Smart Irrigation Systems: Water Savings and Implementation Guide

Agriculture and agricultural products are the economic backbone of many countries today. However, the growing need for food and changing consumer demands have made it difficult for this industry to develop practices that help it meet these needs. Consequently, there is an increasing focus on food production technology for major improvements. A smart irrigation system is one such improvement. 

Smart irrigation systems and their exploration have emerged as a new scientific discipline that uses data-intensive and data-backed methods to increase agricultural productivity while reducing its burden on the environment. 

The CEO of B A Barry Group and the founder of Geohoney, Mr Basem Barry  “highlights the role of smart irrigation systems in combating environmental challenges. Smart irrigation systems are a proactive solution, allowing us to conserve water and better manage resources to protect our environment and support resilient landscapes.”                                                                                                 

But what is it exactly, how does it work, and how can you implement it? In this blog guide, we will answer all these questions for you. 

What Is a Smart Irrigation System?

Today, water resources are stressed, and sustainability is paramount—so much so that the United Nations lists ‘water and sanitation’ as ‘Sustainable Development Goal 6.’

Specifically, 

• Target 6.4 aims at achieving water-use efficiency
• Target 6.5 addresses the implementation of water-integrated resource management at all levels 
• Target 6.6 calls for protection and restoration of water-related ecosystems

In this context, smart irrigation systems offer a promising solution to protect the water ecosystem, optimize its use, and increase crop yields while reducing the burden on the environment. 

These smart-systems use technology to deliver water exactly where it is needed in the required amount when it is needed based on real-time data and the specific needs of the crop. This marks a shift from the traditional method of manually watering the crops, which often comes at the cost of high water wastage. 

Two General Types of Smart Irrigation Systems

Based on the controllers they use, smart irrigation systems can be classified into two kinds: weather-based and soil—moisture—based. 

Weather-based controllers, or ET-based technology, use a mini on-site weather station or a weather sensor to track the temperature, rainfall, or sunlight on your property. Alternatively, this information can be sent to the controller from a remote location. Based on these inputs, the decision to irrigate is then made.

Soil-moisture-based controllers make irrigation decisions based on the soil’s moisture levels. They then trigger irrigation when the moisture levels fall below a specific threshold. 

Key Components of Smart Irrigation System

Typically, a smart irrigation system consists of these main components: 

1. Sensors

Sensors are the heart of smart irrigation systems. These small devices collect information and provide real-time insights to form accurate decisions. They can be of different kinds, each with a specific purpose:

• Rain or freeze sensors which pause irrigation during unpleasantly cold or wet weather
• Soil moisture sensors that track the soil’s moisture levels and its need for irrigation
• Flow sensors which help detect leakage or malfunctions

2. Automation 

This part of the system allows for remote control and irrigation scheduling. It is included in the controller, which acts like the system's brain.

3. Data Analytics 

Data analytics gathers all the insights from the sensors for predictive irrigation and adjusts the water supply in real time. This ensures that your crops are well irrigated without water wastage. 

4. Drip Irrigation

Drip systems are commonly included in smart irrigation systems for their precision. They deliver water directly to the roots of the plants, thus reducing evaporation and water waste compared to overhead irrigation methods. 

5. Water Meter 

Another very important part of the system, the water meter, actually measures the water usage. This can help you identify areas for optimization.

6. Backflow Device 

A smart irrigation system may also include something called a backflow device. It primarily prevents water contamination. 

What Makes the System ‘SMART’?

Smart irrigation systems rely on real-time data, advanced analytics, and automation to achieve the results they can achieve. If everything is synced and working perfectly well, they:

• Eliminate the need for guesswork, which may be faulty and lead to crop destruction
• Deliver precise water depending on the soil’s moisture levels. Too little or too much water can affect the crop yield’s quality and health.
• Save water by regulating irrigation during wet or cold climates. This prevents unnecessary watering.
• They offer customization and flexibility of irrigation, making it easier to produce healthy crops in different landscapes. Before making irrigation decisions, they take into account the type of plant, sun exposure, and soil health. 
• Advanced systems allow for wireless connectivity and smartphone integration. This means you can check the crop and overall ecosystem health regardless of where you are and take immediate action if needed.

How Can You Implement This System?

1. Choosing the Right System

Smart irrigation systems come in a variety. Some are drip irrigation, lawn sprinklers, and drip kit systems. To choose the one that meets your needs, you will have to consider the following factors:

• The area that needs to be covered. This will determine the number of zones and water requirements 
• Plant types 
• Specific goals like water conversation or precise moisture control 

Once you choose a system, the next step is installing the controller. 

2. Installing the System

When installing the controller, the following factors will come into play:

• Location of the controller. It must be easily accessible for maintenance while being protected from any elements that can damage it.
• Connecting the controller to the existing irrigation system. If you are installing an end-to-end new system, figure out the electrical supply and layout. 
• Wifi setup. You must connect the controller to the wifi for remote access and control.

Once you have installed the controller, the next step is to install your sensors. 

• Identify locations to place the sensors. If the sensor needs to be placed at a certain depth, especially for soil moisture sensors, then bury it at the recommended depth. 
• After you have placed it, you will have to calibrate it for accurate readings.

3. Weather Data Integration

Your smart irrigation system needs to be responsive to the weather. To this end, you will have to link it to local weather forecasts and previous weather patterns so that it provides real-time insights. Additionally, the entire system will have to be set up to use weather data to determine the watering schedule, and you may have to adjust the settings in the controller. 

Conclusion

A smart irrigation system is the future of agriculture and planting. It is used in a variety of settings, such as residential gardens, crop fields, sports fields, industrial lawns, and more. What’s best is that with advancements in artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, these systems are becoming much smarter, needing little to no manual intervention. 

The bottom line? They are essential for water conservation, preventing future water shortages and droughts. 

Geohoney is the leading honey brand based in Dubai. It has over 130 farms equipped with the latest new-tech monofloral initiatives. Our 100% pure, raw, natural monofloral honey is carefully prepared using single nectar sources. Geohoney strives to produce monofloral honey that meets the highest global quality control standards while using environmentally sustainable resources.

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