Farmers could save up to 30 per cent of water by adopting a smart irrigation plan, IIT Bombay said, citing a report that stems from joint research conducted with the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, reported news agency PTI.

Researchers developed a computer model that integrates weather forecast and soil moisture data to assess possible rainfall, soil water capacity, and the specific water requirements of each crop. This model can predict irrigation water needs up to three weeks in advance at a district and sub-district level. This capability will enable farmers to anticipate future rainfall and plan their irrigation accordingly, thereby aiding crop growth and conserving groundwater, IIT Bombay stated.

During a pilot study in Nashik, researchers observed that some grape growers were already using local soil moisture sensors. They would irrigate their grape farms if the sensor indicated soil dryness; however, it was also noted that if these irrigated farms subsequently received rainfall, the water was wasted, PTI reported.