Smart irrigation systems being implemented in major farms
across Iran

Following the Iranian Agriculture Ministry’s smart
irrigation systems development program, the ministry has equipped 27 major
farms across the country with smart irrigation systems in the current Iranian
calendar year (started on March 21), Iran's Deputy Agriculture Minister Safdar
Niazi said.

“Fortunately, knowledge-based
companies have done great work for indigenizing the knowledge for the
manufacturing and installation of smart irrigation systems and we should
support them,” Niazi said.

He added that smartening of irrigation systems will help
increase plants’ efficiency, performance, and productivity, adding smart
irrigation technology uses weather data or soil moisture data to determine the
irrigation need of the landscape.

Over the past three years, each year, more than 200,000
hectares of farmlands have been equipped with modern irrigation systems,
according to the ministry data.

Smart irrigation systems tailor watering schedules and run
times automatically to meet specific landscape needs. These controllers
significantly improve outdoor water use efficiencies.

Unlike traditional irrigation controllers that operate on a
preset programmed schedule and timers, smart irrigation controllers monitor
weather, soil conditions, evaporation and plant water use to automatically
adjust the watering schedule to actual conditions of the site.

For example, as outdoor temperatures increase or rainfall
decreases, smart irrigation controllers consider on site-specific variables,
such as soil type, sprinklers’ application rate, etc. to adjust the watering
run times or schedules. There are several options for smart irrigation
controllers.