Danung Nur Adli, a lecturer at the Faculty of Animal Science at Brawijaya University in Indonesia, has pioneered an innovative Internet of Things (IoT) – based system designed to enhance the productivity of chickens.
The system, which integrates a mobile app and a real-time technology, enables farmers to monitor and regulate the temperature and humidity in their chicken houses, optimizing conditions for health and growth.
The system offers a simple yet effective solution for modernizing chicken farming operations, as reported by Open Gov Asia.
Idea
The idea for this system first took shape in 2019, when Mr Adli set out to combine modern technology with traditional open-sided chicken houses.
His primary objective was to find a solution for male layer chicks, which are typically considered economically unviable and often discarded or raised as meat-type chickens.
This would ultimately lead to higher-quality meat production and better returns for farmers.
Mr Adli’s vision was to create an affordable and accessible technology that would help farmers increase the productivity of their chicken farms by optimizing environmental conditions.
Major boost
Mr Adli’s efforts received a major boost in 2024 when Brawijaya University provided a funding grant to support the further development of his IoT-based system.
Designed to be a more economical alternative to sophisticated systems available in the market, which are used to regulate temperature and humidity in closed houses, his solution targets a more cost-effective approach for farmers using traditional open-sided houses.
His innovation involves a micro-controller connected to a sensor probe that monitors temperature and humidity levels in real-time.
The system transmits the data via a modem to farmers’ mobile phones, where they can view the conditions in their chicken houses every 2-3 minutes.
This frequent data update ensures that farmers are always informed about the house’s environment, enabling them to act swiftly if necessary.
This immediate access to data empowers farmers to take quick action to ensure the health and productivity of their birds.
Benefits
One of the key benefits of the system is that it allows farmers to respond quickly to temperature changes that could affect their birds.
For example, if the air temperature in the house becomes too hot, farmers can immediately adjust the birds’ environment by providing more water or altering their nutritional intake.
Mr Adli explained that chickens eat less in high temperatures, which can weaken their immunity and slow their growth.
By taking corrective actions quickly, farmers can reduce the risk of disease and ensure that the birds continue to grow at a healthy rate.
His innovative system has garnered attention from various sectors, including Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid, who visited the Brawijaya University campus and expressed interest in the technology.
This recognition highlights the growing importance of technological solutions in agriculture and their potential impact on improving farming efficiency.
Positive response from farmers
In addition, the system is already being used in several farms across Malang Regency, including areas in Karangploso and Singosari.
The response from farmers, particularly among younger, millennial farmers, has been overwhelmingly positive.
To further enhance the reach of his system, Mr Adli has partnered with a well-established company that is a supplier of male layer chickens.
Together, they are working to expand the technology’s presence and provide farmers with valuable guidance on how to best utilize the system to improve their farming practices.