HOW SMARTPHONES SIMPLIFY IRRIGATION

 

By Samwel Ndoni

IRINGA. Technology grows fast, so agriculture sector. Have you ever thought could use just a smartphone gadget for irrigation!

 With the gadget on hand, no needs to pay physical visits to a farm/garden for irrigation activities, just few ‘clicks’ on smartphone can switch on/off the water-flow.  

Fanleck John, an agent of the technology in Iringa region affirms the notion.

"The technology ease farmers’ workload and saves time. After installing a solar or fuel generator-based irrigation system and linked with smartphone, the farmer will neither walk some distances searching for water from rivers, dams or wells nor making physical visits to farm/garden for irrigation activities,” John said at Iringa's week of technology and innovation.

“Connected with internet, the smartphone controls the irrigation system regardless the distance,” John added.

The system introduced by Vatten Precision Technologies grabbed attention of every farmer stood a chance to hear how the technology simplifies irrigation and improve lives of farmers.

John explains that when the farmer is far from the irrigation system, the smartphone receives a notification message asking for approval to switch on the water-flow and automatically switches-off when it is done.

"The irrigation system contains a sensor that detects the needs of irrigation and control the amount of water needed,” he said.

The tool is practically useful to busiest people who have other important businesses or those in travelling. They still can serve their farmers with irrigation within their convenience places.

 

*How its done? *

Mr. John says the installed sensors play a vital role to determine the level of the humidity and dryness on the soil…. then sends notification message to the phone, asking for approval to make water-flow.

"When the amount of needed water is gets enough, the system again sends notifications to ask ending the irrigation. When the farmer delays for 5-10 minutes, the system will automatically override and stop working." He added.

Sauli Mpeshe, deputy vice Chancellor of University of Iringa (Formerly Tumaini University) said that the university has been upfront on innovating, developing and supporting creative ideas and startups in the region.