Bringing improved water-use efficiency to vineyards, drip irrigation has added a lot of value to the wine grape industry. As technology improves and our knowledge expands it will continue to do so. The more we align irrigation with soil movement dynamics, the greater our ability to enhance both sustainability and profitability in the vineyard.
Irrigation plays a vital role in sustainable wine grape production in South Africa. With dwindling water resources and an increase in competition for water, the need for continuous innovation is greater than ever.
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.