Rice cultivation, crucial for global food security and the economy, especially in regions like Asia and Italy, depends on maintaining consistent water levels in paddy fields. However, climate change and desertification are threatening water availability, while levee damage caused by burrowing animals and heavy rains leads to water loss, jeopardizing both crops and the environment (3). Current monitoring methods are limited, forcing farmers to manually inspect chambers daily, which is time-consuming and inefficient.
The AISS4SA project aims to optimize water usage by implementing a modular system that monitors water levels in different paddy field chambers. The system detects anomalies such as water leaks and alerts farmers via mobile notifications, indicating the exact location of the problem. This enables quick intervention, preventing water loss and reducing manual inspection efforts. The system is characterized by its affordability, modularity, ease of maintenance, and user-friendliness, making it accessible and practical for widespread adoption.
The solution offers several advantages. It saves farmers time by automating water level monitoring, reduces water consumption and lowers costs associated with restoring optimal water levels. Additionally, preserving the water levels in rice paddies helps protect the ecosystem and cultural heritage of regions like Vercelli, Novara, and Pavia, where rice farming is part of the cultural heritage. The system’s low-cost components and modular design make it easy to maintain and upgrade, offering a sustainable and long-term solution to the problem of levee damage.