The Challenge

Uruguay faces considerable challenges in the development of irrigation due to irregular rainfall patterns and soils with moderate water storage capacity, which limit agricultural productivity. While there has been a significant increase in irrigation adoption within agriculture and dairy farming, progress in livestock farming remains slow, and irrigation covers only a small portion of the cultivated land.
Despite favorable policies and incentives, several key issues persist. Many producers lack accessible tools for irrigation scheduling, making it difficult to plan water use efficiently. Additionally, uncertainties about expected yields, irrigation system limitations, and concerns about the long-term impact on soil sustainability restrict investment and effective management of irrigation resources. Addressing these challenges required a robust technological solution capable of providing real-time insights to optimize irrigation practices.

Table showing RiegoOk company lists.
Tablets showing agricultural GIS map UI over terraced fields background.

The Solution

To tackle these challenges, DigitalProjex developed a Geographic Information System (GIS) for water balance, a publicly accessible web-based platform designed to assist producers in managing irrigation more efficiently. The solution integrates multiple functionalities to provide real-time, data-driven decision-making support:
Hydric characterization of soils: Allows users to assess water retention capacity and optimize irrigation strategies.
Agronomic variables input: Enables the customization of irrigation plans based on specific crop requirements.
Climate database integration: Uses historical and real-time weather data to enhance irrigation scheduling accuracy.
Weekly irrigation scheduling: Generates precise recommendations based on rainfall and irrigation records, ensuring optimal water distribution.
Productivity diagnostics and simulations: Helps farmers evaluate and improve farm efficiency by modeling different irrigation scenarios.
Impact analysis on soil organic carbon: Supports sustainable farming by assessing how irrigation affects soil health and long-term sustainability.
By combining these features, the GIS system provides an advanced toolset for producers, allowing them to optimize water use, reduce waste, and maximize agricultural productivity.

The Result

The implementation of this GIS-based irrigation system has significantly improved water resource management across Uruguay. By relying on real-time rainfall and irrigation data, producers can now optimize their water use, reducing waste and enhancing efficiency. The platform also enables farmers to diagnose and improve productivity through simulations and analyses, helping them make informed decisions about their irrigation practices.
Additionally, the system's ability to assess the impact of irrigation on soil organic carbon promotes more sustainable agricultural management. By providing easy access to crucial data on soil hydric characteristics and agronomic variables, this solution empowers hundreds of producers with the insights needed to implement responsible and efficient irrigation strategies, ultimately contributing to a more resilient and productive agricultural sector.

Regadores Unidos del Uruguay logo over field irrigation system background.

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