Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 14 November 2025
Scientists at the ICAR–Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR–CIARI), Sri Vijaya Puram, have developed a new IoT-enabled device—the Dweep Microclimate Monitor—to help farmers and researchers accurately track micro-level temperature and humidity variations that significantly influence crop performance, livestock comfort, and overall agricultural productivity.
Traditional monitoring tools typically offer only single-point measurements and are often unsuitable for long-term field use. The newly developed device addresses these limitations through vertical profiling of temperature and humidity, solar-powered off-grid operation, real-time data transmission, and a cloud-based dashboard for remote access and visualization. Its compact and rugged design makes it suitable for open fields, greenhouses, integrated farming systems, and livestock sheds.
Officials noted that the innovation marks a major step toward strengthening climate-resilient agriculture in the islands and beyond. The device supports the creation of long-term microclimate datasets, enables precise climate variability assessments, and enhances modelling studies across agro-climatic zones. By integrating fine-scale microclimate data, the instrument is expected to improve the accuracy of agromet advisories and support timely interventions to manage heat stress, humidity fluctuations, and other weather-related challenges.
The Dweep Microclimate Monitor also facilitates growing degree day and heat unit studies, livestock comfort assessments, validation of satellite-derived weather data, and field-level calibration for agro-meteorological and climatological research. The technology was commercially transferred on 29 September 2025 through a Memorandum of Understanding with AgriClimSense, Liwan, Sonipat, Haryana.
The innovation team comprises Dr. Abhilash (Lead Inventor), Dr. I. Jaisankar, Mr. Talaviya Harshangkumar, and Dr. E. B. Chakurkar.
