Presentation of the AI4Water Project for Sustainable Water Management

ITC Dosing Pumps had the honor of participating in the technical conference “Technological Tools for Water Governance and Management,” held on October 3, 2024, in Tàrrega. This event addressed the critical challenges facing water resource management in the context of climate emergency, especially in regions like Catalonia, where the effects of global warming are felt most intensely.

With a temperature increase 20% faster than the global average and forecasts predicting a 10 to 15% reduction in rainfall by 2050, water demand in the region could double or even triple. These challenges underscore the urgent need for sustainable water resource management and a shift in governance.

During the conference, the AI4Water Project was presented, which aims to optimize the use of water resources, mitigate the effects of water scarcity in agriculture, and improve food security. This project proposes the creation of a digital twin in the irrigation sector of Segarra-Garrigues (Lleida), in collaboration with CommSensLab-UPC, the Center for Industrial Equipment Design (CDEI), and the Geophysics and Seismic Engineering Group (GiES) of UPC.

The digital twin will be a virtual representation of the irrigation system, updated with real-time data and utilizing simulation and machine learning to facilitate decision-making. This approach will enable the simulation, planning, analysis, and enhancement of crop growth, optimizing yield and making it more sustainable. An IoT network of soil moisture sensors, satellite data, and ground-penetrating radar will be used for precise monitoring of water resources and adaptation to climate changes.

In addition to the presentations, the event provided a platform for knowledge exchange and best practices, as well as discussions on the digitalization strategy for agricultural irrigation. This was an excellent opportunity to explore how new technologies can optimize the use of an increasingly scarce resource like water.

ITC Dosing Pumps thanks the organizers for this initiative and for the opportunity to participate in such a relevant event for the future of water management in agriculture. The AI4Water Project, supported by Next Generation EU funds under the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan of the Government of Spain, represents a collective effort to address the challenges of water scarcity and climate change in the agricultural sector.