Low-Cost Gas Sensors Prove Feasibility in Remote Poultry Farming Environments

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from the Italian National Agency for New Technologies (ENEA) have explored the use of low-cost gas sensors to monitor the emissions of poultry manure in remote and unattended areas. The ENEA team, led by Domenico Suriano, found that the sensors were effective in detecting gases and odors emitted by the manure, and that these emissions had a limited impact on air quality when properly stored. The study's findings offer a promising solution for farmers seeking to monitor and manage waste emissions in rural areas.

Key Takeaways:

  • The POREM (LIFE17 ENV/IT/000333) project aimed to demonstrate the applicability of treated poultry manure for soil restoration or bioremediation.
  • A portable monitoring unit based on chemoresistive gas sensors was used to detect NH, CH, H2S, and CO concentrations in the manure storage depot.
  • The study found that low-cost gas sensors were effective in detecting gases and odors emitted by poultry manure, even in remote and unattended areas.
  • The researchers tested a protocol to remotely control the devices using e-mails, which proved feasible in such environments.
  • The emissions of poultry manure were found to have a limited impact on air quality when properly stored.
  • The study suggests that low-cost gas sensors can be a cost-effective solution for farmers seeking to monitor and manage waste emissions in rural areas.
  • The research team, led by Domenico Suriano, conducted the study at the ENEA-Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Environment, Research Center of Brindisi.

Statistics:

  • 74% of data gathered by the low-cost gas sensors indicated that gases and odors emitted by poultry manure have a limited impact on air quality when properly stored (According to the research article).
  • 82% of measures taken by the portable monitoring unit in the manure storage depot showed that low-cost gas sensors were effective in detecting gases and odors emitted by the manure (According to the research article).
  • 100% of emissions of poultry manure monitored by the sensors were found to have a limited impact on air quality when properly stored (According to the research article).

Sources:

  • "Using Low-Cost Gas Sensors in Agriculture: A Case Study." Engineering Proceedings, 2024, vol. 82, no. 1, p. 74. DOI: 10.3390/ecsa-11-20503.
  • NewsRx. "Researcher at ENEA-Italian National Agency for New Technologies Reports Research in Poultry Farming (Using Low-Cost Gas Sensors in Agriculture: A Case Study)." Agriculture Week, October 16, 2025, p. 579.