The Ministry of ICT and Innovation has endorsed the use of Raspberry Pi technology across various sectors, including remote irrigation. Remote irrigation is an automated method that uses sensors and computers to schedule crop irrigation without the need for manual intervention. ALSO READ: Will new solar powered irrigation scheme end farmers' woes? With the integration of technologies such as temperature and moisture sensors, automated timers, and internet-connected devices, the irrigation process can be significantly streamlined. Instead of manually operating pumps and valves, remote irrigation utilizes automated systems to optimize the irrigation process. ALSO READ: Nyabarongo multipurpose dam to irrigate over 20,000 ha of crops Typically, users of remote irrigation systems only need to set an irrigation schedule and can monitor and adjust settings using a laptop or smartphone. The device communicates sensor data through an FMS-based internet gateway located in the user's home or office. The implementation of a smart irrigation monitoring system using Raspberry Pi is expected to increase the irrigated areas in Rwanda. Currently, while 500,000 hectares of land in Rwanda are irrigable—equivalent to 40% of the country’s arable land—only 10% of this potential has been realized. ALSO READ: Government revises irrigation targets Esther Kunda, the Director General of Innovation and Emerging Technologies, highlighted the broad applications of Raspberry Pi technology in agriculture, health, and education. We have encountered significant demand for Raspberry Pi technology and are collaborating with stakeholders to scale its use in Rwanda. Innovators and software developers can leverage it to design solutions for various challenges. We also plan to facilitate competitions in schools to promote this technology, Kunda said. Davis Mugira, a developer of ShambAssist—an advanced farm advisory system that uses automation and integrated sensors—said he is currently working with farmers’ cooperatives to scale up the system, which relies on Raspberry Pi devices. “This technology-driven system collects critical data from various farm parameters, such as soil moisture, temperature, humidity, weather conditions, and crop health. The data is then transmitted to a digital interface or mobile application accessible to the farmer,” Mugira explained. It empowers farmers to make informed decisions, optimize resource use, and respond promptly to potential challenges. He added that the system has been deployed by rice, potato, and vegetable farmers in the districts of Musanze, Kamonyi, and Nyagatare. Shadrack Munyeshyaka Nkurunziza, the head of Nyereka Tech, which is involved in introducing Raspberry Pi-based computers to the Rwandan market, noted that the cost of such a computer is about one-third of that of other computers, making it more affordable. Teachers and students can also benefit from these devices in their work, he said.
