MOTIIVI
Mobile Measurement Device for Soil Compaction
Project Information
| Project | MOTIIVI – Mobile measurement device for soil compaction |
| Duration | 1.1.2026 – 30.6.2028 |
| Partners | Häme University of Applied Sciences, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), University of Turku |
| Funders | European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) European Innovation Partnership (EIP) Funding granted by: Economic Development Centre of Southeast Finland (former Häme Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment) |
| Budget | Funding granted by the Economic Development Centre: 252 182,14 € EU share of the funding: 108 438,32 € |
We are developing, in a nationwide project, a portable measurement device for determining soil compaction and moisture in agricultural fields. The device saves results with location data into a mobile interface, enabling the creation of plot-specific thematic maps. The aim is to mitigate the growing issue of soil compaction in arable land.
Soil compaction is an increasing problem in cultivated land and causes long-lasting effects. In particular, field traffic on wet soils and the increasing weight of agricultural machinery worsen the compaction problem. Soil structure is a key factor for soil fertility and the environmental load of field cultivation. Structure defines many of the soil’s crucial processes, such as water infiltration and retention, gas exchange, and nutrient cycling. Thus, structure significantly affects plant growth, soil carbon storage, and the erosion and nutrient leaching from fields.
The goal of the MOTIIVI project is to develop a portable device that measures soil compaction and moisture at different depths. Measurement results are automatically saved with location data into a mobile interface. Through the interface, farmers can also input additional information about the field, such as soil type. Based on the accumulated measurements and their locations, moisture distributions can be mapped for each plot. Measurements taken over consecutive years enable plot-specific comparisons. This provides farmers with valuable information for planning fieldwork, for example, when considering the optimal time to begin spring tillage.
Plot-specific maps also help identify problematic areas in terms of moisture or compaction, which may require special actions. The project also develops a method for optimizing sampling locations based on public information, which would provide farm-specific recommendations and improve measurement efficiency.
Target Group
The immediate target group of the project is farmers. In addition, beneficiaries include actors in the food chain, including the food industry. The project also benefits education and research in the field.
Operating Area
The project is nationwide, covering the entire country of Finland. The project’s activities and results are public.
Project Objectives
- Develop a prototype of an easily portable measurement device to measure soil compaction and moisture at different depths
- Develop a mobile interface to store measurements with location data. With this, the measurement results and indicators describing soil compaction and moisture can be presented in a map view
- Determine which analysis methods and indicators would be reasonable for presenting soil compaction information to the user, and test these indicators in practical trials with the device prototype
- Test and pilot developed methods in real conditions
- Communicate widely about the project’s activities and results
- Promote further development and commercialization of the project’s results in companies
Innovation Group
In addition to the implementers, the project’s EIP innovation group includes organizations and primary producers working in climate-friendly food production, relevant to the project.
HAMK acts as the project administrator and main implementer. HAMK is a university of applied sciences that focuses on applied research and renewing competence for working life, operating on seven campuses. The potential of soil as a foundation for sustainable livelihoods is an important part of HAMK’s research activities. In this area, two research groups work in close cooperation: Soil processes in a sustainable value chains and Digital solutions in bioeconomy.
Luke is a nationwide research and expert organization, established in 2015 by merging several different organizations. Luke’s headquarters is in Helsinki, and the main research platform for crop production is in Jokioinen, Kanta-Häme. The participating research team focuses on the interaction between heavy machinery and soil, with expertise in studying soil compaction and its dynamics caused by machine loading.
The University of Turku focuses on international research and education and works closely with industry and business life. The Department of Computing diverse research is focused on applying computational knowledge to solve complex societal challenges, emphasizing practical applications through projects and collaborations. The participating research group has participated in several public data projects. In these studies, predicting soil bearing capacity and moisture has been central, and their theoretical basis and results can be applied to arable land. Optimization of sampling is one of the group’s long-term research topics.
Lantmännen is an agricultural cooperative and a leading actor in agriculture, machinery, bioenergy, and food industries in the Nordic countries. The company is headquartered in Sweden and employs 10,000 people in more than 20 countries. In Finland, Lantmännen Agro provides farmers with expert services, production inputs, and new technologies. The company invests in product development, research, and digitalization.
ProAgria is a nationwide agricultural advisory and development organization, playing a significant role in providing services for agricultural and rural entrepreneurs. ProAgria also has strong collaboration with different actors in the food chain.
The Baltic Sea Action Group is an independent and non-profit foundation established in 2008, based in Finland. BSAG’s core activity is to promote cooperation between actors from different fields, aiming to save the Baltic Sea. The foundation brings together researchers and decision-makers, encourages companies to find and implement concrete solutions, and develops partnerships with farmers based on peer learning and joint development.
BSAG coordinates the extensive Carbon Action platform, which brings together farmers, advisors, researchers, companies, and decision-makers to advance regenerative agriculture and its research. The main goal of Carbon Action is to increase climate-smart and regenerative farming in Finland and help farmers find the most suitable farming methods for each farm. The platform has gathered a network of over a hundred Finnish farms implementing practical measures to sequester carbon and improve soil fertility. Carbon Action also provides broad learning opportunities for all interested in farming – for example, in the Carbon Action Club, through online courses, webinars, and educational materials.
Datasense Oy is a company founded in 2016 specializing in environmental measurement solutions and data services. The company offers modern measurement solutions for environmental research, smart agriculture, and industrial needs. Datasense develops versatile and precise measurement solutions covering greenhouse gases, condition monitoring, weather conditions, soil, vegetation, groundwater and surface water levels and quality. Alongside measurement stations, the services include design, installation, sample collection, analysis, and maintenance.
Soil Scout is a Finnish technology company that manufactures and sells measurement devices producing soil information for professionals in various fields. Soil Scout’s sensor systems provide soil sensor data, e.g., about soil moisture, temperature, and salinity. With the technologies offered by the company, the data produced by soil sensors is wirelessly transferred to aboveground receivers, which then relay the data to a cloud-based analysis system.
The innovation group of the project also includes two farms from Häme. The farms cultivate, among other things, seed grain and malting barley. One farm has practiced regenerative farming for several years, and its crop rotation includes, for example, oil hemp. The representatives of the farms provide valuable expertise to the project and participate in piloting.
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Contact Information
Project Manager: Joni Kukkamäki
