Latest news with #CollegeofAgricultureandVeterinaryMedicine
Al Etihad
5 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
Irrigation goes smart as AI-powered ‘Falaj' optimises water usage at UAE farms
17 July 2025 22:09 MAYS IBRAHIM (LIWA CITY)Innovators in the UAE have brought the ancient falaj irrigation system into the age of AI — this time as a tech-driven solution that promotes smart, sustainable farming amid climate and water United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), a team of experts has developed a next-generation 'Falaj' — a smart irrigation system that integrates advanced Internet of Things (IoT) technology with artificial intelligence (AI) to optimise water usage. Mansoor Al Hosani, a horticulture student from the UAEU's College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, walked Aletihad through its features at Liwa Date Festival in Al Dhafra Region. The system is designed to optimise greenhouse irrigation through a seamless combination of smart sensors, AI algorithms, and remote-access capabilities, Al Hosani said. It operates on three main functions: monitoring, control, and alarm. The monitoring feature collects real-time data from sensors that measure soil moisture, temperature, pH levels, and electrical conductivity — metrics crucial for maintaining soil health and crop productivity. This continuous stream of information enables farmers to understand the needs of their crops and apply the precise amount of water at the right time, Al Hosani said. How It Works The control system is managed through a user-friendly mobile app that gives farmers full oversight of irrigation processes. 'This way, you don't need engineers or workers on-site all the time,' said Al Hosani. 'You can manage everything from anywhere in the world.'Users can choose to automate water delivery or make manual adjustments, and the app's intuitive interface ensures accessibility even for those with limited technical experience, he adjusting water flow or responding to changing environmental conditions, farmers have complete flexibility at their is also equipped with an alarm system, which immediately notifies users when environmental conditions deviate from optimal levels. Alerts for issues like excess heat or humidity allow farmers to take timely action before such changes can harm crop Hosani noted that this intelligent infrastructure is supported by several key components, including a soil moisture monitoring station known as the 'watchman.'A smart valve ensures efficient water distribution based on real-time pressure data, while a solar-powered system reduces reliance on the electric grid. The system also includes a frequency converter cabinet that helps maintain stable water pressure throughout the irrigation of this data is presented in real-time through a centralised dashboard, which enables fast, informed decisions, enhancing overall farm management and in collaboration with NAWA, a technology company specialising in agricultural innovations, Falaj supports various communication technologies, including 4G, Wi-Fi, and LoRa wireless protocols. Al Hosani also noted that the irrigation system ensures farming information is protected through robust data encryption.
Al Etihad
6 days ago
- General
- Al Etihad
Liwa Date Festival bridges generations in a celebration of tradition and innovation
16 July 2025 22:45 AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (LIWA CITY)Amid rapid innovation and technological progress, the UAE has remained true to its roots: The Liwa Date Festival stands as a shining example, celebrating how the country honours its agricultural heritage and cultivates it for the modern ancestral knowledge passed down through generations, a new crop of experts and farmers are growing traditions into the future - and the festival has become the annual platform where insights are exchanged and new ideas are age-old agricultural practice still recognised by Emirati farmers today is a system called "the equation of equations", said Ahmed Al Mansouri, a visitor experience specialist for the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, who spoke at the ancient system is a "natural calendar" that divides the farming year into four 100-day periods."The first 100, known as the yellow period, begins on August 15 and ends on November 22. The second 100, referred to as winter, runs from November 23 to March 2. During this time, the weather cools, preparing the soil and trees for growth," Al Mansouri said."From March 3 to June 10, we enter the third 100, aligned with spring and early summer, when trees begin to flourish after winter rains. The final 100, also called the yellow period, lasts from June 11 to August 14, marking the culmination of the growth cycle."These are not random dates, Al Mansouri stressed, as these periods were ultimately tied to the life cycle of a date palm, from seedling to germination and growth."We monitor when seedlings are planted, typically from February 1 to March 2. Germination follows, and eventually, the tree is thinned and shaped to ensure even growth. Full maturity usually begins around April 22," he deep-rooted agricultural knowledge, new innovations continue to Alketbi, a horticulture student from the United Arab Emirates University's College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, studied tissue culture technology and presented his research that highlighted the benefits of cultivating palm trees in laboratory the complex process, Alketbi told Aletihad: "Using a small piece of plant tissue, known as a lip, we place it in a nutrient-rich medium. This controlled environment allows for rapid and healthy growth."From a single tissue, it's possible to produce as many as 2,000 to 3,000 palm seedlings in a process that takes five years, three in a lab and two in a greenhouse. "This method not only preserves valuable genetic traits but also ensures disease-free, high-quality plants for the market," Alketbi said.
