A soil water and solute learning system for small-scale irrigators in Africa

Better yields of high-value crops are necessary for a profitable irrigation industry in sub-Saharan Africa. We introduced two simple tools, the Chameleon soil moisture sensor and the FullStop wetting front detector, which represent soil water, nitrate and salt levels in the soil by displaying differ...

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Autores principales: Stirzaker, Richard, Mbakwe, Ikenna, Mziray, Nuru Ressa
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Informa UK Limited 2017
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/96982
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author Stirzaker, Richard
Mbakwe, Ikenna
Mziray, Nuru Ressa
author_browse Mbakwe, Ikenna
Mziray, Nuru Ressa
Stirzaker, Richard
author_facet Stirzaker, Richard
Mbakwe, Ikenna
Mziray, Nuru Ressa
author_sort Stirzaker, Richard
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Better yields of high-value crops are necessary for a profitable irrigation industry in sub-Saharan Africa. We introduced two simple tools, the Chameleon soil moisture sensor and the FullStop wetting front detector, which represent soil water, nitrate and salt levels in the soil by displaying different colours. These tools form the basis of an experiential learning system for small-scale irrigators. We found that farmers quickly learned from the tools and changed their management within a short time. The cost of implementing a learning system would be a small fraction of that of building or revitalizing irrigation schemes.
format Journal Article
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spelling CGSpace969822024-02-29T09:08:22Z A soil water and solute learning system for small-scale irrigators in Africa Stirzaker, Richard Mbakwe, Ikenna Mziray, Nuru Ressa virtual irrigation academy chameleon sensor fullstop wetting front detector social learning irrigation scheduling development Better yields of high-value crops are necessary for a profitable irrigation industry in sub-Saharan Africa. We introduced two simple tools, the Chameleon soil moisture sensor and the FullStop wetting front detector, which represent soil water, nitrate and salt levels in the soil by displaying different colours. These tools form the basis of an experiential learning system for small-scale irrigators. We found that farmers quickly learned from the tools and changed their management within a short time. The cost of implementing a learning system would be a small fraction of that of building or revitalizing irrigation schemes. 2017-09-03 2018-08-28T13:34:02Z 2018-08-28T13:34:02Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/96982 en Open Access application/pdf Informa UK Limited Stirzaker, Richard; Mbakwe,Ikenna; Mziray, Nuru Ressa. 2017. A soil water and solute learning system for small-scale irrigators in Africa, International Journal of Water Resources Development, 33:5, 788-803, DOI: 10.1080/07900627.2017.1320981
spellingShingle virtual irrigation academy
chameleon sensor
fullstop wetting front detector
social learning
irrigation scheduling
development
Stirzaker, Richard
Mbakwe, Ikenna
Mziray, Nuru Ressa
A soil water and solute learning system for small-scale irrigators in Africa
title A soil water and solute learning system for small-scale irrigators in Africa
title_full A soil water and solute learning system for small-scale irrigators in Africa
title_fullStr A soil water and solute learning system for small-scale irrigators in Africa
title_full_unstemmed A soil water and solute learning system for small-scale irrigators in Africa
title_short A soil water and solute learning system for small-scale irrigators in Africa
title_sort soil water and solute learning system for small scale irrigators in africa
topic virtual irrigation academy
chameleon sensor
fullstop wetting front detector
social learning
irrigation scheduling
development
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/96982
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