MKU-1: Modular Real-Time Sensor Networks and Edge Computing for Precision Crop Management in the Eastern Economic Corridor
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Abstract
This paper presents an Internet of Things (IoT)-based smart farming framework designed for the precision cultivation of medicinal and economic crops in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), with experimental validation on Capsicum annuum (chili pepper) and Ocimum tenuiflorum (holy basil). The proposed system integrates a multi-sensor network for continuous monitoring of key environmental and soil parameters, including air temperature, relative humidity, light intensity, soil moisture, soil temperature, electrical conductivity, soil pH, and nutrient levels. Sensor data are processed in real time using the MKU-1 modular control unit, which operates as an edge-computing platform to support closed-loop control of irrigation, fertigation, and lighting systems. Field experiments comparing system-assisted cultivation with conventional non-system cultivation demonstrated clear improvements in plant growth and environmental stability. System-assisted plots consistently exhibited greater plant height, higher leaf density, and more stable soil moisture and pH levels across seasonal variations. Feature-importance analysis revealed that air temperature (0.41), light intensity (0.17), and relative humidity (0.13) were the most influential factors affecting cultivation performance, with an overall analytical accuracy of 96.55%. These results highlight the effectiveness of data-driven environmental control in optimizing crop growth. In addition, an economic assessment for a representative 10-rai cultivation area indicated that the proposed system is financially viable, achieving an estimated return on investment of approximately 25% per year and a positive net present value over a five-year period. The results confirm that the proposed framework enhances cultivation efficiency, reduces resource variability, and supports sustainable smart agriculture practices aligned with Thailand’s BCG and EEC development strategies.
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