Hub Uy

CropTXT is a low cost, low power network of sensors that help farmers conserve water and at the same time, make farming more convenient.

http://hub.cool/portfolio/cropTXT

Description

Rice culture requires a tremendous amount of water. According to the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), it takes up to 5,000 liters of water to produce 1 kg of rice. It is estimated that by 2025, 15-20 million hectares of irrigated rice will suffer from water scarcity that will result in rice shortage. This shortage is a big issue for the Philippines and other neighboring Asian countries that depend on rice – as a food staple, a source of income, or both.

CropTXT is a network of sensors that aims to help farmers conserve water and at the same time, make farming more convenient.

The farmer sticks wireless, GSM-based sensors on the ground. From there, the sensors analyze soil conditions and the amount of water the crops need. After irrigation, the water level will gradually decrease. When the water level has dropped to 15 cm below the soil surface, CropTXT will alert the farmer to re-flood the field. Once re-flooding of 5 cm is reached, CropTXT will again send another SMS to alert the farmer to stop irrigating.

Allowing the water in the field to drop 15 cm below the surface before reirrigation is called “Safe Alternate Wetting-Drying (Safe AWD).” Safe AWD that CropTXT simulates will not cause any yield decline since the roots of the rice plants will be able to take in water from the saturated soil – resulting in 25% water savings.

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