3.1 Internet of Things (IoT)
A physical object containing programmable sensors and related software that connects and exchanges data with other devices and systems over the Internet or other communication networks is called the Internet of Things (IoT). A smartwatch is an example of the Internet of Things in action. There is a wide range of agricultural applications for IoT technology, especially in terms of monitoring growing conditions for precision agriculture. The IoT devices are linked and communicate with each other via a wireless sensor network. Every device is connected to the internet without human intervention and can transmit data at all times. IoT can be used in conjunction with sensor-based devices to support precision agriculture via surveillance-centric agricultural monitoring systems, smart irrigation-based systems and smart greenhouses among others. Although blockchain technology is not required for IoT devices to operate, its use can provide a design basis for IoT transactions and can assist in building trust, reducing costs, and accelerating transactions23.
IoT-based agriculture systems offer the potential of collecting fine-scale information about growing conditions and pest management. IoT can thus support smart agriculture47.
An IoT powered agricultural blockchain has been envisaged by Chun-Ting et al.48: