ENvironmental Optimization of IRrigAtion Management with the Combined uSe and Integration of High PrecisIon Satellite Data, Advanced Modeling, Process Control and Business Innovation (ENORASIS)

The overall aim of ENORASIS is to develop an intelligent, integrated Decision Support System (ENORASIS Service Platform and Components) for environmentally optimised and, thus, sustainable irrigation management by farmers and water management organisations. ENORASIS system will actually target to motivate irrigation farmers to optimize the use of water, whereas it will also provide to (irrigation) water management organizations intelligent tools and services to effectively forecast and manage irrigation water resources, cover irrigation demand and charge customers (farmers) on the basis of an intelligent system of motives and incentives that exploits irrigation demand side fluctuations. To achieve so, ENORASIS will develop and integrate a bouquet of advanced technologies, methodologies and models in the fields of: (i) weather prediction systems that exploit satellite observations and advanced hydrology models; (ii) irrigation optimization techniques and (iii) smart card irrigation systems in order to arrive at a solution that will be easy to use for farmers and that will be flexible and robust enough for its use by irrigation water management organizations; and (iv) wireless sensor networks (functioning with solar energy) as key enabling technology for field measurements and monitoring conditions. Such an intelligent irrigation management and charging system is expected to have a major impact towards the adoption of more sustainable irrigation water management practices in agriculture and thus, increased environmental protection and costs savings for all stakeholders involved in agricultural economy. Finally, the ENORASIS project will be implemented over a period of 36 months by a multi-disciplinary and well-balanced consortium of 13 partners, including academic partners, research centres & institutes, SMEs as well as end-users (water management organisation).