**4.4 Performance of the developing rainwater harvesting system using soil moisture sensor**

The functions of each component within the project are tested and recorded for final results. There are several components that need to be tested such as soil moisture sensors, mini water pumps and PVC tubing to prevent clogging. The ability of these components to work well proves that this prototype has been successfully implemented.

#### *4.4.1 Evaluation function testing project*

The prototype will be checked multiple times to ensure the proper functioning of each part within it. To submit information to the water pump acting as output, the soil moisture sensor data will be interpreted. It is intended to prevent and minimize accidents that result in injury during operations [7, 8]. All of the errors may affect the achievement of this study's objectives.

#### *4.4.2 Prototype project unit testing and functional testing*

**Table 6** shows the complete results of the prototype system for this study. No error occurred at the end of the test after the prototype execution was complete. From this analysis, it can be assumed that it is applied effectively and according to the actual requirements. In this study the most important thing is to ensure that the sensor works properly to detect moisture in the soil. So, it can receive data and transmit information so that other components can effectively perform their tasks. This makes it easier for consumers such as farmers to control the amount of water to crops.

#### **4.5 Discussions**

The rainwater harvesting system has been selected as the watering system for agricultural sustainability. The performance of the system has achieved the real objectives of this study. This device is maintained to supply an adequate quantity of water for plant production. So, this system is very relevant to be used by the smallscale farm.

#### **5. Conclusion and recommendations**

#### **5.1 Conclusion**

The research was conducted to build a rainwater harvesting system prototype. This is also intended to assess the efficiency of the device against soil moisture. The data were obtained at the MARA Campus Jasin University of Technology. Shape the data, which may be linked to the objectives of this stud. The results show the prototype function very well to detect the soil moisture.

Next, proper utilization of this system will help restore the deteriorated aquatic ecosystem and mitigate global climate change. However, research into this knowledge needs to be improved to obtain a greater result, especially for the agricultural sector. A researcher studying irrigation will consider the effective harvesting of rainwater for agricultural irrigation a significant subject.

As a conclusion. Rainwater harvesting has been proved to be efficient in an irrigation system for plant growth. Based on the study, it has been estimated that the RWHS gives a good impact and good vibes to the small-scale farm.

#### **5.2 Recommendation**

For the recommendation, to enhance the performance rainwater catchment tanks should be in a high place to facilitate the movement of water. This system required a large size of water storage so the water harvested can hold for a long period and facing no problem during the dry season. It also can improve field performance and capability. For the filtration stage, regular maintenance and check must be done to avoid any clogging.

In many developing countries, this system does not get full attention and is less attractive as installation and maintenance are very costly. The low tariff of domestic water resources also causes the factor less attractive to the system. To implement the rainwater harvesting system's success, the government plays an important role to help give some support, especially during the initial stage. Many kinds of approaches can be done by the government such as doing advertisements through media social, television, and new paper. They also can organize an exhibition regarding this system to expose its function and its benefits.

In Malaysia, to introduce the system need to educate the public through a formal and informal forum such as among students in the school, college and etc. The benefits can be fully highlighted by providing the proper tools where it seems could be effective to encourage the public to save water. The behavior of the public about water use can be changed once the water tariff getting higher. They also find an alternative if they experienced a long drought season and lack water resources.

#### **Acknowledgements**

The authors would like to acknowledge the role of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTECC) and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) for providing grants funding of 100-IRMI/GOV 16/6/2 (025/2019) and 600- RMC/LESTARI SDG-T 5/3 (077/2019), and all staff in Faculty of Plantation and Agrotechnology, UiTM Melaka, in facilitating the field trials and allow to conduct this research.

*Smart Rainwater Harvesting System for Sustainable Agricultural Irrigation and Drainage System DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.104442*
