Ministry of Agriculture Expands AI-Supported Irrigation Automation for Water Efficiency Nationwide
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is actively working to expand irrigation automation investments that prevent water wastage and enhance agricultural productivity across the country. Minister İbrahim Yumaklı announced that the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSİ) has identified regions with suitable irrigation infrastructure and continues to develop AI-supported irrigation automation projects.
The DSİ General Directorate has been working for many years on irrigation automation projects that reduce water consumption in fields, prevent wastage, ensure healthy plant growth, and increase agricultural production efficiency.
As part of the AI-supported automation efforts, crucial data such as soil moisture levels, weather conditions, and plant status are collected using sensors like soil moisture sensors, weather stations, and plant measurement devices. The gathered data is processed on cloud-based platforms, enabling farmers to irrigate their crops in real-time. This provides farmers with precise information about their plants’ irrigation needs, allowing for efficient water use without wastage and increasing crop yields.
PROJECT IMPLEMENTED IN DIFFERENT PROVINCES
Under DSİ’s automation efforts, projects in various regions have been completed and are operational. These include 3,333 hectares in Adana İmamoğlu Irrigation 4th Section, 410 hectares in Afyonkarahisar-Çay-Selvir Irrigation, 250 hectares in Afyonkarahisar Çobanlar-Seyitler Irrigation, and 212 hectares in Denizli Hasanbeyler Pond Irrigation. Additionally, 58,832 meters have been employed to support irrigation automation.
DSİ is preparing specification guidelines for projects to be automated in the year 2024.
As part of structural water conservation measures, DSİ has implemented irrigation automation applications, installed pre-loaded meters in closed system irrigation areas, and promoted volume-based pricing.
YUMAKLI: “IT IS ESSENTIAL TO USE WATER EFFICIENTLY AND ECONOMICALLY”
Minister İbrahim Yumaklı emphasized the importance of DSİ’s work in the context of global climate change.
“Water brings life, prosperity, and civilization. Therefore, the ongoing increased investments by DSİ are crucial for combating global climate change which is at our doorstep,” said Yumaklı, underscoring the importance of efficient and economical water use.
Highlighting the importance of efficient agricultural irrigation, Yumaklı noted that DSİ has been working on significant water investment projects. He emphasized that irrigation automation saves water and increases efficiency.
“DSİ has been working on irrigation automation for many years. Since 2023, efforts have been underway to conduct an automation project in any regional directorate with suitable irrigation infrastructure. Considering that automation can be implemented in a small irrigation facility or part of an irrigation facility, we are working on identifying irrigation areas under the management of our regional directorates where automation can be applied. We continue planning to expand irrigation automation nationwide.”
BENEFITS OF AUTOMATION SYSTEM THAT SAVES 40% WATER:
The advantages of an automation system that saves approximately 40% water are as follows:
• Irrigation can be performed at desired times and durations via an automatic irrigation system.
• Water can be absorbed into the soil without evaporation during moments when the sun’s effect is diminished.
• Systematic irrigation is performed automatically with professional materials, without the need for any personnel assistance.
• It prevents unnecessary water use, optimizes water usage, and reduces water costs, contributing to the conservation of groundwater resources and the sustainability of irrigation sources.
• It prevents unnecessary energy use.
• Equipment like pumps and pipes in the irrigation system are protected with automatic irrigation.
• It prevents leaks, overpressure, losses, and breakages.
• Plants receive only the water they need.
• Automatic irrigation systems accurately provide the precise amount and frequency of water needed by plants, reducing plant stress and increasing yield.
• Reduces labor costs by eliminating the time lost in manual irrigation processes, allowing farmers and agricultural enterprises to use their time more efficiently.
• Prevents plant and crop loss.
• Possible problems and information about the irrigation system are sent as SMS to designated phone numbers, allowing for prompt action to prevent adverse situations.
• Offers flexible solutions for various agricultural areas and plant species, with irrigation programs easily adjustable to different needs and conditions.