Smart Arecanut Orchard Management Using an ESP32-Based Remote Controlled Spraying Machine

Abstract

Arecanut is one of the major plantation crops cultivated extensively in South India. However, arecanut plantations are highly susceptible to various diseases, making pesticide application an essential agricultural practice. Traditionally, pesticide spraying is performed manually, requiring labourers to climb tall arecanut trees. This approach is labour-intensive, time-consuming, costly, and poses significant safety risks. Although mechanized spraying systems have been introduced, conventional petrol-engine-based machines are generally heavy, expensive, and difficult to operate. In order to overcome the limitations mentioned above, this paper suggests using a battery-operated remotely controlled pesticide spraying system for arecanut plantation. In the proposed setup, the receiver unit is made up of the ESP32 microcontroller, and the transmitter is set up in the form of the ESP32 as a web server. Spraying process can be done through a mobile phone which will communicate with the ESP32 web server. Depending upon the command provided, the receiver unit will control the motor and accordingly rotate the wheels either in clockwise or anticlockwise direction in order to fix the height of the spraying unit. After reaching the required height, pesticides will be sprayed through four nozzles which operate through the solenoid valves. For continuous supply of pesticides in the spraying system, pressure pump is used. The system is portable as its structure is detachable and attachable.