Smart irrigation: How does it help reduce environmental impact?

Agriculture faces the challenge of producing more food with fewer resources while reducing its environmental impact. Micro-irrigation technologies, such as drip irrigation, are establishing themselves as effective solutions for advancing sustainable agriculture by optimizing water use, decreasing soil runoff and erosion, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. According to international studies, a global meta-analysis published in 2021 in Global Change Biology revealed that agricultural systems using drip irrigation emit on average 32% less nitrous oxide than surface irrigation and 46% less than sprinkler irrigation. This gas has a warming potential almost 300 times greater than carbon dioxide (CO₂). "We are seeing that irrigation technology is beginning to play a crucial role in climate action within the agricultural sector. Drip irrigation not only improves water efficiency but also significantly reduces nitrous oxide emissions and nutrient runoff, generating multiple ...