Digital Farming – A Smarter Way of Irrigation

 Probably a decade or two ago, digital farming in India might have seemed a tall tale to everyone. But the seemingly impossible dream of a farmer operating their irrigation systems from home has now been made possible via digital farming. 

The Indian agricultural landscape has been a slow adopter of these technological changes. Of course, you cannot blame the farmers’ attitude alone. Commercial viability has been a challenge throughout for most. But things are gradually changing. With digital farming, many Indian farmers have adopted smarter irrigation. Let’s see how digital farming proves to be a more intelligent way of irrigation.

What is Digital Farming?

Digital agriculture involves using advanced digital technologies integrated into a unified system to enable farmers to help improve food production. 

For instance, in India, many farmers decide the amount of fertilizer to be used based on rough measurements, experience, or instincts. They don’t realize the profits or damage until the harvest. But digital farming gathers data frequently and accurately. It aids farmers in calculating the amount of fertilizer (making an informed fertilizer application decision) based on the underlying conditions to improve the yield quality and quantity.

Why Does Digital Farming Refer to Smart Irrigation?

So, let’s see how digital farming can help farmers achieve irrigation excellence. Although, the benefits of digital farming transcend irrigation. 

• Digital farming uses technologies like AI to help farmers make informed irrigation decisions. It helps them decide the amount of water required, the time and duration of irrigation, etc., thus helping them avoid water wastage and prevent crop damage resulting from inadequate or excess water supply.
• The technology also uses GPS to predict weather changes, soil conditions, etc., to help farmers decide whether to wait or proceed with an activity.
• Farmers can store historical data and use it as a reference to make educated decisions about sowing, harvesting, irrigation, crop choice, etc.
• Farmers can operate the irrigation mechanism from their homes without requiring them to step out of their homes. The system can guide them about the duration of irrigation based on weather, soil moisture levels, and crop growth phase, with which they can ensure precision and timely irrigation.

Discover the wonders digital farming can work in your context with Netafim. We are here to help Indian farmers achieve irrigation excellence and grow more from less. Visit https://www.netafimindia.com/contact-us/  to connect with our experts.