AgroAmerica Smart Irrigation Technology Conserves Water

(Newswire.net — July 20, 2017) CIUDAD DE GUATEMALA , Gautemala — 

Each July the Irrigation Association celebrates Smart Irrigation Month.  Now in its 13^th year, July is the month to showcase the social, economic and environmental benefits of efficient irrigation technologies in landscape, turf and agriculture irrigation.

AgroAmerica, a sustainable agriculture business with operations in Central and South America, has been implementing smart irrigation technology for some time. The company ensures the efficient use of water resources and guarantees availability of clean water through different technologies. Stringent water use controls, and constant monitoring and analysis, guarantee the quality of the water used in the various farming activities.

According to SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education,) determining the amount and timing of irrigation for efficient water use can play a huge role in conservation. Monitoring water application for crop needs and soil moisture content remains a key strategy.

AgroAmerica’s investment in several smart irrigation techniques has proved this correct  New irrigation techniques have led to better use of water and improved energy consumption. The technologies implemented over the last nine years have also contributed to improving the productive yield of their plantations.

Smart Irrigation Technologies:

• In 2008 sensors that sample and monitor moisture in the soil to regulate irrigation needs were implemented. This reduced water usage by 30%.
• In 2012 a micro-spraying technology was introduced. This allows optimized application of irrigation in plantations, using water more efficiently and reducing application times by 33%. As a result production improved by 7% and reduced the use of fuels by 30%.
• In 2015 AgroAmerica installed probes that directly measure the moisture content of the soil in real time. Data is delivered in percentages to facilitate decision making.

AgroAmerica has other water re-utilization techniques that allow the efficient use of this resource:

Reservoirs: They collect water during the rainy season to use for irrigation when climate conditions require it. They currently have 8 reservoirs.

Packing plants: The AgroAmerica packing plant saves 80% of the water needed because there is a reutilization system which is part of the process.

As a sustainable agriculture business AgroAmerica has alaigned theri CSR programs with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goas. Their quest for better irrigation technology is ongoing and they are currently evaluating the results of their smart irrigation programs and the impact this  are having on local communities and the environment.