Grethe Bestbier, Ivan Du Plooy
“If you think education is expensive, try ignorance”. How fitting are these words by Derek Bok, former president of Harvard University, when it comes to irrigation? We operate in an industry where small mistakes can have dire consequences for crops, businesses and livelihoods. This is why Agrico strongly believes in the importance of training and relevant accreditation of our irrigation designers nationwide.
This year, we have again chosen to support SABI via sponsorship in the roll-out of their irrigation short course at South African agricultural schools. As the Agrico team, we believe that supporting SABI in this way not only provides knowledgeable staff to the industry, but also introduces many young people to the dynamic field of agriculture. By focusing on schools, we hope that the training received will spark an interest for irrigation among our youth
“In today’s world continuous learning is a requirement for success in any field”, says Ivan Du Plooy, branch manager of Agrico Bellville. “With Agrico’s continued support of the SABI training programme, we fulfil a valuable role by helping to ensure the sustainable supply of expert personnel to the agricultural industry at large.”
At Agrico, we believe that every irrigation designer should challenge him or herself to complete the SABI course. Training and education is of immeasurable value to anyone pursuing a career in agriculture.
The course sets an industry standard for knowledge and service to ensure that every producer, farmer and client receives the best irrigation solution possible. It equips students to bring together the concepts of agriculture and form a holistic picture of a customer’s needs, in order to offer the best solutions.
Agrico aims to provide the best supporting environment for talented irrigation designers to work in. By taking care of such things as manufacturing, purchasing, distribution and administration, we empower irrigation designers to focus on the needs of their customers and the design of optimal irrigation systems. This means that they can be more productive, enjoy their work more, create more value for customers, and earn more money.
What a joy and privilege to be a part of the future of our industry! We believe that every person who successfully completes training with SABI has the knowledge and skills to make a positive difference in the lives of the South African people and the state of the country.
After storms hit northern farmers in late 2024, Agrico and the community quickly restored 42 center pivots, saving vital crops. This collaborative effort highlights the power of teamwork in overcoming disaster.
Op die plaas York, ‘n klipgooi vanaf Ellisras in Limpopo, dryf Johan van der Linde sy boerdery met trots met die hulp van Agrico se kwaliteit produkte en volgehoue goeie diens. “Ek het nie ‘n begeerte om eers by ‘n ander ou uit te vind of hulle produkte beter is nie, want wat Agrico doen, doen hulle goed,” meen Johan.
Agrico has taken a significant step toward sustainability and operational efficiency by adopting a hybrid energy system. Partnering with RenEnergy, we’ve integrated solar power and advanced battery storage to reduce our reliance on external grids, lower operational costs, and minimize our carbon footprint.
Bakkies Botha, a name synonymous with grit and perseverance on the rugby field, has found a new arena where his drive and dedication continue to flourish – the world of farming. But for Bakkies, farming is more than just a game or a career; it’s a calling, deeply connected to his love for South Africa and his commitment to the agricultural community.
At Vrymansfontein, part of the Vondeling Group in South Africa’s Paarl district, almond farming is thriving thanks to a combination of ideal climate and efficient irrigation practices. With plans to harvest its first commercial crop in 2025, the farm uses a tailored drip irrigation system designed in partnership with Agrico to meet the specific needs of almonds.
Inwoners van Lichtenburg in Noordwes ervaar al meer as twee weke lank onderbrekings in kragtoevoer, nadat ‘n Eskom-transformator gebreek het en ‘n kabelfout by ‘n minisubstasie ontstaan het. Agrico het saam met ander tegniese spanlede van plaaslike ondernemings, hulp aangebied om die probleem op te los.
