Bhubaneswar: Gangadhar Meher University (GMU) has developed a low-cost, IoT-enabled humidifier aimed at helping small and marginal farmers undertake year-round mushroom cultivation by effectively managing temperature and humidity conditions.
The solar-powered, app-controlled device has been designed to address key challenges faced in cultivating button and oyster mushrooms, crops that require precise environmental conditions for optimal growth. By regulating humidity and temperature automatically, the system allows farmers to maintain suitable growing conditions irrespective of seasonal variations.
One of the key features of the humidifier is its Internet of Things (IoT) integration, which enables remote monitoring and operation through a mobile application. Farmers can track real-time conditions and make adjustments from anywhere, reducing the need for constant physical supervision and improving efficiency.
Costing between ₹2,000 and ₹4,500, the GMU-developed system is significantly more affordable than commercially available alternatives, making advanced cultivation technology accessible to small-scale growers.
The university has announced plans to manufacture and market the humidifier through a Section-8 company. The initiative is expected to benefit farmers by lowering input costs while also providing students with hands-on exposure to innovation, entrepreneurship, and agri-technology deployment.
Officials said the project reflects GMU’s commitment to developing practical, scalable solutions that bridge academic research and grassroots agricultural needs.
-OdishaAge
