Most farmers are shifting to low-cost sources of energy to run their machinery. In countries such as the US, innovative technologies have lured farmers to embark on solar-powered irrigation systems. Solar irrigation systems are not only environmental-friendly but also economically advantageous.
The economic advantage of a solar-powered irrigation system
Farmers are the prime beneficiaries of these irrigation systems. The fruit farming sector is a lucrative industry that brings in billions of dollars every year. To enjoy the profitability of their investment, farmers have to practice fruit farming as an agribusiness.
What does this mean? Cutting down management costs and maximizing productivity and profitability. This can only be done by using high-quality equipment that uses low-cost energy. Solar-powered irrigation systems are very efficient, operate on free solar energy, and require little maintenance. They are quite powerful and minimise water wastage.
Water-saving with drip irrigation
Water is a scarce element that needs to be reserved. Drip irrigation is quite common in regions with scarce water and high temperatures. This irrigation technique minimizes water loss through evaporation which is a common problem when using overhead and sprinkler systems. These days, solar-powered drip irrigation systems are integrated with fertigation systems to enhance the efficiency of water and fertiliser application.
Opportunities for solar systems irrigation and fertigation systems in the near future
The introduction of solar-powered irrigation systems transforms fruit farming in various ways such as:
- Modified and replaced old and inefficient fuel pumps
- Enhanced irrigation scheduling using plant, soil, and weather-based sensors
- Converted or upgraded micro-irrigation, drip irrigation into low-cost irrigation systems.
The innovations in solar-powered farming equipment will create new opportunities for farmers and manufacturing companies. For farmers, it will enable them to practice fruit farming on a larger piece of land without worrying about water. Solar-powered sensors will create opportunities for developers and make farming a simple task. They can be used to detect pests, diseases, and any changes in the soil.
Why you need solar-powered sensors on your farm
Sensors can serve a wide range of tasks. In fruit farming, they can be used to monitor soil moisture to help the farmer know when irrigation is required. When using drip lines, they can be used to monitor the irrigation status and the precision of the irrigation system.
Solar-powered sensors are placed in strategic positions around the farm where they can gather information related to crop performance, pests, and soil moisture. They rely on LoRa (Long-range radio) signals which consume little power. Once the information is gathered, it is relayed to cloud-based systems that analyse the received information automatically. The information received is then used to determine the management techniques to be applied.
Solar sensors and pumps save energy and water
Innovative sensor technology decreased solar costs, and cloud-based systems can transform fruit farming to a lucrative agribusiness. The costs of fueling water pumps and farm machinery can be quite high. Solar energy reduces fuel costs, water wastage, and greenhouse emissions.
Solar-powered irrigation systems cut labour requirements and energy costs. Farmers are recommended to create a cost-effective system composed of drip irrigation kits, photovoltaic panels, and 12-volts pumps. These systems are efficient in both hilly and remote areas.
There is a growing synergy of wireless communication, sensor technology, cloud-based systems, and smart applications which will transform agriculture in the near future. A 50-watt solar panel, for instance, can be used to power a 12-volt pump. This pump has the strength to move water at a rate of 300 – 700 gallons per hour.
Purchasing and installing irrigation systems have never been easy. With many sellers, the chances of getting poor quality equipment are high. Oxfarm Ag provides high-quality irrigation and fertigation systems that can be easily integrated with solar-powered systems. Invest in solar energy.
Source: http://www.oxfarmorganic.com
