Cloud-based irrigation could double India’s crop yield and halve water use
12.02.2018 15:20 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) —
A cloud-based, micro-irrigation system tested on a farm in India has cut water use by up to 80 percent and doubled the crop yield, and could relieve the environmental stress that agriculture places on India’s natural resources. The system, which was developed by scientists at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, combines a highly localised weather forecast with local know-how on irrigation needs and soil conditions and has been trialled as part of the Innovate UK-funded Smart Control of Rural Renewable Energy and Storage (SCORRES) project. Reducing water consumption and improving irrigation techniques in India is vital: currently, 600 million people are at high risk of surface water supply disruption. Agriculture accounts for 90 percent of India’s freshwater withdrawal, 18 percent of total electricity and 15 percent of total diesel use. Fifty four percent of India faces extremely high water stress, and farmers are increasingly indebted due to the volatility of crop yields and prices. At the trial farm in Tamil Nadu, eight vegetable crops have been farmed using the SCORRES precision irrigation system: lady’s fingers, lettuce, basil, basella, pumpkin, corn, rocket and long beans. Local farmers’ knowledge on irrigation and soil conditions for each of these crops are scheduled onto the cloud-based system. SCORRES refines the irrigation schedule by using its highly accurate local weather forecast, soil moisture conditions, evaporation modelling and grid outage information to continually adapt the schedule and ensure the crops receive exactly the right volume of water, at the exact time that they need it. Professor Eddie Owens, director of Heriot-Watt University’s Energy Academy and leader of the SCORRES project, said: «We tested eight crops with our precision irrigation system, and had control beds that were manually irrigated. The results of our initial trials were extremely encouraging »Our irrigation system reduced water and energy use by up to 80%, and in some of the trials the crop yield doubled, enabling farmers to grow bigger vegetables and fruits, faster. «These results are extremely encouraging and have the potential to create a more resource efficient and sustainable future for the global agricultural sector. A next step will be to expand our trial across India and into China.» Martin Scherfler from Auroville Consulting, a SCORRES partner, oversaw the installation of the irrigation system and has been monitoring the field trials in Tamil Nadu. Martin said: «Existing irrigation control systems in India are typically manual, or rely on time clocks that have a lack of monitoring oversight. »Additionally, heavy subsidies and, in some states, even free electricity for the agricultural sector in India has prohibited farmers from investing in solar pumps. Reducing pumping demands through precision irrigation will make solar pumps more financially competitive for farmers. «This project removes the need for costly hardware, and creates a more affordable, cloud-based solution for smart irrigation. »Indian farmers are enthusiastic about using the cloud and digital devices to improve their farming, and have worked with us to make this trial a success: their knowledge has been fundamental in developing the model." The SCORRES project is funded by Innovate UK and led by Heriot-Watt University, with partners Auraventi.com, Auroville Consulting, Findhorn Foundation College and CSR Auroville Centre for Scientific Research. The project recently won the Rushlight Water Management Award and the Rushlight Innovation Award at a ceremony hosted at the Royal Geographical Society in London.
28.03.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
12:55 |
Council compromise on Ukraine ATMs – Only a half step forward in the right direction |
|
09:18 |
Commission approves amendment to Italian State aid scheme to support companies in Friuli Venezia Giulia in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine |
26.03.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
10:55 |
Projected famine in Gaza: FAO urges immediate access to deliver urgent and critical assistance at scale. About 1.1 million people are experiencing catastrophic food insecurity |
|
08:44 |
EU makes major step forward in the delivery of 2024 humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza* |
25.03.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
16:17 |
Commission approves ˆ86.9 million Bulgarian State aid scheme to support farmers in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine |
21.03.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
11:15 |
Commission takes action to boost biotechnology and biomanufacturing in the EU |
20.03.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
11:13 |
Deal to extend trade support for Ukraine with safeguards for EU farmers |
19.03.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
09:43 |
CAP - The Commission proposes simplifications that safeguard agricultural transitions! |
18.03.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
23:10 |
The European Union and Switzerland launch negotiations to deepen bilateral relations |
|
10:05 |
Commission proposes targeted review of Common Agricultural Policy to support EU farmers |
15.03.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
23:36 |
Cargill Power CanolaTM Program Helps Farmers Take Advantage of Growing Bioenergy Market Opportunities for Canadian Canola |
|
23:19 |
FAO will provide Ukrainian farmers with soybean and sunflower seeds for spring sowing campaign |
13.03.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
23:27 |
FAO urges more cooperation in banana sector, significant for some least developed and low-income food-deficit countries and smallholder farmers |
|
16:51 |
The European Commission sets out key steps for managing climate risks to protect people and prosperity |
12.03.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
20:25 |
Coreper and COMENVI approve the provisional agreement on EU Carbon Removal Certification Framework |
|
20:24 |
INTA MEPs fail EU producers by dismissing potential improvements to Ukraine ATMs |
|
08:10 |
Soybean meal is expected to be a more competitive feed ingredient on higher global supplies. |
11.03.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
09:11 |
U.S. Corn Exports Shift Destinations as Brazil Captures China Market |
08.03.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
15:20 |
Conflicts push acute food insecurity higher |
|
13:21 |
FAO Food Price Index declines further in February |
|
13:14 |
Packaging: Council and Parliament strike a deal to make packaging more sustainable and reduce packaging waste in the EU |
|
11:45 |
Commission approves ˆ61.3 million Bulgarian State aid scheme to support farmers, producers of grain and oil crops, in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine |
07.03.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
20:41 |
First go-ahead to renewing trade support for Ukraine and Moldova |
05.03.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
15:55 |
Commission proposes to prolong road transport agreements with Ukraine and Moldova and introduces updates to the agreement with Ukraine |
02.03.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
07:31 |
Heroes of deserts and highlands: Nourishing people and culture |
23.02.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
10:21 |
BASF’s financial strength supports proposed stable dividend of ˆ3.40 per share for the 2023 business year |
|
10:17 |
The Council has chosen to ignore farmers' concerns regarding Ukraine ATMs; it is now imperative for the European Parliament to take action |
20.02.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
20:27 |
South Asia is anticipated to import nearly 14 million tons wheat in 2023/24 |
19.02.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
13:00 |
Cargill and ENOUGH expand partnership to provide consumers with innovative, sustainable protein options |
17.02.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
17:47 |
Global Environment Facility approves new FAO-led projects and programs benefiting 46 countries |
16.02.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
09:10 |
The EU is at a crossroads with the Ukrainian agricultural issue - COPA-COGECA, AVES, CEFS, CEPM, CIBE, EUWEP |
13.02.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
17:31 |
European farmers exempted from rules on land lying fallow |
12.02.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
16:45 |
India Wheat Stocks Plummet to Lowest in 15 Years |
03.02.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
17:35 |
Mandarins. Global production for 2023/24 is forecast to rise to 38.0 million tons |
|
09:59 |
Record cereal output in 2023 |
|
07:15 |
FAO Food Price Index down again in January led by lower wheat and maize prices |
29.01.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
10:32 |
President von der Leyen launches Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture |
26.01.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
11:31 |
Record Exports Forecast for Egypt Oranges |
23.01.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
17:55 |
With the Federal Chancellor in the show bakery |
19.01.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
11:45 |
Organic production in Ukraine |
16.01.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
23:25 |
Domestic consumption of dairy products may double in 2024 – analysts |
12.01.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
23:53 |
Competition Tightens for Leading Pork Exporter |
|
22:55 |
Peru Fish Meal Exports at Lowest Level Since 2015/16 El Niño |
|
22:43 |
Grains Trade Disrupted by Challenges in Key Shipping Routes |
10.01.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
15:38 |
In China, the largest import market for dairy products, surplus raw milk production led to government subsidies to stabilize the domestic processing sector |
09.01.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
11:55 |
The FAO Sugar Price Index averaged 134.6 points in December, down 26.8 points from November |
06.01.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
12:43 |
Polish fish and seafood imports continued to grow in 2022 and reached over $3 billion, with a $129 million (4 percent market share) originating from the USA |
05.01.2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
17:21 |
EU imports are dominated by unroasted green coffee beans, which accounts for about 90 percent of trade |
|
17:00 |
FAO Food Price Index declines in December. Benchmark measure of world food commodity prices ends 2023 about 10 percent below its year-earlier level |
29.12.2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
09:53 |
Global and Bank of Georgia sign EUR50 million loan agreement to support small businesses |
Also available:
|