The wine industry is a holistic organism influenced by a flow of factors, this makes an economic perspective just as important as an agronomic or irrigation-focused one. Team Netafim checked in with Yolandi Botha, Agricultural Economist at Vinpro, for her perspective on wine industry economics.
Drip irrigation has long been a trusted method for irrigating sugarcane; widely recognised for its ability to reduce resource use and increase yields. Conversations with sugarcane farmers in Kwa-Zulu Natal highlighted that the greatest benefits of implementing drip irrigation in sugarcane production often extend beyond the traditional goal of growing more with less. Lower electricity use and reduced labour requirements emerged as some of the most valuable benefits of drip irrigation in sugarcane production.