Using a mobile phone Short Messaging Service (SMS) for irrigation scheduling in Australia - Farmers' participation and utility evaluation

Abstract

Irrigation scheduling Decision Support Systems (DSS) have seen poor uptake despite proved usage benefits. The failures of some previous systems with proven model accuracy and water savings ability have been attributed to interface difficulties and inappropriate information for end users. Use of the mobile phone Short Messaging Service (SMS) text messages was trialed as an interface to overcome these difficulties. Irrigation system dripper run time scheduling advice was sent daily to 72 Australian irrigators' mobile phones from a water balance system called IrriSatSMS. Irrigators sent back information on irrigations and rainfall, also via SMS, to update the water balance. This trial showed th..