SeedSafe is a prototype integrated seed storage and moisture-control system designed to reduce uncertainty in seed quality during post-harvest drying and storage. The system stabilises internal environmental conditions and makes otherwise invisible risks, such as excess humidity and thermal stress, visible and actionable for smallholder farmers operating in high-humidity, resource-constrained settings.
The prototype demonstrates a passive-first, active-when-needed approach to seed preservation, combining moisture absorption, controlled airflow, and real-time environmental monitoring within a compact storage unit.
The primary objective of SeedSafe is not high-precision measurement, but early detection and prevention of conditions that lead to irreversible seed viability loss. The prototype focuses on three critical parameters that govern seed health:
By monitoring and actively managing these parameters, SeedSafe enables safer storage decisions before seed damage occurs.
The SeedSafe prototype consists of four tightly integrated subsystems:
Each subsystem is designed to support the others, forming a closed environmental control loop.
The prototype uses a DHT temperature and humidity sensor positioned inside the seed storage chamber to continuously monitor internal environmental conditions. This sensor measures relative humidity (RH), a critical indicator of fungal risk and seed respiration rate, and ambient temperature, which influences moisture equilibrium and seed metabolism.
Sensor data is processed by an Arduino Pro Mini microcontroller, which serves as the central control unit for the system. Rather than collecting excessive data, the system prioritizes stable, interpretable readings that can be acted upon in real time.
A 16×2 LCD display provides immediate visual feedback, displaying current temperature and humidity values. This ensures the system remains accessible without reliance on smartphones, apps, or internet connectivity.
To minimize energy use and maintain environmental stability, SeedSafe employs a passive desiccant-based moisture control system as its first line of defense.
Silica gel beads are embedded along the side walls of the storage chamber. These beads absorb excess moisture from the surrounding air, lower relative humidity without electrical power, and reduce humidity spikes during nighttime or high-humidity conditions.
This side-mounted configuration increases the effective surface area for moisture absorption while keeping desiccants physically separated from the stored seeds, preventing contamination.
When passive desiccation alone is insufficient, such as during prolonged high-humidity conditions, the prototype activates an active dehumidification system. This system uses one Peltier thermoelectric module to create a temperature differential, a heat sink to dissipate excess heat from the hot side of the Peltier, and two fans to manage airflow and heat exchange.
As humid air passes over the cooled surface of the Peltier module, moisture condenses and is removed from the internal air. The fans ensure even air circulation throughout the chamber, preventing localised moisture buildup and maintaining uniform conditions.
This active system is designed to operate intermittently, only when humidity thresholds are exceeded, preserving energy efficiency.
Controlled airflow is essential for both moisture removal and temperature stability. The prototype incorporates two axial fans positioned to create continuous internal air circulation, directed airflow paths that move air past desiccant surfaces and the Peltier cooling zone, and a heat sink to prevent heat accumulation that could damage seeds.
This configuration ensures that drying and dehumidification occur evenly, avoiding hotspots or overdrying zones that could compromise seed viability.
The Arduino Pro Mini continuously reads temperature and humidity data from the DHT sensor. When relative humidity exceeds predefined thresholds, the system activates the Peltier module and fans to reduce moisture levels. Once conditions return to a safe range, the system reverts to passive moisture control using the silica desiccant layer.
This feedback-driven control loop allows the system to maintain stable conditions over time, rather than reacting only after damage has occurred.
The SeedSafe prototype is intentionally designed with minimal electronics, readable local feedback (LCD display), modular components for future iteration, and compatibility with solar power integration in later versions.
The design avoids unnecessary complexity, focusing instead on reliability, interpretability, and integration into existing agricultural workflows.
This prototype successfully demonstrates that internal seed storage humidity can be actively and passively controlled, environmental risks can be made visible to users in real time, and a low-cost, modular system can stabilize seed storage conditions without laboratory infrastructure.
While this version does not directly measure germination or pathogens, it addresses the root environmental drivers of seed degradation, forming a foundation for future biological validation and decision-state modeling.
This prototype represents the first functional step toward SeedSafe's broader vision: a decision-support seed storage system that converts environmental signals into actionable guidance for farmers. Future iterations will focus on solar-powered operation, improved thermal storage, simplified decision-state indicators, and field validation with specific seed types.
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