful to derive production related information. A soil moisture sensor to know water holding capacity of your soil and ambient temperature sensor to know the temperature around your plants. But of what significance is this to farmers?
IoT lets different electronic/electrical devices communicate with each other, so if we have a system of sensors and actuators, where sensors communicate with actuators without human intervention, that may reduce the drudgery for farmers. Articificial Intelligence and Machine Learning also have a role to play in such solutions.
For example, if a soil moisture sensor detects that moisture is below a set threshold, it can send a signal directly to an actuator such as a water pump. The pump then irrigates the field until the sensor records an optimal value. This is easily achievable in protected and open field cultivation systems.
Such automation support the farmers efforts to irrigate. Similary there are sensors which allows for probabalistic estimation of insect-pest and disease incidence. Data from sensors may feed into a Machine Learning system and predict such events, allowing farmers to take preventive measure.
In India as the agricultral system is wide and diverse, it is important to localise solution so they are relevant to the farmers.
In the current state of art, there are challenges in the senstivity of the sensors and their suitable field level deployment. However, with suitable interventions it is possible to address these. It is important to understand the primary requirements of the farmers and their reasons for adopting such technologies.
As technology provides solutions for efficiency, it does come at a cost. It is important ot understand how such systems are viewed by smallholders who wish to adopt technology however are unable to afford the cost and complexity which comes with it.
In this survey, we understand these requirements to determine the motivations and primary drivers for adoption by the farmers in Himachal Pradesh.
Survey session with farmers at Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni held on 22 Jul 2025
A Sectoral View - IoT in Indian Agriculture
Globally, a lot of discussions and prototypes are being attempted on implementing Digitial Technology for Agriculture and Food Systems. In the Global North, where the number of smallholders are diminshed or diminishing – the applications are also promoted by Large Corporate farms. At times, these solutions are assumed to the panacea for smallholders too. But that is a grave fallacy. Agritech and especially IoT comes with its share of challenges – mainly of cost and complexity. For IoT in agriculture, given the diversity of field application and variability in adaptability – one of the main challenges is that of Quality Sensors to measure in the open field implementations.
A number of discussions, where Gram Disha Trust has contributed are given here as a reference to the ongoing discource around AgriTech.
India has one of the highest implementations of Digital Solution among the Global South countries. However, it remains a question if all these solutions are suitable for smallholders. In Himachal Pradesh, there is very low penetration of AgriTech and IoT solutions among the smallholders, mainly due to high cost and complexity of implementation.
IoT is already being used in areas like precision irrigation, weather-based advice, supply chain tracking, and livestock monitoring. Greenhouses and plantation crops are seeing faster adoption compared to open fields. The main challenges are the high cost of reliable sensors, lack of compatibility between devices, and ongoing cloud service fees that can make farmers dependent on specific companies. Developing open, low-cost systems that farmers can own and control is important. It is of utmost importance that any solutions for AgriTech and IoT should be localised and contextual the the topography of the farmers. It is noted in our field experience with farmers that generalised solutions by private companies are being thurst upon the farmers with a contractual licensing lockin to buy products and services. These are not acceptable at within the local conditions of Himachal Pradesh, since the products and services are from a general perspectice of farmers in the plain areas. In mountain areas and Himalayas in general, there are no companies who design solutions and products specific for the agroecological conditions here. Thus such solutions continue to increase the cost and complexity for the farmers. This is the primary challenge to be addressed.
India’s agricultural IoT market is expected to grow in the coming years, helped by more smartphone use, better internet access, and government programs like the Digital Agriculture Mission. The state of Himachal Pradesh has also submitted plans to implement Digitisation for the Agri-Horti sector as part of this Mission.
Background: The Context for Agri-Tech in Himachal Pradesh
To design an effective solution, it’s crucial to understand the local context.
A Profile of the Himachali Farmer
Agriculture in Himachal Pradesh is dominated by small and marginal farmers. Out of 9.97 lakh (997,000) farmer families, a staggering 88.86% fall into the small and marginal category. The average land holding size is just 0.95 hectares (about 2.35 acres). This means that any technological solution must be affordable and suited for small-scale operations to be successful.
Insights from the Field: A Farmer Survey
To understand the on-ground reality, we conducted a survey with 16 farmers. While this sample size was possible with the time and human resources available, it covered a wide range of conditions. The farmers represented different altitudes, from 800 m in Bilaspur to 3,000 m in Kinnaur. Majority of the farmers included small and marginal (less than 1ha landholding) with small number as some medium sized landholders. They cultivated a variety of crops such as apple, tomato, capsicum, cauliflower, and cereals, under both open-field and protected (polyhouse) conditions. While these details were not directly part of the survey questions, they reflect the diverse operating environments that any IoT solution for Himachal Pradesh must be able to support.
Challenges on the Ground
IoT solutions are still under development in India and across the world. There are still numerous challenges which are to be resolved before these technologies may stablises as a normal. Research has shown that there are still accuracy and stability issues of devices and sensors in the field. The deployment also has to be housed to account for extreme weather conditions which are exacerbated in certain geographies.
IoT deployment in Himachal Pradesh is still in the early stages. Pilot projects have been attempted in precision horticulture, greenhouse monitoring, and irrigation automation, primarily through research institutions and small startups. Challenges include limited digital literacy, lack of technical support in rural areas, unreliable GSM/VoLTE network coverage in remote regions, and sensor calibration issues under extreme temperature variations. Field trials indicate that high humidity, snow, and dust often degrade sensor performance, requiring ruggedized designs. Data integration with decision-support systems is rare, and most farmers still rely on manual observations.
Opportunities and a Supportive Ecosystem
Encouragingly, a strong ecosystem is emerging to support this technological shift. Various opportunities exist for funding and incubation, indicating a national push towards agri-tech innovation:
- Government Grants: The Technology Development Board (TDB) has put out calls for proposals focusing on sustainable agri-tech solutions, showing direct government support for innovation in this sector.
- Philanthropic Funding: Organizations like Give Grants have specific funds dedicated to supporting projects that use IoT for precision agriculture, opening doors for non-profit and research-based initiatives.
- Startup Incubation: Centers of Excellence, such as CoE-IoT, offer dedicated agritech programs that provide startups with the mentorship, resources, and environment needed to grow and scale their innovations.
This combination of government, private, and philanthropic support creates a fertile ground for developing and deploying the next generation of farming technology in India.
Why These Solutions Matter
IoT Solution for Field Monitoring
Farming is becoming more data-driven. The IoT solution aims to help farmers monitor critical field parameters such as soil moisture, temperature, and humidity in real time. With this data:
- Farmers can make informed irrigation and crop management decisions.
- Government agencies can analyze trends and generate timely advisories to prevent crop losses and promote efficient farming practices.
This means less guesswork, fewer losses, and better yields.
Producers View - Survey Results
What Farmers Told Us
1. Interest in IoT Tools
Most farmers (75%) said yes when asked if they would use an IoT device to monitor their fields. Only a few said maybe or no.
2. What Information Do Farmers Want?
Farmers said the most useful information would be:
- Disease risk (100% said this was important)
- Pest problems (93.8%)
Lack of moisture and high heat (both 68.8%)
Power and Internet at Farms
A big challenge is electricity. Almost all farmers (93.8%) said they do not have a regular power supply at their farms. Most preferred solar power instead.
As for the internet, all farmers said GSM/GRPS/VoLTE is the best option at their location. None of them chose Wi-Fi.
5. Cost Expectations
Affordability is paramount. The majority of farmers (56.3%) are willing to spend between ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 (approximately $24 to $60 USD) on an IoT solution. Another 37.5% would prefer the cost to be even lower, between ₹1,000 to ₹2,000 (approximately $12 to $24 USD).
Main Challenges in Himachal Pradesh
- Mountainous terrain makes it harder to set up and maintain IoT systems.
- Harsh weather, including cold, snow, and heavy rain, can reduce sensor life and accuracy.
- High upfront costs are a problem for small and marginal farmers.
- Power supply is unreliable; solar works but can fail during long cloudy or snowy periods.
- Mobile network coverage is weak in some remote areas, limiting real-time data transfer.
- Sensors can lose accuracy in extreme temperatures; combining their data with satellite and weather station information can improve reliability.
- Sustainability is also a concern. If devices are low-cost but have a short lifespan, replacing them creates plastic and electronic waste at the village level. Developing repairable and durable designs is essential to reduce this impact
These issues are also as reported in other research as Barriers to adoption for IoT solutions by farmers. While policies and programs by the government are being developed for its implementation, even at present the cost and complexity of adoption and use continue to remain high for the smallholders. We hope that by developing localised solutions for the agroecological conditions of farmers in a landscape may address these suitably.
Building Tools That Work for Farmers
Our survey showed that farmers in Himachal Pradesh are open to new technology, but any new tool must be affordable, run on solar power, and use mobile networks. To better understand how to meet these needs, we reviewed existing open-source projects.
For example, SmartSprout (view on GitHub) is a low-cost tool designed for small farms that shows how to monitor key conditions like soil moisture and temperature. Similarly, initiatives like the Frugal IoT Project Wiki provide a great foundation by focusing on making technology accessible.
Learning from these examples has been crucial. By studying what works, we are now developing a new solution that builds on these ideas to address the specific challenges faced by farmers in our region, paving the way for a smarter agricultural future.
