Automation of a drip irrigation system for citrus at national semi arid resources research institute-Serere.

Abstract

While the necessity of irrigation in general is appreciated, the focus of research has now shifted to the recent concept of agric-technology that seeks to widen modern agricultural horizons and in incorporating the use of information technologies and communication (ICT's), shift the focus of irrigation system design toward the new concept of hardware and software synergies for cost reduction, efficiency, design modifications, fertigation and chemigation. In the recent years the emphasis has focused on precision farming, including the use and application of software and more efficient instruments agriculture besides the use of simulation and modeling of moisture and nutrients movement under different soil and dripper characteristics. Improved micro irrigation systems and in particular an automated system is the focus of this project. This project undertook to design a system that in the sense of the word 'Automated' would eliminate the use of the Human factor in monitoring. The system employs the use of moisture sensors for measuring and in self-triggering irrigation actions, maintain the soil moisture at the desired pre-calculated and preset levels. This design follows the modern challenge of to improve crop growth and reduce associated costs as a justification for the incorporation of the automated concept in to the irrigation system design. The result is that water use will be significantly reduced, labor cut and continuous monitoring of the moisture guarantee high, application precision Because the System continuously monitors moisture levels, the system achieves a high level of precision and efficiency of water and chemical use. The system designed here is simulated to gauge the response and the rate of its effect and operation. The design drawings that summarize the system design are a most satisfying visual cognate of the system, which though simulated, is yet to be implemented. However, testing of the system components is crucial to the success of this and should thus be accomplished in future.