Automated Irrigation System for Sustainable Farming

An automated irrigation system operates with no or very little manual intervention aside from surveillance. Almost any system (drip, sprinkler, or surface) can be automated using timers, sensors, computers, or mechanical devices. It improves irrigation efficiency and allows workers to focus on other important farming tasks. On the other hand, such a system can be costly and complex in its design, necessitating the services of experts to plan and implement it.

An 'automated irrigation system' operates with no or very little manual intervention aside from surveillance. Almost any system (drip, sprinkler, or surface) can be automated using timers, sensors, computers, or mechanical devices. It improves irrigation efficiency and allows workers to focus on other important farming tasks. On the other hand, such a system can be costly and complex in its design, necessitating the services of experts to plan and implement it.

The management of soil and irrigation is critical in agriculture. Water waste is one of the most serious problems with traditional irrigation systems. Smart irrigation system machines powered by IoT automate irrigation and increase overall yield. These systems are programmed to recognize weather patterns, soil conditions, and crop types.

Automation can be used in a variety of ways, including:

to initiate and terminate irrigation via supply channel outlets.
to start and stop pumps.
To cut off the flow of water from one irrigation area- either a bay or a section of the channel -and redirect it to another area.

These changes occur without any direct manual effort, but you may need to spend time preparing the system at the start of the irrigation and maintaining the components to ensure proper operation.

Advantages of Automatic Irrigation

Automation eliminates the need for manual valve opening and closing.
It is possible to change the frequency of irrigation and fertigation processes and optimize them.
Adoption of advanced crop systems and new technologies, particularly complex and difficult-to-manage crop systems
Use of water from various sources, as well as increased efficiency in water and fertilizer use
The system can be run at night, reducing water loss due to evaporation.
The irrigation process starts and stops exactly when needed, reducing energy consumption.

Disadvantages of Automatic Irrigation

The following are the drawbacks of automatic irrigation:

costs of purchasing, installing and maintaining irrigation system equipment reliability (due to human error when setting up)
Increased channel and equipment maintenance to ensure proper operation.

Selecting the best-automated irrigation system

All automation systems have advantages and disadvantages that must be considered when deciding which system will best suit the irrigation layout for a specific property. There is no single system that is ideal for all properties.

If you need a system that can be moved around the property and possibly used on other properties, consider portable systems.

A fixed system would be more appropriate if you want a system where the components are fixed and can follow the same irrigation sequence each irrigation.

When deciding on the best system for a property, keep the following factors in mind:

The cost of the system.
Backup servicing system of the system.
Which system will be most appropriate for your property and irrigation layout?

Types of Automatic Irrigation System

Pneumatic system
Portable timer system
Timer or sensor hybrid

Applicability

Almost any irrigation system has the potential to be automated. It makes sense in all parts of the world because it saves time and water. Furthermore, high-tech designs enable very efficient irrigation, i.e. more precise metering of water volumes. Once the system is optimized, laborers do not have to worry about the irrigation process and can concentrate on more important tasks.

Cost Considerations

Costs are highly dependent on the system being used. It ranges from very low-cost to very expensive systems, which include soil quality research and technical material.

Operation and Maintenance

Automatic irrigation systems must be operated and maintained regularly by skilled laborers. Sensor and valve malfunctions must be avoided at all costs, and common repair work (e.g., leaches, blockages) must also be considered.