AlgroTech: A Blockchain- and IoT-Based Platform for Smart Agriculture

Abstract

Algeria’s agricultural sector faces major challenges including inefficient resource use, a lack of data-driven practices, and weak traceability across production chains. These issues have resulted in poor transparency and the rejection of exported goods from international markets due to non-compliance with health and safety standards. This thesis proposes AlgroTech, a smart agriculture platform combining Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and blockchain infrastructure. The system monitors environmental parameters—particularly soil moisture—through sensors, and automates irrigation decisions. It also allows farmers to record crop data such as fertilizer usage and harvest dates, which are then validated through a private process and stored immutably on the Ethereum blockchain via smart contracts. At the end of the crop cycle, a QR code is generated, linking consumers and investors to verified data stored on the blockchain. The prototype was implemented using ESP32, moisture sensors, and a web platform. Testing results demonstrate improvements in transparency, irrigation efficiency, and data integrity. The solution also presents a viable business model for deployment as a startup under the Algerian “1275” innovation framework.