The ideal conditions for growing bananas
Komatipoort is situated in a subtropical region. “Bananas thrive in this climate,” says Nicholas. “Komatipoort has the high humidity that bananas prefer, and we’re fortunate to have an abundant water supply thanks to the Komati River flowing right past our farm.”
The irrigation system is designed to supply the crop with up to 8 mm of water per day, using high-flow sprinklers. With an application rate of 6 mm per hour, they irrigate for a maximum of 1.5 hours each day during peak demand.
“For us, the ideal system is one that delivers both cost efficiency and water savings,” says Nicholas. “You want to irrigate as efficiently as possible and complete your irrigation cycles quickly so that you’re not applying water unnecessarily. The more efficient your system, the greater the savings on both electricity and water,” says Nicholas.
Francois Du Plessis, irrigation designer at Agrico Komatipoort, explains that the system is unique because the pipes and valves are significantly larger than those used in conventional systems.
“We divided the fields into blocks of approximately 1.5 hectares, each requiring a flow rate of around 60 cubic metres per hectare. That’s why we installed high-flow sprinklers with an output of 210 litres per sprinkler.”
He adds that the sprinklers are mounted one metre above the ground.
“When the banana plants are still small, the sprinklers wet the crop overhead, which helps create the subtropical microclimate the plants need. As the plants mature, we irrigate the entire area because banana roots spread extensively. You want to ensure that wherever there are roots, there’s sufficient water available for the plant.”
A custom-engineered irrigation solution
Francois worked closely with Nicholas and designed the entire irrigation system for Inyoni. Together, they combined their expertise to develop a completely new and innovative solution to a local challenge.
“We had a major problem on the farm with the standard aluminium sprinkler stand. These stands were regularly knocked over, bent, and, most importantly, stolen, so we knew we had to come up with a better solution.”
Due to Komatipoort’s hot conditions, the original plastic stake was unable to withstand the environment. Working together with Agrico’s experts, the team developed a new solution: a PVC stake.
The pointed end of the stake can be heated and shaped into a sharp tip, allowing it to be pushed directly into the ground. It is strong enough to resist bending or being knocked over. Agrico also had custom sprinkler heads manufactured to fit securely onto the stake, making installation quick and reliable.
The stakes are robust and durable enough to last for the entire lifespan of the banana plant: approximately 8 to 10 years.
Looking ahead, Nicholas says the innovation will continue to play a role in the farm’s expansion.
“We recently acquired a new farm where we’ve cleared everything that was previously there and are redesigning the entire irrigation layout. Francois is responsible for designing the new system, and we’re very excited about it because we’ll be using the PVC sprinkler stands there as well.”
Growing forward together
As irrigation engineers, Agrico builds close relationships with its customers. This is where the partnership between Agrico and Inyoni truly delivers value, improving productivity while providing peace of mind.
“If farmers encounter any problems, the Agrico team is there to help. We understand our customers’ needs and provide the right recommendations to solve their challenges. Without the correct advice, it’s impossible to address the problem effectively.”
Agrico and Inyoni are truly growing together. For more information about Agrico’s innovative irrigation solutions, call +27 21 950 4111, email info@agrico.co.za, or visit www.agrico.co.za.
