Delphy Digital's QMS Water was announced as the winner on Thursday afternoon in the challenge initiated by Greenports Nederland. According to the jury, consisting of specialists in water management, Delphy's QMS Water platform makes the most significant contribution to "providing just the right amount of water, reducing fertilizer runoff, and improving water quality."
Precision irrigation based on data
QMS Water is a software platform that combines soil moisture levels, crop development, and weather forecasts to advise growers on the optimal amount and frequency of irrigation. This irrigation advice can be sent directly to the irrigation unit, enabling automated control.
While various sensors are already available to monitor soil moisture, QMS Water distinguishes itself by integrating this hardware into a user-friendly platform. The collected sensor data is analyzed and combined with crop and weather information, allowing growers to make precise, real-time irrigation decisions.
Practical applicability and adoption
QMS Water is currently being implemented in fruit cultivation and arable farming, with promising research results for applications in greenhouse horticulture. The biggest challenge in implementing QMS Water lies in grower adoption. Although the technology provides valuable insights for optimizing irrigation and fertilization, its use requires a shift in mindset and working methods.
Due to this "social innovation," the jury has awarded Delphy Digital a prize of €10,000, which will be used to further stimulate the acceptance and practical application of QMS Water.
Delphy