HYDERABAD: Sindh Agriculture University (SAU), in collaboration with the Sindh Higher Education Commission, launched a modern solar-powered telemetry system at Raotiani Minor in Sanghar.

The initiative is designed to ensure transparent and equitable water distribution among farmers.

The step has transferred the management of watercourses and distributary channels to farmer organisations through a memorandum of understanding (MoU). The project titled “Fabrication and Calibration of Telemetry System for Secondary Canal Level Monitoring” was completed over a period of two years at a cost of approximately Rs2.7m under supervision of the SAU.

Advanced water-level sensors, flow measurement devices, data loggers, solar-powered units and communication equipment were installed at the head, middle and tail reaches of Raotiani Minor, an offshoot of Dim Branch of Jamrao Canal, to enable continuous monitoring of water flow, discharge and distribution.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, SAU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Altaf Ali Siyal said that water would remain one of the most critical challenges of future as modern scientific systems were essential for the protection and sustainable management of water resources. “Real stakeholder of water is a farmer and farmers must play an active role in ensuring fair distribution among their fellow growers,” he remarked.

He said the SAU was actively promoting farmer-friendly research, smart water management and climate-resilient agricultural practices, adding that the telemetry system would enhance transparency in water distribution and strengthen the capacity of farmer organisations.

Dean of Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Prof Dr Muneer Ahmed Mangrio, said modern telemetry system would not only ensure fair and transparent water distribution but also contribute to efficient water use and improved agricultural productivity in the face of climate change. He termed the initiative an important example of empowering farmers through modern engineering technologies.

Project’s principal investigator and chairman of the Department of Land and Water Management, Prof Dr Mashooque Ali Talpur, said the telemetry system installed at Raotiani Minor represented a successful pilot model that would be jointly managed by farmers.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2026