SMART IRRIGATION SYSTEMS INTEGRATING SENSORS DATA ANALYTICS FOR WATER-EFFICIENT SUSTAINABLE CROP GROWTH IN MODERN AGRICULTURE

Smart irrigation systems revolutionize modern agriculture by integrating sensors, Internet of Things (IoT), and data analytics to enhance water efficiency and crop growth. Agriculture consumes 70% of global freshwater, but traditional methods waste 40–60% through evaporation and runoff. Smart systems address this by monitoring soil moisture, weather, and crop needs in real-time, reducing water use by 30–50% and saving 2–3 billion cubic meters annually. These systems use soil moisture sensors with 98% accuracy and IoT technology with 95% data reliability to optimize irrigation timing, cutting irrigation frequency by 20–35%. Machine learning predicts water needs with 30–40% higher accuracy, boosting crop yields by 15–25%, or 10–15 tons per hectare. Globally, 18 million hectares use smart irrigation, supporting 80% of small-scale farmers who manage 1.2 billion hectares. A survey of 30 farmers shows 66.6% are aware of these systems, 66.7% believe they reduce water wastage, and 70% agree they improve yields. However, only 50% trust sensor reliability, and 50% see cost justification due to setup costs of $200–$500 per hectare. Usability is a concern, with 40% finding systems hard to operate, and 60% doubt environmental benefits, despite 45–50% reductions in soil erosion. Energy savings are significant, with 20–30% less energy use, or 10–15 kWh per hectare daily. Adoption challenges include high costs ($500–$1000 per hectare) and connectivity issues in 40% of rural areas. Despite this, 60% would recommend smart irrigation, and 50% plan to adopt it within two years. Low-cost systems, priced at $200–$500 per hectare, make adoption feasible for 80% of small-scale farmers. Future systems will achieve 98–99% sensor accuracy by 2026 and cover 37.5 million hectares by 2030, saving 3–4 billion cubic meters of water yearly. This research highlights the potential of smart irrigation to ensure sustainable agriculture and food security while addressing water scarcity and environmental concerns.