New mobile connected device can transform data collection say experts
(Colombo, 3 May 2016). A new, inexpensive portable weather station that can automatically measure and transmit rainfall, temperature and wind speed could transform Sri Lanka’s flood warning systems. Officially launched today, the first of the new IWMI-designed devices is already being field tested near Anuradhapura.
Locally assembled using off-the-shelf technology and open source software, the weather stations log data every 5 minutes onto micro SD cards – just like the ones inside many mobile phones. The information can either be accessed directly from the card or be sent out as a SMS text message. Easy reprogramming of the software and possible inclusion of additional sensors make the gauges incredibly flexible for a variety of applications. The devices were originally conceived and assembled by Yann Chemin, a French scientist currently working with IWMI as a consultant.
Population pressure and increasing water competition in a changing climate require us to take stock of the availability and use of water across scales. Water availability not only influences farmers’ commercial prospects but also irrigation-related enterprises and agri-businesses. Greater water scarcity could jeopardize irrigation and agricultural markets while excessive water use can lead to declining ecosystems, water quality and soil health. IWMI advises development partners and the public and private sectors on all aspects of water resource availability and use through a variety of advanced modeling and remote-sensing products and tools, including 
The ability of farmers to engage in or expand irrigation depends on the prevailing socioeconomic, ecological and political contexts, which are often complex, non-linear and changeable. Overcoming systemic barriers to farmer-led irrigation development while taking advantage of existing opportunities 
A lack of affordable credit, particularly for women and resource-poor farmers, is one of the main barriers to expanding farmer-led irrigation in low- and middle-income countries. But 
Scaling farmer-led irrigation requires strengthening human capacity and knowledge exchange among all actors and stakeholders involved. IWMI takes an action research approach, working with national and international research institutions, governments, extension agents and public and private organizations to co-develop the scaling ecosystem and strengthen capacity to drive scaling networks and collective action. We support theÂ