Automation in drip irrigation for enhancing water use efficiency in cereal systems of South Asia: Status and prospects

Abstract

Water is a key driver of grain production, and growing water scarcity is one of the major challenges for agriculture. Around 70% of all fresh water around the world and up to 95% in several developing countries is used for farming, and hence agriculture is the main sector for global water use. However, water resources could be used more efficiently and sustainably in agricultural production to save global water resources and achieve food security, as crop yields are obviously largely influenced by water availability. Increasing population growth coupled with increasing urbanization and industrialization will cause water to become less available for cereal production, especially in the irrigated intensive-production region that is considered as the food bowl of South Asia. Traditional systems of irrigation and water use and management in agriculture are highly inefficient with low water productivity, and cannot ensure long-term sustainable food security. Many innovative technologies such as micro-irrigation (drip irrigation) offer an efficient alternative to traditional flood irrigation. Drip irrigation (surface and subsurface) systems provide water (and nutrients) to the crop root zone, where it can be utilized most effectively. Recent advances in the science of sensor technologies and the internet of things (IoTs) can be useful in the automation of drip irrigation systems; this automation can help in addressing the emerging challenges of labor shortages and inefficiency of water use in agriculture. The use of wireless sensor networks (WSNs), IoTs, and communication technology for the automation of irrigation in general and for drip irrigation in cereal crops in particular is an entirely new and futuristic field of research for development (R4D). In this chapter, an attempt has been made to synthesize systematically the available information related to recent advances in precision water management and the automation of drip irrigation systems using WSNs and IoTs in major cereal systems. This information will be of immense use for researchers and policy planners in shaping water use in agriculture for the future, with a particular reference to South Asia.