In today’s agricultural landscape, precision, efficiency, and sustainability are more crucial than ever. With rising input costs, narrowing profit margins, and increasing food demand, farmers must utilise the right tools and technologies to succeed. However, when it comes to irrigation equipment, how do you know you’ve chosen the best tools for the job?
In this episode of Farmer’s Inside Track, we delve into the intricacies of drip irrigation with Hein van Graan, Netafim South Africa’s branch manager in Nelspruit. Van Graan guides us through the essential features of drippers and driplines, explaining how these components can address common field challenges.
“When you look at dripper features, it’s also a question about life expectancy. Some drippers need to be able to work for ten-plus years and others only for one season, meaning maybe 90 days to 120 days, and then you replace it. So if you look at a dripper feature, there are a few features it has, but there are three main features you will look at,” he says.
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Van Graan discusses the vital differences between pressure-compensating and non-pressure-compensating drippers. The former guarantees a consistent flow rate across varying pressures, making it ideal for perennial crops like orchards and sugarcane, while the latter suits shorter-term uses, fitting vegetables and less demanding applications.
Selecting the right dripper
To select the right dripper for your needs, consider several factors including water quality, wall thickness, flow rates, and spacing. Making informed decisions often requires collaboration with experts to ensure optimal irrigation outcomes.
Van Graan shares in detail the different class drippers and their function. Class one, he says, is a high-quality dripper that is durable. This drip has a high life expectancy and can last 10 years or more.
The life expectancy of a class two dripper is usually shorter – 10 years or less. This is perfect for sugarcane production for example. A class three dripper serves vegetables best. Here the life expectancy is a few seasons. A class four dripper or a thin wall drip is also great for vegetable crops. However, it will only be used for one or two seasons.
In this episode Van Graan also discusses
- Drip distribution;
- Management and maintenance of irrigation systems; and
- Drip line quality.
Dive deeper into the episode and gain insights from the award-winning Farmer’s Inside Track, officially recognised as Africa and the world’s best podcast at the 2024 Digital Media Awards presented by WAN-IFRA, the global press organisation.
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