Ouagadougou: Ibrahim Sawadogo, a student at the Climate Services Center (WASCAL), defended his master's thesis in computer science applied to climate change at Joseph Ki-Zerbo University on Monday. He proposed a smart and autonomous irrigation system, SMART AGRIC, to combat water waste in market gardening. The jury deemed his work worthy of note and awarded him a score of 18/20, urging him to further his research in his thesis.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Ibrahim Sawadogo decided to implement a smart, autonomous system to control water use and humidity in market gardening. He highlighted that agriculture is a major pillar of development in Burkina Faso, but farmers, particularly market gardeners, lack a system to consider soil moisture before irrigation. This often results in inefficient water usage, either using too much or too little water for the plants.
Sawadogo's goal is to provide plants with the necessary water to enhance growth, maturity, and yield. His tests indicate that the system functions effectively. He aims to refine his innovation in his thesis to help the community use water more efficiently, contingent on receiving a scholarship.
Dr. Abdoul Aziz Belko Diallo, Sawadogo's thesis supervisor, commended the student's work as applied, practical research beneficial for development. Sawadogo developed a soil sensor that detects moisture and activates an automatic watering system accordingly, conserving water significantly. Dr. Diallo emphasized the system's relevance amid climate change challenges like unpredictable rainfall and drought, highlighting its potential to optimize agricultural production by catering to plant needs.
The prototype includes a soil moisture sensor, an irrigation system triggered by the sensor, and a mobile application for real-time monitoring. Dr. Diallo urged support from university authorities, WASCAL officials, and decision-makers to ensure the research transitions from the laboratory to practical application, benefiting farmers who currently water manually.
Sawadogo's master's thesis, titled "Implementation of an Intelligent Irrigation System to Reduce Water Waste When Watering Market Garden Crops in Ouagadougou: The Case of Onion and Tomato Crops," was evaluated by a jury comprising Professor Alfa Oumar Dissa, supervisors Dr. Ousmane Coulibaly and Dr. Abdoul Aziz Belko Diallo, and rapporteur Dr. Jean Bosco Zoungrana. They recognized the work as scientific, relevant, and commendable, awarding it a score of 18/20.