Since ancient times irrigation has been a means to ensure the survival of crops. Archaeological evidence has found signs of irrigation in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia (present-day Iran and Iraq) where flooding rivers and channels were utilised to water fields during growing seasons. Today, studies have found that access to water and irrigation remains one of the most defining contributors to poverty¹ and that access to these resources can change the future of communities and food security. Irrigation is proven to increase crop production, higher yields, protect against short term drought conditions and less reliance on weather conditions, lower risk and improved farming activity for longer periods of the year².

Drip-drip

Deciding on the best irrigation system for your farm will likely depend on factors such as type of crop, typography, soil type and availability of water and power to drive the system. Though there are many different irrigation solutions on the market today, drip-irrigation remains the most effective system to deliver water and nutrients to crops.

Installing drip irrigation carries the following benefits:

1. Drip-irrigation consists of dripper lines that deliver precise amounts of water and fertilisers directly to each plant’s root-zone. The result is each plant gets exactly what it needs, when it needs it, to grow optimally.
2. Farmers can produce higher yields while saving on water as well as fertiliser, energy and even crop protection products. That means lower input costs and higher returns.
3. The water savings incurred by drip-irrigation is not only good for your bottom-line. Drip-irrigation limits evaporation and run-off which means you use and waste less water – ideal for South African producers that are having to find new and cost-saving ways to keep up production in challenging climates.
4. Drip-irrigation requires low energy input. Often the electricity needed to run an irrigation system is the most costly expense, however, drip-irrigation is a low-energy system. This means lower electricity bills, or no bills at all if you install solar power, which is ideally suited to drip-irrigation.
5. As a producer, you have even more control over your resources and ability to deliver tailored amounts of water and nutrients to your crops according to their development needs.

We only work with the best

Here at Bekmar, we consider ourselves the leaders of designing and installing drip-irrigation. That means we use the latest technology and research to create a system best suited to your needs while maximising production. It also implies that we only use the best equipment available on the market today, which is Netafim.

Netafim is the world’s first drip irrigation company and founder Simcha Blass is considered the father of modern-day drip-irrigation. And while anyone can be the first, it takes true leaders to deliver continuous quality products and services. Netafim continues to develop and distribute drip irrigation systems all over the world so that producers can grow more with less.

Bekmar Irrigation is constantly working towards bringing our customers the most innovative designs and precision irrigation systems.

We can assist with survey, design and the technical implementation of your irrigation system. Our team is available to answer all your questions and help you find the best irrigation solution.

Contact us today to learn more about the future of smart drip irrigation and how you can be part of it.

Resources:

1. Hussain I, Hanjra MA. 2004. Irrigation and poverty alleviation: review of the empirical evidence. Irrigation and Drainage 53: 1–15.
2. Unver, O., Wahaj, R., Lorenzon, E., Mohammadi, K., Osias, J. R., Reinders, F., Wani, S., Chuchra, J., Lee, P., and Sangjun, I. M. ( 2018) Key and Smart Actions to Alleviate Hunger and Poverty Through Irrigation and Drainage. Irrig. and Drain., 67: 60– 71.