Green shovel

Climate change and rising temperatures in Iraq are directly and negatively affecting water sources for farmers, leading to increased operational costs that impact farmers' income. Many farmers, especially those with limited to moderate incomes, lack access to training courses for using technology that could help them address these challenges. Water waste and inefficient energy use are significant problems that reduce crop quality and quantity while increasing production costs for vulnerable farming communities.

Green Shovel combines smart sensors with control systems to monitor soil moisture and fertilizer levels, integrating them with controllers and timers for optimized irrigation scheduling. This approach enhances energy efficiency and lowers electricity and fuel costs associated with water pump operation. In addition to technology deployment, Green Shovel provides farmers with essential training to ensure effective use of these systems..

The pilot trained six smallholder farmers in the use of automatic irrigation systems, which were installed and supported through ongoing technical assistance. Through the partnership with Green Shovel, participating farmers reduced water consumption by 24 percent, lowered energy use by 19 percent, and increased crop yields by 10 percent. The initiative reached a total of 36 people, including farmers and their households.