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**Headline: IIT Bombay and IITM Pune Develop Smart Irrigation Plan to Combat Drought**

**Mumbai, July 24, 2025** – Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune (IITM Pune) have announced a breakthrough in water conservation for drought-prone regions. They have developed a “Smart Irrigation Plan” capable of saving 10-30% of irrigation water by combining weather forecasts, satellite soil moisture data, and computer simulations to manage water effectively.

The system predicts irrigation water needs up to three weeks in advance at the district and sub-district levels. The approach will advise farmers on how much water they will receive through rainfall in the coming weeks so they can plan their irrigation wisely to help crop growth, and conserve groundwater

A pilot study in Nashik district, Maharashtra, demonstrated that groundwater conservation of up to 30% was possible by incorporating local weather forecasts with soil moisture data. This methodology was extended to 12 sub-districts of Bankura, West Bengal, another drought-prone area, considering crop varieties, growth patterns, root zone depth, and water requirements.

The computer model at the core of the plan considers weather forecasts, soil moisture data (including root zone depth, soil texture, porosity, and water-holding capacity), and crop-specific water requirements. Based on these factors, the system advises farmers to irrigate if no rainfall is predicted or to avoid irrigation if rain is expected, preventing overwatering and conserving water resources.

“Our computer model depicts the natural process by which plants draw water from the soil, their adaptation during a water stress, and their response during a water balance after irrigation or rainfall,” says Professor Subimal Ghosh from IIT Bombay, highlighting the system’s potential as a real-time advisor for water management.

The project was funded by the Department of Environment, Government of West Bengal, and the DST-Swarnajayanti Fellowship Scheme, among others. This innovative approach promises significant benefits for farmers in drought-prone regions by improving water management, enhancing crop yields, and protecting valuable groundwater resources.

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