Title: IoT Smart Farming Workshop

Date: 30 September 2024

Venue: Faculty of Engineering (FOE)

Description:

A Knowledge Transfer Programme (KTP) was held at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Seri Permaisuri, Kuala Lumpur, on 30 September 2024, focusing on introducing teachers and students to the Internet of Things (IoT) and its applications in smart farming. The programme was spearheaded by Ir. Dr. Siva Priya and Ir. Prof. Hezerul Abdul Karim, alongside the dedicated team members of the MMU Smart Technology (MUST), which included Lim Zing, Chee Rui, Muhammad Izzat bin Muhammad Nazarudin, Ghufran Haitham Ahmed Jamil, Latifa Anwar Alraees, and Maanic Hamarays Marimuthu.

Dr. Siva Priya kicked off the session with a hands-on workshop, introducing participants to the potential of IoT in revolutionising smart farming. The workshop began with a detailed overview of the ESP32 microcontroller, followed by an in-depth explanation of the various hardware components involved in smart farming systems. Participants were guided step-by-step in setting up their own Blynk dashboards, enabling them to remotely display sensor data and control devices.

In a practical approach to learning, participants were divided into groups to engage in several experiments. These included tasks such as controlling external LED blinks, measuring soil moisture levels, and monitoring temperature and humidity using the Arduino IDE platform. The interactive workshop concluded with a quiz session to assess the participants’ understanding of the concepts covered.

The highlight of the day was a visit to the school’s IoT-based Smart Farm, which had been established the previous year. With the knowledge and skills acquired from the workshop, participants are now equipped to remotely monitor and control the farm, ensuring its smooth operation. They are also well-prepared to plan any expansions to the farm’s capabilities.

This KTP initiative is set to continue until November 2024, during which an IoT system will be installed to enable the remote monitoring of the school’s hydroponics system. This initiative not only strengthens the participants’ understanding of IoT but also fosters innovation in sustainable farming practices at SMK Seri Permaisuri.