Colruyt Group uses Reporter for soil moisture measurements at the organic farm Het Zilverleen
Colruyt Group has long been known for its continuous innovation and commitment to sustainability. As part of its sustainable agriculture efforts, Colruyt Group uses the IoT sensor module ‘Reporter’ to measure soil moisture at Het Zilverleen, the organic farm the company acquired in 2018. This technology aligns with Colruyt Group's vision for sustainable agriculture, promoting water conservation and efficient crop production.
Cultivation and Technology at Het Zilverleen
At Het Zilverleen organic farm, various types of cabbage, celeriac, and potatoes are primarily grown. To gain detailed insights into soil conditions, Colruyt Group installed four Reporter modules, each equipped with two soil moisture sensors (SMT100), across four different plots. The sensors were placed at various soil depths to ensure accurate moisture level readings. Additionally, a weather station was installed to monitor rainfall precisely, which is essential for assessing soil moisture balance.
When using a single measurement point per plot, it’s important for the plot to be homogeneous to ensure the readings are representative.
Reporter: User-Friendly Innovation for Smart Agriculture
Reporter is a versatile, plug & play sensor module that makes remote monitoring simple and accessible for companies of all sizes. The sensor module is suitable for a variety of sectors, from agriculture and horticulture to livestock, hospitality, construction, and industry. This wide applicability highlights the value Reporter brings to modern, data-driven business practices.
The project leader for Colruyt Group's Smart Farming praised the experience with Reporter:
“The system works as it should; the signal is reliable, and installation is straightforward, though positioning the soil sensors correctly does take some time. All data is displayed clearly on a single Dashboard with graphs, making monitoring easy. Additionally, the availability of an API opens up numerous possibilities.
The support from Crodeon has also been positive, with issues quickly resolved, and they are easily reachable. I also read the monthly newsletter with great interest, as it keeps me informed of new developments, such as new sensors that can be integrated, and I stay up-to-date on Crodeon’s ongoing projects.”
Reporter connects to the internet via mobile data (2G/4G), eliminating the need for a local network. It also works with sensors powered by both solar panels and mains electricity. When combined with a weather sensor, this setup provides a solar-powered weather station.
Supporting the Organic Farmer
Het Zilverleen is run by an organic farmer passionate about his work. Many tasks are still done manually, such as inspecting crops for potential issues (pests, diseases, etc.).
The smart sensors provide crucial support in this process. By providing a real-time view of soil moisture, the farmer can make informed decisions about when to irrigate, saving water and increasing efficiency.
Colruyt Group has also conducted soil analyses to gain a better understanding of soil values. Based on these analyses, alarm notifications can be set in the future, alerting the farmer when the soil is too dry or overly saturated. Although the data currently serves primarily as supplementary information, Colruyt Group aims for this data to eventually become fully reliable for operational decision-making.
Additionally, Colruyt Group is experimenting with using drones in other projects to monitor soil conditions and crop health.
The Move Toward Fully Automated Irrigation
Reporter’s strength also lies in its ability to transmit live measurement data in real-time to external (third-party) systems via the Crodeon Rest API. An example would be a computer running an irrigation model.
These systems work as follows: they measure rainfall amounts, current soil moisture levels, and the amount of moisture the plant has lost that day. This information is then combined and compared with the specific needs of each crop. This allows the computer to calculate how much additional water is needed. With the right setup, this can even be converted into fully automated irrigation, which uses water in an ultra-efficient way.
To read more about such systems, check out this blog on sustainable irrigation for blueberry farming:
Colruyt Group aims to use the measurement data they gather with Reporter to eventually train their own irrigation models. This would enable even greater water savings in the cultivation of locally-grown organic vegetables.
Sustainable Agriculture, Naturally!
Colruyt Group remains committed to water conservation and minimizing their environmental impact. Water management and sustainable farming are central to their Smart Farming projects. The innovative approach demonstrated at Het Zilverleen reflects Colruyt Group's dedication to a sustainable future. By integrating smart technologies, Colruyt Group actively contributes to the development of sustainable agricultural practices that are both ecologically and economically beneficial.
More information about Colruyt Group’s efforts in water conservation and sustainable farming can be found on their website:
- Water Conservation at Colruyt Group
- Sustainable Farming at Colruyt Group
- Smart Farming at Colruyt Group
- Het Zilverleen, Colruyt Group's Organic Farm
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