Smarter Irrigation 2: Smart irrigation control for water and labour savings in rice growing systems

This project aims to develop automated sensing and control for reduced water input rice farming systems. As the Australian rice industry moves to implement 'Dry Rice' strategies that aim to minimise ponded water time and reduce irrigation water applied to rice crops, precision water management becomes critical. This project will develop linked sensing, forecast and automation systems that achieve optimal water management that reduces labour cost while optimising water productivity in a 'Dry Rice' system. This project is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources as part of its Rural R&D for Profit program