Muhammad Saleem

The use of AI-powered irrigation systems is crucial for Pakistan’s agriculture sector, given the emerging challenge of water availability, Dr Abdul Rehman from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, told WealthPK in an exclusive interview.

“Farmers need systems capable of optimizing water usage based on real-time data. We need to prevent wastage of water and improve crop resilience, as climate change is altering cultivation patterns. Artificial intelligence is changing every sector, and agriculture is no exception. It's a ripe time for the policymakers to fund educational institutions to develop tools necessary for modernizing the agriculture sector,” he said.

“Gone are the days when farmers relied solely on the traditional methods; we are now in an era of digitalization where systems with sensors in the field will take the center stage. With the help of sensors, farmers will be able to collect data on soil moisture, weather, and even plant health,” he said. Dr Rehman further said AI tools can help farmers make informed decisions about how much water each part of the field needs and when.

Similarly, a well-organized and efficient irrigation system is the key to battling water scarcity, and AI can lend a helping hand in this regard.  When asked about the challenges these systems might face in the country, Dr. Rehman pointed out that illiteracy among farmers is a major hurdle due to which they are not well-versed in technology. “First, we need to train them, then the government must announce incentives for small farmers to adopt modern irrigation technologies.

Through proper training, farmers can learn how to use and maintain the latest systems to ensure their functionality and maximize their potential. However, the initial cost of advanced irrigation systems is high – a barrier for many small farmers,” he said. He said the government must ensure a steady supply of electricity at an affordable rate. Reliable supply of power is a pressing issue in rural areas, hampering farmers’ performance.

“Sooner or later, we need to embrace AI-backed technologies due to their vast potential.” “Beyond irrigation, AI can be used for yield prediction, and pest and disease detection. Farmers in developed nations are using drones for precision farming, and we should also go for this method,” he said. “With technological advancements, the prices of these tools will drop in future.

However, even if these tools become affordable, our farmers cannot cash in on the opportunity without proper knowledge and training. We need technology to modernize our agriculture so that we can contribute to food security and ensure economic growth,” he said Bilal Ahmed, a farmer, acknowledged that they need technologies that can irrigate their lands efficiently and help them optimize the water resources.

With every passing day, the issue of water availability is reaching a boiling point, he said. “We have no solution in sight and are just waiting for the government to break the deadlock on how the policymakers will tackle this pressing issue. Water scarcity is affecting our production, resulting in a decline in earnings,” he added.

Credit: INP-WealthPk