Optimizing Water Usage in Agriculture with LoRaWAN® Solution

With agriculture accounting for nearly 70% of global freshwater use, efficient water management has become essential for sustainable farming. In Bulgaria, to help a large-scale producer of watermelons and cabbages overcome irrigation challenges, Loren Networks deployed TEKTELIC innovative IoT solution that maximizes water efficiency, improves crop health, and reduces operational costs.

The Challenge

A large-scale producer of various crops reached out to Loren Networks for a solution to optimize their irrigation processes across vast fields of watermelons and cabbages. With limited access to real-time soil moisture data, the producer often faced inefficient watering practices, leading to both under- and over-watering. This lack of precision impacted crop health and operational costs, as resources were not used effectively.

To achieve optimal water management and support healthier crop growth, the producer needed accurate, real-time insights tailored to their specific field conditions.

The Solution

 Loren Networks turned to TEKTELIC’s KIWI Agriculture Sensors to meet these needs, deploying the sensors strategically across key areas in the client’s fields. The KIWI sensors measure essential parameters, including:

• soil moisture,
• soil and ambient temperature,
• humidity,
• light levels,
• detect movement and orientation changes.

This comprehensive environmental data allowed Loren Networks to provide the end customer with highly accurate insights into field conditions in real time.

The KIWI sensors offer several unique advantages. With a robust IP-67 enclosure, they are built to withstand harsh outdoor conditions, ensuring consistent performance throughout the seasons. Their long battery life of up to 10 years means they require minimal maintenance, reducing both costs and the risk of data interruptions. The KIWI sensors are also easy to deploy, with an optional external antenna that allows flexible signal reception to suit the unique layout of each agricultural field.

Furthermore, KIWI’s open integration capabilities allowed seamless data sharing with Loren Networks’ proprietary software platform, enabling the end customer to make data-driven decisions effortlessly.

Through Loren Networks’ platform, the customer could access real-time monitoring, analytical reports, and a digital diary for crop management. This platform also provides notifications and alerts for timely responses, all of which are accessible via mobile or desktop devices, allowing the end customer to monitor and manage irrigation schedules from anywhere.

As a result, the customer could tailor water distribution based on real-time data, improving efficiency and ensuring that each crop area received the precise amount of water needed.

Conclusion

With the combined power of TEKTELIC’s advanced KIWI sensors and Loren Networks’ data-driven platform, the end customer now benefits from a streamlined, accurate irrigation process. This solution has led to tangible improvements in:

• water conservation
• cost savings
• crop health
• sustainable and efficient cultivation practices.

By optimizing irrigation practices to align with actual soil conditions, this deployment supports the customer’s commitment to responsible resource management while enhancing their overall agricultural productivity.

This partnership between TEKTELIC and Loren Networks exemplifies how IoT technology can transform traditional farming practices, providing end users with innovative tools that bring both economic and environmental benefits.