JP Farms has been awarded the prestigious Innovator of the Year title by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and Jamaica Productivity Centre (JPC) for its grounbreaking, technology-driven, water management system. The award was presented on the third day of the Future of Work and Productivity Summit held at AC Hotel Kingston on June 21, 2024.

The accolade recognises JP Farms’ innovative use of soil moisture sensors and sub-surface drip irrigation, sourced from the Middle East, to enhance water management and productivity in commercial agriculture. This advanced system exemplifies how technology can drive sustainability and efficiency in farming.

According to Tamar Nelson, chief technical director at Jamaica Productivity Centre, the Productivity Innovator of the Year title has been awarded annually, since 2022, to a Jamaican business that has implemented innovation that drives productivity.

“JP Farms’ use of the water management system at its farms highlights how the application of the right technology can result in sustainable productivity improvement that can drive efficiency, enhance local food security, and protect our natural resources. It is a project that shows that productivity improvement increases resilience and prepares businesses to face future issues such as climate change. The Jamaica Productivity Centre congratulates JP Farms and encourages them to be a continuous example of innovation in our agriculture sector,” Nelson remarked.

Cutting Edge Water Management System

The soil moisture sensors are a critical component of JP Farms’ cutting edge water management system. These sensors, sourced from the Middle East, provide real time readings of soil moisture content up to a depth of 100cm via a mobile phone app. Meanwhile, the sub-surface drip irrigation system is designed to optimise water usage by placing irrigation hoses closer to the plant’s root system. This method not only enhances water efficiency but also minimises evaporation and extends the lifespan of the irrigation hoses. When drip irrigation systems are seamlessly integrated with local weather data and soil moisture sensors, they become dynamic tools for precision farming.

Mario Figueroa, general manager at JP Farms, noted that after careful consideration and analysis, “We made the decision to invest upwards of US$48,000 into procuring and installing the soil moisture sensors over a two-year period. The payback is expected over the long term but, so far, we can confidently say that both the sensors and sub-surface irrigation have significantly reduced instances of over and under-watering, and contributed to increased crop yield.”

Adopting smart water management solutions goes beyond simple water conservation. Figueroa further notes that, “Responsible water management is not just about maximising yield; it’s about ensuring the long term health of our land for future generations. With the changing climate and weather extremes we have been experiencing, investing in the technology to upgrade our irrigation system has allowed us to optimise our water usage and make data-driven decisions for sustainable crop management.”