IPB University Professor: AI-Based Precision Irrigation Techniques Can Increase Rice Yields
Prof Chusnul Arif, Professor of the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, IPB University, explained the development of various precision irrigation techniques that are more efficient and appropriate. This technique focuses on optimizing the use of irrigation water based on artificial intelligence (AI).
“In the development of precision irrigation techniques, the main challenge is the complexity of the relationship between water, plants, and environmental factors,” Prof Chusnul opened during the Professor’s Scientific Pre-Recognition Press Conference (20/2) online.
Along with technological advances, AI with its various advantages is the main component in integrating various water, environmental, and plant parameters through the 3i approach, namely identification, optimization, and control.
He continued, Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) models have proven effective in the identification stage. This model is able to analyze and predict various problems in irrigation and fertigation systems.
“On the other hand, Genetic Algorithms (GA) is a part of AI that functions as an optimization method that allows the selection of the best combination of precision irrigation systems to increase land productivity, water use efficiency, and maintain environmental sustainability,” he said.
Meanwhile, in the control stage, he said the Fuzzy Logic (FL) method is an appropriate and precise method in maintaining optimal and adaptive conditions to environmental conditions.
“The implementation of AI-based precision irrigation techniques has been carried out, especially in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) in 2022 combined with alternative rice cultivation known as System of Rice Intensification (SRI),” he explained.
He added, this technique was able to increase rice yields from 5.5 tons/ha to 6.4 tons/ha in Kupang Regency and from 9.94 tons/ha to 10.72 tons/ha in East Sumba.
Not only that, Prof Chusnul also developed the Nirdaya Automatic Fertigator (FONi) and Pocket Fertigator technologies. These are two appropriate irrigation techniques developed with various advantages.
“These advantages include being able to work automatically without electric power, saving water with an efficiency of close to 100 percent. The components come from local materials and are easy to install. The design can also be modified easily according to land availability,” he said.
Prof Chusnul hopes that with accurate precision, water use can be more efficient through wise and not wasteful utilization, so that more people can benefit. (Lp) (IAAS/LAN)
