Popular smart device for irrigation and fertilization on farms

To be honest, when you hear about 'intelligent irrigation systems', the first thing that comes to mind are beautiful commercials with perfectly green fields and one engineer controlling everything from a tablet. In reality, especially in our conditions, everything is much more complicated and interesting. Ten years ago, I myself thought that the main thing was to buy expensive equipment, and the rest would work itself out. I was wrong, of course. Now, after dozens of projects, including collaboration withShandong Linyao Intelligent Agriculture Technology Co.,Ltd, I understand: the key is not in the “smartness” of the device, but in how it fits into a specific agricultural landscape, soil and even the local habits of farmers.

What really lies behind 'intellectuality'

Many people still confuse automation with intelligent control. Automation is when you set a watering program in advance, and it works on a timer. An intelligent system is when soil moisture sensors, weather stations and even satellite data adjust this program in real time. UShandong Lingyao Co.,LtdBy the way, this is well thought out in their projects: their devices do not just pour water, but take into account the type of crop, growth phase and even precipitation forecast. But here’s the caveat: such a system requires constant monitoring and sometimes manual adjustments. Not everything can be trusted to algorithms, especially in the first season.

I remember how, at one of the projects in the Rostov region, we installed a system that, in theory, should itself determine the need for watering. The sensors showed the norm, but visually the plants began to wither. It turned out that the problem was local compaction of the soil - the water simply did not reach the roots. We had to additionally install sensors at different depths and make adjustments to the software. This is the case when the experience of an agronomist turned out to be more important than a smart gadget.

Another point is the compatibility of components. Farmers often buy a device from one manufacturer, sensors from another, and software from a third. As a result, the system works intermittently.Shandong Lingyao Co.,Ltdhere they benefit from an integrated approach: they design, manufacture and configure the equipment themselves, which reduces the risks of inconsistencies. But even this is not a panacea - each region makes its own adjustments.

Implementation pitfalls: from theory to field

The biggest mistake is trying to copy foreign experience without adaptation. Dutch systems, for example, are designed for a stable climate and light soils. In our country, temperature changes and heavy loams can negate all the advantages. It is necessary to strengthen the filters and add additional modules for applying fertilizers in small doses. By the way,integration of water and fertilizers- this is a separate topic. It is not enough to simply mix them in a tank - precise dosage is important depending on the electrical conductivity of the soil.

On the websitehttps://www.lyzhihuinongye.ruTheir solutions for drip irrigation with simultaneous fertigation are well described. But in life, even with such systems, there are failures. Once, due to poor-quality fertilizer, all the emitters became clogged; the entire system had to be flushed urgently. Now I always advise clients to use only proven products and install additional filters.

Energy supply is another headache. In remote farms with power outages, smart systems may simply turn off. This is where hybrid solutions with solar panels and backup batteries come to the rescue.Shandong Lingyao Co.,Ltdoffers such options in its turnkey projects, but the cost, of course, increases.

Real cases: where smart devices really work

Such systems perform best in greenhouses and intensive gardens. There is a stable microclimate and you can accurately control all parameters. For example, in one of the farms near Krasnodar, after installing a system fromShandong Lingyao Co.,Ltdmanaged to reduce water consumption by 30%, and increase apple yields by 15%. But it’s important that the savings only appeared in the second year, when all the algorithms were adjusted to local conditions.

It's more difficult in open fields. Especially with continuous crops like grains. There, targeted application of fertilizers and water is not always economically justified. Although in arid regions, like Kalmykia, even for wheat, drip irrigation with intelligent control gives an increase. But the payback period is 3-4 years, which scares off many.

An interesting experience was with a project for remote control of valves in a potato field in the Bryansk region. It would seem like a small thing - you don’t need to run across the field to open/close the valves. But in practice, this saved up to 2 hours a day for the agronomist, who could devote time to data analysis. By the way, it is precisely such “little things” that often determine the success of implementation.

Frequent mistakes when choosing and using

The most dangerous thing is to chase cheapness. Chinese analogues are sometimes one and a half times cheaper, but their sensors fail after the first season. European equipment is more reliable, but more expensive and not always adapted to our realities. Golden mean - like companiesShandong Linyao Intelligent Agriculture Technology Co.,Ltd, which offer a reasonable price-quality ratio, plus technical support in Russian.

Another mistake is underestimating the need for staff training. You can install the most modern system, but if the operator does not understand the principles of its operation, he will either blindly trust the automation, or vice versa - constantly intervene unnecessarily. Ideally, training should be carried out directly on site, during operation.

They also forget about regular maintenance. Filters need to be washed, sensors calibrated, software updated. Without this, even the best system will begin to fail in a year or two. In contracts withShandong Lingyao Co.,Ltdservice is usually prescribed, but not all clients understand its importance and save on it.

Prospects and limitations of technology

Nowadays the direction of precision farming is actively developing, whereintelligent device for irrigation and fertilizationbecomes part of the overall digital ecosystem of the economy. Data from drones, satellite images, weather forecasts - all this is integrated into a single platform. But here the problem of excess data arises - you need to be able to interpret it, and not just collect it.

The limitation is the high cost of implementation for small farms. Although more budget solutions are emerging, such as equipment rental or cloud services, where you do not need to buy expensive software.Shandong Lingyao Co.,Ltdis just beginning to offer options that could change the market.

Another trend is modularity. Instead of one monolithic system, there is a set of compatible modules that can be purchased gradually. Let’s say, in the first year, install a basic irrigation system, in the second, add a fertilizer application module, and in the third, remote control. This is psychologically easier for farmers accustomed to gradual investments.

Conclusions that are not written in advertising brochures

An intelligent irrigation system is not a “set it and forget it” situation. It is rather a tool that enhances the competencies of an agronomist, but does not replace them. The most successful projects are those where equipment and specialists work in tandem, constantly adapting to changing conditions.

It is important to understand that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. What works perfectly in a greenhouse may not work in an open field. Even within the same farm, different areas may require different approaches. Therefore, the key success factor is the flexibility of the system and the ability to customize it.

And the main thing is that any, even the most advanced technique, is just a tool. Without an understanding of agronomy, soil science and local characteristics, it is useless. The best results are always where technology complements, rather than replaces, human experience.