World's First Live Demonstration of 100-Acre Coffee Plantation Irrigation in Less Than 24 Hours

In a landmark moment for Indian agriculture, Austrian irrigation pioneer Komet's advanced Rain Gun sprinkler technology successfully irrigated 100 acres of a coffee estate in just 24 hours — a feat being hailed as a world first for the coffee farming industry. The live demonstration took place at Dr. Anand Pereira's Jose Eco-Friendly Coffee Plantation in Kirehalli, adjacent to Sundekere village in Sakleshpur taluk, Hassan district. Thousands of coffee growers from Hassan, Chikmagalur, and Kodagu districts gathered at a specially erected stage amid the lush plantation to witness this watershed moment in Indian agricultural history. The entire project — from concept and engineering design to on-ground execution — was conceived and delivered by Water Jet Engineers, Chikmagalur, in association with Rainy Research and Manufacturing, Chikmagalur, in collaboration with Komet Irrigation, Austria. The event was organised by the same team, bringing together decades of expertise in water management and agricultural infrastructure to achieve what is now being recognised as a world first. Inaugurating the programme, Mr. Naveen Raj Singh, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports, Government of Karnataka, and In-Charge Secretary of Hassan district, described Komet's Rain Gun technology as a "game-changer" for coffee growers. He also simultaneously launched the new Kirloskar KU7 series of Oil-Cooled Submersible Pumps, with Kirloskar Oil Engines' All-India Head Mr. Srikant Gangishetty and South Regional Manager Mr. Rajesh V present on the occasion. The scale of the demonstration was staggering. Designed and executed end-to-end by Water Jet Engineers in association with Rainy Research and Manufacturing, the installation saw ten Kirloskar 50 HP pumps — totalling 500 HP — powered by a 1010 KVA diesel generator, driving high-pressure Hallmark HDPE pipes connected to giant Komet Rain Guns deployed across the entire 100-acre estate. The pumps draw water through a purpose-built jackwell constructed with segmented concrete rings, positioned at the centre of the lake. The structure is engineered to handle loads of up to 8 tonnes, providing a robust and stable platform for heavy equipment. To ensure clean water intake, 24V wire screens are installed around the circumference of the jackwell, just two feet above the lake bed, effectively filtering debris before it enters the system. The result was a sweeping artificial micro-climate that blanketed the plantation in simulated rainfall. The sight moved many in attendance — growers were seen sheltering under umbrellas, while others simply stepped into the spray, a spontaneous celebration of what precision irrigation can deliver. Participating companies showcased complementary technologies on the day, including Hallmark High-Pressure HDPE Pipes, Kirloskar DG Sets, Kirloskar Brothers Limited Pumps & Systems, Normex Valves, L&T Electrical Panels, and Rainy's Jackwell Concrete Segments and V-Wire Screen Filters. This demonstration was not merely about speed. It represents a convergence of modern engineering, water efficiency, and large-scale agricultural thinking — precisely what Indian farming needs in an era of water scarcity, erratic weather, and acute labour shortages. The successful showcase has already sparked considerable interest among coffee planters, with many actively exploring adoption of the system for their own estates. With the Coffee Board of India signalling its intent to support wider adoption through subsidies, the path to scaling this technology across Karnataka's coffee belt — and beyond — looks increasingly clear. For Karnataka's coffee belt — and potentially for coffee-growing regions across India — May 28, 2026 marks the beginning of a new chapter in precision irrigation.