DSpace Collection:http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/88022026-04-13T13:28:25Z2026-04-13T13:28:25ZProceedings of the 17th Multi-disciplinary Seminar (MDS)Research and Knowledge Management Office (RaKMO)http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/88032026-01-22T07:07:05Z2025-07-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Proceedings of the 17th Multi-disciplinary Seminar (MDS)
Authors: Research and Knowledge Management Office (RaKMO)
Abstract: Water scarcity and inefficient irrigation practices continue to limit agricultural productivity in
Ethiopia, particularly in peri-urban and semi-arid smallholder farming systems. This study
evaluated the effectiveness of Internet of Things (IoT)-based digital irrigation systems in
enhancing crop yield, water use efficiency (WUE), and economic returns in two contrasting
environments: tomato cultivation in peri-urban Arba Minch and wheat production in the semiarid
Shele lowlands. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used to compare
conventional and IoT-managed irrigation treatments. The results revealed that IoT-based
irrigation significantly improved tomato fresh fruit yield by 19.8% (38.8 vs. 32.4 t/ha) while
reducing water usage by 26.7% and increasing WUE by 63.9% (from 7.2 to 11.8 kg/m³).
Similarly, wheat grain yield increased by 19.2% (3.1 vs. 2.6 t/ha), with a 21.9% reduction in
water use and a 52.6% increase in WUE (from 0.812 to 1.240 kg/m³). Yield variability was lower
under IoT systems, indicating more stable performance. Economic analysis showed higher net
profits and benefit-cost ratios for IoT-treated plots in both sites, especially in tomato production,
where the BCR reached 3.19 in subsequent years. These findings support the adoption of IoT based
digital irrigation as a sustainable solution to improve water productivity and profitability
in diverse Ethiopian agroecology. Wider implementation is recommended through policy
support, local technology development, and capacity building to ensure affordability and
accessibility for smallholder farmers.2025-07-01T00:00:00Z