JP Farms has been awarded the prestigious Innovator of the Year for its ground-breaking technology-driven water management system.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the Jamaica Productivity Centre (JPC) bestowed the honour upon JP Farms during the Work and Productivity Summit held at the AC Marriott Hotel on June 21, 2024.

The accolade recognises JP Farms’ innovative use of soil moisture sensors and sub-surface drip irrigation, sourced from the Middle East, to enhance water management and productivity in commercial agriculture. The advanced system serves to drive sustainability and efficiency in farming using technology.

According to Tamar Nelson, chief technical director at the Jamaica Productivity Centre, the Productivity Innovator of the Year title has been awarded annually since 2022, to a Jamaican business that has implemented an innovation that drives productivity.

“JP Farms’ use of the water management system at its farms highlights how the application of the right technology can result in sustainable productivity improvement that can drive efficiency, enhance local food security, and protect our natural resources. It is a project that shows that productivity improvement increases resilience and prepares businesses to face future issues such as climate change. The Jamaica Productivity Centre congratulates JP Farms and encourages them to be a continuous example of innovation in our agriculture sector,” Nelson remarked.

Cutting-edge water management system

The soil moisture sensors are a critical component of JP Farms’ water management system, providing real-time readings of soil moisture content up to a depth of 100cm via a mobile phone app. Meanwhile, the subsurface drip irrigation system is designed to optimise water usage by placing irrigation hoses closer to the plant’s root system.

The use of subsurface irrigation not only enhances water efficiency but also minimises evaporation and extends the lifespan of the irrigation hoses. When drip irrigation systems are seamlessly integrated with local weather data and soil moisture sensors, they become dynamic tools for precision farming.

According to Mario Figueroa, general manager at JP Farms, noted, “we made the decision to invest upwards of US$48,000 into procuring and installing the soil moisture sensors over a two-year period” after careful consideration and analysis.

“The payback is expected over the long term but so far, we can confidently say that both the sensors and sub-surface irrigation have significantly reduced instances of over- and under-watering and contributed to increased crop yield,” he added.

While establishint that adopting smart water management solutions goes beyond simple water conservation, Figueroa explained further that, “responsible water management is not just about maximising yield; it’s about ensuring the long-term health of our land for future generations.

“With the changing climate and weather extremes we have been experiencing, investing in the technology to upgrade our irrigation system has allowed us to optimise our water usage and make data-driven decisions for sustainable crop management,” he said.