Growing More with Less using Satellites and Cellphones

Farmers in Pakistan often waste water due to over-irrigation, leading to increased costs and decreased crop yields. This is particularly problematic in a region where groundwater is a critical but diminishing resource for irrigation.

The SASWE Research Group at the University of Washington and Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources co-developed an irrigation advisory system. This system uses satellite data and weather forecasts to inform farmers about crop water needs and water availability via cellphone messages, helping them optimize irrigation and save water.

The project has already reached 10,000 farmers and aims to expand to 1 million farmers by 2020. It has significantly reduced water and fuel wastage while increasing crop yields.