Vision: why precision irrigation

The project summed up its ambition this way: reduce the fresh water used in irrigated agriculture, for the environment and to help farming adapt to climate change.

The argument behind it:

• Irrigation is the main use of water in southern Europe.
• Population growth, scarcer fresh water, rising energy prices and climate change all increase the pressure on it, and push environmental and farm policies to change.
• Every cubic metre pumped also has an energy cost.

Precision irrigation means giving each field the water it needs, when it needs it, based on measurements and forecasts rather than habit. FIGARO wanted to give growers a tool that lowers water, energy and fertiliser use while keeping yields as high as possible, and that helps them meet water regulations.