يحاول ذهب - حر
Irrigation technology is making production cheaper
March 31, 2023
|Farmer's Weekly
Recent advances in irrigation technology are making it easier for farmers to produce more food, while remaining environmentally friendly. Janine Ryan reports.
Irrigation technology is expanding rapidly, as computer learning and remote monitoring become more advanced. The technology aims to improve yields, while lowering production costs and minimising the environmental impact of production. Some of the technologies are discussed below.
• Drip irrigation
This technology, developed in Israel around 1959, enables a precise amount of water and nutrients to be delivered directly to the plant, reducing water waste and improving crop yield.
A recent development is the use of sensors and artificial intelligence (AI) to optimise water delivery. Netafim, for example, a leader in drip irrigation technology, offers solutions that use soil moisture sensors and weather data to automatically adjust water delivery based on crop needs, soil conditions, and weather patterns.
Micro-irrigation technology is another advance in drip irrigation. This involves the use of very small emitters that deliver water directly to the root zone of plants. Companies such as Jain Irrigation Systems offer micro-irrigation solutions specifically designed for high-value crops such as fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
Another company specialising in drip irrigation is Rivulis Irrigation, which has developed products that use recycled materials and minimise the amount of water needed for irrigation. The company's Eco-Drip system is made from recycled plastic and delivers water to crops at a rate of only around 20/hour.
• Smart irrigation
هذه القصة من طبعة March 31, 2023 من Farmer's Weekly.
اشترك في Magzter GOLD للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة، وأكثر من 9000 مجلة وصحيفة.
هل أنت مشترك بالفعل؟ تسجيل الدخول
المزيد من القصص من Farmer's Weekly
Farmer's Weekly
Cannabis and marketing in South Africa
The path from cultivation to commercial success remains complicated by regulatory ambiguity. Cultivators who master compliant marketing while delivering verifiable quality will build sustainable businesses, says Thomas Walker.
2 mins
January 16-23, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Foot-and-mouth disease project targets waste reduction and regulatory reform
A groundbreaking research collaboration between Red Meat Industry Services, the University of Pretoria, and global animal health leader Zoetis is aiming to transform South Africa's approach to foot-and-mouth disease.
3 mins
January 16-23, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
What to expect in 2026
The world faces a complex interplay of economic, geopolitical, environmental, technological, and social pressures.
3 mins
January 16-23, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Generic advertising in perspective
Dr Koos Coetzee explains how industry organisations and the agriculture sector actually have the ability to prudently manage the negative perceptions surrounding generic advertising campaigns.
2 mins
January 16-23, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute celebrates excellence
The Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute marked a major milestone in December 2025, conferring over 200 agricultural qualifications, including bachelor's degrees and various national certificates.
2 mins
January 16-23, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Grain SA issues guidelines as poor-quality agri inputs threaten farmers livelihoods
Grain SA has urged South African grain and oilseed farmers to act fast when seeds, fertilisers, or agrochemicals underperform, providing clear guidelines to protect crops.
2 mins
January 16-23, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Vegetable price trends as we enter the new year
This analysis by Zama Sangweni explores how five key vegetable commodities, cabbages, carrots, onions, potatoes, and tomatoes, performed, considering recent supply volumes and consumer demand patterns.
2 mins
January 16-23, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Joburg Fresh Produce Market needs a 'refresh'
South Africa's fresh produce markets are vital to food security, supplying up to half of the nation's fruit and vegetables. Protecting and modernising these markets is essential for a resilient, equitable food system writes Marc Wegerif, senior lecturer in Development Studies at the University of Pretoria.
4 mins
January 16-23, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Infrastructure, policy, and finance will be the African continent's growth drivers
Africa's agricultural potential is vast, but inefficiencies in infrastructure, trade policy, and finance limit growth. Investments in transport, cold storage, irrigation, and digital trade systems, among others, are key to unlocking faster, cheaper, and more efficient agricultural trade.
3 mins
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
SAPPO Academy showcases skills development and small business success
The South African Pork Producers' Organisation (SAPPO) Academy, a training organisation that promotes animal, environmental, and public health in the pig industry through knowledge transfer, recently hosted a mini development symposium in Pretoria. The event included an afternoon of meaningful dialogue, strategic learning, and leadership exchange, effectively bridging academic insight with real-world industry innovation.
3 mins
January 2-9, 2026
Translate
Change font size