Wang, Eric, Collins, Brian, Attard, Steve, and Everingham, Yvette (2024) Enhancing efficiency and profitability: the impact of smart irrigation scheduling in sugarcane production systems. In: Proceedings of the 45th Conference of the Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists. pp. 27-34. From: ASSCT 2024: 45th Annual Conference of the Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists, 16-19 April 2024, Townsville, QLD, Australia.

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Abstract

Reducing excess water for sugarcane irrigation can deliver both economic and environmental benefits. Technologies such as automation can, if used properly, help farmers transition to more efficient irrigation systems, while keeping productivity high and environmental impacts low. We simulated the impacts of technology adoption on irrigation and crop productivity by looking at four irrigation approaches: 1) current practice with no technology assistance; 2) low-level technology using crop modelling for scheduling; 3) medium-level technology using crop modelling for scheduling with some automation, and 4) high-level technology using a fully automated closed-loop irrigation system with sensors for adaptable irrigation. Our findings indicate that incremental technology adoption correlates with significant improvements in resource efficiencies without compromising yield. Notably, the adoption of high-level technology strategies culminates in substantial economic advantages, reaching an estimated $3,461 /ha in cumulative benefits in 5 years for the simulated farm.

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