DATE: November 4, 2025
SECTOR: Irrigation, Water Management
SOURCE: The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST)
TOPIC: Precision irrigation and sustainable water management in agriculture
SUMMARY: An expert paper providing an in-depth analysis of current technologies, economic considerations and policy implications for scaling precision irrigation.
DESCRIPTION: A new issue paper from the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) outlines how advanced irrigation technologies can transform water use efficiency in agriculture and enhance crop production efficiency. The paper provides a comprehensive analysis of current technologies, including Variable Rate Irrigation (VRI) and real-time soil and plant sensors, highlighting their significant benefits. It also recommends policy actions to support their wider adoption, which include supporting research and extension programs to demonstrate precision irrigation under local conditions, as well as creating financial incentives to offset the costs of implementing this technology.
Read the executive summary: Precision Irrigation Management Summary
Access the full report: Precision Irrigation Management
