Group 5
AUTOMATED IRRIGATION
Timeline
1. Ancient Irrigation Practices
First Century BCE: In ancient China, farmers used unglazed clay pots, known as ollas, buried near
plants. These pots slowly released water directly to the roots through soil moisture tension and
capillary action, efficiently maintaining plant hydration.
2. Early 20th Century Innovations
1910: John Stewart Dethridge, an Australian engineer, invented the Dethridge wheel, a device used
to measure the flow of water in open channels, aiding in the management of irrigation water
distribution.
1940: Frank Zybach, a farmer from Colorado, developed the center-pivot irrigation system, which
allowed for the efficient watering of crops in a circular pattern, significantly impacting large-scale
farming practices. Center-pivot irrigation - Wikipedia
3. Mid-20th Century Developments
1959: Israeli engineer Simcha Blass and his son Yeshayahu introduced modern drip irrigation
technology, utilizing plastic emitters to control water flow and deliver it directly to plant roots,
thereby reducing water wastage. Drip irrigation - Wikipedia
1960: Drip irrigation, pioneered in Israel in the 1960s, represents a significant leap forward. This
method delivers water directly to the roots of plants through a network of tubes and emitters,
reducing water wastage and increasing crop yields. Precision irrigation, aided by sensors and
computer-controlled systems, allows farmers to monitor soil moisture levels and adjust irrigation
schedules accordingly, optimizing water usage.
1962: The Rain Bird Corporation launched the Rain Clox series, electromechanical irrigation
controllers that automated watering schedules, marking a significant advancement in irrigation
technology. Rain Clox - Wikipedia
4. Late 20th Century Advancements
1969: T-L Irrigation introduced hydraulic-driven center-pivot systems, offering an alternative to
electric-powered pivots and providing more uniform water distribution.
1987: Plastro Irrigation introduced T-Tape, a type of drip tape with a slit outlet and laminar flow
track, revolutionizing drip irrigation by enabling large-scale, water-efficient farming. Drip irrigation
- Wikipedia
5. 21st Century Innovations
2000s: The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technology into irrigation systems allowed for
real-time monitoring and control, enabling farmers to make data-driven decisions to optimize water
usage.
2010s: Artificial intelligence (AI) began to be incorporated into irrigation management, providing
predictive analytics for irrigation scheduling based on weather patterns and soil conditions.
2020s: Advancements in sensor technology led to the development of soil moisture sensors that
provide precise data, further enhancing the efficiency of automated irrigation systems.
From the ancient canals of Mesopotamia to the smart irrigation systems of today, the history of
irrigation is a testament to human ingenuity and adaptability. As we face the challenges of the
future, continuing to innovate and improve our irrigation practices will be essential in ensuring
sustainable agricultural productivity and water conservation. Understanding the past allows us to
appreciate the advancements we have made and inspires us to keep pushing the boundaries of what
is possible in the field of irrigation
Pros and Cons
Pros of Irrigation:
1. Enhanced Agricultural Productivity
Irrigation helps maximize agricultural output by providing water when natural sources
are insufficient, thus ensuring crops grow successfully in dry regions.
2. Improved fertility of the land
Irrigation systems, like the Persian qanats and Egyptian shaduf, allowed agricultural
productivity in areas where water would otherwise be unavailable, turning barren land
into fertile fields.
3. Optimized Water Usage with Modern Technology
Modern irrigation systems, such as automated irrigation and soil moisture sensors, reduce
water waste, providing farmers with precise water delivery tailored to the crop's needs.
4. Sustainability and Conservation of Water
Modern practices like drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting ensure that water is used
efficiently, helping to preserve resources for future generations.
Cons of Irrigation:
1. Water Waste in Traditional Systems
Older irrigation methods like flood irrigation can lead to significant water waste,
especially in regions with scarce water resources.
2. High Maintenance Costs
While modern irrigation systems improve efficiency, they require regular maintenance,
which can be costly if the systems are not properly cared for or updated.
3. Dependency on Technology
Modern irrigation practices often require advanced tools like sensors, weather forecasting
systems, and GIS, which may not be accessible to all farmers.
Ethical Concerns and implications
Ethical Concerns
1. Loss of Traditional Knowledge
There’s a risk that over-reliance on technology could lead to a decline in traditional farming
practices and knowledge. It’s important to find a balance between knew technologies and time-
tested methods.
2. Sustainability
If an ai tool cannot provide actionable recommendations to help farmers, the system is not
user friendly and may be defective in terms of design and usability.
3. Economic Disparity
Automated irrigation can be expressive. This could create a divide between farmers who can
afford it and those who can’t, potentially exacerbating existing inequalities. We need to
consider how to make the technology accessible to everyone.
4. Water for ecology
Water is fundamental to the biochemistry of all living organisms. The earth ecosystem give
humankind an environment security by providing staples, such as fish, medicines and timber
products, services, such as flood protection and water quality improvement, and biodiversity.
Water availability is often a key controlling factor in maintaining biodiversity.
Implications
1. Reduced Environmental Impact
Optimized water used and reduced runoff of fertilizers and pesticides. This contributes to
cleaner waterways and healthier ecosystems. Reduced water consumption also helps conserve
this precious resource.
2. Reduced labor
Since the automated irrigation is infused with Artificial Intelligence system the irrigation
would be fully automatic rather than doing it manually resulting in reduced workload.
3. Improved Soil Health
Precise irrigation can prevent soil erosion and nutrient leaching. This helps maintain the
long-term health and fertility of the soil, making it more productive.
4. Enhanced crop yield and quality
By maintaining consistent moisture levels and reducing stress on plants, these systems
promote healthy growth and development. this can lead to the increased yields, improved crop
uniformity, and better-quality produce, ultimately benefiting farmers and consumers.
5. Increased Profitability
Higher yields and reduced costs (water, labor) can lead to greater profits for farmers. This
can make agriculture more economically sustainable.
Sample Product
A sample product on the market would the P123.403-million solar and automated irrigation
projects inaugurated in NIA UPRIIS.
As NIA continues to venture in modernization projects aligned with Administrator Visaya’s
Four-Point Agenda, the Agency also inaugurated the Upgrading/Automation of Rizal Dam and Head
Gates. Started on April 6, 2020, the upgrading and automation of the project includes the supply,
delivery, installation, testing, and commissioning of equipment for dam controls, monitoring
sensors, and control center for PRIS.
Sources
Abramov, M. (2024, June 28). Data Bias in AI Agriculture:Ensuring Fairness&Sustainability.
Keymakr. https://keymakr.com/blog/data-bias-in-ai-agriculture-ensuring-fairness-and-
sustainability/
agrirevu.com. (2024). The Evolution of Irrigation Systems: From Ancient to Modern Practices -
AgriReVu: Your Guide to Farm & AgriReVu: Your Guide to Farm & Tractor Products.
https://agrirevu.com/the-evolution-of-irrigation-systems-from-ancient-to-modern-practices/
Alnaim, M. A., Mohamed, M. S., Mohammed, M., & Munir, M. (2022). Effects of automated irrigation
systems and water regimes on soil properties, water productivity, yield and fruit quality of Date
palm. Agriculture, 12(3), 343. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12030343
IJFMR - A Journal Following UGC Guidelines - Refereed Journal - Peer Reviewed Journal -
International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research. (n.d.). https://www.ijfmr.com/
Lee, J. (2022). Evaluation of automatic irrigation system for rice cultivation and sustainable
agriculture water management. Sustainability, 14(17), 11044.
https://doi.org/10.3390/su141711044
National Irrigation Administration Central Office. (2022). P123.403-million solar and automated
irrigation projects inaugurated in NIA UPRIIS. P123.403-million Solar and Automated
Irrigation Projects Inaugurated in NIA UPRIIS. https://nia.gov.ph/content/p123403-million-
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tlf2lTp9elHwfgtM0DOREvPQM3CTJfklOg9mueSZFMzO80eDO2o_aem_BgjH3c9LaSlGyqQup4gbj
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%20maintaining%20consistent%20moisture%20levels,ultimately%20benefiting%20farmers
%20and%20consumers.
