IMPLEMENTASI IRIGASI DAN PENERANGAN SURYA OTOMATIS BERBASIS MIKROKONTROLER DI BUNTU SARONG

Abstract

Enrekang Regency in South Sulawesi is a central production area for shallots, playing an important role in food security and the local economy. However, shallot cultivation in this region still relies on manual irrigation and limited nighttime lighting, leading to low agricultural efficiency and suboptimal yields. To address these issues, this community service program implemented a Solar-Powered Automatic Irrigation and Lighting System (SPAILS) based on a microcontroller with Internet of Things (IoT) monitoring support. The implementation followed a structured method consisting of field observation, system design, laboratory prototyping, on-site installation, and user training to ensure the system met the needs of local farmers. The system integrates solar panels, batteries, a solar charge controller, inverter, soil moisture sensors, water pump, and LED lamps to automate irrigation and provide supplementary lighting at night. Implementation results showed that the solar panels achieved an efficiency of 17%–21% under high irradiance, while the Shimizu Jet 108 Bit pump operated with efficiencies of 34.7%–37.5%, which remain acceptable under field conditions. The system improved water-use efficiency, reduced farmers’ workload, and lowered operational costs. In addition, training and socialization sessions were conducted with local farmers to ensure proper operation and maintenance of the system, while senior high school students were introduced to IoT concepts and their applications in agriculture.