ICAR RCER pilots IoT based smart irrigation system in collaboration with BIT

Erratic rainfall, declining groundwater levels, rising energy costs for irrigation and inefficient water application practices are major concerns in the eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains. Small and fragmented landholdings, limited access to real-time soil moisture data and over-irrigation in conventional systems further aggravate the problem, leading to reduced water productivity and soil degradation.

Keeping these challenges in view, the ICAR-Research Complex for Eastern Region has initiated the development of an IoT-based soil moisture monitoring and smart irrigation system using LoRa (LPWAN) technology in collaboration with Birla Institute of Technology Mesra, Patna Campus. The initiative has been undertaken in line with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) earlier signed between the two institutions, facilitating collaborative technological innovations in agricultural water management.

Under the guidance of Director Dr. Anup Das, the institute envisions the development of “smart farms”, where irrigation decisions are guided by real-time data, leading to improved water productivity, reduced input costs and enhanced sustainability.

“Smart irrigation using IoT technology has the potential to transform conventional farming by enabling precise and efficient use of water resources,” said Dr. Anup Das, adding that the focus is on developing affordable and scalable solutions for farmers.

Highlighting the significance of the initiative, Dr. Ashutosh Upadhyaya, Head, Division of Land and Water Management, said that the technology would enable real-time monitoring of soil moisture, allowing farmers to apply water only when required, thereby reducing wastage and improving irrigation efficiency. On this, Dr. Ratnesh Mishra and Dr. S. K. Singh stated that smart irrigation using IoT and LoRa technology has the potential to revolutionize agricultural water management by enabling precise, real-time decision-making.

The initiative is expected to strengthen climate-resilient farming by integrating sensor-based irrigation with improved agronomic practices, paving the way for efficient water management and sustainable agriculture in the region.