Researchers develop low-cost IoT system to improve shrimp farming

HYDERABAD: Researchers have developed a low-cost Internet of Things (IoT) system to estimate dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in shrimp ponds, aiming to improve efficiency and cut power costs in aquaculture.At the 8th International IFIP Internet of Things Conference held at Osmania University on Saturday, a paper — presented by Bhanu Sankar Moturu, Hiten Sachani, Adarsh Saraf, Sai Srikar Ventrapragada, Harish Kumar Rachuri, and Bharghava Rajaram from Mahindra University — highlighted the importance of using technology to make shrimp farming more efficient and sustainable."Maintaining the right amount of oxygen in pond water is crucial for shrimp health and growth. Most farms currently use aerators that operate on fixed schedules, without monitoring actual oxygen levels, leading to wasted electricity and lower profits," one of the researchers explained.The study proposes using a combination of affordable sensors and machine learning (ML) models to estimate DO levels, instead of relying on expensive oxygen sensors. The system uses data from simple atmospheric sensors to predict oxygen levels with about 10% error — accurate enough to automatically control aerators.Tests showed that cloud-based processing took around 10 seconds, while edge devices reduced it to 1.5 seconds. When processing was done directly on the IoT node, the response time dropped to just 0.02 seconds.Researchers say the approach makes large-scale, automated shrimp pond monitoring feasible, allowing farmers to manage aeration more efficiently, save energy, and improve yields through real-time water quality management.