Precision drip irrigation initiative across Bengaluru and Hyderabad aims to improve water efficiency, support farmers, and strengthen urban water security

Orbia Advance Corporation’s Precision Agriculture business Netafim has announced a partnership with Amazon India to implement large-scale drip irrigation projects that are expected to save approximately 325 million liters of water annually across agricultural regions near Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

The initiative will deploy advanced drip irrigation systems across 120 hectares of farmland, benefiting more than 110 independent farmers while addressing water security challenges in two of India’s fastest-growing metropolitan regions.

Expanding Efficient Irrigation

In western Bengaluru, the project will convert traditional flood irrigation systems to drip irrigation across 80 hectares of gourd and tomato farms, benefiting approximately 70 farmers.

In northern Hyderabad, a similar transition will take place across 40 hectares of maize and vegetable farms, supporting roughly 40 farmers.

Together, the projects are projected to conserve about 175 million liters of water annually in Bengaluru and 150 million liters in Hyderabad.

Supporting Amazon’s Water Positive Goal

The collaboration aligns with Amazon’s commitment to become water positive in India by 2027, meaning the company aims to return more water to communities than it uses in its direct operations.

“This initiative focuses on practical solutions that make a measurable difference on the ground, helping farmers improve the efficiency of their irrigation systems while contributing to water security in water-stressed regions,” said Abhinav Singh, Vice President of Operations for Amazon India and Australia. “We remain committed to collaborations that support responsible water use in India.”

Addressing Regional Water Stress

Farmers participating in the Bengaluru project currently draw water from sources connected to the TG Halli Reservoir, which also supplies water to parts of west and north Bengaluru, including urban neighborhoods, commercial districts, and Amazon facilities.

In Hyderabad, farmers rely on water sources linked to the Kondapochamma Sagar Reservoir, a key balancing reservoir within the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme.

By replacing flood irrigation with drip systems that deliver water directly to plant roots, the initiative significantly reduces evaporation, runoff, and over-irrigation—critical advantages in regions facing erratic rainfall and groundwater depletion.

Precision Agriculture for Climate Resilience

“We are proud to collaborate with Amazon on this important initiative, which demonstrates how precision irrigation can deliver real impact for farmers and communities alike,” said Max Moldavsky, Director of Innovation and Climate Solutions at Orbia Netafim.

“By helping farmers transition to drip irrigation, we are improving water efficiency, strengthening livelihoods, and contributing to broader water security efforts.”

A Scalable Model for Water Stewardship

This marks the first collaboration between Amazon India and Orbia Netafim aimed at addressing water challenges in rapidly growing Indian cities.

Water stewardship remains central to Orbia Netafim’s sustainability strategy. The company has implemented large-scale irrigation modernization initiatives globally to improve water efficiency, stabilize farmer income, and enhance climate resilience.

Building on community irrigation programs in Karnataka—including the Ramthal Community Irrigation Project—the partnership with Amazon demonstrates a scalable model for basin-level water conservation through corporate-agriculture collaboration.