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Soil Moisture Indicator
Introduction
Outreach
Awards
License
Downloads
MoU Signed
Contact Info
Introduction
Water is a scarce resource in the 21st century. It is a serious concern for agriculture and allied sectors. Improving water productivity is understood in terms maximum output from per unit volume of water. Soil moisture based irrigation scheduling is not in practice in our country, due to non-availability of suitable devices. Scheduling irrigations would lead to more crop and income per drop of water, which requires use of simple, low-priced and efficient soil moisture indicating devices. ‘Soil Moisture Indicator’ is a user-friendly moisture indicating device which was developed by ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute through ‘farmers’ participatory research.
The expedition started in 2008, with a research project, entitled Farmers’ Participatory Action Research Programme (FPARP), funded by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Govt of India. In this project, experiments were laid in different locations and farmers were sensitized on various water conservation techniques including scheduling of irrigations using Tensiometer (a popular device for measuring soil moisture status). Farmers irrigated their sugarcane crops based on Tensiometer readings, which considerably reduced the number of irrigations, led to saving of water. However, there were problems in using the device such as need for multiple installations in the field, expensive, need for regular filling of water, frequent blocks in the ceramic cup, leakage and other maintenance problems.
About Soil Moisture Indicator
Other available alternative devices to assess soil moisture are expensive and inaccessible to farmers for regular crop production activities. Considering these issues in account, ICAR-SBI has developed a handy and user-friendly electronic device named as “Soil Moisture Indicator” (SMI) and used for scheduling irrigations.
This device was tested in PTD (Participatory Technology Development) approach by the farmers in comparison to the Tensiometer for saving precious irrigation water. The results indicated that farmers’ preferred SMI totensiometer due to various advantages viz., inexpensive compared to Tensiometer, simple to use, no recurring expenses, relatively less maintenance, irrigation water saving of about 15% and 8% improvement in cane yield (which is about 30 lakh litres of irrigation water/hectare in the case of sugarcane crop). It has helped to bring additional area under cultivation with the same quantity of irrigation water available in the farm.
Features of Soil Moisture Indicator
This device works based on the principle that soil electrical resistance is inversely proportional to soil moisture content. Field capacity, available soil moisture and permanent wilting point (PWP) are the key parameters considered for soil moisture indication. The device has two metal sensor rods for measuring soil moisture. It works by inserting the metal rods in the soil and pressed the switch, after pressing the switch, the electronic circuit translates soil resistance into a color glowing light emitting diode (LED). Totally ten LEDs are provided which comprises three each for blue, green, red and one orange for approximation. Three LEDs are provided for respective soil moisture approximation primarily to suit different types of soils. The indications are, moisture status slightly above PWP is indicated by orange glow, in any case soil moisture must not go below this level. The glowing of red color LED indicates immediate irrigation failing which drastically affect crop growth and yield potential of the crops. Soil moisture status sufficiently above PWP and less than field capacity is indicated by green glow. Blue glow indicate soil moisture is at field capacity, which indicates excess soil moisture. SMI will not provide the precise soil moisture status, as it is only an objective indication. There is a possibility of getting errors while using SMI in saline or clayey or sandy soils, which warrants a fine- tuning in the electronic assembly before out for use in the field. SMI is portable, requires no permanent installation in the field and can be used in the field to ascertain the soil moisture level as per the user’s choice.
Farmer’s Acceptance
Large scale demonstrations by SMI in the farmers’ fields through FPARP indicated a saving of about 15% irrigation water and 8% improvement in cane yield. As the purchase-price of SMI is much lower, farmers can easily buy soil moisture indicator (Rs. 1200/- to Rs.1500/-+GST) compared to Tensiometer (next best available option) which needs an expense of about Rs. 20,000/ha. SMI reduces the number of irrigations thereby saving significant quantity of precious water resources per hectare, which is about an estimated 30 lakh litres of irrigation water/hectare in case of sugarcane crop. Due to this, farmers could bring additional area under cultivation with the same quantity of irrigation water and earn additional profits. Reduction in number of irrigations helps in reducing the cost of sugarcane cultivation by saving six man-labourers. Currently, with the one-man labour wage rate being about Rs. 400/day a saving of Rs. 2,400 could be ensured. Overall, the reduction in the estimated cost of cultivation is Rs. 5000/ha. This reduction could also save 220- 240 units of electricity in a year/ha. At the national level, if SMI is used, an estimated saving of about 60 – 65 crore units of electricity per year is estimated in case of sugarcane cultivation. In terms fringe benefit, as every irrigation would require at least one working day for monitoring and managing a one-hectare farm, the farmer could effectively use about 6 working days to other farm work, when SMI is used.
This technology has created new business opportunity to the Agripreneurs besides improvement in water productivity. Recently, one national level FPO, CFEI which has members all over the country including farmers, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists, has registered with ICAR-SBI-ABI, for commercial production and popularization of ICAR-SBI technologies including SMI, among all categories of the farmers in the country. Apart from that, this device an ideal choice for start-ups, entrepreneurs due to low initial investments for licensing and commercial scale production at cottage industries.
Soil Moisture Indicator device had directly or indirectly contributed to most of the National Development Priorities (NDP), UN Sustainable Development Goal – 6, conservation of the precious irrigation water, promoting entrepreneurship and employment opportunities through its innovation.
Effect of using SMI on crop yield and water savings in farmers’ fields
|
Sl. No. |
Item |
Conventional Irrigation |
Irrigation based on SMI |
|
1 |
Cane yield (t/acre/crop) |
55.8 |
60.4 |
|
2 |
No. of irrigations / crop |
42.0 |
36.0 |
Outreach
Awareness created on the use of Soil moisture Indicator
The awareness on water saving through soil moisture indicating device is rare practice in the country. In order to scale-up and scale-out the technology, display and demonstrations of the device were carried out in the Agri Exhibitions, Farm fairs, Kisan Melas, National Science Day, Trainings, Seminar, Symposia, Conferences and other gatherings to reach farmers, rural and urban youth, sugar mills officials, line department personnel etc. These efforts were widely covered in print, radio and television media, besides social media.
The technology was introduced to high level dignitaries viz., Union Ministers, Government Secretaries, etc., in 87thAnnual General Meeting of ICAR meeting at New Delhi and Special meeting with The Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers welfare (DAC&FW), New Delhi. Such efforts had resulted in large scale demonstrations by KVKs across the country.
Since SMI is versatile in nature, it can be used for various crops, besides sugarcane, such as groundnut, brinjal, Ladies finger, coconut, banana, paddy, sesame, black gram, green gram, tomato, mustard and pomegranate, as demonstrated by Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)in the country. These details are available in KVK knowledge network
https://kvk.icar.gov.in/Passevent_farmer.asp
Director, ICAR-SBI demonstrating SMI in 87thAnnual General Meeting of ICAR meeting at New Delhi
Former Director General, ICAR releasing SMI and pamphlet
SMI demonstration to APC, Govt of Tamil Nadu
Demonstration of SMI to farmers
Awards
TERI-IWA-UNDP Water Sustainability Award 2021
Winner of TERI-IWA-UNDP Water Sustainability Award 2021 – Excellence in water use efficiency in Agricultural Sector on 22nd March 2022, Dr.K.Hari, Dr.D.Puthira Prathap, Dr.P.Murali, Dr.A.Rameshsundar,Dr.B.Singaravelu.and Dr.Bakshi Ram
Winner of TERI-IWA-UNDP Water Sustainability Award 2021 – Excellence in water use efficiency in Agricultural Sector
NATIONAL WATER AWARD 2019:
This technology WON the First prize in the Best Research / Innovation / Adoption of New Technology for Water Conservation category by the in the 2nd NATIONAL WATER AWARDS 2019, by Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. Government of India, – Dr.K.Hari, Dr.D.Puthira Prathap, Dr.P.Murali, Dr.A.Rameshsundar and Dr.B.Singaravelu.
License
Licensing of Soil Moisture Indicator
♥ M/s KSNM MARKETING, SF No. 29/1B, Ona Palayam,, Vadavalli to Thondamuthur Road,, Coimbatore Tamil Nadu 641 109, India,, http://www.ksnm.co.in/,, Phone: 93632 61175, 93603 88900, Email: info@ksnm.in.
♥ M/s TECH SOURCE SOLUTIONS, Shri Vinay Krishna, Proprietor,, #163, Rajeshwari Complex, 2nd Floor, Above Karnataka Bank,, R V Road, Near Minerva Circle, Bengaluru 560004, Karnataka, Phone: 9035067427, Email: info@techsourcesolutions.in.
.
♥ M/s NAGARJUNA AGROCHEMICALS PVT. LTD., G-01, D.No. 6-3-1218/6/2, Street No.6, Spring Heaven, Umanagar, Begumpet, Hyderabad – 500016, Telangana, India, Phone: 9848045670, 07660000650, Email: minilab2015@yahoo.com, http://www.nagarjunaagrochemicals.com .
♥ M/s Parashar Agrotech Bio Pvt. Limited, No. S-15/2-14-4-5, Mohankunj apartment, Ghausabad, Varanasi 221002, Uttar Pradesh, Phone: 9918470920, 8173844260, E-Mail: Parasher76@gmail.com, director@parasaragrotech.com.
♥ M/s Gayathri Agri Inputs, Reg. Office : Plot No.10,Block No.25,, IInd Floor, APIIC Industrial Area, Autonagar, Hayathnagar Mandal, R.R. Dist. Hyderabad-500070, Telangana, Phone:99595 22537, 91777 55523, E-Mail: gayatriagri14@gmail.com.
♥ M/s Farm Tech India, 6, Sawarkar Market, Dutta Chowk Yavatmal-445001, Phone: 232244282, 9689064640, Email: farmtechi@yahoo.com.
♥M/s G.T. Biosciences Pvt. Ltd.,23, Kolhe Layout, Part 2, Darwha Road, Yavatmal– 445001, Maharashtra, India Phone:7387927517. E-mail: gtbiosciences38@gmail.com.
♥ M/s SKR Agrotech, Shri Radheshyam Mundhda, Shri Devi Ratan Complex, 132, Subhash Road, Agyaram Devi Square, Ganeshpeth Colony, Nagpur, Maharashtra-440018, Phone: 07152-242662, 7709373832, 9665022980, Email: info@skragrotech.com.
♥ M/s. LABTRONICS, Plot No.129, Phase- II, Industrial Area, PANCHKULA, HARYANA, Phone: 0172-2594773/5048491/5048510, 9814177389. E-mail: info@labtronicsindia.com.
♥ M/s HARIT BIO-CONTROL LAB, Siddhant, 74 Mangesh Nagar, Dehankar layout, Bhosa road, YAVATMAL – 445001, Email: haritbio123@rediffmail.com., Phone:7745067481; 9422167481.
♥ M/s SOLVENT CONNECT INDIA (P).LTD, H.O.-2/58,Rajanikhand, Sarda Nagar Yogna, Lucknow-226002, Uttar Pradesh, Phone: 8004990075, 9889130949. E-mail:solventindias@gmail.com.
♥M/s RICHARDSON AGRICLINIC AND AGRIBUSINESS PVT.LTD, 375 B, Singapore township, Talawali Chanda, Indore – 453781, Madhya Pradesh (near ICICI atm railway fatak), Phone: 9039012443, 9039012440, E-mail: richardsonacabpvt.ltd.112@gmail.com.
♥ M/s OXYTECH CORPORATION, No.1279A, Mettupalayam Road, SAHS College post, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, E-mail: oxytechcbe@gmail.com, oxytech3@gmail.com, Phone: 0422 4220390, 9894064432.
♥ M/s NETWORK SOLUTION, 3/320, Vastu Khand, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow- 226010, Uttar Pradesh, Phone: 8853264915, E-mail: sanjaydubey274001@gmail.com.
♥ M/s RANAJI BIOTECH (INDIA) PVT. LTD, G-1517 Awas Vikas, No.1 Kalyanpur, Kanpur-208017(U.P), E-mail: ranajibiotech@gmail.com, Mobile: 9140334350, 7800000040.
♥ M/s Celebrating Farmers Edge International Pvt.Ltd, Plot No.79, YeshwantBugalow, Opp. GrudutSocity, Sarmath Nagar, Nashik, Maharastra-422005, E-mail: celebratingfei@gmail.coMobile: 9416020888, 8638980576.
♥ M/s VARSHA AGROTECH, #68, Navraspur extension colony, Near Jalanagar, BIJAPUR-586103,Karnataka Mobile:9663179233/8618504401, Email: Sales@varshaagrotech.in.
♥ M/s MICROPLEX INDIA, 36,MohtaMarket,MainRoad, Wardha(M.S)-4422001, Email: Microplex.india@gmail.com, 9422141797.
♥ M/s NEXT GEN AGRO TECH, Mr.MV Wankhede,C-176/177, Chemical Zone, Butibori, Maharashtra- 441122, Email: nextgenagri.nagpur@yahoo.com, Mobile: 7745044703.
♥ M/s NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION, 12, Civil Lines, Roorkee – 247667, Uttarakhand. E-Mail: nationalic@gmail.com, Mobile: 9412024565.
Downloads
MoU Signed
Contact Info
For license requirement, the interested parties/firms/companies can contact,
ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute,
Coimbatore 641007,
Tamil Nadu,India.
Phone: 0422 2472621
Email: director.sbi@icar.gov.in;itmu.sbi@icar.gov.in
License fee of Rs. 75,000/-+ GST with a royalty of 2% + GST for a period of 10 years (effective from 12-07-2022)
*Approximate suggested price per unit is Rs. 1500/-+GST. For retail or wholesale requirement of soil moisture indicator, contact the manufacturing firms/ licensees directly.
Contact Address
-
ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute
Veerakeralam,
Coimbatore 641007
Tamil Nadu. - Phone: 0422 - 2472621
- Email: director.sbi@icar.gov.in
- GST Number 33AAAAD2962K2ZT
