Dutoit Agri is a leading and large scale agricultural enterprise; consequently it is involved in a continuous search for ways and means to add further precision technology to enhance their existing high-tech farming methods even more. They recently cleared a major hurdle when they invested in Agrico’s central pivot irrigation systems with its regenerated Advanced Rain Control systems.

The present water shortage in the Swartland is a further sword on the neck of farmers but, with the support of Agrico, Dutoit Agri’s two vegetable farms, Skaapkraal and Platkloof, are well prepared to utilise their available water as economically as possible.

“We initially enquired and consulted widely regarding our decision of which central pivots we buy. Eventually the Agrico central pivots proved not only to be affordable, but also man enough for Africa’s demanding conditions and technologically in a leading position. Furthermore they are supported by matchless local servicing,” says Frikkie Bothma, Dutoit Agri’s estate manager for Platkloof en Skaapkraal.

“The Windsaver, Cablesaver and Wheelsaver, which protects the central pivot against wind damage, cable and wheel thieves, as well as the web control system, fit our requirements like a glove.”

At Skaapkraal, outside of Malmesbury, the centre pivot system is under constant water pressure as the reservoir is at a higher level than the pumping station and pivots. Consequently the centre pivots get water immediately when the water bailiff switches them on. The pivot can then be set to run faster or slower to deliver more or less water as desired.

The web control system is utilised via an app or smart system. The interface of the app is laid out neatly with an easily understandable configuration and colour coding. Johann Raal, the Skaapkraal production manager, knows exactly how much water goes throught the nine centre pivots. “Our system is elementary and extremely accurate,” he says.

“From a management viewpoint this web control system with its text message notices is very convenient. I know immediately when a pivot is switched on, or when an outage or other problems crop up. Furthermore he can see on his cellphone how many millimetres of water is being sprayed and the exact position of the machine on the land at that moment. The client receives automatic messages through the system. Should any irregularity or problem occur, a warning will be sent out. As further backup Agrico personnel are on continuous service duty to assist with fault detection and make adjustments. A meticulous record is kept of everything that happens in the system.

On Platkloof Farm near Piketberg Dutoit Agri took everything a step further. Their pumping installation has pumps in a reservoir and booster pumps in the pumping station which supplies water to the pivot network. Pressure requirements vary in different sections of the system; also as and when machines are swithced on or off, resulting in the need for complete automisation of the communication setup between them and the pumps.

When the smart device switches a pivot on, the pivot instructs the feeder pumps to activate. The system controlling the pumps can then adjust the pressure as required to comply with the pressure needs in the whole system. The pumps and pivots then remain in a continuous conversation. Further the control of the pumps in the dam and the booster pumps in the pumping station is inter-active so that all the pumps can be utilised optimally and safely.

Gabri Beselaar, Dutoit Agri’s production manager on Platkloof, additionally has a further page on his cellphone in the same app that controls the pivots. This shows the operation and functions of the pumps, enabling him to oversee the performance of his pumps closely. “I now have much less to do physically but the application of irrigation water has been made more efficient and exact. The pivot knows at the correct moment to activate or de-activate the pump or change the speed. Human delays and mistakes have been eliminated,” says Gabri.

Should a pipe burst, the pump control system immediately gets wind of a malfunction when the demand for water rises and the pressure falls. It then immediately switches off the submersible pumps in the dam and the booster pumps.

“Since 2015, when I set foot on the farm, until now we have saved between 20% to 25% of our water requirements with the assistance of the Agrico Advanced Rain System,” says Gabri.

The system ensures that pumps are utilised as efficiently as possible to save electricity. Further there is the saving on personnel and expensive management time, allowing Agrico’s Advanced Rain Control System to help manage Dutoit Agri’s irrigation process to ensure maximum economy and efficiency, simultaneously maximising profit.

“With an Agrico system you can weather the agricultural storms”

Contact Alfred Andrag on 082-824-1214 or (landline) 021-950-4111. You can also send an email message to alfred.andrag@agrico.co.za for more information.