Murata Manufacturing Conducts Field Trial
Tuesday, 22 January 2019, 10:00 HKT/SGT
Murata
Manufacturing Conducts Field Trial Utilizing Soil Monitoring
System to Visualize the Condition of Agricultural
Land
Promoting measures against salt damage in the Mekong
Delta region in cooperation with Can Tho University,
Vietnam
A transmitter communicating with a sensor unit
(Ben Tre province, Vietnam)
Kyoto, Japan, Jan 22, 2019 -
(ACN Newswire) - Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. is promoting
measures to address salinity impact to agricultural land by
conducting field trials utilizing a soil monitoring system
that makes it possible to visualize the condition of
agricultural land in the Mekong Delta*1 in collaboration
with Can Tho University, a national university of Vietnam.
The initiative is part of "Studies on Sustainable Soil
Uses*2" (hereinafter referred to as "the Project"), based on
an agreement between the governments of Japan and Vietnam to
provide ODA (Official Development Assistance) in support of
measures to address the problem of salinity impact to
agricultural land.
1. Background of the Project
Vietnam's Mekong Delta region is subject to salinity impact from the infiltration of seawater during the dry season as a result of a decline in the volumetric flow rate of the Mekong River and the action of the tides under the impact of climate change driven by global warming. In addition to salt damage, the environment for agriculture has become harsher than in the past due the increasing severity of droughts and floods. The Mekong Delta region contains 30% of Vietnam's farmland and accounts for the majority of its domestic food production, and the damage, which is estimated to run into billions to tens of billions of yen, has become a serious problem.
Murata has been conducting the Project since 2017 in collaboration with Can Tho University, which possesses deep knowledge of agricultural and environmental research in the Mekong Delta. The Company is using compact sensor units that draw on its know-how and expertise in the fields of electronic components, circuit design and software design to measure the condition of agricultural land and channel water with high precision. Combining these observations with independently developed monitoring tools, we can visualize and analyze the environmental conditions with a view. It contributes to the implementation of IT in agriculture in the Mekong Delta region by preventing salt damage to rice paddies and orchards, ameliorating salt and sulfur contamination of agricultural land and water channels, and creating a mechanism to comprehensively manage fertilizers, crops and irrigation systems.
2. Features of the Soil Monitoring System
The wireless transmitter-receiver system consists of a gateway, a router and several sensor nodes. Each sensor node is made up of a transmitter*3 and three sensor units to measure the soil, field and channel water quality, and the sensing data is accumulated in the cloud.
The main features are as
follows.
- A compact approximately 13cm sensor unit
equipped with three sensors for measuring two types of
electrical conductivity*4, temperature and moisture
content
- High-precision analysis of conditions utilizing
a sensor incorporating a uniquely shaped sensor element and
a proprietary algorithm
- Over a year of continuous
operation on three size AA batteries
- IP68*5 dust and
water resistance and reliable rustproofing enabling
prolonged use in harsh environments
3. Future Outlook
The Project began with a three-year plan from 2017 utilizing know-how developed in the restoration of agricultural land based on monitoring of the salt content condition of farmland damaged by the tsunami triggered by the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011. In addition to Soc Trang and Ca Mau Province, where the monitoring system was initially introduced, in October 2018 we deployed the system in other four locations in Ben Tre and Kien Giang province. Through joint researches with many research institutions, Murata will continue to make efforts to realize global SDGs*6 by utilizing its unique sensing and wireless technologies.
4. Installation in the Mekong Delta
Image:
A transmitter communicating with a sensor
unit (Ben Tre province, Vietnam)
https://www.acnnewswire.com/topimg/Thumb_murata1901212.jpg
*1
The delta region of the lower reaches of the Mekong River
including southeastern Cambodia
*2 An initiative for
improving the fertility and quality of soil for crop
production on alluvial soils, acid sulfate soils and
saline-affected soils in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. It is
also aimed at improving profitability and realizing
sustainable agriculture capable of adapting to climate
change.
*3 A device used to generate and transmit
electromagnetic waves carrying messages or signals
*4
Indicates the ability of a material to conduct
electricity
*5 The highest level of dustproof and
waterproof performance among the protection grades for the
exterior surfaces of electronic devices
*6 Sustainable
Development Goals: International goals from 2016 to 2030
adopted at the United Nations Summit of September
2015
About Murata
Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. is a global comprehensive electronic component manufacturer that develops, produces and sells a wide range of ceramic-based electronic components. The Company is contributing to the development of the electronics society by creating original products through the use of its independently developed and accumulated materials development, process development, product design and production technology supported by its technological base including software, analysis and evaluation. Please see the following page for details.www.murata.com/ja-jp
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