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