Precision irrigation has been redefining sugarcane farming across Africa. Netafim’s subsurface drip systems and automation tools are helping farmers double yields, reduce costs, and future-proof their operations.
As pressure mounts on land, water and energy resources, precision irrigation is no longer a luxury in sugarcane production; it is a strategic necessity. According to Netafim, a global leader in drip irrigation technology, the future of sustainable cane production lies in maximising output from every square metre through subsurface drip systems, fertigation and automation.
Gary Frances, key accounts manager in the commercial projects department at Netafim Southern and East Africa, shared insights drawn from more than three decades in agriculture, including 17 years as a greenhouse vegetable producer and 15 years working closely with large-scale sugar estates across the region.
Why precision irrigation is a priority for sugarcane
KwaZulu-Natal’s north coast, traditionally the heart of South Africa’s sugar industry, has seen significant land-use changes due to development. Combined with increasing water scarcity and rising energy costs, growers face mounting pressure.
Frances outlines three core drivers behind an increased shift to drip irrigation:
- Declining arable land availability
- Water scarcity
- Escalating energy costs and unreliable energy supply
“Water is one of our most precious and limited resources. Energy is becoming more expensive, and energy sources less reliable. And land for sugarcane is shrinking. Drip irrigation offers a solution to all three,” he says.
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How subsurface drip transforms efficiency
In sugarcane systems, driplines are installed 120–150mm below the soil surface, directly within the root zone. This subsurface approach delivers water and fertiliser precisely where the plant needs it.
According to Frances, key benefits include:
1. Zero evaporation and minimal runoff
Water is applied below ground, eliminating surface evaporation losses.
2. Low flow, low pressure
With drippers delivering approximately one litre per hour, systems operate at lower pressures than conventional overhead irrigation, reducing pumping energy requirements.
3. Targeted fertigation
Nutrients are injected directly into the root zone, improving uptake efficiency and reducing waste.
4. Yield uplift
“Instead of 60 tonnes per hectare under traditional systems, we can often double that, depending on soil and climate conditions, and typically within a 12-month cycle rather than 18 or 24 months.”
Drip irrigation boosts operational efficiency by producing higher yields on smaller areas, reducing equipment use, labour, fuel, and electricity costs, and ultimately improving farm margins.
Centralised fertigation and smarter farm management
Sugarcane installations are typically designed around centralised valve clusters serving approximately 100 hectares.
From a single fertigation control room, estate managers can:
- Monitor flow rates and pressures.
- Track and administer fertiliser application volumes.
- Control irrigation scheduling.
- Manage up to 30 hectares, irrigating simultaneously.
- This requires only one cluster house attendant to cover 100ha
Systems are designed for peak-demand periods, particularly the hottest months, with built-in capacity to compensate for electricity interruptions such as load shedding.
“Systems are designedfor worst-case scenarios so farmers are covered during peak water demand,” Frances says.
Benefits of automation
Automation is becoming a standard practice rather than an optional tool. Using platforms like Netafim’s GrowSphere controller, farm managers can remotely monitor and control irrigation systems, tracking valves, water flow, and pressure while integrating weather data, which reduces manual work and minimises human error.
“Farmers have historically been reluctant to take leave because they worry about what’s happening on the farm. With automation, they can log in from anywhere and see exactly what is happening in real time.”
On-the-ground support
Through its commercial projects department, Netafim offers end-to-end support for sugarcane projects across several African countries, combining system design, installation, maintenance, and training, with technicians who are experienced former sugarcane farmers.
“We put experienced, specialised people on the ground who understand exactly what is required. We hold the farmer’s hand from A to Z,” Frances says.
This ongoing technical partnership often prevents minor system issues from becoming costly failures.
The future of sugarcane in Africa
Despite current market pressures in parts of the industry, Frances remains confident in sugarcane’s long-term viability.
Sugar has been produced for thousands of years and will continue to be, with the key to sustainability being adaptation through technology. Innovation presents significant opportunities, especially where older infrastructure can be replaced with modern precision systems.
Countries such as Zimbabwe are already demonstrating the potential of high-yield, precision-managed estates.
“We’re seeing exceptional yields simply because we are applying the right amount of water and fertiliser at the right time, not over-irrigating and not under-irrigating,” Frances says.
For growers hesitant about automation, he offers reassurance.
In an environment where margins are tightening and resources are constrained, precision irrigation is not merely about saving water; it is about protecting profitability, strengthening resilience and future-proofing the sugar industry.
“The first time I sat behind a computer, it felt overwhelming. But modern systems are extremely user-friendly. Farmers should not be afraid of automation.”
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