In developing countries like India, Agriculture accounts for 80% of all fresh water use. Amongst food crops, Rice guzzles the maximum amount of water. Unfortunately farmers mistakenly treat rice as an aquatic plant and consistently flood their fields. In reality TNAU Agri Scientist advice alternate wetting and drying (Kachal – Pachal), emphasizing that the root zone retains the necessary moisture even without flooding.
However, farmers have not responded. Using the key principles of Behavioral Economics – Default Option, Goal Setting and Feedback – We have developed a whole new strategy for Rice Irrigation.
An Appropriate Technology "Crop Water Assessment Device" (CWAD) has been developed. The CWAD measures & gives feedback by visually informing the farmer about soil moisture the available in the root zone. The Feedback functions as a trigger for Initiating (at 5cm float level) or Shutting down (at 15cm float level) the irrigation system. The farmer Goals of 7.5cm & 15cm of water moisture are clearly marked as default Goals. Trials in two districts indicates potential savings of a minimum of 20% of water per hectare which at a very conservative estimate this saving can provide water to additional 2.4 Million People annually in Tamil Nadu alone.
