Installation of IoT soil moisture and nutrient sensors across orchards

Project Overview

Agrifity implemented a precision irrigation optimization project for a large-scale macadamia orchard operated by Kenya Nut Company in Murang’a County, Central Kenya.

Macadamia trees require carefully managed soil moisture levels to ensure proper nut formation, reduce flower drop, and maintain uniform kernel quality. However, inconsistent irrigation across large orchards often leads to uneven growth, water waste, and increased energy costs.

To address this, Agrifity deployed an IoT-based smart irrigation monitoring system designed to provide real-time soil data and automated irrigation control.

Scope of Work

The project involved:

• Installation of IoT soil moisture sensors across multiple irrigation zones
• Deployment of EC (nutrient) monitoring probes for soil fertility tracking
• Integration with existing drip irrigation infrastructure
• Installation of flow and pressure monitoring sensors for leak detection
• Smart irrigation controller configuration
• Cloud-based dashboard setup for agronomy team access
• Training of farm management staff

Sensors were strategically placed across varying elevation zones and soil types to ensure accurate representation of field conditions.

Solutions Implemented

Zone-based calibration for accurate soil threshold settings
Pressure stabilization recommendations
On-site staff training workshops
Installation of signal repeaters for stable connectivity

Project challenges

Project details

  • Category

    IoT Soil Monitoring Systems

  • Location

    Murang’a County, Central Kenya

  • Square Meters

    480,000 square meters

  • Project Year

    2021

  • Project Value

    KES 4,850,000

  • Uneven Soil Composition

  • Pressure Fluctuations

  • Initial Resistance to Automation

  • Connectivity Constraints