With the advent of technology, almost all, if not, are now available right at the tip of our fingers. The advancement of information and communication technology covers all aspects of our lives. From the evolution of cellular phones to smart phones, from computers to portable computer devices, snail mails to electronic mails and multi media messaging system, not to mention the availability of Robotics in almost all components of science like academe, inventions, and even healthcare.

During the last five years, farming and agriculture were also invaded by the advent of technology. Would you believe that farming irrigation can now be done thru the use of wireless communication devices?. Yes, various projects from other parts of the world has been initiated in the hope of making farming easier and convinient.

The WaterBee Technology, for instance, is just one of the many projects that attempt to make irrigation a wireless thing. Dereck Markham, in his publication “Treehugger: Sustainability Made Simple.” Explained the WaterBee System.

“WaterBee consists of a series of sensors that measure soil water content (or potential), environmental parameters that influence evapotranspiration, and indicators of crop development or physiological status. The data gathered from these sensors is sent across a low cost, low power consumption ZigBee wireless sensor network. These sensors are effectively distributed over the cultivated area, given that different areas of the field (or fields) have different water requirements.

The sensors monitor these parameters and send readings across a Zigbee mesh network to a GPRS gateway which sends all of this data to a central web service which uses an intelligent software application to automatically analyse the data and act upon it by selectively activating irrigation nodes only in the areas required.This data is fed into an intelligent software package that uses intelligent agents in order to act upon the information they are receiving from the sensors. The outputs and irrigation recommendations are presented to the user on a Smartphone App or Web Browser.” – Waterbee

It is indeed a very practical and can be considered an advanced and highly technical modern way of farming. Taking a deeper look on the system, some of the advantages cited were the following:

1. Cut down our own water use, all of the food that we eat depends on the growers getting enough water, at the right times, to grow their crops.

2. Better use of our limited freshwater resources, growers need to have not only an efficient method of delivering the water to the plants, but also an efficient watering schedule, so that the plants are getting watered with the right amounts at the right time.

3. Water conservation at the point-of-use, through efficiency efforts and optimal irrigation scheduling, can have a big effect on the rest of the water systems.

4. The system gives growers more control over their irrigation by delivering accurate data on field and crop conditions, thereby lowering their costs and raising their yields (and in theory, earning a higher profit from their operations). The access to real-time data on the state of the plants and the levels of moisture in the soil, right from a smartphone or browser, allows users to control and monitor their system for optimal irrigation scheduling.

However, every technological advancement comes with limitation and unexpected system failure. To mention some:

1. The applicability of the Wireless Irrigation System in some farming lands especially in the Philippines where areas are considered remote and not even electrical systems are in place.

2. Farmers, and land owners may develop complacency in terms of farming methods and irrigation system. With the wireless system, they may tend to over look a portion of taking care of their lands. Less frequent visits maybe done thus resulting to poor quality of crops.

3. Accessibility and affordability of the system. Should the new emerging trend reached the Philippines, are our poor farmers can afford the cost of installation of the system. Training costs, and other skills related trainings can also entail cost thus cutting the revenue of the farmers as well.

There are still a lot to learn in the application of the wireless irrigation system being utilized by highly developed countries. The fact remains that farming in the Philippines is a way of life and a show of attitude of perseverance to the world. This doesnt mean that we are resisting change, it only implies that change must be imposed if change, in terms of farming and agriculture, is accessible and available to all. But for now, the old songs goes “Magtanim ay di biro.”

By: Dusty Morales-Mangila | Teacher II | Limay National High School | Limay, Bataan