title: Validating federated learning performance in practice: An agricultural edge hardware testbed analysis

authors: Akhund, Mahnoor

subjects: federated learning

abstract: Smart agriculture, driven by the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence, generates vast amounts of data from distributed sensors and devices on farms. Traditional centralised machine learning approaches struggle in rural settings due to intermittent connectivity, limited bandwidth, and data privacy concerns. Federated learning (FL) has emerged as a promising approach to address these challenges by collaboratively training models directly on edge devices, for example farm sensors and edge computers, without sending raw data off-site. This thesis presents the design, development, and evaluation of a standards-driven, hardware-based federated learning testbed for smart agriculture. The testbed consists of six NVIDIA Jetson Nano edge computing nodes. A primary objective was to evaluate and compare modern, open-source FL frameworks in a realistic edge environment. Therefore, we specifically tested the FLIGHT framework. FLIGHT was selected for its notable features, including a Function-as-a-Service (FaaS) architecture facilitating serverless deployment and native support for hierarchical topologies relevant to distributed farm networks. We developed a reproducible methodology for deploying and benchmarking FLIGHT on these resource-constrained devices, using the Fashion-MNIST image classification dataset as a proxy for agricultural sensor data to compare performance against known benchmarks and simulation expectations. Key contributions include: 1) the physical testbed itself; 2) an open and repeatable experimental framework centered around FLIGHT; and 3) a comprehensive performance analysis under realistic network conditions and device constraints, providing data to bridge the gap between simulation results and practical deployment challenges. The results demonstrate that the federated model achieves competitive accuracy while significantly reducing raw data transfer. Findings indicate that careful configuration of FL can mitigate the impact of limited connectivity, and that even low-power devices can collaboratively train useful models within reasonable time-frames. These insights validate the viability of FL in smart farming scenarios. The developed testbed and its accompanying benchmarking methodology lay a foundation for future research and deployment of FL in agriculture, bridging the gap between theoretical simulations and real-world farm deployments. This work’s significance lies in providing both a practical tool for researchers to rigorously evaluate FL strategies in edge environments and guidance for stakeholders aiming to deploy privacy-preserving AI in agriculture at scale.

text: Validating federated learning performance in practice: An agricultural edge hardware testbed analysis Smart agriculture, driven by the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence, generates vast amounts of data from distributed sensors and devices on farms. Traditional centralised machine learning approaches struggle in rural settings due to intermittent connectivity, limited bandwidth, and data privacy concerns. Federated learning (FL) has emerged as a promising approach to address these challenges by collaboratively training models directly on edge devices, for example farm sensors and edge computers, without sending raw data off-site. This thesis presents the design, development, and evaluation of a standards-driven, hardware-based federated learning testbed for smart agriculture. The testbed consists of six NVIDIA Jetson Nano edge computing nodes. A primary objective was to evaluate and compare modern, open-source FL frameworks in a realistic edge environment. Therefore, we specifically tested the FLIGHT framework. FLIGHT was selected for its notable features, including a Function-as-a-Service (FaaS) architecture facilitating serverless deployment and native support for hierarchical topologies relevant to distributed farm networks. We developed a reproducible methodology for deploying and benchmarking FLIGHT on these resource-constrained devices, using the Fashion-MNIST image classification dataset as a proxy for agricultural sensor data to compare performance against known benchmarks and simulation expectations. Key contributions include: 1) the physical testbed itself; 2) an open and repeatable experimental framework centered around FLIGHT; and 3) a comprehensive performance analysis under realistic network conditions and device constraints, providing data to bridge the gap between simulation results and practical deployment challenges. The results demonstrate that the federated model achieves competitive accuracy while significantly reducing raw data transfer. Findings indicate that careful configuration of FL can mitigate the impact of limited connectivity, and that even low-power devices can collaboratively train useful models within reasonable time-frames. These insights validate the viability of FL in smart farming scenarios. The developed testbed and its accompanying benchmarking methodology lay a foundation for future research and deployment of FL in agriculture, bridging the gap between theoretical simulations and real-world farm deployments. This work’s significance lies in providing both a practical tool for researchers to rigorously evaluate FL strategies in edge environments and guidance for stakeholders aiming to deploy privacy-preserving AI in agriculture at scale.

year: 2025

title: Promoting community socio-ecological sustainability through technology: A case study from Chile

authors: Aguayo Corvalan, Claudio

subjects: community education

abstract: The importance of community learning in effecting social change towards ecological sustainability has been recognised for some time. More recently, the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools to promote socio-ecological sustainability has been shown to have potential in community education for sustainable development (ESD). The effective design and use of technology for community learning implies an understanding of a range of cross- dimensional factors including: socio-cultural characteristics and needs of the target audience; considerations of available and culturally responsive types of technology; and non-formal pedagogical ESD strategies for community empowerment. In addition, both technology itself and social communities are dynamically evolving and complex entities. This article presents a case study which evaluated the potential of ICT for promoting ecological literacy and action competence amongst community members in southern Chile. The case study addressed the ecological deterioration of a lake, which is having deep social, economic, recreational and cultural implications locally. The authors’ research involved developing a theoret- ical framework for the design, implementation and use of ICT for community learning for sustainability. The framework was based on key ideas from ESD, ICT and community education, and was underpinned by a systems thinking approach to account for the dynamism and complexity of such settings. Activity theory provided a frame to address overarching socio-cultural elements when using technology as a mediating tool for community learning. The authors’ findings suggest that the use of an ICT tool, such as a website, can enhance ecological literacy in relation to a local socio-ecological issue.

text: Promoting community socio-ecological sustainability through technology: A case study from Chile The importance of community learning in effecting social change towards ecological sustainability has been recognised for some time. More recently, the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools to promote socio-ecological sustainability has been shown to have potential in community education for sustainable development (ESD). The effective design and use of technology for community learning implies an understanding of a range of cross- dimensional factors including: socio-cultural characteristics and needs of the target audience; considerations of available and culturally responsive types of technology; and non-formal pedagogical ESD strategies for community empowerment. In addition, both technology itself and social communities are dynamically evolving and complex entities. This article presents a case study which evaluated the potential of ICT for promoting ecological literacy and action competence amongst community members in southern Chile. The case study addressed the ecological deterioration of a lake, which is having deep social, economic, recreational and cultural implications locally. The authors’ research involved developing a theoret- ical framework for the design, implementation and use of ICT for community learning for sustainability. The framework was based on key ideas from ESD, ICT and community education, and was underpinned by a systems thinking approach to account for the dynamism and complexity of such settings. Activity theory provided a frame to address overarching socio-cultural elements when using technology as a mediating tool for community learning. The authors’ findings suggest that the use of an ICT tool, such as a website, can enhance ecological literacy in relation to a local socio-ecological issue.

year: 2017

title: Te Poho o Te Arawa: Te Mana Whenua o Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū

authors: Potaka, Ngahu

subjects: Ngāti Whakaue

abstract: Maketū is a small coastal town in the Bay of Plenty and is the final resting place of the Te Arawa canoe, the ancestral waka of the Te Arawa people. This is the home of Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū a coastal hapū of the tribe Ngāti Whakaue from the Te Arawa confederation of tribes. Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū is actually a collection of smaller hapū who descend from the union of their ancestor Whakaue Kaipapa and his wife Rangiuru, and they trace their overall decent from the celebrated chief Tama te Kapua. It is on their ancestral land in Maketū that Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū have resided and established their mana whenua (tribal authority) for over 170 years. In that time they have faced many internal and external challenges to their mana whenua including military engagement, political maneuvering, and other social issues.

This thesis traces the historical origins and mana whenua of Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū and analyses the various key components that combine to ensure Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū maintain mana whenua across their tribal lands. This thesis also explores how mana whenua is a vehicle for maintaining tribal authority and well being for Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū. Part of this study is the creation of a mana whenua strategic plan that will help Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū maintain and secure mana whenua in Maketū for future generations.

It is the proposition of this thesis that mana whenua has, is and will always play an important part in the social identity and fabric of Ngati Whakaue ki Maketū. However as Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū stand at the dawn of a new era, it is important for this related group to understand how mana whenua operates, and can be nurtured as a means of protection to ensure the survival of Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū in this ever changing world.

text: Te Poho o Te Arawa: Te Mana Whenua o Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū Maketū is a small coastal town in the Bay of Plenty and is the final resting place of the Te Arawa canoe, the ancestral waka of the Te Arawa people. This is the home of Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū a coastal hapū of the tribe Ngāti Whakaue from the Te Arawa confederation of tribes. Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū is actually a collection of smaller hapū who descend from the union of their ancestor Whakaue Kaipapa and his wife Rangiuru, and they trace their overall decent from the celebrated chief Tama te Kapua. It is on their ancestral land in Maketū that Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū have resided and established their mana whenua (tribal authority) for over 170 years. In that time they have faced many internal and external challenges to their mana whenua including military engagement, political maneuvering, and other social issues.

This thesis traces the historical origins and mana whenua of Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū and analyses the various key components that combine to ensure Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū maintain mana whenua across their tribal lands. This thesis also explores how mana whenua is a vehicle for maintaining tribal authority and well being for Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū. Part of this study is the creation of a mana whenua strategic plan that will help Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū maintain and secure mana whenua in Maketū for future generations.

It is the proposition of this thesis that mana whenua has, is and will always play an important part in the social identity and fabric of Ngati Whakaue ki Maketū. However as Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū stand at the dawn of a new era, it is important for this related group to understand how mana whenua operates, and can be nurtured as a means of protection to ensure the survival of Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū in this ever changing world.

year: 2014