Viable smart sensors and their application in data driven agriculture

•Overview of viable smart sensors that are used in field cultivation processes, greenhouse automation and hydroponics farming.•Digital systems that can help to secure controlled environment agriculture.•Novel data driven tools and their application benefits in monitoring soil and plant physicochemical parameters.•Automation in agro irrigation control systems and data acquisition process in agriculture. Smart sensors are useful in professional farming approach by which one can use the digital technology to monitor, visualize, generate digital data, to control the application of resources, to improve quality and productivity of agriculture produce. Novel sensors add value in soil-less farming through automation and IoT (Internet of Things) based operation management digital tools. Data-driven technologies by using smart sensors can find a solution to many glitches in agriculture practices and it could improve new efficiencies. The principles of smart sensors as well as the most viable sensors that are used for monitoring soil and plant physicochemical parameters in field cultivation processes, greenhouse and indoor hydroponics are being discussed. Digital technologies in precision farming, automation in agro machinery, Precision Livestock Farming (PLF), TV White Spaces (TVWS) remote connectivity, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) based imagery, application of IoTs can help farming communities to use resources accurately based on real-time farm data acquired and improve crop yield without any wastage. Smart sensors helps the entire food value chain, the precision to productivity quest of growers and could enable new business models. This article provides a wide understanding of novel smart sensors, wireless sensor network architectures, and applications of these sensors to inculcate sustainable farming practices, value chain traceability and create secured income.