Fully automated fertigation in sugarcane farming
Background
Drip irrigation plays a major role in sugarcane cultivation and it is one of the leading technology adopted by sugarcane farmers. Drip irrigation technology is evolving day by day through the addition of new innovations and modifications. The recent development is a fully automated system which flavours the convenience of the farmer and also ensures the accuracy of supplying inputs to the crop. For fully automated system, controllers and the solenoid valves have to be attached in the drip system and the pump can be operated through power cord. In simple automation, if the power is on, the controller automatically open the valves and irrigation starts. It is be a volume and time based system. When the solenoid  valves are linked to the automatic fertigation system called “fertikit” the fertigation activity becomes automated. The advanced controllers have the fertikit and the soil moisture controller which regulates the irrigation according to the soil moisture. Also, the fully automated unit have EC and pH sensor which regulates the EC and pH  levels. Moreover, the entire system can be operated from for away places by using a mobile phone.

Early adopter for the technology
Automation helps to operate the system with minimum or even no manual interventions. The fully automated irrigation system can manage the major farm operations viz., irrigation and fertilizer combined manner through fertigation. A progressive farmer, Shri.Ayyapan from Valayappati village adopted a fully automated fertigation system in sugarcane farming. His farm is in Karur district and he resides in Chennai and manages the farm operations by pre scheduled comments in the mobile phone. The entire unit is operated with 24 hours power back-up.

Scope and utility

• The operations like irrigation and fertigation are operated automatically thus, it reduces labour and time. Large scale cultivation is possible through fully automated system.
• The time and quantity of fertilizer is pre-scheduled, as per the scheduled programme, the fertigation will be undertaken automatically. Hence, it ensures precision in irrigation and fertigation and it increases the water and fertilizer use efficiency.

Staus of the technology
Being a high investment requiring technology; it is adopted by big and progressive farmers only. Hence, efforts are required to popularize the technology among small and marginal farmers.

Central unit of fully automated fertigation system	Farmers field under fully automated fertigation system