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A young, dynamic and eligible manager of the color bell pepper (capsicam) crop in a rainy -powered area of Punjab, Chakol district, Kallar Kahar, is happy after applying the soil moisture sensor in his farm. He is saving almost half of the water compared to past exercises. This modern sensor helps him to evaluate the moisture of the soil and determine whether he needs to irrigate the crop again.
The International Water Management Institute, an international non -governmental organization, launched this distribution of censors to farmers in selected parts of the country under their plan – Water Resource Accountability in Pakistan. The censor is divided into two districts in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The move was first launched in Punjab in 2021 and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2024.
Tausif told the news on Sunday, “Ivimi contacted us a few months ago. He installed a soil moisture sensor in our place. He hopes that the new system will have a beneficial effect on production.
According to Abu Bakar, IWMI District Officer in Chakwal, more than 44 gurgled soil moisture sensors have been installed in Chakwal to monitor the surface of the soil moisture and improve irrigation methods.
Farmers have said that the sensor has significantly improved the water consumption performance, especially wheat crop and vegetables. In Chakwal, wheat character has been reduced by five, which has saved farmers Rs 10,000 per acre. Vegetables, the sensor has reduced the irrigation ten to seven times, as well as the costs associated with it are reduced.
Chakwal is a mostly raining area. People use tube wells and electric power to irrigate their fields. Sensors are helping to save water, time, energy/ fuel costs and increase production.
Under its water governance, accountability and administrative plan, IWMI started to apply soil moisture sensors in 2024 and in Charsadda. The organization’s field and research team often visits and checks the sensor and receives the opinion of the FMERs.
A progressive farmer from Bafa Tehsil of Mansehra district, Dr. Attack Rehman, is experimenting with these sensors on his six canal farm to grow Kiwi fruit.
He added, “I have recently started using this sensor as a pilot project. I have found it very useful. These fruits need a certain amount of water. If the plants are caused by more heat, the fruit is shocked,” he added, “he said, adding to me, adding to the light,” he said. Green light indicates enough water, blue means no more water is needed and red states that the soil needs to be irrigated due to lack of moisture.
IWMI considers water safety a definite challenge for development. Water safety is also essential for a safe, sustainable future. Water safety means accessing and maintaining access to acceptable amounts and water quality of health, livelihood, environmental system and production, with an acceptable level of water -related risks to people, environment and economies. IWMI believes that the water system needs change.
The wrapping is financed through foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office/ UK assistance. Its purpose is to “strengthen the rule of water at the national and provincial levels, to support climate change and improve environmental stability.” IWMI is related to climate resolution to improve water governance.
So far, IWMI has installed 299 soil moisture sensors in Chakwal and Okara districts in KP and Mansehra districts in KP as part of its wrapping project. According to IWMI officials, these sensors are not too expensive because they have longevity with battery -powered systems. Farmers can read data either by card, or by connecting sensors to the Wi-FI network.
Dr. Rehman says the government should encourage and educate farmers about modern technologies as they can help save water, time, energy and resources and improve productivity.
IWMI officials say it depends on governments to increase the use of these technologies across the country.
Author is a staff reporter. It can be arrived at vaqargillani@gmail.com
