NSF Engineering Research Center for the Internet of Things for Precision Agriculture

IoT4Ag Vision

To ensure food, energy, and water security by advancing technology to increase crop production, while minimizing the use of energy and water resources and the impact of agricultural practices on the environment.

IoT4Ag unites faculty and students from the University of Pennsylvania, Purdue University, the University of California Merced, and the University of Florida with industry and government partners to transform agriculture.

Food, Energy, and Water Security

By 2050, the US population is estimated to grow to 400 million and the world population to 9.7 billion. Current agricultural practices account for 70% of global water use, energy accounts for one of the largest costs on a farm, and inefficient use of agrochemicals is altering Earth’s ecosystems. With finite arable land, water, and energy resources, ensuring food, energy, and water security will require new technologies to improve the efficiency of food production, create sustainable approaches to supply energy, and prevent water scarcity.

*United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs

IoT4Ag Mission

To ensure food, energy, and water security by advancing technology to increase crop production, while minimizing the use of energy and water resources and the impact of agricultural practices on the environment.

IoT4Ag unites faculty and students from the University of Pennsylvania, Purdue University, the University of California Merced, and the University of Florida with industry and government partners to transform agriculture.

Transforming the Future of Agriculture

Illustration by Julie Colton

IoT4Ag will create novel, integrated systems that capture the microclimate and spatially, temporally, and compositionally map heterogeneous stresses for early detection and intervention to better outcomes in agricultural crop production. The Center will create internet of things (IoT) technologies to optimize practices for every plant; from sensors, robotics, and energy and communication devices to data-driven models constrained by plant physiology, soil, weather, management practices, and socio-economics.

NSF Engineering Research Program

The NSF Engineering Research Center (ERC) program unites academia, industry, and government professionals in a partnership to engineer transformational, integrated systems that create value and have significant societal impact. ERCs have four foundational pillars: multi-institutional, convergent research; workforce development; a culture of inclusion; and an innovation ecosystem. Industry partners are integral to guiding and developing the strategic directions and participating in the programs of the ERCs.