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Turning Data into Healthier Soil and Bigger Yields
Technology is sowing new possibilities for Mississippi farmers at the Water Resources Research Institute at Mississippi State University. There, research engineer Jadwin Manuel is putting his computer engineering and data analysis skills to work—helping farmers boost yields while conserving water and other critical resources.
"If we can figure out the ideal conditions for crops to grow, we can raise a farmer's margins instantly by 20 to 30% or more," Manuel said. "Because we work directly with farmers, we get real-world data—what's really going on in the soil. By prescribing the right inputs to make soil healthier, we can save money for farmers and even lower food prices overall."
Traditionally, finding the right balance of soil nutrients—like sodium, phosphorus, magnesium, and copper—was a slow process based on trial and error. Mistakes were costly. But thanks to the tools Manuel is helping develop, that guesswork is becoming a thing of the past.
Funded by the Mid-South Soybean Board, Manuel analyzes massive amounts of field data—from soil samples and plant health to water runoff and chemical usage—to determine ideal conditions for growing corn, soybeans, and cotton. He also taps into data from the tractors or producers and farmers, tracking everything from moisture and elevation to soil composition.
The outcome? Precision "prescriptions" for each field: exact recommendations for nitrogen levels, pH balance, and more. When the data shows, for example, that high magnesium correlates with lower yields, Manuel teams up with agronomists to dig into the cause and find a fix.
"A lot of my work revolves around geospatial data," he said. "If a field is uneven, the tractor data will show us dips in elevation—so if we need to install irrigation, we can plan efficiently. It's much faster than physically measuring everything."
A Mississippi State computer engineering graduate, Manuel previously worked in robotics. He was struck by how much overlap there is between agriculture and robotic—both use wireless sensors, automation, and intelligent systems.
Now, he's applying those technologies to real-world problems in agriculture—tracking how water moves across fields, how soil chemistry evolves, and how tiny variables can dramatically affect outcomes.
"It's incredibly rewarding to see a graph I worked on, see predictions confirmed, and know it helped someone," he said. "That's the exciting part—using technology to improve what we know about the world and make life better. In our case, we're improving livelihoods for farmers."
The Water Resources Research Institute at Mississippi State University is a leader in addressing critical water and land use challenges. Collaborating with leading water resources officials, the institute develops innovative research solutions that benefit Mississippi, the region and the nation. Learn more about the institute at www.wrri.msstate.edu.
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