MINGORA: A major milestone in advancing climate-smart agriculture was achieved in Swat with the inauguration of an AI-enabled, solar-powered high efficiency Irrigation system at ARI Takhtaband.
The initiative, led by the Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP) in partnership with Oxford Policy Management and the Agriculture Department, marks a significant step toward sustainable water management and modernised farming practices in the region.
The installed system includes AI-enabled solar-powered high efficiency irrigation systems (drip and sprinkler) on orchard and vegetable plots. Soil moisture sensors, deployed in the field, inform the AI system, which then decides when to irrigate, for how long, and how much water should be provided. The system also includes a user-friendly dashboard for a mobile app.
The officials said that the initiative was designed to address growing water scarcity challenges while promoting climate-resilient and sustainable agricultural practices across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The system was formally inaugurated by Secretary Agriculture, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Bakhtiar Khan. Additional Deputy Commissioner (General), Swat, SRSP Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Masood Ul Mulk and Chief Operating Officer Syed Aftab Ahmad, representatives from Oxford Policy Management (OPM), officials of the Agriculture Department, Research Wing, On-Farm Water Management (OFWM), and a large number of farmers.
The event witnessed active participation from local farmers, including both men and women, youth representatives, members of the Water User Group, and technical staff demonstrating strong community engagement and ownership.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Agriculture Bakhtiar Khan said: “Climate change is a serious and growing challenge affecting agriculture, particularly in mountainous regions where both heavy rainfall and drought conditions are being experienced,” he said.
He noted that water scarcity was increasing, further compounded by population growth, making traditional irrigation practices insufficient to meet current needs.He underlined the need for enhancing agricultural productivity through efficient irrigation systems and appreciated the smart irrigation system implemented by SRSP at ARI Swat.
He stressed that such initiatives should not remain limited to the pilot level but must be replicated and scaled up across the province.SRSP CEO Masood Ul Mulk said the CF-WRAP project was the result of approximately seven months of continuous effort by SRSP, the ARI Swat, the On-Farm Water Management Directorate, and the Directorate of Agriculture Research.
“The Oxford Policy Management (OPM) provided useful technical advice in designing the AI system,” he said, adding that the smart irrigation system installed at ARI Swat was the first of its kind and had not been implemented anywhere in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He noted that the site served as a demonstration platform for learning and practical exposure, encouraging farmers to observe, engage, and benefit from the system.The team lead Catalytic Fund for Water Resource Accountability in Pakistan (CF-WRAP) project, Usman Kirmani shed light on growing water shortages across the country. He maintained that pilot projects such as the high efficiency irrigation system can add value to overall learning and replication for water conservation.
Earlier, the chief operating officer SRSP provided a technical overview of the project. He said that the system integrated AI-based decision-making, solar-powered energy solutions and drip irrigation technology to ensure efficient water use.
Sharing his experience, a local farmer said, “With this system, we are learning how to use water more efficiently and reduce our costs. It gives us hope that even with less water, we can grow better crops and secure our incomes.”
Officials said the initiative was funded by FCDO through the Oxford Policy Management (OPM), implemented by SRSP, to promote climate-resilient agriculture, address water scarcity and encourage sustainable use of natural resources in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
