Automation of alternate wetting and drying method and methane estimation for paddy

Abstract

Rice farming, reliant on paddy cultivation, is vital for providing a staple food to many worldwide. This intricate process involves various steps, starting from preparing the fields and ending with the harvest. Today, key issues revolve around conserving water, addressing climate change, and managing environmental impacts. This study focuses on the development and evaluation of an Automated Alternate Wetting and Drying (AAWD) system and a sensor based gas chamber to enhance paddy cultivation efficiency and reduce methane emissions. The AAWD system automates water management using the HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor to monitor water levels and activate a pump when water levels fall below a threshold, reducing water usage by 50-70% compared to conventional methods. The system successfully maintained water levels between set thresholds, ensuring continuous and healthy crop growth, thus showing promise for higher yields. The sensor-based gas chamber, equipped with the MQ-4 methane sensor, provided accurate, real-time monitoring of methane emissions. Methane measurements indicated a significant reduction in emissions, with AAWD fields showing a 71% lower methane concentration (0.55 ppm) compared to continuously flooded fields (1.942 ppm). The calibration of the ultrasonic and MQ-4 sensors ensured precise measurements, validating the system's reliability. Cost of these systems used in this study confirmed the affordability of the systems, with the AAWD system costing Rs. 2461/- and the gas chamber costing Rs. 5472/-. This project highlights the potential for widespread adoption of automated systems in sustainable agriculture, promoting water conservation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.