Top Water Conservation Technologies Used by Agriculture Engineers
We all know water is a scarce resource. The situation should be regarded as very critical, considering its life-instrumental usage and the level of its management. With freshwater in limited supply, 70% of it globally is consumed by the agricultural sector. It gives us a straightforward insight: we need to innovate in farming technology to reduce water scarcity. It’s because other water sources are unreliable, and poor agricultural water management practices can drastically affect food and water availability.
The good news is that agricultural engineers have been quick in solving these issues. Innovations have been at the heart of agricultural engineering and water conservation technologies in agriculture, helping reverse the negative impact of agriculture on water resources. In this blog, we’ll mention ten such technologies that are changing agriculture forever.
1. Drip Irrigation Systems
They change how crop fields are irrigated. Instead of spreading water evenly across, pipes and emitters are laid to drip water periodically into crops. It is very efficient at saving water in water-scarce regions and at reducing water loss from evaporation and over-irrigation.
2. Sprinkler Irrigation Systems
Similar to drip irrigation systems, these systems also control water application. The system uses nozzles to spread water across the field using sprinkler sprays. It improves water distribution uniformity and reduces water waste compared to the conventional irrigation method.
3. Smart Irrigation Controllers
These controllers use sensors and data-driven tech to receive satellite data and determine soil quality to adjust irrigation. It can be considered among the best agricultural water management technologies, almost removing water wastage and scheduling irrigation times without manual intervention.
4. Soil Moisture Sensor Technology
The sensor basically estimates the amount of moisture present in the soil. With this information, irrigation can be adjusted in real time to meet the soil and crop's overall water demands. It avoids unnecessary scheduled watering. Moisture↓ Irrigation↑
5. Rainwater Harvesting Systems
Sometimes, excess rain can occur. It is not suitable for crops and water wastage. Rainwater harvesting systems collect excess rainwater for irrigation during water shortages and periods of limited rainfall. It also reduces our dependence on groundwater and can be used for other purposes.
6. Laser Land Levelling
Uneven land can be a nightmare for agricultural productivity due to uneven water distribution and poor crop establishment. Laser technology levels fields using precision technology and improves irrigation and crop efficiency.
7. Subsurface Irrigation Systems
These systems reroute the irrigation path by directly delivering water into the soil, ditching the standard method of pouring from the soil surface. Evaporation loss is almost completely minimised, and crop efficiency is improved. It could be considered one of the best water saving techniques in agriculture.
8. Remote Sensing & Satellite-Based Monitoring
Remote sensing technologies are beneficial in large agricultural fields where manual overview is complicated. Apart from that, using satellites and drones to monitor crop quality and water levels also ensures higher accuracy, allowing adaptations to be made accordingly.
9. Automated Pumping & Flow Control Systems
These systems are among the most popular agricultural automation technologies. It allows you to set up irrigation networks in which pumps and valves can be controlled to regulate water flow. Unnecessary water usage is prevented, and distribution efficiency is improved.
10. Water-Recycling & On-Farm Reuse Systems
These systems collect farm runoff and wastewater and treat it for future uses. This method allows you to reuse the same irrigation flow, improving water efficiency multiple times. This agricultural practice promotes sustainability, an essential subject for B.Tech. in Agriculture Engineering students.
Integration with Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA)
Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) is rooted deep down among these technologies through:
- Enhancing climate resilience
- Reducing vulnerability to drought
- Optimising resource use
- Supporting sustainable farming systems
Conclusion
Water scarcity is assuredly a bigger problem than we recognise. However, these technology-driven water management systems are changing agricultural practices for the better and helping agriculture become one of the best water managers.
And education is supporting this as well. For example, if you look at the agriculture engineering program from the top private university in UP, like Shobhit University, you’ll find that the curriculum focuses highly on these technologies and how they can revolutionise the agricultural industry. It aims to align learning with modern water-conservation technologies and prepare students for a future in which sustainability and engineering go hand in hand.
