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In recent years, the growing focus on regulations that promote the efficient use of inputs in agriculture has led to a surge of interest in Decision Support Systems (DSS).
One of xFarm Technologies' core competencies is supporting customers in long-term collaborative projects to create and customise predictive models, ultimately improving irrigation strategies. These models can then be implemented alongside the automation of irrigation systems through the xIdro solution, enabling a more rational and sustainable use of water. This approach aims to optimise the supply of water to crops, improve irrigation efficiency, and reduce waste in line with the growing importance of conscious water management.
Data collected during field trials conducted by xFarm between 2022 and 2024 with various agri-food supply chains clearly demonstrate the potential of these technologies to deliver significant water savings and enhance relative water use efficiency (RWUE)
Analysis of experimental data on different crops reveals a positive impact on both fronts. Below are some of the results obtained with various companies in the sector.
At the Agriveneto company, potato cultivation showed relative water savings of 4.48% in 2022 and 5.06% in 2023, accompanied by significant yield increases of 15.88% and 11.26%, respectively. Even more striking results were achieved in tomato cultivation by TomatoFarm and Tarazona: TomatoFarm saved 59.76% of water in 2022 while increasing yields by 18.46%, and Tarazona saved 22.58% of water in 2023 while increasing yields by 22.98%. These figures demonstrate how smart irrigation management guided by xFarm's predictive models can optimise water use and productivity simultaneously.
Trials on artichokes, conducted in collaboration with the University of Bari, confirm this trend. Water savings were achieved of 14.74% in 2024, alongside a 16.30% increase in yield for the Madrigal variety. Further water savings were achieved of 14.74% in 2024, alongside an 8.78% increase in yield for the Capriccio variety. In the case of tobacco, trials conducted in collaboration with NewTab show water savings of 21.96% (2023), alongside a yield decrease of -8.34%. Further trials show water savings of 19.14% (2024), alongside a slight yield decrease of -2.31%. Hops (Luppoli italiani, 2023) show a 3.33% increase in yield despite a decrease in relative water savings (-32.15%), highlighting the need to fine-tune irrigation strategies according to specific crop requirements.
In 2023, the Capua1880 company achieved an impressive 68.27% water saving in the cultivation of bergamot oranges while maintaining the same yield. In hazelnut cultivation (Italia Ortofrutta), water savings of 23.50% were achieved alongside a 7.37% yield increase in 2024, highlighting the variability of crop responses. Significant water savings were also recorded for bamboo (Forever Bambù): 55.07% in 2023 and 1.07% in 2024, with stable yields (0% increase in both years).
With an average value of 1.55 calculated across various case studies examined between 2022 and 2024, the analysis of the Relative Water Use Efficiency (RWUE) provides a concise yet powerful metric of the impact of xFarm Technologies' smart irrigation solutions. This value quantifies not only water savings, but also an overall improvement in productivity in relation to water use. In other words, adopting smart irrigation practices, on average, allows for greater agricultural production per unit of water used than traditional methods. This demonstrates that efficient water management does not have to be a choice between protecting resources and increasing productivity; it can promote both. This increase in efficiency translates into greater environmental sustainability thanks to reduced water withdrawal and greater profitability for farmers through higher yields with equal or lower water consumption.
The tangible results of rigorous trials conducted with xFarm's smart irrigation technologies between 2022 and 2024 clearly demonstrate the potential benefits that can be achieved. It's not just about reducing the amount of water used for irrigation; it's about optimising the entire process by providing crops with the right amount of water at the right time based on their physiological needs and the specific environmental conditions they're in. This data-driven approach, made possible by IoT sensors, advanced predictive models, and the xFarm software platform, results in significant water savings and often increased crop yields. It also leads to greater efficiency in the use of an increasingly precious resource. xFarm Technologies is therefore establishing itself as a key strategic partner for forward-thinking farmers looking to combine environmental sustainability, economic efficiency, and high productivity, addressing the challenges of the agricultural sector with innovative, reliable, evidence-based solutions.
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