Vertical Smart Farm System for off-Season Crop Production using Hydroponics and IoT-based Environmental Control

The utilization of smart farm technology facilitates agricultural advancement and enhances the efficiency of crop cultivation, contributing to sustainable food production. This research focuses on crops that require controlled environmental conditions for optimal growth. Our approach involves using enclosed hydroponic cultivation chambers equipped with systems regulating temperature (°C), humidity (%), carbon dioxide (CO2), electrical conductivity (EC), pH, and lighting. The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technology facilitates data collection and monitoring within these controlled environments. Testing showed that the control system effectively managed environmental conditions close to specified parameters. Temperature control at $22^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ had an error margin of no more than 1.6%. Similarly, humidity control at 60% showed an error margin of no more than 3.96%, while CO2 levels were controlled within 800-1,200 ppm, with a measured value of 955 ppm. Additionally, comparing automatic water quality control with manual control, the automatic system-maintained water quality closely aligned with criteria, with an error margin not exceeding 1.5%. Conversely, user-controlled water quality showed a tolerance level of no more than 3%. Moreover, vertical farming can accommodate up to 440 plants within an area of 21 square meters. Lastly, vertical farming will mitigate limitations and expand the capability to cultivate crops requiring optimal environmental conditions. By managing environmental factors, it facilitates a broader spectrum of crops needing precise control, augmenting agricultural product value, and transcending seasonal limitations.