A casual conversation with a career farmer at the ADMA show earlier this year displayed some of the problems farmers are facing with their irrigation systems. During the conversation he expressed how his system was due for maintenance, maintenance he could not afford at the time. His concerns proved the need for awareness to artisanal farmers of the changes in irrigation, and to cooperate smart easy self-operating systems.

The growing use of technology and automated appliances in day-to-day activities business related or not, has made irrigation as we know it, easier and cheaper. Farming has gradually adjusted to the growing changes with upgraded systems that apply “smart technology”. This has come to be known as smart irrigation. Instead of relying on seasonal rain and temperatures to begin cultivation and planting processes, smart irrigation provides dependence on technology. This minimises risks and losses associated with human mistakes such as fertilisation delays and long-term weather patterns, such as low rainfalls and high temperature.

Smart irrigation technology basically uses weather, soil moisture and plant need information to gauge the requirements of a land or yield. It also uses a system that self-operates and fixes minor errors and malfunctions. This ensures farming efficiency and accuracy by providing solutions that are sustainable to the farmer and land. Smart irrigation technology uses controllers and sensors that oversee plant water needs, soil conditions along with moisture and nutrient content. For instance, controllers have watering schedules that only apply to the yield when moisture levels have decreased, this helps save water by avoiding wastage.

Fertilisers, yield, and water losses along with soil depletions and erosions often occur due to over and under irrigating land. This is most likely to happen when using systems that do not operate with self-regulating technology like that of smart irrigation. These involve real-time operations, all while performing alone with little to no human-interaction. This system influences appropriate timely application of all crops needs ultimately increasing efficiency and reducing losses.

‘And who manages the system?’

The management of these smart irrigation systems involve sensors that are buried in the ground to collect data. Collection of data necessary to plant growth fairly reduces the cost and labour for the farmer as the system continuously monitors yield conditions. It includes a malfunction monitoring system that gives alerts on any major problems that may need manual fixture. Another farmer in Masvingo had such a system installed with weather monitors that checked temperature, wind, and rain data. With data from the sensors, the whole system managed to adjust irrigating cycles to suit the crop’s needs. This saved the farmer much trouble from yield losses, labour, and costs.

Smart irrigation technology although complicated to some, has made it easy for farmers to maintain their land texture to get the desired produce at the best quality. It also makes it cheaper to maintain.