Digitize Your Center Pivot Systems: Increase Productivity with 40% Water Saving
Efficient use of water resources in modern agriculture is becoming more critical every day. Especially center pivot irrigation systems used in large fields are one of the indispensable technologies of Turkish agriculture. So, how can you achieve up to 40% water saving and increase your yield by digitizing your existing pivot system? As Esular, we explain all the details to you.
What is a Center Pivot Irrigation System?
A center pivot irrigation system is a mechanized irrigation method that moves in a circular motion, starting from a fixed point in the middle of the field. A long line consisting of galvanized steel pipes irrigates by moving thanks to towers on motorized wheels.
The working logic of the system is quite simple: Water taken from the center point moves along the main line with high pressure. Water is applied to the soil in a controlled manner thanks to sprayers placed at certain intervals on the line. In this way, in modern systems, each sprayer can be controlled independently, so different amounts of water can be given to different regions of the field.
A Brief History
The story of center pivot systems dates back to 1948. Nebraskan farmer Frank Zybach sought a solution for workers constantly carrying heavy irrigation pipes and invented the first automatic center pivot system. Later, in the 1950s, Valley Manufacturing Company (today's Valmont Industries) developed and commercialized this technology.
The first center pivot systems arrived in Turkey in the 1980s. Today, more than 15,000 center pivot systems are actively working in our country and irrigate approximately 1.5 million hectares of land.
Is Center Pivot Use Common in Turkey?
Center pivot systems are common in Turkey, especially in regions with large agricultural lands:
Most Intensive Use Regions:
- Konya Plain: More than 5,000 systems – sugar beet, corn, sunflower
- GAP Region: Nearly 3,000 systems – cotton, corn, wheat
- Aksaray-Niğde: Around 1,500 systems – potato production
- Thrace: 800+ systems – sunflower and wheat
- Aegean: 600+ systems – cotton and corn
Problems of Traditional Pivot Systems
Most existing pivot systems are controlled manually, which leads to some significant problems:
- Water Waste: Fixed-rate irrigation cannot meet the different needs of different regions of the field
- Energy Costs: High electricity tariffs increase operating costs
- Manual Control Necessity: The need to constantly have personnel at the system
- Lack of Data: Inability to track critical data such as soil moisture and weather
- Delays in Fault Detection: Loss of water and time until problems are noticed
Why is Digital Transformation Important?
Climate change and water scarcity make efficient water use mandatory. Along with this, in the last 20 years, average temperatures in Turkey have increased by 1.5°C and the precipitation regime has become irregular. Under these conditions:
- Every drop of water must be used efficiently
- Energy costs must be optimized
- Labor productivity must be increased
- Data-based decisions must be taken
With Esular's digital transformation solutions, you can find solutions to all these problems by modernizing your existing pivot systems.
Esular Digital Transformation Solutions
1. IoT Sensor Network
A wireless sensor network is integrated into your pivot system to provide real-time data tracking:
- 10 km range with LoRaWAN technology
- Solar-powered, maintenance-free sensors
- Soil moisture measurement at 30-60-90-120 cm depths
- Automatic data transfer every 15 minutes
- Soil temperature and EC (salinity) value tracking
Wireless, battery-powered soil moisture sensor
Benefit: Unnecessary irrigation is prevented by seeing the soil moisture status instantly, providing water savings.
2. Remote Control System
You can fully control your pivot system from your mobile phone or computer:
- iOS and Android mobile applications
- Web-based control panel
- Start, stop, speed control
- Real-time location and status tracking
- Instant alarms and notifications
Benefit: You manage your system without being in the field, labor costs are reduced by 60-70%.
3. VRI – Variable Rate Irrigation
Applying different amounts of water to different regions of your field according to soil type:
Variable rate irrigation (VRI) settings and region-based control
- GPS-based precise positioning
- Integration with soil maps
- Parcel-based irrigation recipes
- Up to 30% water saving
- Optimization with yield maps
Benefit: Homogeneous development is ensured by giving less water in sandy areas and more in clayey areas.
4. AI-Powered Irrigation Optimization
AI algorithms analyze weather, soil moisture, and plant development to create an optimum irrigation plan:
Weather tracking with Esular climate station
- Planning with 7-day weather forecasts
- ET (evapotranspiration) calculations
- Plant water stress prediction
- Automatic irrigation recommendations
- Continuous improvement with machine learning
Benefit: Both water and energy savings are achieved by irrigating at the right time and in the right amount.
5. Data Analytics and Reporting
Performance tracking with detailed analysis and reports:
System pressure and flow tracking – Real-time graphics
Energy consumption analysis and cost calculation
- Daily, weekly, monthly reports
- Water consumption and cost analysis
- Yield-irrigation correlation analysis
- Comparative season reports
- Excel and PDF report export
Benefit: Continuous improvement is ensured by comparing with historical data.
6. Maintenance and Fault Management
Proactive maintenance tracking and early warning systems:
- Operating hour tracking
- Periodic maintenance reminders
- Fault diagnosis and warning system
- Spare parts management
- Service history record
Benefit: Faults are detected before they occur, ensuring the system operates uninterruptedly.
What Do You Gain with Digital Pivot?
Gains with Statistics:
- 40% Water Saving: Water waste is prevented with precision irrigation
- 35% Yield Increase: Plant development improves with optimum water management
- 60% Labor Saving: Personnel needs decrease with automation
- 25-30% Energy Saving: With smart scheduling and optimization
- 2-3 Year ROI: The investment pays back in an average of 2-3 years
Comparison: Traditional vs Digital
| Feature | Traditional Pivot | Digital Pivot (Esular) | Gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Control | Manual panel | Mobile + Web + Automation | 24/7 Access |
| Water Distribution | Fixed rate | Variable rate (VRI) | 30% Saving |
| Soil Monitoring | None | Real-time sensors | Precision Irrigation |
| Weather | None | 7-day forecast | Proactive Management |
| Fault Detection | Visual control | Automatic detection | Rapid Response |
| Data Logging | Manual record | Automatic cloud storage | Detailed Analysis |
| Energy Optimization | Fixed consumption | Smart energy management | 25% Saving |
How Does the Digitization Process Work?
Digital transformation with Esular is completed in 6 steps:
1. Field Analysis: The status of your existing system, field structure, and infrastructure are evaluated.
2. Project Design: Sensor locations and automation scenarios specific to your needs are determined.
3. Hardware Installation: Sensors, control units, and communication infrastructure are installed by our professional team.
4. Software Integration: Cloud platform, mobile applications, and control software are integrated into the system.
5. Test and Calibration: The entire system is tested, and sensor calibrations are performed.
6. Training and Support: System usage training is provided to your team, and 24/7 technical support is provided.
Challenges and Solutions Specific to Turkey
Water Scarcity
The water scarcity experienced especially in Central Anatolia and GAP regions makes efficient use mandatory. Therefore, 30-40% water saving is achieved with Esular's soil moisture sensors and ET-based irrigation programs.
Real-time soil moisture monitoring with wireless soil moisture sensor
High Energy Costs
Electricity tariffs increase irrigation costs. For this reason, 25-30% energy saving is possible with smart energy management, night tariff use, and solar integration.
Soil Salinity
EC sensors are being developed for the salinity problem experienced in the GAP region.
Lack of Technical Personnel
It is difficult to find qualified operators. Esular's remote control and automatic management systems solve this problem.
Use in Different Crops
Center pivot systems can be successfully used in almost all field crops:
Corn: 40% of pivot-irrigated areas. Seasonal water requirement of 600-800 mm.
Sugar Beet: Common in the Konya Plain. Homogeneous water distribution affects the sugar ratio. 700-900 mm water.
Potato: Precise moisture control is critical. 500-700 mm water requirement.
Cotton: Common in the GAP region. Water management is important during the flowering period. 700-800 mm water.
Alfalfa: 5-7 mowings per year. 1000-1200 mm water requirement.
Esular F Series – Smart pivot irrigation control system
Energy Efficiency in Pivot Systems
The energy consumption of center pivot systems constitutes a significant part of operating costs. For example, a typical 400-meter-long system consumes 15-25 kW of energy per hour.
Esular solutions for energy efficiency:
- Efficient Well Management: We ensure efficient management of wells by managing many different types of pumps.
- Variable Frequency Drives: Provides 20-30% energy saving with drive use and drive control
- Solar Panel Integration: Energy costs can be reduced by 40-60% with hybrid solar systems
- Night Tariff Usage: Irrigation during cheap tariff hours with smart scheduling
- Optimum Pressure Control: Energy saving with real-time pressure management
Wireless, battery-powered pressure sensor – Critical for energy optimization
Soil and Water Management
Water is one of the most critical inputs in agricultural production. The water application efficiency of center pivot systems varies between 85-95%.
Soil moisture analysis and sensor calibration
Increase water efficiency with Esular:
- Real-time soil moisture tracking
- Measurement at multiple depths (30-60-90-120 cm)
- ET-based irrigation planning
- Weather integration
- Automatic irrigation start/stop
Why Esular?
- 15+ Years Industry Experience: Turkey's leading company in smart agricultural technologies
- Domestic and National Software: English/Turkish interface, local support
- 24/7 Technical Support: Instant support and fault intervention
- Proven Success: Hundreds of successful projects
- Easy Installation: Easily integrated into your existing system
- Modular Solutions: Customization according to your needs
Conclusion: The Future of Agriculture is Digital
Climate change, water scarcity, and increasing costs make digitization in agriculture mandatory. By digitizing your existing center pivot system with Esular:
✅ You can protect water resources
✅ You can reduce costs
✅ You can increase yield
✅ You can practice sustainable agriculture
✅ You can leave a livable environment for future generations
Video: Center Pivot Digitization Process
Watch how we digitize your existing system in our detailed video:
YouTube Video: 40% SAVING FROM WATER and ENERGY! esular Smart Pivot Irrigation Systems
Take Action Now!
Contact us now to digitize your center pivot systems and get a free preliminary assessment:
📞 0850 303 49 91 📧 info@esular.com 💬 WhatsApp: 0541 247 45 05
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