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Drip on Sugar – Saving Water, Energy & Labour

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.

Efficiency All Around

Wilrik Scheepers of 4 x 4 Boerdery to the south of Pongola, says that drip irrigation has an important place in the management of their various sugarcane production units. “A massive benefit is that it allows us to incorporate solar in our electricity supply for irrigation. The reduced energy requirements of drip irrigation make solar a feasible energy source. Drip irrigation is not only more water-efficient but also more energy-efficient,” he explains.

As Henco Grobler of Senekal Boerdery near Mkuze puts it: “Drip irrigation is a valuable tool for us to ensure efficient and profitable sugarcane production on a large scale. We plan to convert many more of our sugarcane fields to drip irrigation and install drip irrigation on a large percentage of our new fields planted. This decision is mostly driven by the fact that we will save significant money on our electricity bill.”

Richardt Scholtz, Agronomist for Netafim in KZN, explains this benefit: “With drip irrigation you can irrigate a larger area with the same amount of water, compared to other irrigation methods. Moving water from the source to the field is often the most expensive component of an irrigation system’s operation. As water is used more efficiently, less water must be moved and it can be efficiently delivered at lower pressures – all leading to reduced pumping requirements. This translates to lower electricity use.”

Do the Math

Wilhelm Harris of Vriendschap Boerdery near Heatonville reminds us that farming is all about doing the math. For each field, we must carefully evaluate and determine the most suitable irrigation method. “We must consider the cost of the system, production potential of the field, resource availability and many other factors to determine which investment will ensure that we can not only unlock the highest potential from the crop but also achieve optimal return on investment. It all comes down to knowing your crop, your soil and the tools available.”

An important impacting factor when doing these calculations is, of course, rising input costs. A lot has been said about the pressure of rising input costs in the agricultural sector.The need to elude an input cost pinch, will always be one of the biggest drivers of increased efficiency in farming practices. “The higher the cost of electricity, for example, the greater the drive to invest in technologies that allow you to use this resource more efficiently. Each type of irrigation system has certain costs, and certain benefits that come with that cost. It all comes back to doing the math holistically, Harris reiterates.

 "A massive benefit is that it allows us to incorporate solar in our electricity supply for irrigation. The reduced energy requirements of drip irrigation make solar a feasible energy source. Drip irrigation is not only more water-efficient but also more energy-efficient.”  

Wilrik Scheepers, 4 x 4 Boerdery
To align with harvesting practices, subsurface drip irrigation is the preferred method for sugarcane irrigation. Driplines are buried 15 – 20 cm below the soil surface. In this photo a profile pit was dug to assess the moisture levels of the soil and adjust scheduling if necessary.

  To align with harvesting practices, subsurface drip irrigation is the preferred method for sugarcane irrigation. Driplines are buried 15 – 20 cm below the soil surface. In this photo a profile pit was dug to assess the moisture levels of the soil and adjust scheduling if necessary.  

Economy and Agronomy

“In my experience farmers’ decisions to implement drip irrigation is driven by a variety of factors,” Etienne de Beer, Extension Specialist for SASRI (South African Sugarcane Research Institute), agrees.

De Beer lists some of these factors:

  • Rising energy costs
  • The need for optimal soil management to mitigate factors such as erosion, compaction and declining soil quality
  • The quality and quantity of water available
  • Availability of capital
  • The background and skillset of the farmer and his team
  • Access to support services to ensure optimal installation, operation and maintenance
  • Availability of quality drip irrigation products
  • Production conditions such as slope, soil type, field shape, climate, etc.
  • Cultivar
  • Availability of labour

Marco Appel, Agricultural Economist for Netafim in South Africa, positions a cost benefit analysis as a valuable tool for any farmer, investor or project designer to decide whether they should invest in pivot, sprinkler or drip irrigation for a given farming operation. “In plain terms, it helps determine whether an investment will be profitable or not. This is especially valuable when it comes to placing the long-term benefits of a system compared in perspective. Consider which system has an earlier break-even point, which system will offer better return on investment or internal rate of return and which system has lower operational expenditure. These considerations place the original capital expenditure in perspective.” He adds that beyond the important considerations of soil and crop suitability and other farm-specific aspects, the important cost areas to consider in the Cost Benefit Analysis of an irrigation system include:

  • Initial cost (From purchasing to installation)
  • Maintenance requirements and costs
  • Water use and cost
  • Electricity use and cost
  • Labour (Operation and Maintenance)

These considerations will lead to an informed recommendation or decision, that holistically takes into account cost and return over the entire operational lifespan of the system, says Appel. 

Back to the Field

Scheepers reaffirms the value of assessing the production potential, soil type, slope, and other characteristics of a given sugarcane field and then selecting an irrigation method that will contribute to optimal production for that field. “It places the control in our hands in terms of crop management, risk management and much more.”

He continues to list the benefits of drip irrigation: “With drip irrigation we can adapt scheduling to reduce losses when loadshedding or water shortages come knocking.”

“When farmers face water, electricity, climate or mechanical challenges, their most important priority is to ensure that the sugarcane is taken care of in order to protect the final yield, adds Scholtz. “Remember, extreme stress conditions will influence quality and yields. When recovering from irrigation disruptions, drip irrigation enables farmers to efficiently cover a larger area in less time, ensuring that the maximum possible percentage of the crops’ needs is met.

Charl du Plessis of Multi Direct Investments adds that drip irrigation contributes to improved soil management in several ways. “Run-off is near eliminated which reduces the risk of soil erosion in addition to preventing water losses. The pooling of water that leads to waterlogged soil is also eliminated. Furthermore, I also find it easier to efficiently manage a healthier root zone in challenging soil conditions.

“The fact that I can also apply fertilizer and other agents with extreme precision, furthermore places a lot of control in my hands. The fact that fertilizer can be applied in the root zone exactly where it is needed has a significant impact,” Scheepers continues. All of these benefits, he adds, has a massive potential impact if we:

  • Ensure that know my soil – both in terms of water movements and fertilizer requirements
  • Understand the crop requirements
  • Get our hands dirty during the season to calibrate our scheduling approach
  • Involve the necessary experts and trust quality equipment
  • Apply the necessary discipline in terms of system management and maintenance
  • Use suitable technology to unlock the full potential of the irrigation system

Du Plessis speaks of the massive benefit drip irrigation offers in terms of reduced labour requirements and ease of management. “I can control so much of what happens in the field from my phone – a very valuable benefit. Furthermore, the fact that I do not have to send my team out to move sprinklers, for example, makes a massive impact.”

He reiterates the focus on ensuring cost-performance balance with informed decision-making as well as the crucial message that knowing your soil and all impacting conditions in the field is key to success. “This is not only important when I select my irrigation method and during system design, but it is crucial during day-to-day irrigation management. It is not difficult to manage drip irrigation successfully but does require attention to detail as well as an understanding of how water is delivered through the specific drip system; how water moves in the soil of a specific field and what the crop requires when.”

Richardt Scholtz and Craig Orchards, Netafim’s team in KZN, with Wilhelm Harris of Vriendschap Boerdery near Heatonville.

Richardt Scholtz and Craig Orchards, Netafim’s team in KZN, 
with Wilhelm Harris of Vriendschap Boerdery near Heatonville.  

Support Efficiency

Harris agrees that while drip irrigation is not inherently difficult, it is often perceived as such, as it requires certain more intensive management activities. “If you however do a few important basics right, great potential can be unlocked.

He emphasises the importance of support from the irrigation industry in this regard. “This is where the support offered by the equipment supplier and/or retailer becomes crucial. The access I will have to training, product support, or installation expertise plays a massive role in my choice of both the type of irrigation system and the supplier.”

According to Charl Senekal of Senekal Boerdery, increased efficiency in every action on the farm, is crucial on any scale of farming. “We need to be more and more efficient every day. We have certain goals in the operation, and without exact efficiency we are not able to reach these goals.”

Scholtz reminds us that farmers, as is human nature, most often adopt new technologies or practices driven by a heightened need or a specific challenge. “Producers navigate various agronomic and environmental hurdles, alongside broader industry challenges,” he says. “It’s up to supporting agricultural sectors, such as the irrigation sector, to equip farmers with the right tools to overcome these obstacles. We are tasked to recognise these challenges and provide innovative solutions that boost yields, optimise resource use, and ensure profitability for the farmer.”

 

 "Drip irrigation gives farmers full control of water and nutrient delivery. It allows farmers to use the resources they have efficiently, so they can continue to ensure long-term sustainability even if they cannot expand their operation."

Richardt Scholtz, Netafim

Down The Line

A very important aspect of success with drip on sugar, is correct dripline selection. Tabled below are important selection parameters that must be considered based on detailed information collected in the planning phase. Also included are general recommendations from Netafim based on experience in the field. Take note that each irrigation system will differ depending on the environmental conditions and system requirements at hand. Be sure to involve the necessary experts in product selection and system design.

 

Dripline selection parameters

Henco Grobler and Charl Senekal of Senekal Boerdery