Water-Smart Agriculture (WSA) represents a strategic framework aimed at optimizing water use efficiency in agricultural systems while sustaining productivity under conditions of climate variability and increasing water scarcity. This study examines the integration of precision irrigation technologies, real-time soil moisture monitoring, crop water requirement modelling, and climate-adaptive agronomic practices across diverse farming environments. A combination of field ex-periments, remote sensing analysis, and participatory farmer assessments was employed to evaluate the effectiveness of sensor-based irrigation scheduling, deficit irrigation, and drought-tolerant crop varieties. The findings reveal that adoption of water-smart practices resulted in a 30–45% reduction in irrigation water use compared to conventional methods, without adverse effects on crop yield. Improved irrigation scheduling enhanced water productivity and reduced input costs, while the use of mulching and climate-resilient crop varieties minimized evapotranspiration losses and strengthened resilience to dry spells. Socioeconomic assessment indicated improved farm profitability and reduced vulnerability to water stress. The study concludes that Water-Smart Agriculture offers a scalable and sustainable pathway for achieving agricultural intensification while conserving freshwater resources. Policy support, institutional capacity building, and investment in digital and irrigation infrastructure are recommended to facilitate widespread adoption of water-smart practices.

Water-smart Agriculture, Precision Irrigation, Soil Moisture Sensors, Water Productivity, Climate-adaptive Agriculture, Sustainable Water Management