Low cost water salinity sensor for smallholder irrigators in developing countries

Depletion of surface and groundwater resources has resulted in farmers using irrigation water with unsuitable salinity levels. Farmers only know if water is too saline after it has impacted their crop. There is a need for a simple, low cost sensor that small scale farmers can intuitively use to decide whether or not water is suitable for irrigation or whether leaching is required. The purpose of this Small Research and Development Activity is to develop technologies for smallholder irrigators that will help them manage water on their farms.