ICT Tools For The Enhancement of Irrigation Efficiency in West Africa (IRRIWEST)
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Transcript of ICT Tools For The Enhancement of Irrigation Efficiency in West Africa (IRRIWEST)
ICT Tools For The Enhancement of Irrigation Efficiency in West Africa (IRRIWEST)
Emmanuel Obeng BekoeSRS-Surface Water Division
SURFACE Water Division Presentation
ICT Tools For The Enhancement of Irrigation Efficiency in West Africa (IRRIWEST)
Dr. Emmanuel Obeng Bekoe - Project Team LeaderDr. Joseph A. Ampofo - CoordinatorDr. Emmanuel Obuobi - MemberDr. K. Kankam-Yeboah - MemberMr. Fredrick Y. Logah - MemberMs. Debie Ofori - MemberMr. Paul Fabalona - MemberWRI SWD Technicians
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Duration: 3 years (2013-2015)Funding : by African Union Grant with EU backing
Collaborative InstitutionsSenegal- CORAF/WECARD)Spain - Neiker (Applicant) and
INKOA (Subcontractor)
Introduction of ICT-IRRIWEST
IRRIWEST Project is aimed at enhancing irrigation practices in West Africa in order to
optimize water resources management and increase agricultural productivity, and
enhance irrigation efficiency and increase cereal and vegetable crops productivity through the testing and transfer of ICT and innovative irrigation advisory services.
Irrigation: Application of water to plants for growth development
Is it been done judiciously?Are the water needs adequate?
Objectives
Overall objective: Foster the contribution of agricultural research for the achievement of optimized water resources management and increased agricultural productivity in West Africa, contributing to increased food security and poverty reduction strategies
Specific objective: Irrigation efficiency enhanced and cereal
and vegetable crops productivity increased in West Africa through the testing and transfer of ICT and innovative irrigation advisory services
Target groups: Ghanaian and Senegalese smallholder farms
(smaller than 3 ha) cultivating cereal and vegetables, farmers’ associations, agricultural extension services and research institutes
Methodologies to be employed: (4-packages)
WP1- DEVELOP A SOIL WATER BALANCE ESTIMATION MODEL
WP2-DESIGN AND DEVELOP A SENSOR NETWORK FOR THE MONITORING OF KEY ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS
WP1 and WP2 Concluded
WP3-DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF AN ICT-BASED IRRIGATION ADVISORY SERVICE
WP4- TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND REPLICABILITY IN
OTHER AFRICAN REGIONS
Activities: WP1- DEVELOP A SOIL WATER BALANCE ESTIMATION MODEL
The main aim of this WP is to select and adapt a soil water balance model to determine the evapotranspiration rates and adjust it to the conditions of the pilot fields selected in Senegal and Ghana
T1.1- Identify and collecte required secondary information for the model
T1.2 – Select pilot fields with the assistance of GIDA for the validation of the soil water balance model
T1.3 -Select and adapt the mathematical model for
calculating reference evapotranspiration (Et0)
T1.4 - Adjustment of soil water balance model in the pilot
fields. ------On going now
WP2-DESIGN AND DEVELOP A SENSOR NETWORK FOR THE MONITORING OF KEY ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS
The main aim of this WP is to design, develop and implement a sensor network capable of monitoring key environmental parameters at the pilot fields of Ghana and Senegal in an accurate and reliable way, in order to use the obtained environmental data for determining crops’ water needs.
Activities T2.1-Design an environmental sensor network
with assistance of Neiker and INKOA of Spain
T2.2-Development and implementation of the environmental sensor networks at the pilot sites
WP3-DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF AN ICT-BASED IRRIGATION ADVISORY SERVICE
The aim of this WP is to design, develop and test an ICT-based irrigation advisory service for West African farmers and other relevant stakeholders. The major advisory service provided by the ICT platform will be irrigation scheduling, advising farmers when the next irrigation is due and how much water should be applied in order to maximize profit. Besides, it will also provide assessment on the most suitable irrigation technologies depending on the crop, type of soil, water availability, etc.
Activities T3.1 Design of the irrigation advisory service T3.2 Development of the irrigation advisory service T3.3 Implementation and in-field testing of the irrigation
advisory service
WP4- TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND REPLICABILITY IN OTHER AFRICAN REGIONS
The main aim of this WP will be to disseminate the project results as much as possible and to build on target stakeholders capacities by giving training sessions and preparing different training materials.
Activities T4.1- Consultation of capacity and training needs of target
stakeholders T4.2- Development of users’ documentation training curricula,
modules and materials
T4.3- Conduct specific training sessions for farmers
T4.4- Dissemination plan, target audience identification and development of dissemination materials and tools
T4.5- Conduct dissemination events in Africa
Evapotranspiration from soil reduced through the development and adjustment of a soil water balance estimation tool
Key environmental parameters monitored through the implementation and testing of an online sensor network
Enhanced irrigation efficiency thanks to the implementation and testing of an ICT-based irrigation advisory service tailored to the needs of African farmers
Technology transferred to African stakeholders and reinforced capacities on innovative irrigation technologies and ICT tools for agricultural productivity and sustainability
Action properly managed, monitored and evaluated.
Expected results:
Study Area
Locations: 4 Sites in Ghana (CSIR-WRI) and 2 Sites in Senegal (CORAF/WECARD)
Bontanga, (NR) - Guinea Savanna--Rice Weija (GAR) - Coastal Savanna-
Tomatoes Akumadan (BAR) - Deciduous Forest-
Tomatoes Kpong (ER) - Coastal Savanna-Rice
Schematic view of IRRIWEST
Users’ documentation, training curricula and other training materials.
Specific training sessions for farmers Dissemination events
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
Project technical articles project newsletters, leaflets and brochure.
Activities Undertaken since 2013)
2013 Kickoff of Workshop in Senegal in March, 2013
Identified and collected required secondary information for the model Based on FAO 56 Penman Monthieth soil water balance procedures
Undertook in-depth Scientific literature on subject area--- WP1
Acquired ~ 1Ha experimental pilot sites with the help of GIDA for all 4 sites--WP1
Gathered literature on project location sites---WP1
2014 (Jan-June) Pre-analysed, bought and installed Pessl METOS commercial
sensors for environmental parameters (such as solar radiation, water soil, soil conductivity, etc.)---WP2
Grant contract identification number:AURG/121/2012CRIS Identification Number: 305-963
Wind speed
Wind direction
Solar radiation
Air temperature
Relative humidity
Rainfall
Soil moisture
Meteorological parameters
Water level
Soil related parameters
Penman Monthieth parameters
This sensor will be required in paddy fields devoted to rice cultivation
The main aim of the sensor network is to monitor key parameters for the estimation of crop water needs, using as a basis the calculation of the evapotranspiration rates in each plot by means of FAO 56 Penman-Monteith equation.
Pilot Sites Description
Grant contract identification number:AURG/121/2012CRIS Identification Number: 305-963
Analysis of end-user requirements and assessment of the pilot plots of Ghana
Data coverage patterns in the pilot plots
Akumadan
Kpong
Bontanga
Weija
All the plots have 2G or 3G data coverage. The best option for data transmission is a Global Position Radio Satellite (GPRS) modem.
The 3G coverage depicted in the maps is based on a tri-band (850/1900/2100MHz) 3G device, while the 2G coverage is based on a quad-band (850/950/1800/1900MHz) 2G device.
Schematic diagram for Weija and Bontanga pilot fields
Water balance model based irrigation area Conventional irrigation area
18 m
92 m
124 m
6 m 12 m
12 m12 m
12 m
12 m
12 m
24 m
2
1
Free distanceArea without
irrigation
Grant contract identification number:AURG/121/2012CRIS Identification Number: 305-963
Architectural design of the sensor network
Overview of the sensor network architecture
Grant contract identification number:AURG/121/2012CRIS Identification Number: 305-963
At technical level the following criteria were considered:
• Measurement characteristics: measurement range, accuracy, resolution, response time, etc.
• Operating conditions: operating and storage temperatures
• Average life time: devices with a high life time will be prioritised in order to ensure adequate performance of the network on the long-term.
• Power requirements: considering the lack of power supply in the pilot plots, low-power sensors will be prioritised, as the energy required for them will have to be provided by means of solar panels.
Criteria for the selection of the commercial sensors
Selection of the sensors and other hardware elements
Environmental Meteo SensorsPessl Instruments
Assembling sensors
Field Installation of sensors
Photos of installed Pessl Metos stations
Weija site Kpong site
Akomadan site Bontanga Site
Photos of installed meteo stations
MaintenanceEvery Week
Rain gauge (1) The funeral has several small holes . These should be cleaned
Solar panel (3) : Carefully clean the surface of the solar panel
Convection cup (6): Carefully clean the convection cup
Every Month Global radiation sensor (2): Carefully
clean the global radiation sensor Wind speed sensor (4) Check the
wind speed sensor. The wind sensor should be examined whether the cup wheel is low-friction. If that is not the case the sensor shall be sent to Pessl instruments for service. If the cup iswheel is damaged a new one should be ordered.
Other TasksConvection cup (6): Protect the convection cup with plastic bag before applying the fertilizer
Web Site of Pessl Field Climate
Way Forward
Users’ documentation, training curricula and other training materials.
Specific training sessions for farmers Dissemination events
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
Project technical articles project newsletters, leaflets and brochure.
Challenges
What happens after the project period 2015 with sensors and monitoring?
Funding?
Thank You