Sensor Technologies for Climate-Smart Fruit Crop Management: An Odisha Prospective

Soumya Ranjan Biswal¹ and Subhrajyoti Mishra² 

¹School of Electrical Engineering, KIIT DU, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

²Department of Fruit Science, FAS, SOA DU Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India 

Introduction

Odisha, located along the eastern coast of India, is a significant contributor to the nation’s horticultural output. In particular, the state’s fruit production holds immense economic importance for smallholder farmers and regional agricultural markets. However, the horticulture sector in Odisha is increasingly susceptible to climate-induced challenges such as erratic rainfall, rising temperatures and frequent cyclonic disturbances. According to the “Horticultural Statistics at a Glance 2020” report by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, Odisha produced approximately 2.64 million metric tonnes of fruits in 2019-20, accounting for about 4.9% of India’s total fruit production. Major fruit crops include mango, banana, papaya, pineapple and citrus, all of which are vulnerable to climate variability.

To address these challenges, the adoption of sensor technologies has emerged as a promising strategy for climate-smart fruit crop management. By providing real-time, precise data on soil conditions, weather parameters, plant health and pest dynamics, sensors enable farmers to make informed decisions that enhance productivity, optimize resource use and improve resilience against climate stresses.

Climate Challenges in Odisha’s Fruit Production

Odisha’s agro-climatic conditions are dynamic and increasingly erratic. Data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) indicates that the state receives an average annual rainfall of around 1,450 mm, predominantly during the monsoon season (June-September). However, rainfall patterns have shown increasing variability in timing and intensity. Similarly, mean summer temperatures frequently hover above 40°C in inland districts, raising evapotranspiration rates and stressing orchard crops.

Extreme weather events compound these issues. According to the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), the state experiences frequent cyclonic storms that can cause severe orchard damage, impacting both fruit yield and quality. Such climatic variabilities underscore the need for data-driven, adaptive management techniques that enable farmers to respond promptly to emerging risks.

Sensor Technologies and their Applications

1.      Soil Moisture Sensors

Function: Soil moisture probes measure volumetric water content in the root zone.

Application: By relaying real-time data to mobile applications or cloud-based dashboards, these sensors guide precise irrigation scheduling. According to pilot studies conducted in eastern India, sensor-based irrigation scheduling can reduce water usage by up to 25% compared to conventional methods. This not only preserves scarce water resources but also minimizes root diseases linked to over-irrigation, thereby improving fruit quality.

2.      Weather and Microclimate Sensors

Function: Automated weather stations equipped with sensors for temperature, humidity, wind speed and solar radiation provide localized, high-resolution weather data.

Application: By integrating IMD forecasts with on-farm sensor data, orchard managers can anticipate heatwaves, plan timely irrigation, adjust pesticide spraying schedules and deploy protective measures against storms or heavy rains.

3.      Leaf Wetness and Disease Detection Sensors

Function: Leaf wetness sensors track the duration and intensity of leaf moisture-a critical factor influencing fungal and bacterial pathogen development.

Application: Data from leaf wetness sensors, combined with temperature and humidity measurements, can feed into disease forecasting models. For instance, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed plant disease models where timely warnings allow farmers to apply fungicides only when necessary. This approach reduces input costs by 10-15% and curbs environmental contamination, while improving crop health and shelf life.

4.      Nutrient and pH Sensors

Function: These sensors measure soil pH and nutrient levels (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) in real-time.

Application: Using data sourced from the ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) nutrient management guidelines or State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), farmers can apply fertilizers judiciously. Optimized fertilizer application enhances fruit quality, increases nutrient use efficiency by 15-20%, and reduces leaching losses critical in a region prone to heavy rainfall episodes.

5.      Remote Sensing and Imaging Technologies

Function: Multi-spectral and thermal imaging from drones or satellites provide canopy-level data on plant vigour, stress conditions and pest hotspots.

Application: Integrating these data streams with ground-based sensors helps farmers identify stressed orchards requiring intervention. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), remote sensing based advisories, when combined with ground sensors, can increase productivity by 10-12% and reduce losses due to late detection of pest infestations.

Data Integration and Decision Support Systems

The full potential of sensor technologies is realized when sensor data is integrated into centralized decision support systems (DSS). State-level horticulture departments and private agritech companies are developing user-friendly, mobile-based platforms that aggregate data from soil, weather and pest sensors. These DSS platforms use machine learning algorithms-supported by national research institutions such as the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) to generate real-time advisories. Farmers receive actionable insights on irrigation scheduling, fertilizer application, harvest timing and pest control measures directly on their smartphones. According to preliminary reports from the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), farms adopting DSS platforms in pilot projects have seen up to a 15% increase in yield and a 20% reduction in input costs.

Scaling Up and Policy Support

For widespread adoption in Odisha, policy interventions are crucial. The Government of Odisha, in partnership with the Government of India, has begun promoting sensor-based technologies under various horticulture development schemes. Subsidies on sensor kits, support for custom hiring centers and capacity-building programs by Agricultural Technology Management Agencies (ATMAs) and non-governmental organizations aim to lower barriers to entry for smallholder farmers. Additionally, integrating sensor technologies into the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) and other climate-resilient agriculture programs can enhance the affordability and accessibility of these tools. Public-private partnerships can also spur innovation, bringing down the cost of sensors and associated infrastructure, thus making advanced climate-smart management practices more inclusive.

Conclusion

As Odisha’s horticulture sector navigates the challenges posed by climate change, sensor technologies offer a sustainable, data-driven pathway to resilience. By providing accurate, timely and site-specific information, sensors enable orchard managers to optimize resources, mitigate risks and improve profitability. With support from government initiatives, research institutions and market stakeholders, the adoption of sensor-based solutions can guide Odisha’s fruit farming community toward a more climate-resilient and economically viable future.