i-POND: Revolutionizing Aqua Entrepreneurship with Real-Time Data at Your Fingertips

Traditionally, shrimp farmers had to wait for shrimp to be visible on the surface of the water to determine changes in water quality. But there’s now a more efficient alternative, the iPOND, which uses long-range wide area network (LoRaWAN) technology to provide real-time monitoring of critical water quality—a measure that’s important for shrimp’s survival.

iPOND began when DOST-MIRDC’s project team met with an entrepreneur who ventured into shrimp-intensive farming, a method of shrimp cultivation with high stocking density (HSD), meaning a huge number of shrimps that’s higher than what the environment allows and uses technology to maximize productivity.

Engr. Renato Gaudencio T. Goco, owner of Aqua Tierra, a shrimp farm in Calapan, Mindoro, wanted to raise the productivity of the farm by increasing its stocking density.  Before iPOND, farm technicians manually collected data three times daily using handheld measuring kits, reporting any deviations to a provider or consultant and awaiting instructions.  This manual process created operational inefficiencies.

Before iPOND, Aqua Tierra was largely dependent on manual labor in monitoring and controlling indicators, such as temperature, salinity, pH, and dissolved oxygen.  Then, as the business transitioned into intensive farming, slight changes were needed, requiring indicators that deviate from normal levels to be detected and corrected immediately.  The downside of doing things manually was that data from indicators or parameters were subjected to errors due to human limitations, plus round-the-clock checking was needed. With the old method, there’s that risk of inconsistent data being gathered.  

MIRDC knew that something could be done to help the business and ensure that shrimp production was at its optimum and that technology could be made available to businesses like this so that labor-intensive operations could be minimized.  Aqua Tierra, then, became the test site for the iPOND.

iPOND solves the problems of manual water quality monitoring by providing continuous, real-time data access to intensive shrimp farms. Farm owners gain remote access to readings, enabling immediate decisions to stabilize water quality. The system also provides historical data for accurate analysis so that farm owners are able to make informed business decisions.

iPOND's monitoring and control system comprises sensor nodes, a control unit, and an IoT gateway. Sensor nodes collect water quality data, transmitting it to the control unit and gateway for display on web-based applications accessible via laptops and smartphones.  Unlike other commercial devices, iPOND is locally developed, supports multiple sensor nodes for various pond layouts, and integrates real-time monitoring with automated control of pumps, aerators, and blowers.

Developing technology is the product of a team with diverse expertise undergoing similar challenges to complete the technology and eventually commercialize it.  

Director Dizon was no stranger to challenges, which he quickly overcame with his team. It helps that he has a strong background in mechatronics and industrial automation, skills that align perfectly with his role in developing innovative solutions for the manufacturing sector. In addition to that, he also grew up in a highly collaborative environment surrounded by science enthusiasts who fueled his passion for problem-solving and innovation. 

When the iPOND prototype was placed in the shrimp farm, the project team encountered some challenges, such as the absence of connectivity and delays in acquiring imported water quality sensors. Troubleshooting also posed a challenge because the test site was far from the laboratory where the iPOND prototype was placed.  

To solve the connectivity issues, the project team came up with effective programming and used more appropriate hardware, such as IoT/LoRa modules or Long Range (LoRa) wireless, which is an innovative technology that allows tiny battery-powered devices to send data over miles to various gateways connected to the cloud, and microcontroller unit (MCU) – simply a small computer on a single chip, designed to manage specific tasks within an embedded system without requiring a complex operating system.

The team also had to adjust its project schedule and timelines to account for delays in the delivery of imported items.  To solve troubleshooting issues, online assessments were conducted with the laboratory designers and engineers and shrimp farm technicians.  

With the i-POND, farmers can remotely monitor the water quality of their ponds using their smartphones or laptops, as long as an internet connection is available. This empowers the farmers to make informed decisions swiftly, enhancing operational efficiency, ensuring optimal conditions for shrimp’s growth and development, and resounding financial gains.

As an innovator, Director Dizon finds purpose in equipping the Filipino industries with tools to remain competitive in the global market.  He takes it as an opportunity to bridge gaps between traditional industries and emerging technologies, envisioning a legacy that inspires the next generation of Filipino inventors to innovate with purpose, and contributing to a resilient and tech-driven Philippines.

iPOND is one of the participating technologies in the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show, which was recently concluded in Las Vegas, USA, where some of the Filipino innovations were presented on a global stage, showcasing the Philippines’ capabilities in technological advancements.

Take control of your shrimp farm's water quality with DOST-MIRDC’s iPOND. The DOST-MIRDC welcomes collaborations, partnerships, investments, and licensing opportunities. Contact Engr. Robert O. Dizon at rodizon@mirdc.dost.gov.ph for more information.