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The growth of a plant is highly dependent on the conditions it is in. There are many aspects to be examined. Has the plant received the right amount of water and nutrients at the right time; has it suffered from any diseases and was it exposed to the perfect climatic conditions? For sustainability and better profitability, the producer, without any doubt, wants each plant to achieve optimal growth, reach its full genetic potential and deliver a high yield in both quantity and quality. To achieve this, conditions must be optimal. To ensure optimal conditions year-round, the producer must be able to control these conditions. “In a greenhouse, the purpose is to modify the environment to create optimal conditions for plant growth,” explains Jerry Austen, product manager at Netafim South Africa.

Season after season, grain producers are confronted by various risks. Be it climate-related or caused by a price-cost squeeze threatening the industry. When asked why he decided to install subsurface drip irrigation on his farm, Danie Minnaar of the farm, Springboklaagte in the Kroonstad regions says the following: “I am not a farmer, I am a risk manager. My job is to find ways to reduce risk in my farming activities. Subsurface drip irrigation is one of my risk management tools.”

Graanprodusente word elke seisoen met ’n verskeidenheid risiko’s gekonfronteer – hetsy dit klimaatverwante risiko’s is of veroorsaak word deur ’n kosteknyptang wat die bedryf laat noustrop trek.

“Ons gebruik sedert 2018 ondergrondse drupbesproeiing op ʼn persentasie van ons suikeraanplantings en sien baie goeie resultate tot dusver.” Nick Botha, hoof van landboubedrywighede by Greenfuel in Zimbabwe, verduidelik hoekom hy ondergrondse drupbesproeiing verkies.

With the country’s sugar cane industry under immense pressure, farmers have no choice but to become more efficient. Drip irrigation is a crucial tool that can make all the difference.

One of the pillars of Netafim’s success is its people. Through the expertise of our employees in combination with years of accumulated knowledge as the leader in precision irrigation solutions, our quality products can be implemented with optimal success.

Blueberries are a very special crop. In Africa, it is successfully produced outside its original growing area, in areas that it may not be fully adapted to. Almost all blueberries are produced in controlled environments, such as greenhouses. If it is produced outside, the irrigation and fertilizer application must be controlled precisely. This is made necessary by the physical and physiological characteristics of the plant.

In 1996 South Africa’s total area under vines was 85 175 ha of which only 23% was drip irrigated. By 2006, 49% of 102 146 ha vines was under drip irrigation. Today, about 67% of the 92 067 ha of wine grapes planted in South Africa are drip irrigated.

The concept of open hydroponics has been a major driver of the adoption of drip irrigation in citrus production. Open hydroponics in the context of tree crops was first introduced by Professor Rafael Martinez Valero of Spain in the 1990’s. His work and related research carried out in South Africa has greatly changed thinking in citrus irrigation and nutrition.

Netafim builds its success on its quality products, the expertise of its employees, and years of accumulated knowledge and experience from designing and applying its products and systems.

Selfs die beste besproeiingstelsel beteken niks sonder korrekte besproeiingskedulering nie.

An excellent irrigation system is nothing without accurate irrigation scheduling.