KP farmers cut water use by up to 30% with modern technologies

PESHAWAR: Farmers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa achieve better crop results while using less water because they implement modern soil moisture sensor technology.

The Tarnab Research Farm and specific locations in Charsadda and Mansehra use sensors to deliver immediate crop irrigation data, which enables farmers to irrigate their fields at the necessary times.

Farmers now use 110 installed sensors to replace their previous irrigation schedules, which relied on guesswork. Farmers who used to irrigate their fields four to six times per season now water their crops three to four times, which enables them to save up to 30 percent of water, according to project officials.

Research shows that crop yields have increased from 15 to 20 percent after the implementation of new farming methods. The International Water Management Institute implements the project through a UK-funded program that aims to enhance water management capabilities.

The project will enhance climate resilience while decreasing water resource demands and reducing irrigation expenses for tube well farmers. The agricultural system of the province will improve with technology expansion, according to experts who want to address climate change effects on farming.