Monitoring apparatus and method for monitoring operation of fluid dispensing system

Apparatus and method for monitoring the operation of a fluid dispensing system, e.g. a knapsack type portable sprayer for agricultural use. A sensor 104 connected to the dispenser measures operational conditions (e.g. with flow rate detector, pressure sensor, location tracker (GPS), accelerometer, constant temperature anemometry flow sensor). A server 108, coupled to the sensor 104 by a data communication network 106, acquires the sensed data and generates information (e.g. user instructions) for adjusting optimal fluid dispensing, with an operational status being provided to a user device 404. The system includes a fluid storage unit 402, dispenser 300 and pump. The server may also receive environmental factors from the user device 404 (e.g. a drawing or plan of the environment to be sprayed). The wireless communication may be through a gateway device 406, e.g. a mobile phone.