CLOVER – Climate-smart Optimisation for Valuable & Efficient iRrigation

Chief Investigator

CLOVER – Climate-smart Optimisation for Valuable & Efficient irrigation – will help farmers use water more wisely by combining reliable weather forecasts, crop growth information, and smart irrigation systems into one easy-to-use tool. The project will build and test this digital system on working farms and provide training to farmers and advisers so they can make confident decisions about when and how much to irrigate. By reducing wasted water, energy, and labour, CLOVER will increase farm profits and resilience during dry times. The project will also create a community of practice where farmers, researchers, and industry partners share knowledge and learn from each other. Together, these activities will support the Grant’s goals of improving drought preparedness, building capacity in regional communities, and demonstrating innovative technologies that strengthen climate resilience across Australian agriculture. Demonstrated physically at Salvetti Farming in the Atherton Tablelands and virtually through digital twins in Mackay, Bundaberg, and across other cropping systems, C.L.O.V.E.R connects technology, climate intelligence, and community knowledge. Through the AI-Climate Smart Irrigators Community of Practice, it builds capacity, fosters collaboration, and delivers enduring economic, environmental, and social benefits for Australian agriculture.

01 Jul 2025 - 30 Jun 2028

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