Irrigation automation to improve the efficiency of water resource management in row crop production and maintain aquatic–based ecosystem services in the Lower Flint River Basin of Georgia

The primary ecological and technological benefits of the project will be the reduction in agricultural water use by up to 30% per demonstration site. However, these practices create economic and environmental benefits beyond water conservation. Following are the benefits we foresee resulting from this project per beneficiary: 1. farmers will benefit from optimized water application, enhanced crop production, lower pumping costs, and being empowered as ‘pro– active’ in water management; 2. stakeholders will benefit from the conservation of water resources, the sustenance of local farm economies, and the development of jobs and local economic resources; 3. the environment will benefit from increased water resources available to support Habitat quality for wildlife, fish, mussels and other biota and the maintenance of adequate instream flows in the Basin.