Iot monitoring system for food vendors in informal markets.
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Date
2026
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Busitema University
Abstract
Food spoilage and unsafe storage conditions remain significant challenges among informal food vendors in Uganda, particularly those dealing with perishable vegetables. Many vendors lack affordable environmental monitoring systems and rely on manual observation, which cannot provide continuous monitoring of temperature and humidity conditions. This project aimed to design and implement a low-cost Internet of Things (IoT)-based temperature and humidity monitoring system capable of providing real-time alerts to informal market food vendors.
The developed system integrates an Arduino Uno microcontroller, DHT22 temperature and humidity sensors, and a SIM800L GSM module. The sensors continuously measure environmental conditions within a shared vegetable storage facility, while the microcontroller processes the readings and compares them with predefined safety thresholds. When unsafe conditions are detected, the GSM module automatically sends SMS alerts to vendors, enabling them to take timely corrective measures. The system was developed and evaluated using a system development and experimental research approach involving laboratory testing, pilot deployment, interviews, observations, and field testing in selected informal market environments in Eastern Uganda.
The results demonstrated that the system was capable of continuously monitoring environmental conditions and generating timely alerts. During pilot deployment, the system achieved 93% operational uptime, 90% SMS alert success rate, and 95% sensor operational reliability, with average SMS delivery times ranging from 10 to 14 seconds. Vendor feedback also indicated improved awareness of storage conditions and faster responses to unsafe environmental changes.
The study concludes that a low-cost GSM-based IoT monitoring system can provide a practical and accessible approach to improving environmental monitoring, reducing spoilage risks, and supporting food safety management among informal market vendors. The system is particularly suitable for low-resource environments where reliable internet connectivity is limited.
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Undergraduate research report
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Citation
Asire, M. & Pitua, R. (2026). Iot monitoring system for food vendors in informal markets. [Unpublished undergraduate research report]. Busitema University.