COIMBATORE: A team of five scientists from Coimbatore-based Sugarcane Breeding Institute have been awarded the first prize in the National Water Awards 2019, in the best research/innovation and adaptation of new technology for water conservation category.
They won the award for innovating a soil moisture indicator (SMI) and showing its application in irrigation water management.
The scientists -- K Hari, D Puthira Prathap, P Murali, A Rameshsundar and B Singaravelu -- received the award, which includes a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh, from vice-president Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday.
The innovation won the prize for its cost effectiveness, ease of replicability and increase in efficiency of water usage.
In 2012, the scientists developed a user-friendly, simple device to help farmers assess soil moisture levels in their farm while scheduling irrigation, thus saving considerable amount of irrigation water. The soil moisture indicator indicates the soil moisture level in the soil and can work on a variety of soil types.
“It works on the principle that electrical conductivity of the soil is directly proportional to soil moisture. Many farmers saw a higher yield after they began irrigating their land based on the soil moisture indicator’s readings,” says principal scientist and co-inventor of the study, Puthira Prathap. It was also proven that farmers can save 15% of irrigated water when using the indicator which costs only Rs 1,500.
The technology was further evolved through farmers participation and the project was closely monitored by the central water commission and jal shakti ministry.
At least 12 firms across eight states have been granted licence to commercialise the product and two firms have already begun its production. It is also versatile being used in farms with different crops such as groundnut, brinjal, bhendi, coconut, banana, paddy, sesame, black gram, green gram, tomato and mustard besides sugarcane.