A Low-Cost Internet of Things Cloud Based Solution for the Intelligent Rearing of the Black Soldier Fly

This paper presents a low cost IoT based cloud solution for the intelligent rearing of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) using a functional prototype. The BSF is an important insect for the bioconversion of organic waste into high quality protein feed for livestock. However, traditional manual rearing methods for BSF are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and often lead to low productivity. To address these challenges, we developed a prototype IoT-based cloud solution that automates the BSF rearing process, potentially reducing labor costs and improving productivity. The proposed solution uses a NodeMCU ESP32s microcontroller, BH1750 light sensor, and DHT22 temperature and humidity sensor to monitor the environmental parameters of the BSF rearing system. Real-time data from the sensors are transmitted to the Firebase Realtime Database for storage and analysis. A web-based dashboard was developed using Streamlit to visualize the sensor data, perform data analytics, and provide recommendations for optimal rearing conditions. The dashboard is hosted online, rendering it accessible from any web-enabled device. The proposed solution has the potential to significantly improve productivity and reduce labor costs in commercial BSF production, contributing to sustainable agriculture and livestock nutrition. The prototype can be further refined and tested to ensure its effectiveness in a real-world BSF rearing system.