SDG Detail

Upgrading water management systems to improve water efficiency

Case study

Project description

Since 1999 the Mancini family have grown citrus at Tharbogang in the Riverina area of New South Wales. Operating under the name Riverbest the orchard has been supplying juicing fruit for local processors. The orchard is set among the southerly slopes of the Macpherson Ranges with loam and sandy loam soils perfect for citrus. The Mancini family use a combination of overhead, microjet and drip irrigation systems to water 18 hectares planted to fruit trees. Vito Mancini said the sloping land and different irrigation systems make it difficult to maintain ideal soil moisture and instead they regularly under or over water the trees. To overcome this problem, Vito decided to install soil moisture sensors across the orchard. As a Lion orange grower, in 2019, Vito decided to apply for a Lion Orchard Pride Landcare Grant. He was successful with his application, receiving $10,000 in funding to cover the cost of the sensors.

Year 2019

Location Australia

Organization Landcarer Australia

Project aims

The installation of remote soil moisture sensors allows Vito to monitor the soil to make sure he�s efficiently using water to maximise fruit productivity and quality. On top of the productivity improvements, the sensors take out the guess work previously used to water the trees. The benefit of this is Vito only needs to draw on the water that is actually needed meaning the goal was to see both productivity gains and a reduction in his overall water use. He estimated that once installed and calibrated the sensors would allow him to cut water usage by 25 percent. This water saving and the subsequent reduction in energy used to power the irrigation system would improve the orchard�s bottom line. �Our average production is 25 tonne per hectare at a cost of $290 per tonne when you factor in water and electricity costs. By reducing our water use by 25 percent, I anticipate this cost will be brought down to $217 per tonne,� Vito said. Vito said he also expected this will create further environmental benefits by reducing carbon emissions. �Overall the remote soil moistures will ensure our property is more sustainable as more fruit is produced with less water,� Vito said.