RUTS Students Create Floating Platform Innovation to Promote Small-Scale Agriculture and Support Water Conservation

21 Mar 2023

Reporters: Mr. Sujinda Saehan, Mr. Ekkajak Intarat, Mr. Nitigon Jumniansuk, Mr. Thanet Sangseejun

Evidence Date: 21 March 2023

Related SDGs:

Related Indicators: 6.5.3

Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya (RMUTSV) Trang Campus, Associate Professor Kosin Pattamanee, Vice President of Trang Campus, has encouraged students to apply their academic knowledge to develop innovations and research that provide practical benefits. Students from the Faculty of Engineering and Technology have developed a floating platform innovation to promote small-scale “smart farm” agriculture. This innovation is designed to modernize traditional farming practices by integrating agricultural management technology.

The students conducted experiments growing hydroponic vegetables and tomatoes, alongside fish farming, in cages on a 6×6 meter floating platform. They constructed the floating platform in about 15 days during their free time, primarily using repurposed materials, keeping the total construction cost, including the installation system, to approximately 28,000 THB.

Assistant Professor Sittisak Rochaya, an instructor in the Electrical Engineering Department, explained that students have integrated an automatic greenhouse control system using the Internet of Things (IoT) with solar energy. This innovation addresses issues related to hydroponic vegetable cultivation and fish farming, where the primary challenge is often the lack of time for care, as individuals typically manage other tasks simultaneously.

Third-year Electrical Engineering student Mr. Yasintorn Saengla shared that he and his classmates collaborated to build this floating platform. They also developed automated systems for hydroponic cultivation and fish feeding to reduce the time required for maintenance. These systems include IoT-controlled solutions for nutrient solution management, water circulation, temperature control within the greenhouse, automated fish feeding, oxygenation in fish cages, and automatic solar power production.

The project has demonstrated successful results, with hydroponic vegetables growing well and ready for harvest within just 25-30 days. Tomatoes grown hydroponically have also thrived, with the added benefit of no pest infestations. Moreover, using IoT-controlled solutions help save water usage by using sensors to monitor temperature and humidity for automated water.