Farmers would soon get to know soil moisture content of their agricultural land which would help them in timely watering their crop through use of mobile phone.

Due to a innovative technical device developed by Kondamudi Swarna Rekha, an engineer from Andhra Pradesh, the multi functional wireless remote sensing device senses the soil moisture and alerts the farmers about the need for irrigation through SMS.

The automatic irrigation control system developed by Rekha captures moisture content and electronically transfers message to farmers through mobile phone if field moisture content is low.

The farmer then can switch on the water motor for irrigating his field while the motor automatically switches off after the field attains its desired moisture levels.

Swarna Rekha says a farmer needs only one-time investment of Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000 for installing two to three machines which can cover around three acre of agricultural land.

?This equipment can also be attached to existing water pumps,? Rekha told FE. She was in Delhi for participating in the India Innovative Initiatives (i3) organised jointly by the department of science and technology, CII and Agilent Technologies where 50 innovators showcased their products.

Swarna Rekha is also working on adding soil nutrients sensors to the electronic device for helping farmers in optimal use of fertiliser.

The device is currently under field trials by various bodies such as Hyderbad-based International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (Icrisat) & Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, drip irrigation major Jain Irrigation System etc.

?Many corporates and research bodies have approached us for checking its technical and financial viability,? she said.

While carrying out research in Medak about problems faced by the farmers, she saw that there were a large number of cases of snake bites and electrocution because of naked live electric wires which were being used for starting water pumps.

?This device could also save farmers from these problems as water pumps are switched on electronically,? Swarna Rekha said.