Netafim’s precision irrigation helps farmers grow more with less

Netafim is driving change in South African agriculture through precision irrigation. Using advanced drip and fertigation technologies, irrigation designer Francois Fourie explains how they achieve higher yields and improved crop quality while optimising water and nutrient use.

Francois Fourie, a farmer and irrigation designer, has been at the forefront of precision irrigation in South Africa. He shared how precision irrigation and Netafim technologies have impacted his farming operations, particularly for cash crops like sugar beans.

Fourie began his career in irrigation around 2006–2007, initially focusing on sports fields and golf courses. By 2012, he and his business partner expanded into agriculture.

They noticed that many farmers still relied on traditional irrigation methods, such as centre pivots, open-field systems, and basic drip systems. This inspired them to specialise in precision irrigation, particularly in greenhouses and the blueberry industry, where they utilised advanced fertiliser dosing equipment.

In 2016, Fourie established a small demonstration unit near Polokwane to showcase these techniques, which over time grew into a fully operational production farm.

Why precision irrigation matters for cash crops

Fourie highlighted the benefits of precision irrigation:

Higher yield potential: Precision irrigation allows crops to reach their full production capacity.
Optimised water use: Even though higher-yielding plants can use more water, the system improves the efficiency of water-to-yield conversion.
Better nutrient management: Plants receive water and nutrients according to their actual needs, supporting healthier growth.
Applicable to all cash crops: The benefits extend to a wide range of crops.
Produce more with less: Overall, precision irrigation enables higher yields and better quality using resources more efficiently.

“I believe that all cash crops can benefit from precision irrigation. It is clearly visible that it is definitely possible to produce more with less. That’s also Netafim’s slogan, to grow more with less,” he says.

Demonstrating success: Sugar bean trial

Fourie notes that precision irrigation improves the efficiency of converting water and nutrients into yield. This allows plants to achieve their full potential. By delivering water and fertiliser directly according to the plants’ needs, farmers can produce more with fewer resources, achieving higher yields and better crop quality.

Fourie explains that he initially wanted to compare water use between pivot and drip irrigation, as many farmers assume that drip automatically uses less water. He applied the same fertiliser programme to both systems but soon noticed that the drip system, which delivers nutrient-enriched water directly to the plants, caused them to respond differently from those under the pivots, creating an imbalance.

“So I quickly made some alterations throughout the season, which is actually a short growing season on sugar beans. After making those alterations, I managed to obtain a 20% higher yield with a much better quality by using these precision farming techniques,” he shares.

Water management and fertigation

On water management in Limpopo, Fourie highlighted that Netafim offers more than just drip irrigation equipment. Their Crop Management Technology (CMT) range includes fertiliser dosing units that allow farmers to apply precise fertiliser mixtures directly into irrigation lines, as prescribed by an agronomist.

When combined with drip irrigation, this approach delivers water and nutrients directly to the plant’s root zone, improving efficiency and enabling higher yields.

By optimising the conversion of water and fertiliser into crop production, farmers can achieve better results using fewer resources. Fourie emphasised that this benefit is not limited to Limpopo but is relevant to farming operations worldwide.

Fourie shares the following fertigation tips for farmers:

Work with an agronomist: Get professional guidance to design precise fertiliser mixes that meet the specific needs of your crops.
Use individual nutrient tanks: Separate tanks rather than relying on pre-mixed bagged fertilisers.
Mix nutrients to crop needs: Fertigation allows you to create customised nutrient ratios for your crops, ensuring they get exactly what they need at each growth stage.
Deliver nutrients through irrigation: Use a dosing unit to mix the fertiliser and water, then apply it directly into the irrigation system for efficient delivery to the plant’s root zone.
Set up suitable infrastructure: Install the dosing unit in a secure pump station and ensure your in-field irrigation system can deliver nutrients evenly across the crops.
Choose a complete solution: Using a system like Netafim’s one-stop fertigation equipment makes it easier to implement and manage precision fertigation effectively.

The mindset shift for precision farming

Fourie emphasises that adopting fertigation requires a significant mental shift for farmers who have been working the same way for many years. He explains, “Irrigation scheduling is very important if you want to apply precision fertigation practices on your farm. As a farmer, you need to make this mind shift towards precision management of your irrigation scheduling before you move over, or even think of moving over to fertigation methods.”

Fourie says heavy-wall drip is still used for high-value perennial crops like citrus and macadamias due to its long lifespan. Thin-wall drip, designed for one-season use, is a more cost-effective option for cash crops and seasonal vegetables.

While drip irrigation has traditionally focused on permanent crops, more South African farmers are now adopting thin-wall systems, supported by Netafim’s range of products and fittings.