Smart Air Fertigation (SAF) without using Fertilizers through Air Irrigation for Sustainable Agriculture

Abstract

In India approximately 80% of the total water is consumed for agriculture. India does not spend any money in conserving water consumed in agriculture. In the current scenario humans are concerned about potable water, more and more insufficient in relation to the increase of the population and as effect of pollution. Crops are watered using various irrigational methods with the ground water. Water consumption in irrigation also depends upon the crop which is cultivated. Sugarcane and rice cultivation consumes nearly 60% of the irrigation water. Further to ensure a bumper produce, farmers are encouraged to use chemical fertilizers. Many of these fertilizers give a promising crop produce but the after effects of consumption of such chemically treated produce leads to harmful effect on human health. Nevertheless, quite a many farmers are now focusing on Organic method of farming wherein chemical fertilizers are totally avoided. However, the produce under this method does not give a bumper crop produce. To tackle the problem of water waste during irrigation process, techniques like drip irrigation, dry farming, irrigation scheduling, and Smart irrigation using Information Technology are applied to ensure least wastage of irrigated water at the same time providing desirable conditions for bumper crop produce. To provide an alternate solution for reducing water wastage in irrigation and providing natural fertilizers to the crops, this research paper suggests the use of Smart Air Fertigation (SAF) without using fertilizers with the aid of Air Irrigation method. Further, by using various IT tools and sensors it is possible to provide Smart Air Fertigation system which will also help reduce labor and will be less time consuming.