Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
From producers to consumers, everyone is well aware of the statistics on water scarcity, agricultural water use, and the increasing demand for food driven by population growth. For many years, the challenge has been clear: we need to produce more food while continuously improving water-use efficiency.
Improving smart water use
Dr Zanele Ntshidi, node manager for Arid Lands at the South African Environmental Observation Network, advocates for smart water use in agriculture, reminding us that 80% of the country’s landmass lies within semi-arid to arid zones. She highlights the role of increased efficiency in supporting stability and resilience across crop production.
“Enhancing efficiency supports stable and improved crop yields. It allows for increased production using less water, thereby mitigating the impacts of droughts. By further improving efficiency and achieving greater crop yield per drop of water, agricultural systems can become more resilient, sustainable, and capable of feeding the growing population in South Africa.”
She adds that key highlights of her research, which is focussed on long-term observations and the development of decision-support tools to assist with irrigation scheduling, substantiate the benefits of adopting smart water-use technologies, such as precision irrigation and soil moisture monitoring. Ensuring that the crop is replenished with the exact amount of water required reduces non-beneficial water losses, prevents over-extraction of freshwater sources, and lowers the carbon footprint of food production.
Dr Ntshidi further notes that precision irrigation plays a fundamental role in climate-resilient agriculture by transitioning water management from generalised approaches to data-driven, site-specific systems.
“It acts as a key adaptation strategy in water-scarce regions by delivering precise amounts of water directly to the root zone, reducing waste and improving crop resilience against droughts and unpredictable rainfall patterns. Through precision irrigation, a producer can be certain that the applied water is used for plant production rather than lost through non-beneficial processes such as evaporation.”
Holistic precision approach
In this context, Charl van Reenen, agronomy manager at Netafim Southern and East Africa, calls for a more holistic approach.
“Precision irrigation and the efficient use of water in agriculture should not be viewed as a silo in our mission towards improved resource-use efficiency on the farm. It is one component of a broader precision agriculture approach.”
Van Reenen explains that precision irrigation integrates fully with other precision inputs and actions. “The implementation of a precision irrigation system and the planning that goes into it also enables the precise use of other inputs. It facilitates the timely and accurate execution of actions based on insights from other precision tools, such as soil analyses and sensor data. Whether through more efficient use of fertiliser, reduced disease pressure, or irrigation tailored to specific phenological phases, precision irrigation reduces risk and improves the sustainability of the entire farming operation.”
When approached holistically as part of a broader precision agriculture strategy, the interactions among different precision inputs become clear. “One example is the beneficial interaction between soil analyses, mapping, and precision irrigation. Knowledge gained from soil analyses directly informs irrigation scheduling based on soil variability.
“In turn, the management tools enabled by precision irrigation systems allow us to respond to this data and irrigate according to crop requirements and soil characteristics at block level. Similarly, precision irrigation adds further value to precise crop and cultivar selection. With the right equipment and scheduling approach, each plant can be irrigated according to its requirements.”
Van Reenen adds that precision irrigation is about much more than driplines, filters and irrigation controllers. “It involves the collection of data, the expert interpretation of that data and the precise execution of decisions based on it.”
The important role of precision irrigation as one part of a whole in a precision agriculture approach is further emphasised when considering the impact of water on every aspect of crop growth. “Water drives nutrient uptake. It is critical to root development, flowering, and fruit set, which directly impact yield quality. If water is not managed correctly, the benefits of many other inputs are lost, constraining the plant’s potential.”
Water mind shifts
Marco Appel, agricultural economist at Netafim Southern and East Africa, emphasises the importance of a long-term view in precision irrigation decision-making. “Two important mind shifts are important in this regard. The first is that we should not view water as merely an input, but rather as a strategic asset. Similar to land and capital, it must be protected and invested in. It is about water stewardship with the future in mind.
“Considering the true cost of water is the second. This cost extends far beyond the tariff and includes pumping costs, irrigation system maintenance, labour, and more. It is essential to consider all costs when making irrigation investment decisions and weighing the capital cost of a system against long-term benefits and savings. When these mind shifts are combined with a long-term view and data-driven approach, the economic value of investing in precision irrigation becomes clear.”
More than the sum of its parts
At its core, the principle is simple: one plus one becomes far more than two when different precision practices unlock additional potential from one another. Van Reenen advises that a holistic view is crucial during the project planning phase to turn this near-ideal scenario into reality.
Precision irrigation requires an irrigation system designed and installed with all resources and production goals in mind to ensure optimal production.
“When developing a new farming project, a number of questions must be answered, and several experts should be involved in the process. Irrigation planning is only one aspect, and it is important that it is not undertaken in isolation from other elements of precision agriculture. It should be informed by data and insights from across the project, while contributing to decision-making in these areas.” – Marike Brits, Netafim
For more information, email the author at marike.brits@netafim.orbia.com or call 072 185 5157.