SOLO – Oyster mushroom cultivation represents a business opportunity that rural communities can develop. Beyond requiring relatively less space than conventional farming, oyster mushroom cultivation has the potential to operate as a home-based business that supplements family income. However, cultivation success depends heavily on the environmental conditions within the mushroom growing house, specifically temperature and humidity which require regular monitoring.
To address these need, the Electrical Engineering Department at Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), through a community partnership program (PKM), developed an Internet of Things (IoT)-based monitoring system for oyster mushroom cultivation in Prayunan Hamlet, Sidodadi Village, Masaran District, Sragen Regency. Funded by the UNS annual budget (RKAT), the program was led by Dr. Ir. Hari Maghfiroh, S.T., M.Eng., M.Sc., in collaboration with Dr. Ir. Miftahul Anwar, S.Si., M.Eng. and Ir. Joko Slamet Saputro, S.Pd., M.T., and students from the UNS Electrical Engineering department.
This smart system utilize a microcontroller (ESP32) connected to a temperature and humidity sensor (SHT40) to monitor the mushroom house’s environmental parameters in real-time. Measurement data is displayed on an on-site LCD and a web-based dashboard, enabling easier and more accurate monitoring of environmental conditions directly from the residents’ handheld devices. The information provided by the system can inform maintenance decisions, while the actual cultivation management remains in the hands of the community.
System development did not stop at the creation of the monitoring device. The UNS Electrical Engineering team also assembled and tested the system, and provided a guide for oyster mushroom cultivation that includes the stages of cultivation and maintenance of the growing house. This approach is taken so that technology can be used alongside the enhancement of community knowledge regarding cultivation management.
The implementation of the IoT monitoring system in Dukuh Prayunan collaborates with the Subur Makmur Women’s Farmers Group (KWT) to manage oyster mushroom cultivation. This step is a tangible manifestation of academics supporting food sovereignty (SDG 2: Zero Hunger) and the application of appropriate technology (SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) to drive a sustainable rural economy.