Water scarcity affects over 2.7 billion people globally for at least one month each year. Growbud's Drought Resilience System combines precise volumetric water content measurement, evapotranspiration modeling, and localized weather data to optimize irrigation timing and volume. The result? Up to 40% water conservation while maintaining or improving crop yields and ecosystem health.
Layered Architecture
High-precision VWC and EC probes with long-range wireless communication.
8‑ch LoRaWAN concentrator, LTE‑M backhaul, 50 W solar & 20 Ah battery.
AI-driven water deficit modeling, irrigation recommendations, and water use analytics.
Typical Deployment
A standard agricultural deployment includes 8-16 Dro sensors per hectare, strategically placed to account for topographical and soil variations. Adaptive sampling adjusts measurement frequency based on irrigation events and weather conditions, preserving battery life while capturing critical data.
Hardware Specifications
Drought-optimized sensor technology
Dro Sensor
- VWC range 0-100 % ± 2%
- Temperature -10°C - 60°C ± 0.5°C
- EC range 0-10 dS m⁻¹
- LoRaWAN Class A, 20 dBm TX
- IP68 enclosure; 1 year battery life
Outdoor Gateway
- Semtech SX1302, 8-channel, -137 dBm
- LTE-M / Ethernet with automatic failover
- 50 W mono-crystalline PV + 20 Ah battery
- GNSS time sync & asset tracking
- NEMA-4X aluminum enclosure
Water Conservation Intelligence
The Growbud platform combines soil moisture data with crop specific water need models and local weather forecasts to create precise irrigation recommendations. The system calculates soil water deficit and crop water stress indices, triggering irrigation only when genuinely needed. By avoiding over-irrigation and timing water application optimally, users typically achieve 25-40% water savings compared to traditional schedule-based irrigation.
Impact & Benefits
Water Conservation
25-40% reduction in irrigation water use without compromising yields.
Drought Adaptation
Enhanced crop resilience through precision water management when resources are limited.
ROI & Sustainability
12-18 month payback through water savings and improved crop quality.