Real-time data from soil sensors helps K-P farmers end irrigation guesswork, saving water by 30%, cutting fuel costs
PESHAWAR:
Farmers in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) are beginning to save significant amounts of water and improve agricultural productivity with the help of modern soil moisture sensor technology.
Experts believe that scaling up such technology across K-P could help make agriculture more resilient to climate change while easing pressure on Pakistan’s dwindling water resources. Early findings, based on experiences from Punjab, indicate substantial benefits.
The technology, known as a soil water moisture sensor array, has been installed at the Tarnab Research Farm and in selected farming areas of the province. 50 sensors have been installed in Charsadda district and 60 in Mansehra. The sensors provide real-time data to farmers, enabling them to irrigate crops only when necessary rather than relying on guesswork or traditional schedules.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Dr Gulzar Ahmed, Research Officer at the Pakistan Scientific Research Centre, said the initiative is a joint effort with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI). He explained that the sensor system works on three signals, similar to traffic lights, making it easy for farmers to understand irrigation needs.
“The sensors are connected to a mobile application that provides real-time data. Farmers can check soil moisture levels from their homes and decide whether their fields actually need water,” he said. This approach not only prevents over-irrigation but also helps conserve scarce water resources.
“This project aims to promote water-related research and significantly reduce the amount of water used in agriculture,” Dr Ahmad said, adding that consultations are also underway with international water-saving institutions.
Kifayat Zaman, the project in charge in K-P, said the initiative is part of a UK-funded programme titled Water Resources Accountability in Pakistan. “The programme was launched in Punjab in 2021, while in K-P it began in 2024,” he said.
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“Farmers who previously irrigated their crops four to six times during a season are now doing so only three to four times,” Zaman said. “This has resulted in water savings of 25 to 30 percent”.
According to Zaman, the soil moisture sensors are designed to improve water demand assessment, supply management, and overall governance in the water sector. “One of the core objectives of this programme is to strengthen coordination among government institutions and improve the overall water management system,” he added.
He stressed that climate change and its impacts are becoming increasingly visible for farmers across the province. “Erratic rainfall, rising temperatures, and water shortages are directly affecting agriculture. With the help of this technology, farmers can not only optimise water use but also increase crop productivity,” he said.
Moreover, research reports suggest that the use of these sensors has led to a 15 to 20 per cent increase in crop yields. The economic benefits are also significant, particularly for farmers who rely on tube wells powered by electricity or solar energy. “These farmers faced high operational costs, and the reduced need for irrigation has helped them save a considerable amount of money,” Zaman said.
