Grech Farms Irrigation Upgrade: Automation & Cloud-Based Remote Management

Background Manual Irrigation Across Multiple Zones

Farming at Full Scale

Grech Farms, a large-scale producer of seasonal vegetables in New South Wales, Australia, encountered operational inefficiencies due to a manual irrigation system. The process required constant on-site monitoring, manual valve operation, controlling and coordinating irrigation schedule across multiple agricultural blocks, imposing a substantial time-consuming workload on the staff, diverting attention from other critical tasks.

The Challenge Labor-Intensive Irrigation Management Issues

Too Much, Too Manual

Prior to the modernization and digitalization project, the operation of the irrigation system at Grech Farms involved several Challenges:

Inefficient irrigation system operation requiring manual inspection of each block, operating valves by hand, and manually setting timers for irrigation cycles.

Maintenance was labor-intensive and time-consuming, with daily manual interventions needed, especially during peak growing periods.

Risk of over/underwatering due to human errors or delays, resulting in reduction of crop productivity and water wastage.

The Solution Automated Cloud-Based Irrigation Control

Smart Control From Anywhere

With more than 40 irrigation zones and a demanding farming schedule, the manual system proved unsustainable for maintaining long-term productivity and reliable water supply.

To address these challenges, six units of Omega cloud-based irrigation controllers were installed across the farm, creating a unified and efficient irrigation operation. The project upgrade allows the staff to currently manage more than 40 units of BERMAD 100 Series solenoid operated control valves. This setup enables remote operation, control and monitoring from the elevated farm office, activation of pre-set irrigation programs manually or on a according programmed schedule, fully automated shut-off without on-site human intervention, and real-time visibility and control over every irrigation event.

Results & Benefits for the User

Scalability: The system is ready to expand with future farm growth.

Optimized System Performance: Continuous monitoring and real-time adjustments have elevated irrigation efficiency and uniformity.

Water Conservation: efficient water distribution minimizes waste and results in substantial cost reductions.

Better Resource Allocation: Farm staff can allocate more time for essential agricultural activities, as remote control and management mitigate the need for on-site human involvement.

Reliable Irrigation Cycles: Automated scheduling ensures consistent and dependable water delivery to crops.

Insightful Data Analytics: Accumulated operational data supports analysis, driving ongoing improvements in water use and system efficiency

Expandable Infrastructure: The solution is designed to accommodate future expansion as the farm grow, increasing irrigated area, crop variety and yield.

Conclusion

By integrating BERMAD’s digital technology at Grech Farms, they drastically improved irrigation practices, streamlining operations and reducing manual workload. These improvements not only reduce operational costs and conserve resources but enable farm staff to focus on their primary mission: cultivating premium seasonal crops.

Over sixty years of experience in irrigation and robust engineering support, BERMAD remains dedicated to agricultural investments and efficient water use.

Value your water.