Netafim South Africa announces new Managing Director

Netafim Continuity

Looking towards the future, an opportunity was created to select a leader from within Netafim’s own ranks. Someone who has been on a journey with Netafim since the start of his career and is well-embedded in the local irrigation industry. This decision was made keeping in mind continuity within the company, lasting relationships with clients and ensuring a sustainable future through the next generation. Netafim South Africa is celebrating its 30-year anniversary in 2022, with the theme of ‘Celebrating the past, growing the future’. Esmeraldo’s appointment perfectly supports this focus.

Michael Esmeraldo joined Netafim South Africa in January 2015 as an Agronomist and very quickly developed his career in Netafim. We know him for his positive mindset, commercial capabilities, insight, and ability to build and foster relationships. He holds a B.Sc degree in Agronomy and Agricultural Economics as well as a M.Sc degree in Soil Science. In February 2019, Esmeraldo was appointed as Regional Sales Manager working from Netafim’s Nelspruit office and he joined the managerial team in April 2020. He has made an impact and successfully managed the Northern team by driving growth, building trusted relationships with key partners, customers, and stakeholders.

Focused on building a strong network in the industry, he joined the South African Irrigation Institute (SABI) early in his career. In 2021, he was elected as the youngest ever president of this industry organisation and has been leading the industry in this position ever since.

“It is a massive honour to be trusted with the role of Managing Director of Netafim South Africa,” said Esmeraldo. “I am very passionate about agriculture, irrigation and Netafim, and it is a privilege to have the opportunity to take a leading role. I know that there will be a steep learning curve, but I am excited about the growth opportunity and to be part of Netafim South Africa’s future in the local irrigation industry.”

Amid changes within Netafim South Africa, the irrigation industry and the wider agricultural industry, continuity is especially important. We must ensure that both our dealers and end-users can trust in continued service. “This is why I want to build on the strong foundation laid by Adriaan, Etienne Erasmus before him, previous leaders, and team Netafim as a whole. My first focus will be to enable all Netafim employees to continue doing their jobs with excellence and help farmers grow more with less.”

The Netafim purpose is to advance life around the world by helping farmers grow more with less. How – by driving the mass adoption of precision irrigation and providing innovative precision irrigation solutions. Why – to fight water, land, and food scarcity.

“Our greatest challenge and duty in the irrigation industry is to continuously improve the way we use water and other inputs. Everyone in agriculture is feeling the pressure of what I like to call a cyclical dip in the agricultural industry. Beyond that, the industry faces many long-term challenges that tasks us to change the way we work. Luckily, tough times teaches us to be more efficient, and efficiency is exactly what we need.”

Esmeraldo believes that modern farming is not only about using the latest technology, but also about farming more efficiently. “We must use water, fertiliser, and other inputs efficiently to get optimal benefit per unit of input. This is why I am passionate about Netafim’s purpose and want to play a leading role in helping the company drive the mass adoption of precision irrigation.”