How OSI Works
A Practical Approach to Smart Irrigation
OSI OS – Open Source Operating System
Open Smart Irrigation (OSI) combines open technology, local training, and real-world field validation to deliver scalable solutions for smallholder farmers. The system is built around two key pillars:
At the heart of the OSI platform is OSI OS, a lightweight operating system tailored for low-cost smart irrigation hubs.
- Built on Chirpstack Gateway OS and running on Raspberry Pi, OSI OS integrates LoRa (LPWAN) radio technology to enable long-range, low-power communication with soil sensors and irrigation valves.
- The extended range of the LoRa network enables the superuser model: a single hub maintained by a trained local operator can serve multiple farmers within the network. This shared infrastructure reduces costs, supports scalability, and fosters community learning.
- The system’s low energy consumption allows all components to run entirely off-grid, powered by solar panels or long-life batteries – with lifespans of up to 10 years.
- OSI OS stores and processes sensor data offline, schedules irrigation events, and offers a local web dashboard that can be accessed via Wi-Fi.
- All logic runs locally on the device using Node-RED, a visual programming environment that is both beginner-friendly and highly adaptable, enabling easy customization for diverse irrigation scenarios
- Its modular plugin system enables seamless integration of a wide range of components, including soil moisture sensors, dendrometers, and smart actuators. OSI continuously evaluates and adds support for new devices, prioritizing cost-effectiveness and suitability for smallholder farming conditions.
This design ensures resilience in rural environments with unreliable electricity and connectivity. Every aspect of OSI OS is free, open and adaptable, licensed under MIT for unrestricted use.
OSI Academy – Training, Support, and Local Ownership
OSI Academy is the second core element of the platform, ensuring that technology is not only available but usable and empowering.
- Guided learning: Step-by-step video tutorials and comprehensive manuals explain system setup, operation, and maintenance.
- Farmer empowerment: On-ground workshops and demonstration sites train local superusers to manage community irrigation hubs, while also supporting access to funding opportunities for irrigation components.
- Focus on female empowerment:Special emphasis is placed on reaching women through targeted training and support.
- Scientific backbone: Farmers are supported and supervised by our agronomists in collaboration with research partners. This ensures that the environmental and social impacts of our work are accurately assessed. At the same time, a valuable dataset is curated to support ongoing research and the training of advanced irrigation algorithms.
The OSI Academy makes sure farmers are not just recipients of technology — they are co-creators and operators of smart water technology.
Together, OSI OS and OSI Academy deliver a practical, field-tested solution that adapts to the realities of smallholder agriculture while building toward long-term resilience and sustainability.
