Barahona students develop sensors to save water for agriculture

Two final-year Systems Engineering students at the Universidad Católica Tecnológica de Barahona (Ucateba) have developed an innovative technological platform designed to optimize water usage and boost productivity for agricultural producers. Named "AgroSmart RD," the project aims to provide small-scale farmers with access to technology that can help them reduce costs and improve their competitiveness.

Keysel José Dotel Moreta and Albert Joseph Lambert Gómez, the creators of AgroSmart RD, recently secured second place and a 450,000 peso prize at the National Entrepreneurship Competition 2026, organized by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (Mescyt). Their project combines a digital platform with sensors installed in agricultural fields to monitor key variables such as soil moisture, temperature, and water consumption in real-time.

The system processes the collected data to generate specific recommendations for farmers regarding the optimal amount and frequency of irrigation, tailored to the prevailing conditions of their crops. While the initial pilot program focuses on banana production in the southern region of the Dominican Republic, the developers are confident that AgroSmart RD can be adapted for various other crops, including rice, coffee, tomatoes, and plantains.

Dotel Moreta explained that the initiative was born from observing the challenges faced by small producers in the southern region, particularly concerning access to and efficient use of water for irrigation. The platform's business model includes revenue streams from the sale and installation of technological kits, monthly subscriptions to the digital platform, and data monitoring services. The kits will be offered in three tiers, priced between 35,000 and 60,000 pesos, depending on system complexity. The developers also plan to offer technical support and maintenance, eventually expanding to a specialized support department.