Research contributions

Characterized an Automatic Scheduling-Manual Operation (AS-MO) tool architecture that could transmit key benefits of precision irrigation to resource-constrained farms

Substantiated the value of an AS-MO tool among potential users in three countries; showed adoption potential in Kenya & Jordan

Assessed target farmers’ satisfaction with using an AS-MO tool and identified areas for improvement

Developed storyboard- and prototype-based interview protocols for this work; these protocols were implemented by other GEAR Lab researchers and Kenyan partners to gather user feedback on their work

Related publications

• Van de Zande, G., Grant, F., Sheline, C., Amrose, S., Costello, J., Ghodgaonkar, A., and Winter V, A.G. “Design and Evaluation of a Precision Irrigation Tool’s Human–Machine Interaction to Bring Water- and Energy-Efficient Irrigation to Resource-Constrained Farmers.” Sustainability, September 2024.

• Van de Zande, G.D., Sheline, C., Amrose, S., Costello, J., Ghodgaonkar, A., Grant, F., and Winter V, A.G. “Design and Evaluation of an Automatic Scheduling-Manual Operation Tool to Bring Precision Irrigation to Resource-Constrained Farmers.” Proceedings of the ASME IDETC/CIE. Boston, USA. August 20–23, 2023.

• Van de Zande, G.D., Amrose, S., and Winter V, A.G. “Evaluating the Potential for a Novel Irrigation System Controller to Be Adopted by Medium-Scale Contract Farmers in East Africa.” Proceedings of the ASME IDETC/CIE. St. Louis, USA. August 14–18, 2022.