Pakistan Has Solarised Irrigation—But When Will It Make It Smart?
New South Wales, Australia, has launched a A$1.4 million Smart Farming Program, covering 70% of eligible AgTech costs, up to A$35,000 per farmer.
It supports soil and water sensors, drones, crop-monitoring systems and farm connectivity. But its most important feature is training before technology: farmers must first complete an AgTech workshop to assess their needs and learn how to use farm data.
Pakistan should take note.
Reuters estimated that Pakistan had around 650,000 solar-powered tube wells by 2025. Solarisation has reduced irrigation costs, but cheaper pumping can accelerate groundwater depletion when water use is not linked to actual crop requirements.
The problem is not solar energy—it is unmeasured irrigation.
Pakistan’s current model is largely:
Solar panels → Pump → More water
It needs to become:
Soil moisture → Weather data → Irrigation decision → Smart solar pump
Soil-moisture sensors can determine whether irrigation is needed, how long a pump should operate and whether watering can be delayed because of expected rainfall.
Pakistan already has some relevant experience through IWMI’s soil-moisture sensor initiatives and locally developed precision-irrigation solutions. The bigger challenges are affordability, farmer training, rural connectivity and large-scale adoption.
This matters because Pakistan’s agricultural census shows that farm households have increased from 8.3 million to 11.7 million, while average farm size has declined from 6.6 to 5.1 acres. AgTech designed only for large farms will therefore have limited national impact.
A Practical Pilot for Pakistan
Pakistan could connect 1,000 solar tube wells across selected districts in all four provinces with:
• Soil-moisture sensors
• Digital water meters
• Local weather data
• Crop-specific irrigation advice
• Mobile guidance in regional languages
Following the Australian model, government could finance 70% of the cost, while farmers, banks, agribusinesses or AgTech providers contribute the remainder.
For smallholders, equipment could be offered through cooperatives, dealer-led services or pay-per-use models.
After one crop cycle, the pilot should measure water saved, pumping hours reduced, yield impact and change in farm income.
Pakistan does not merely need more agricultural technology. It needs an adoption system combining finance, training, connectivity and measurable results.
Solar power has made groundwater more accessible. The next challenge is ensuring that every drop is used intelligently.
Sources: NSW Government, Reuters, IWMI Pakistan and Pakistan Agricultural Census.
#SmartFarming #SmartIrrigation #PakistanAgriculture #AgriTech
18 Août 2026 à 04h30
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