Optimize Water Use and Profits: Smart Irrigation and Carbon Credits in Agriculture

By Eran Ossmy, President of the Micro Irrigation Division at Rivulis

January 2025

The global agricultural landscape is under increasing pressure. Water scarcity, labor shortages, unpredictable weather patterns, and rising demands for efficiency are intensifying the challenges farmers face worldwide. Innovative solutions are needed to optimize water usage, increase yields, and reduce operational costs.

Smart irrigation, particularly micro-irrigation solutions, is one of the most promising approaches to addressing these challenges. These systems offer a highly efficient, resource-conscious alternative to traditional irrigation methods, and adoption is rapidly growing as farmers seek better ways to manage their water resources and overall productivity.

Smart Irrigation: A New Era in Optimizing Agricultural Output

Smart irrigation systems, powered by technologies like sensors, and artificial intelligence (AI), are revolutionizing how farmers manage their irrigation processes. Providing real-time monitoring of soil moisture and crop conditions, these systems enable farmers to make informed decisions about when and how much water their crops need.

“With global water scarcity concerns mounting, smart irrigation offers farmers an opportunity to take greater control of their irrigation systems, resulting in more precise water delivery to crops,” says Eran Ossmy, President of the Micro Irrigation Division at Rivulis. “By reducing water wastage and improving crop health, these technologies are driving a new era to optimizing agricultural output.”

At the heart of this shift are drip irrigation solutions, which deliver water and nutrients directly to the root zones of plants, minimizing evaporation and runoff. These solutions conserve water, optimize crop yields, and reduce costs – a crucial combination for farmers dealing with the growing unpredictability of weather patterns.

Driving Efficiency through Automation

Automation is playing an increasingly important role in modern irrigation systems. Remote-controlled irrigation solutions allow farmers to monitor and adjust irrigation schedules from anywhere, using mobile apps and cloud-based platforms. This not only saves time but also reduces labor costs – a key consideration in an industry that is facing significant labor challenges.

“Automation empowers farmers to make real-time adjustments and optimize their irrigation schedules with ease,” adds Ossmy. “The convenience and efficiency of controlling irrigation remotely are game changers, making it possible for farmers to manage their operations more effectively.”

With automated systems, farmers can reduce the need for manual labor while ensuring that crops receive the optimal amount of water, leading to better yields and more sustainable practices.

Harnessing Data for Better Decision-Making

As the demand for more efficient farming grows, data-driven decisions are becoming a necessity. Precision agriculture tools, which rely on data analytics to track irrigation efficiency and crop health, are helping farmers manage resources more effectively. This data can inform decisions about irrigation schedules, fertilizer application, and pest control, allowing farmers to reduce waste and improve overall performance.

Data analytics provides insights for better long-term planning and resource allocation, optimizing water usage, and minimizing unnecessary expenses. As these technologies evolve, they will play an even larger role in transforming farming operations and addressing global food scarcity.

A farmer uses a mobile app to control the irrigation system.

Alternative Water Sources: Reducing Dependence on Freshwater

Some regions face freshwater scarcity, and alternative water sources are becoming increasingly important. Recycled water and rainwater harvesting systems emerge as key solutions for irrigating crops. These alternative sources reduce the dependency on freshwater, ensuring that crop production continues in areas that face water shortages.

Innovative solutions in micro irrigation, such as using treated wastewater, create new possibilities for farmers to sustain their crops while minimizing the impact on local water resources. These practices are important in water-stressed regions, where access to fresh water is limited, yet agricultural production remains vital.

Regenerative Irrigation Practices: A Long-Term Strategy to Profitability

Regenerative agricultural practices, which focus on improving soil health and increasing water retention, are becoming more popular as farmers seek long-term productivity. Techniques like crop rotation, organic compost, and reduced tillage enhance soil structure and reduce irrigation needs, helping farmers manage variable rainfall patterns.

The Rivulis Climate initiative is empowering farmers to adopt these sustainable practices while unlocking new income streams through the Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM). By guiding farmers through the process of earning carbon credits – covering registration costs and promoting practices like drip irrigation – Rivulis opens access to an expanding market expected to grow from $2 billion to $50 billion by 2030.

“The partnership between sustainable practices and profitability is crucial in shaping the future of agriculture,” says Eran Ossmy, President of the Micro Irrigation Division at Rivulis. “Rivulis is leading the way in helping farmers not only optimize water usage but also benefit financially from carbon credits and improved environmental stewardship.”

Rivulis’ Climate projects are growing and currently span over 4,000 hectares globally, securing both financial rewards and environmental impact.

The Future of Agriculture: Rising to Global Challenges

As we look to the future, agriculture faces several global challenges. Water demand is expected to exceed supply by 40% by 2030, creating increasing pressure on farmers to make better use of available water. At the same time, climate volatility, labor shortages, and unpredictable weather patterns make farming operations more complex and costly.

“Farmers are facing significant challenges, from unpredictable weather patterns to rising input costs,” says Ossmy. “Innovative irrigation solutions like smart irrigation and automation can help farmers navigate these complexities, offering economic and environmental benefits.”

As the agricultural industry continues to evolve, the need for innovative irrigation solutions and more efficient water management will become even more critical. The ability to reduce water usage, increase yields, and minimize operational costs will be essential for ensuring the long-term viability of agriculture.