Google Funds Arable’s Irrigation Tech to Save Water in Carolinas

Google and agtech company Arable have announced a collaboration focused on water replenishment, with Google committing over US$4 million to deploy Arable’s irrigation technology across 20,000 acres in North and South Carolina. The initiative aims to save more than 1.9 billion L of water over eight years.

Arable, founded in 2014, provides a crop intelligence platform that uses Internet of Things (IoT) technology, machine learning, and advanced modeling to deliver real-time data on weather, soil moisture, crop health, and irrigation. This data enables farmers to make precise irrigation decisions, improving water use efficiency and crop productivity.

The companies expect the project to benefit groundwater in some of the most vulnerable river basins and aquifers in the Carolinas. Additional benefits include enhanced water availability and quality, farmer training on new technologies, improved on-farm profitability, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

“By combining reliable, real-time data with intuitive decision tools, we are helping farmers do more with less: less water, less energy, and less risk. We are excited to bring much-needed technology to a region where impact to farmers and ecosystems can be significant,” Jim Ethington, CEO, Arable, said. 

Google announced its water stewardship goal in 2021, aiming to become water positive by 2030, replenishing more water than it consumes and supporting water security and ecosystems in its operating communities. The partnership with Arable supports Google’s target to replenish 120% of its freshwater use by 2030.

“Supporting responsible and sustainable water use in agriculture is essential for the long-term health of ecosystems and communities. With data center campuses in both North Carolina and South Carolina, we are proud to build on our work with Arable to bring this solution to a region we have called home for nearly 20 years,” stated Suzie Shin, Data Center Sustainability Programs Manager, Google.