SRINAGAR: As climate change and unpredictable precipitation patterns increasingly impact temperate horticulture and valley agriculture, the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) is spearheading a transformative technological shift with the unveiling of its solar-powered, Internet of Things (IoT)-driven smart irrigation and precision fertigation system.
Mandated by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to transition from experimental campus plots into active rural farmlands within a 12-month timeline, the system integrates micro-sensors, soil moisture probes, automated solenoid valves, and solar generation to regulate precise irrigation and micro-nutrient dosages directly to plant root zones.
Crucially, the university’s agritech model solves a historic agricultural bottleneck by converting intricate sensor telemetry and predictive soil data into simplified, actionable advisories delivered directly to farmers’ mobile phones in Kashmiri, Urdu, and Dogri. This real-time decision support prevents over-irrigation, conserves groundwater tables, and reduces costly chemical fertilizer wastage by up to 40 percent.
Complementing the irrigation rollout, the Lieutenant Governor dedicated three specialized research and incubation facilities at the Shalimar campus: a Prototype Design and Development Centre, the Directorate of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and a Health and Wellness Centre. The university has been tasked with incubating at least 100 student-led agricultural startups over the next year across high-potential sectors including automated cold-chain logistics, certified seed verification, organic bio-fertilizers, and GIS soil mapping.
Aligned with the goals of Jammu and Kashmir’s flagship Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), the integration of indigenous agritech promises to elevate farm productivity, insulate fruit growers against seasonal dry spells, and create sustainable rural employment opportunities across the Himalayan region.
Published by True Roots Media