Farmers often irrigate fields according to a fixed schedule, even when the soil still contains enough moisture. Sensor-based irrigation offers another approach. Sensors can monitor field conditions and help determine when crops actually need water.
ICAR-CRIJAF recently trained 80 farmers in West Bengal on sensor-based water management. The programme included practical demonstrations of IoT-based irrigation systems developed with CSIR-CMERI.
A soil-moisture sensor measures the amount of water available in the soil around plant roots. The information can help farmers understand whether the soil is becoming too dry or still has sufficient moisture.
The sensor sends measurements to a monitoring or control system. Depending on the technology, farmers can view the information on a display or digital device and use it to decide when irrigation is required.
With a fixed schedule, a farmer may irrigate every few days based on experience or a crop calendar. This approach does not always account for recent rainfall, soil moisture or changes in weather.
Sensor-based irrigation uses current field conditions. ICAR-CRIJAF’s training encouraged farmers to move from conventional schedules towards need-based irrigation so that water is applied when crops require it.
They can help reduce unnecessary irrigation by showing when soil moisture remains adequate. ICAR reports that an IoT-enabled soil-moisture sensing system developed for irrigation scheduling can save 10–15% water compared with traditional scheduling.
Results vary by crop, soil, irrigation method and management. Farmers should not assume that installing a sensor will automatically produce the same saving on every farm.
Can the system control irrigation automatically?
Some systems only monitor soil moisture and provide information to the farmer. Others can connect sensors with pumps, valves or irrigation controllers to automate watering.
ICAR-IARI has developed a soil-moisture sensor-based automatic basin irrigation system. ICAR reports that the system saved 25% water compared with conventional manual irrigation in wheat.
IoT systems connect field sensors with communication and control equipment. The sensor collects information, while the connected system can transmit or process that information for irrigation decisions.
An IoT-enabled soil monitoring system established at ICAR-RCER in Patna is being tested under field conditions. The system is designed to provide real-time soil-moisture information for irrigation decisions.
The basic principle can be applied across crops, but irrigation requirements differ. A crop’s growth stage, root depth, soil type, weather and irrigation method all affect how moisture readings should be interpreted.
Farmers should therefore use sensor information alongside crop-specific recommendations. A moisture value that is suitable for one crop or soil may not indicate the same irrigation requirement elsewhere.
Placement matters because soil moisture can vary within the same field. The sensor should represent the crop’s root-zone conditions rather than an unusual wet or dry patch.
Farmers may need technical guidance to determine the appropriate depth and location. Sensors placed too close to an irrigation outlet, drainage point or field edge may produce readings that do not represent the wider crop area.
Can small farmers use the technology?
Small farmers can potentially use sensor-based irrigation, but the cost and complexity of the system matter. A basic monitoring device may be more practical than a fully automated system for a small holding.
ICAR-RCER says its soil-monitoring project aims to develop affordable, scalable and farmer-friendly technology suited to eastern India’s small and fragmented farms.
The reading still needs to be translated into an irrigation decision. Farmers need to know the crop’s water requirement and the soil-moisture range at which irrigation should begin.
This is why sensor technology works best with proper irrigation scheduling. ICAR-CRIJAF’s training covered sensor-based management alongside scientific scheduling, deficit irrigation and micro-irrigation.
Yes. Sensor information can be combined with drip or other controlled irrigation systems. This allows farmers to decide when irrigation should start and how much water should be delivered.
The benefit depends on the complete system. A farmer can have accurate moisture readings but still waste water if pipes leak, irrigation runs for too long or water distribution across the field is uneven.
Farmers should check how the sensor is powered and how information reaches the monitoring device. Battery life, charging requirements and network availability can affect reliability.
A system that depends on continuous connectivity may not work smoothly in areas with poor mobile coverage. Farmers should ask suppliers whether the device can store readings locally or continue operating when connectivity is interrupted.
Sensors require checking and, depending on the model, calibration or replacement. Soil conditions, physical damage and poor installation can affect measurements.
Farmers should ask about warranty, calibration, replacement sensors and local service before buying. The cost of maintenance should be included when comparing a sensor with conventional irrigation scheduling.
What should farmers check before buying?
Farmers should compare sensor accuracy, measurement depth, battery life, connectivity, warranty and service support. They should also ask whether the system is suitable for their soil and crop.
The total cost matters too. A farmer should calculate the price of sensors, controller, installation and irrigation equipment before expecting savings.
Sensor-based irrigation is not simply about installing a device in the soil. It changes how farmers decide when to irrigate.
The recent ICAR-CRIJAF training shows that the technology is already being demonstrated with farmers in West Bengal, while ICAR institutions are testing different sensor-based systems for water management.
For farmers, the practical question is whether real-time soil information can solve a problem they already face. If irrigation is often based on guesswork or fixed schedules, a sensor could provide useful information. But the system needs to be matched with the crop, soil, irrigation method and farm budget.
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