Students of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) succeeded in developing the irrigation system automatically according to the needs of the plant in the area of ??oil palm plantation. Tools that are still a prototype is even a champion in the competition Agribiz Challenge which was held in December 2016 ago.
The irrigation system, named “AiRi”, won the first category on farm in the prestigious event by setting aside hundreds of other works. This system was developed by Andrianto Ansari from the Faculty of Agricultural Technology (FTP) in collaboration with several FTP alumni, Widagdo Purbowaskito, Yustafat Fawzi, and Dualim Atma and Muhammad Ghufron Mustaqim from FISIPOL. The five are incorporated in Merapi Tani Instrument (Mertani) Indonesia team.
“AiRi is an automation technology for irrigation in palm oil breeding that combines hardware and software that works in real time,” explained Andrianto, Wednesday (4/1).
Andrianto describes the development of tools that have been done since 2012 ago was originated from concerns about irrigation systems by Indonesian farmers because it is still running traditionally. Irrigation manually is considered less effective because it requires a lot of manpower and time in the process.
With the irrigation automation technology is expected not only can reduce expenses and energy. However, it can also optimize plant growth and save water usage.
The irrigation automation technology, said Andrianto, uses nutritional sensors, ground humid sensors, and microclimate sensors based on wireless networks. Through the sensors it can be known conditions of soil moisture, nutrients and climate in the plantation area. This tool is also equipped with solar panels as a source of energy in the operation of this irrigation system.
“This tool works automatically when plants need water,” said the man from Sedayu, Bantul this.
AiRi works by draining automatic irrigation water when plants need water through the approach of wilting point. Then irrigation will stop automatically when the land reaches the field capacity through the reading of moisture score.
“That way, this irrigation automation system can save water usage,” he said.
AiRi has been applied in several places one of the Palm Oil Research Center (PPKS) Medan. In addition, also been tested in the tobacco plantation PTPN X Klaten.
Currently, the irrigation system developed by five young people is in the form of drip irrigation system. But in the future, they will develop with sprinkler system for more optimal watering.
“Various developments continue to do so that this tool can work more leverage and mass produced to the benefits can be felt directly by the community,” he concluded. (Public Relations UGM / Ika)