**6. Smart irrigation and food security**

Several studies carried out in different production systems and geographical areas worldwide have demonstrated the tangible benefits of smart irrigation systems over conventional irrigation practices. In the mild climatic conditions of Prince Edward Island, Afzaal et al. [57] measured crop productivity and water saving in potato production. The authors reported on the performance of a smart fertigation system and found significantly higher irrigation efficiency of the automated fertigation (1.42 kg/m3 ) than for the traditional drip irrigation control system (1.19 kg/m3 ). Thus, an automated drip irrigation system provides up to 26% water saving and high crop productivity compared to the conventional water application methods. Another study [58] compared a soil moisture sensor-based automated drip irrigation system with a non-automated drip irrigation system for nectarine that was irrigated when soil

moisture content reached 70% of field capacity; the authors reported 43% more production compared to conventional irrigation methods. Belayneh et al. [59] reported increased yields and more water savings using a sensor-based irrigation scheduling approach compared to a time-based approach for old dogwood and redmaple trees.
