Monash University researcher, Professor Jeffrey Walker, has received a share of $2.5 million in Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Grants for a new irrigation system promising to better manage water resources.
Professor Walker’s project seeks to develop a state-of-the-art precision irrigation system to optimise water use and the yielding of crops.
This will be achieved through a UAV soil moisture mapping system that uses passive microwave satellite remote sensing technology.
At current, around 60 per cent of water available for human use is used for irrigated agriculture, Professor Walker’s project aims to create innovative technology to manage water resources, which can then optimise food production and promote more sustainable agriculture.
Seven researchers from Monash University will share in ARC’s $2.5 million spend, which aims to promote national and international research partnerships between researchers and business, industry, community organisations and other publicly-funded research agencies, with the goal to promote cooperative approaches to research through partnerships.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Rebekah Brown, said the diversity of projects funded in the latest round of Linkage grants recognises Monash’s research excellence and industry partnerships across many disciplines.
“These grants are incredibly important in recognising how our research links to industry making an impact locally and internationally,” Ms Brown said.
“I congratulate all our awardees and I am really looking forward to seeing the significant benefits their projects will bring to our community.”
