Digital twins: the future of smart irrigation is already underway in southern European agriculture
Imagine being able to visualize, analyze, and modify your agricultural irrigation system without leaving your computer. Adjust the flow of the drippers, simulate drought conditions, compare alternatives to save water, or anticipate the impact of a breakdown… All in real-time, all connected to the plot, the climate, and the soil. This is no longer science fiction: it is the new reality of applied agriculture thanks to “digital twins.”
What is an agricultural digital twin?
A digital twin is a virtual replica of a real installation, fed in real-time by data collected in the field. In the agricultural context, it is a virtual model of the irrigation system — connected to the climate, plants, soil, and all kinds of sensors — that allows experimentation, planning, and improved decision-making. It is a bridge between the physical and digital worlds: sensors collect information, send it to the “twin,” which processes the data, simulates possible scenarios, and can even send back instructions to optimize irrigation.
A pilot experience in five territories
The Smart Green Water project brings digital twins to five pilot farms, representing diverse realities such as vineyards in Murcia, olive groves in Andalusia and Alentejo, and maize in Catalonia and Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Concrete examples show how moisture, pressure, and climate sensors are implemented, along with advanced irrigation systems (drip, pivot).
How the digital twin works in the field
Farmers and technicians use the RIGE plugin on QGIS software, a territorial management tool. The process starts with a detailed definition of the plot and its irrigation network, based on plans, sensors, and digital terrain models. By loading the information and linking sensors — humidity, pressure, flow — the entire installation is digitally represented: channels, drippers, valves… The system is ready to “sense” the field in real-time and simultaneously allow simulations with a few commands.
Simulate to decide better… and more sustainably
The true power of the digital twin lies in simulation. What happens if we lower the hydrant pressure to save energy? What if we change the density of drippers or the water allocation during a heatwave? The simulator provides answers before decisions are made, allowing you to view graphs and water balances, compare alternatives, and anticipate economic or agronomic consequences.
The system automatically evaluates water distribution, uniformity, risk of percolation losses, and even suitability for the crop’s root development. Does the olive tree root take full advantage of the applied water? Will table grapes grow without deficit during a drought? The digital twin answers.
Results and transformative potential
In all pilot cases, digital twins enabled optimization of irrigation times, adjustment of hydraulic parameters, and improvement of efficiency without compromising crop quality. The agronomist can compare “conservative” scenarios (prioritizing water savings) or more productive ones and verify that the system responds well to pressure or flow changes.
These systems not only help in daily management and farmer training but also facilitate budgeting, planning future investments, and diagnosing network problems. Moreover, they foster a more scientific and connected relationship with the water resource: every drop accounted for, every decision data-driven.
A seed for the future
The documented work shows a robust, adaptable methodology that can be extended to many more farms and crops. Digital twins aim to be the new ally of the farmer, engineer, and resource manager: a tool to navigate climate change, cost increases, and social/economic pressure on water. European agriculture — smarter, more sustainable, and resilient — begins here, with its digital reflection.
