Questions
Something missing? Write to us at pilot@arvessa.org.
What is the soil twin?
A computer model of the soil in your block. Satellite images, the weather and your water meter keep it up to date, and it forecasts soil water at 20, 40 and 60 cm a week ahead.
Is it already running on farms?
Not yet. Today it runs on test data. The 2027 pilot is its first season on real farms, and it starts by only watching and forecasting.
Do I need to buy any hardware?
No. We fit a small reader on your water meter, so there is nothing to write down or send. Most farms get no probes. Probes go on a few reference farms, and we install and look after them.
What is a reference farm?
A farm with our probes in the soil. We call it a hub-and-spoke model: the reference farms are the hubs and teach the soil twin how the soils of the region hold water. Every other farm is a spoke and gets its plan from what the twin learned there.
How long does setup take?
One visit. We draw your block outlines from satellite images beforehand, and a technician checks them with you in about 10 to 15 minutes. Then we fit the meter reader and test your well water.
Does Arvessa control my pump?
No. You get a plan and you decide. In the 2027 pilot the twin first runs next to your normal watering, so you can compare before you trust it.
What do I need to do each week?
Read the message and follow it. The meter reader records your water by itself.
What does it cost?
The 2027 pilot is free. We will share prices before the first paid season in 2028.
Which languages?
The weekly message comes in French or Arabic. This website is in English and French.
Can I ask questions about the plan?
Yes. Tap Question or just write back. Our AI model explains the plan in plain words, but it never changes your hours. If something looks wrong, a person from our team follows up.
Do you measure salt?
We test the salt (EC) of your well water at setup. On reference farms, our probes are designed to read salt next to the roots at three depths; that part is still being tested. Satellites can’t see salt under trees.
Does a weak spot on the map mean more water?
No, not by itself. A weak spot can mean dry soil, a blocked line, salt or root rot, and too much water makes root rot worse. The map shows where to look. A check in the field decides.
Does Arvessa help with GLOBALG.A.P. SPRING?
We give you audit-ready water records for SPRING: metered water per block and month, an irrigation log and the plan behind it. The auditor certifies the farm, and the farm still needs its own water permit and paperwork.
What happens to my farm's data?
We ask for your written consent before the pilot starts, and we don't share your farm's data without it.
Join the 2027 pilot
Do you run a drip-irrigated citrus farm or a packhouse in Souss-Massa? We're looking for three farms for a free pilot. Researchers and funders are welcome to write too.
Fill in the application Or write to pilot@arvessa.org