A field visit was conducted on 7th Dec, 2025 at Putalibazar-10, Rangkhola under the project “Smart Sprayer: Efficient Terrace Irrigation in Nepal” to assess the performance of innovative irrigation technologies in terrace farming systems. The visit was jointly undertaken by members from the Agriculture Knowledge Center, Syangja (AKC), the National Agriculture Modernization Project (NAMP), and the Climate Resilience Research Center (CRRC). The visiting team included Mr. Prakash Bastakoti, Chief of AKC and Mr. Narayan Prasad Pathak Agriculture Officer from AKC and Mr. Ajay, Chief of NAMP and Ms. Prativa Budhathoki, AG officer from NAMP, along with members from CRRC.
During the field visit, the project team evaluated the performance of the Smart Sprayer irrigation system and solar pump installed on the farm of Mr. Pyam Narayan Adhikari. The system’s operation—including solar-powered water supply, pressure regulation, and uniform spray distribution across terrace plots—was closely observed to assess its effectiveness under mid-hill farming conditions. Mr. Adhikari shared that he has been regularly monitoring the system’s performance and has found it to be highly effective in improving water-use efficiency, ensuring uniform irrigation coverage, and reducing labor compared to traditional irrigation methods. He also highlighted that the integration of a solar pump has made the system more sustainable and cost-effective for long-term use.
The visiting team also reviewed the Croptimal mobile SMS service, which supports precision irrigation by helping farmers schedule watering based on crop growth stages, weather conditions, and water requirements. Sharing the suggestions, an AKC official stated, “The technology sounds great for commercial farming during the dry season, especially for low-height crops. This technology can be tested further for crops such as mustard, onion, garlic, and maize, particularly before the first tillage practice.”
Interaction with the farmer provided valuable insights into system operation, maintenance, and field-level benefits. AKC members offered technical recommendations for improving irrigation management, while NAMP representatives emphasized the importance of linking irrigation innovations with market-oriented agricultural production.The visit concluded with a summary of key observations and recommendations for further refinement and scaling up of the Smart Sprayer irrigation technology to promote climate-resilient, efficient, and sustainable terrace agriculture in Syangja and Nepal.
If you need more information about the project outcomes, please follow our project page or contact us at info@climateresilienceresearchcenter.org.np.
