Martijn de Klerk – FutureWater

Nepal offers an ideal testing ground due to strong government support for climate-smart agriculture, a large population of vulnerable smallholders, and active engagement from organisations like Climate Resilience Research Centre (CRRC) and International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). Results from this feasibility will support national policy goals and can be scaled to similar mountain regions across South Asia.

This project focuses on Syangja District, Gandaki Province, which faces growing water scarcity and unpredictable rainfall, especially on hillside farms reliant on spring-fed irrigation and rain-fed agriculture. These conditions make traditional irrigation unworkable and create a need for low-pressure, affordable, and locally adaptable solutions. The Smart Sprayer combines practical hardware with a digital advisory tool to optimise limited water use — a frugal innovation tailored for smallholder needs.

The project entails the feasibility of an integrated, low-cost “Smart Sprayer” irrigation system based on SOSIA but tailored for hillside farming that delivers practical WhatsApp/SMS irrigation advice. The main innovation is the Smart Sprayer, a gravity-fed, low-pressure micro-pivot irrigation device paired with a tailored Smart Irrigation Tool. The digital platform delivers daily, data-driven irrigation advice to farmers’ phones. Together, these offer a scalable and cost-effective package for precise and efficient water use on remote hillside farms.

The main objective is to improve water security and agricultural productivity for mid-hill smallholders during the dry season in Nepal. More specifically, to demonstrate the technical, economic and social feasibility of a low-pressure irrigation solution in combination with irrigation advisory based on remote sensing data and weather forecasts. This includes market research and development of business cases for both farmers and local suppliers.

SOSIA combines of crop, field and irrigation characteristics with weather station and satellite data to provide its irrigation advisory service.

We’re thrilled to announce that the Rapid Eye XS finally has its own home online: www.rapideyexs.com

After years of testing, tweaking, and using it in the field, in collaboration with HiView, our very own near-infrared camera system is now available for anyone to order — straight from our new webshop. Whether you’re flying drones or using the Crop Monitoring Pole, the Rapid Eye XS helps you spot crop stress early with clear and reliable NDVI images.

For €399 (excl. VAT and shipping), you get:

The Rapid Eye XS camera
A remote control trigger
A USB charger

That’s everything you need to get started.

We designed the Rapid Eye XS to be simple, robust, and super useful in real-life conditions — and we’ve seen it work wonders from Kenya and Mozambique to the Netherlands. Got a question before you order? Want to know if it’ll work with your drone setup? Just reach out through the contact form on the site — we’re happy to help.

We’re incredibly proud of this product and excited to share it with the world. Check it out and order yours today at www.rapideyexs.com

More Information and Video

For more information, download the Rapid Eye XS one-pager.

For the sixth consecutive year, FutureWater, in collaboration with HiView, has delivered guest lectures at IHE Delft Institute for Water Education — a renowned postgraduate knowledge centre supported by the United Nations.

This year, Martijn de Klerk and Jan van Til once again provided an in-depth course focused on the processing and analysis of aerial imagery captured by Flying Sensors (drones). The lectures were complemented by a live drone demonstration, during which students collected real-time data from agricultural fields at a farm in the Hoeksche Waard.

It was inspiring to witness the enthusiasm of the students, both in the classroom and out in the field — a clear sign of growing interest in drone-based data applications for water and agricultural management.

In field demonstration in De Hoeksche Waard

The BUCRA (Building Unity for Climate Resilient Agriculture) project focuses on enhancing agricultural resilience in Qahbunah, a farming community in Egypt’s Nile Delta. Facing challenges like water scarcity, climate change, and land fragmentation, local farmers require innovative approaches to sustain their livelihoods.

At the heart of BUCRA are two cutting-edge tools developed by FutureWater: Croptimal and SOSIA, which combine advanced technology with local insights to transform traditional farming practices.

Croptimal is a climate suitability analysis tool that leverages climate projections, geospatial data, and agricultural insights to assess the suitability of various crops under current and future climate scenarios. By identifying areas and crops that are most resilient to climate stressors like heat, salinity, and water scarcity, Croptimal empowers farmers with data-driven recommendations to optimize their crop choices and planting strategies. This tool provides highly detailed maps and actionable advice, enabling farmers to adapt their practices to the challenges of climate change while enhancing productivity.

SOSIA (Satellite-based Open-source Irrigation Advisory) is an irrigation management tool designed to improve water use efficiency. It uses open-source satellite data, real-time weather information, and local soil conditions to provide precise daily irrigation advice. Farmers receive recommendations on how long to irrigate their crops each day via WhatsApp, making the service both accessible and cost-effective. This innovative approach not only reduces water usage but also improves crop yields and energy efficiency, addressing the increasing pressures on water resources in the Nile Delta.

In addition to these tools, BUCRA includes demonstration plots showcasing climate-smart techniques such as efficient irrigation, soil management, and crop rotation. Farmers will also participate in a blended learning program that combines field-based training with easy-to-use digital applications to improve their technical skills and knowledge.
BUCRA emphasizes empowering youth and women in agriculture, strengthening market linkages, and promoting sustainable land-use practices. By aligning Dutch expertise with local needs, the project aims to boost productivity, stabilize incomes, and build a sustainable agricultural future in Qahbunah.

The long-term vision is to inspire broader adoption of these tools and practices, ensuring food and water security in the region while addressing the challenges posed by climate change.

Last month, Martijn de Klerk from FutureWater concluded a successful training program in Ghana, equipping agricultural lecturers with innovative tools and knowledge to advance smart irrigation and sustainable farming practices. In partnership with Bram de Vries from Holland Greentech and as part of the SOSIA+ project funded by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), the program delivered hands-on sessions at two prestigious agricultural colleges, Ohawu Agricultural College in the Volta Region and Kwadaso Agricultural College in Kumasi.

Over 1.5 days at each location, lecturers participated in interactive workshops designed to enhance their technical expertise. The training focused on:

Understanding crop water requirements
Analyzing weather data using TAHMO World weather stations
Applying FutureWater’s SOSIA+ app for informed decision-making
Leveraging FAO’s Earth Map tool for land and climate insights

The educators displayed remarkable enthusiasm, demonstrating their commitment to integrating these advanced tools into their curriculum. By leaving behind comprehensive training materials, FutureWater aims to ensure that these lessons will empower the next generation of agricultural professionals in Ghana.

FutureWater is proud to have participated in the 67th ACODAL Water, Waste, and Energy Congress & Exhibition held in Cartagena, Colombia. Alongside esteemed Dutch organizations, we showcased innovative water management solutions and engaged in knowledge exchange initiatives. Our collaborative efforts, particularly within the HERMANA Project, highlighted our commitment to addressing Colombia’s water challenges. This event was a significant opportunity to strengthen ties and explore new partnerships, reaffirming our dedication to sustainable water management practices globally.

HERMANA Service

HERMANA, an abbreviation for HERramienta para el MANejo integral del Agua (meaning “sister” in Spanish), is based on real-time decision support tools used by the Dutch Water Authorities. At CVC, it has been tailor-made by experts in surface water, groundwater, decision support systems, water management, and governance from both the Netherlands and Colombia. We appreciate the support and cooperation of the Technical Directorate of Environment from CVC and other participating Directorates.

Financial Support and Collaboration

This work was financially supported by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) through a “Partners for Water” grant, the Corporación Autónoma Regional del Valle del Cauca (CVC), and in-kind contributions from Deltares, HydroLogic, FutureWater, and the Dutch Water Authorities. The operational testing and implementation of InfoSequía into HERMANA has been partially funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under grant agreement No. 700699.

For more information, visit Netherlands Water Partnership.

This week, FutureWater, in collaboration with its partner HiView, conducted a two-day workshop at IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, which works in association with UNESCO. The workshop was part of the master’s degree program, with seven students receiving education on the theory of flying sensors (commonly known as drones), their various applications, and their utilization in agriculture, matching the number of attendees from the previous year.

On the first day, participants were engaged in a classroom session that covered the history, technical aspects, and applications of flying sensors, alongside an introduction to image processing. Additionally, they delved into FutureWater’s diverse drone projects across Africa, where drones are primarily used to create NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) maps for farmers. These maps highlight areas of crop stress, indicated by red, signaling potential issues such as water or nutrient deficiencies or the presence of pests or weeds. With specialized cameras, these drones can detect stress signs up to 10 days before they become visible to the naked eye, allowing farmers to take preemptive actions to prevent crop damage and achieve higher yields. This approach also enables farmers to optimize their use of water, fertilizers, and pesticides by targeting only the affected zones.

The second day featured an excursion to the Farm of the Future, a project in Lelystad, Flevoland, that brings together Wageningen University & Research and innovative Dutch farmers to develop viable solutions for contemporary agricultural challenges. Contrary to the previous year’s rainy conditions, the weather remained clear, enhancing the outdoor learning experience. During this visit, the eBee fixed-wing drone was showcased among other drone flights, including the demonstration of the DJI Mavic 2, a highly maneuverable quadcopter used by FutureWater and HiView in projects within Kenya and Mozambique. Additionally, the innovative Rapid Eye XS drone, developed by HiView for small-scale agriculture among other applications, was introduced. This ultra-light drone is capable of processing NDVI imagery onboard and is user-friendly, marking a step forward in precision agriculture technology.

This week a video was created from our partnership in the SOSIA+ project. The video showcases the collaborative efforts of the partners by addressing the question: “How to secure the future of farming in a changing climate in Ghana?” Through the innovative application of smart irrigation technology and advisory tools developed and piloted within the project, farmers are empowered to navigate the challenges posed by unpredictable rainfall and enhance their climate resilience.

With a consortium consisting of Delft University of Technology, stichting TAHMO, Futurewater and Holland Greentech, this pilot project is paving the way for smallholder farmers to access innovative and accessible irrigation solutions. Together, we work hand in hand with local partners such as Kwadaso Agricultural college and a network of farmers dedicated to growing vegetables for Ghana’s rapidly expanding urban centers.

The video provides a glimpse into the transformative impact of smart irrigation technology and services on Ghanaian agriculture. By leveraging data-driven insights and cutting-edge technology, farmers are equipped with the knowedge and tools needed to optimize water usage, increase crop yields and mitigate the effects of climate change.

The video is part of The Partners for Water 5 programme (2022 – 2027), which follows several projects that received the Partners for Water subsidy from start to finish.

Last week FutureWater and HiView collaborated to provide a valuable training session focused on Remote Sensing and Climate Smart Agriculture. This event took place at the FutureWater office and was an integral part of the Shiraka Training Programme (STP) coordinated by The Hague Academy for Local Governance.

Participants from the MENA region gained practical insights into the potential applications of drones and satellite data in agriculture. The session aimed to highlight how these technologies can contribute to precision farming, crop health monitoring, and addressing climate change impacts in agriculture.

A notable aspect of the training was a drone demonstration in the scenic floodplains of Wageningen, illustrating the tangible uses of remote sensing technologies in agriculture. This demonstration emphasized the role of technology in enhancing agricultural efficiency, resilience, and sustainability.

The event encouraged discussions among participants about the feasibility of implementing similar technologies in the MENA region to address agricultural challenges. FutureWater’s emphasis on practical insights demonstrated its commitment to promoting sustainable agriculture in the region.

FutureWater and HiView’s collaboration in this training program represents a significant step toward a more informed and adaptive agricultural sector in the MENA region. Their efforts contribute to the ongoing development of sustainable practices in agriculture.

Theoretical session at FutureWater office in Wageningen

In a groundbreaking development, FutureWater and HiView successfully completed a comprehensive flying sensor training program for the Agency for Development of the Zambeze Valley (ADVZ) in early May. The ADVZ, a government agricultural institute providing assistance and advisory services to farmers across the vast Zambeze Valley, received training from ThirdEye Mozambique, a local drone company and spin-off from FutureWater and HiView’s previous drone initiatives in the country.

The intensive training program spanned six full days, combining both practical in-field exercises and focused sessions on image processing at the ADVZ office. During the in-field training, participants honed their piloting skills and gained valuable experience in image interpretation, while the image processing sessions equipped them with the necessary skills to analyze and derive insights from collected aerial data. To further enhance their processing capabilities, online follow-up sessions will be conducted over the coming weeks.

This training program stood apart from others due to its unique collaboration with HiView for the acquisition of the cutting-edge Rapid Eye XS drone systems. The Rapid Eye XS, a lightweight (< 250g) and cost-effective drone developed by HiView, is specifically designed for swift monitoring operations on a small scale. Notably, the Rapid Eye XS boasts a remarkable feature: real-time processing of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) maps. These maps offer valuable insights into crop health and canopy coverage, enabling immediate identification of problematic areas. Farmers in remote regions can now receive direct advisory from pilot-extensionists, referred to as AgPilots, who can share the NDVI maps directly with them via mobile phones or tablets. The practicality and usefulness of this capability in remote areas cannot be overstated.

This collaborative effort marks a significant milestone in the application of drone technology for agricultural advancements in Mozambique’s Zambeze Valley. By equipping ADVZ and local farmers with the Rapid Eye XS drones and comprehensive training, the project aims to revolutionize agricultural practices, enhance crop monitoring, and provide tailored advisory services to improve productivity and yield outcomes.

More information on the Rapid Eye XS can be found here.