Most of us, especially at Head Office don't often think about what’s happening in the estates, but a lot goes on behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly—especially when it comes to our palm trees. One of the key projects making a big impact is Water Management, by Upstream Malaysia. This project isn’t just about water—it’s about using data to keep our palm estates thriving.
You might be wondering, what’s Water Management all about?
In simple terms, water management ensures our estates have the perfect water balance, especially in flat or coastal areas like Carey Island, where it’s crucial to control water levels, particularly the Coastal Estates. Whether it’s a rainy day or the dry season, keeping the right water levels in our drainage systems is crucial to prevent our palm trees from getting too much or too little water. That’s where the magic happens—but here’s the part many of us don’t see: it’s all driven by data!
So, what's the role of water level data in Water Management?
Every two weeks, estate workers head out with a mobile app called Field Maps (developed by Water Management and Irrigation, WMI), where they record water levels across the fields. This data gets synced to a central database, where it’s analyzed to spot any potential issues. If something’s off—like water levels rising too high or dropping too low—estate workers will be notified through the Field Map apps, allowing them to take action and address the issue before it becomes a bigger problem. Think of it as our early warning system for the estates!
Without the Field Map apps, it’s hard to keep things running smoothly. Every estate has their own way of recording this information, and when data is missing, it becomes tricky to manage water levels accurately. Sure, we could use fancy IoT (Internet of Things) systems to automate everything, but those come at a steep cost. For now, the app does the job, though IoT might be the way forward for better accuracy and ease.
Looking to the Future
During our chat with Hajar, the Product Manager, she emphasized how data is shaping the future of water management. Real-time data could allow estates to make immediate decisions, preventing any water-related issues before they even happen. She’s also looking at how integrating Water Management with other estate systems like, our current fertilizer system could improve efficiency across the board, making our operations more seamless.
Wrapping it all together
So, there you have it! Water management isn’t just about maintaining optimum water levels in the field—it’s about using real-time data to make smarter, faster decisions that keep our estates thriving and prevent issues like waterlogging or drought stress. Thanks to the data-driven insights gathered from our teams in the field, we can make timely decisions that safeguard our trees, even in unpredictable weather.
Through collaboration with multiple teams leading the charge, our Water Management project is helping us stay ahead of the game, ensuring that no matter what the weather throws our way, our palm trees will keep flourishing. It’s not just about water—it’s about using information smartly to ensure our estates continue to thrive.
How Well Do You Know Water Management? Take Our Quick Quiz!
So, before you go, let’s see how much you’ve learned about water management on the estates. Test yourself with this fun quiz:
1. What’s the primary tool used for recording water levels in the estates?
A) Paper logs
B) IoT devices
C) Field Maps app
D) Water gauges
2. Which future technology could improve water management in the current system?
A) Drones
B) IoT (Internet of Things)
C) Satellite tracking
D) Blockchain
Let us know your thoughts!
If you had to choose, would you prefer:
A) The current data collection method (Field Maps app)
B) Switching to IoT for real-time data, even with the increased investment
If you have any questions or are curious to learn more about Water Management, feel free to connect with Hajar through Ask Anything Digital (AAD). Thank you for reading! Catch you on the next article!
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