AI and Data drives new age Irrigation

Kaushal Jaiswal, Managing Director, Rivulis Irrigation Ltd. discusses the available innovative tools and solutions in Irrigation and water management sector and how they are adding value to the sustainability and overall development of the sector.

ET-Insights: What are the innovative tools and solutions in Irrigation and Water Management sector?

Kaushal: We see a significant increase in availability of field related data:

• Local and remote weather data (rain, radiation, temperature, winds etc.)
• Aggregation of historical data allows: Data mining and implementation of AI related decisions
• Lower cost sensors
• Solar energy or lower energy consumption tools/devices
• Good availability and Low cost of networking

 ET-Insights: How are they adding value to the sustainability and overall development of the sector?

Kaushal: Improvement in the related technologies will allow precise implementation of: water, fertilizers and herbicides which in turn will improve the industry and environmental sustainability. The new technologies are attracting a new type of participants in the sector that are more technology related and relatively well finance. Accessibility and high availability of the new technologies is pushing the sector into development of new related products.

ET-Insights: How do you look towards the possible ways of collaboration and partnership in the sector?

Kaushal: The recent development of multiple new technologies will create a strong force for consolidations since good ideas are not sufficient to a commercial success. We will see several new platforms created that will aggregate existing and new services to the farmer

ET-Insights: Can you discuss in brief the recent case studies and developments?

Kaushal: Rivulis irrigation recently introduced Manna Irrigation, a low cost globally available irrigation recommendation service. There is also a serious issue of insects damaging the drip tapes and emitters. We have recently developed Insect Repellent Drip Pipes. Which saves the damage of drip pipe and  saves the crop and water.