Muhammad Imran

Aston University

Dr. Muhammad Imran is an associate professor at Aston University, UK, and a distinguished researcher renowned for his expertise in sustainable thermal energy systems, specializing in heating, cooling, and distributed energy applications. Dr. Imran’s recent leadership in two innovative projects focused on novel and smart irrigation systems powered by hybrid energy solutions showcases a commitment to advancing sustainable practices in agriculture. As the principal investigator for projects in Ethiopia and Kenya, Dr. Imran is spearheading efforts to integrate cutting-edge cooling technologies into agricultural practices, addressing post-harvest losses in developing countries. Beyond research, Dr. Imran holds leadership roles at Aston University, actively engages with industry, and contributes to the academic community through publications and supervisory roles.

1chapters authored

Chapters authored

Hybrid Energy Powered Smart Irrigation System for Smallholder Farmers: Installation Site and Crop Selection

By Muhammad Aleem, Muhammad Sultan, Muhammad Imran, Zafar A. Khan, Hadeed Ashraf, Hafiz M. Asfahan and Fiaz Ahmad

In the context of food-energy-water nexus and uncertainties in climate change, hybrid energy powered smart irrigation system (HEPSIS) is an emerging solution for optimizing both energy and water to boost crop yield. In Pakistan, most of the farmers especially smallholder farmers are currently relying on conventional irrigation practices which result in high water consumptions, high energy consumptions (by means of pumping), low crop yields, and net profit. Prior to design/development, installation, and testing of the HEPSIS, it is essential to know a suitable site and potential food/cash crops which will be irrigated. In this regard, the study aims to select installation site and potential crops. Site suitability is explored for Sindh province from viewpoints of Indus Basin Irrigation System mapping, groundwater table depth/quality mapping, land use land cover, and soil classifications. Furthermore, crop selection analyses are performed by means of a screening matrix approach based on stars to identify two potential food and cash crops. As per the results, Badin, Ghotki, Khairpur, Sanghar, Shikarpur, Larkana, and Thatta are selected as some suitable sites for the proposed HEPSIS. Additionally, wheat and rice are selected as potential food crops whereas cotton and sugarcane are selected as potential cash crops.

Part of the book: Irrigation Systems and Applications

Related collaborators

Syeda Mishal Zahra

Agricultural Remote Sensing Lab, Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad

Muhammad Safdar

Rehan Mehmood Sabir

Zahid Maqbool

Agricultural Remote Sensing Lab (ARSL), National Center for GIS and Space Applications, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan

Shanmugam Vijayakumar

Muhammad Adnan Shahid

1Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan 2Agricultural Remote Sensing Lab (ARSL), National Center for GIS and Space Applications, University of Agriculture,