Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore, has launched a device that will aid farmers assess the soil moisture level in fields.

Aptly coined “Soil Moisture Indicator”, this electronic device – designed and developed with active participation of farmers and sugar factory personnel – has sensor rods that will need to be inserted into the soil to a required depth to assess soil moisture, explained Bakshi Ram, Director of the institute.

“The indicator, fitted with an LED, will highlight the moisture content in the soil. It can be used in farmers’ field as also in potted plants, the SBI Director said. The institute has registered four designs of SMI.

Tech Source Solutions, a Bengaluru-based firm has entered into a license agreement with the institute for marketing this patent-pending product.

Priced at ₹1,200, the indicator, said Ram, “will facilitate irrigation scheduling (particularly in sugarcane fields)”.

The effort is aimed at efficient use of water, which is becoming a scarce resource, he added.

comment COMMENT NOW