Grethe Bestbier
“Just as important as the best drip or micro-irrigation design, is your relationship with the client. We need to ensure every person in Agrico is fully equipped and also people-orientated”, says Johan Visser, who recently joined Agrico to further its precision irrigation capability.
A veteran of the irrigation industry, Visser started his career in 1968 as one of the first persons to complete the SABI irrigation course. Subsequently, he joined various engineering and irrigation firms until finally, in 1992, he joined the precision irrigation leader Netafim. Here he spent the majority of his professional career as manager of the SADEK countries, encouraging and advancing the use of precision irrigation practises across the continent, before joining the Agrico team in 2022.
“I’ve had a very interesting career in irrigation which has introduced me to various people, which is wonderful”, says Visser. “I value the people that cross my path and am passionate about making a difference in their lives. The most important thing is always communication. We need to respect each other and walk away as friends at the end of every conversation.”
His new role at Agrico will involve encouraging and advancing the use of precision irrigation across the firm and its clients.
“My first priority will be to focus on the 33 Agrico branches and their irrigation designers. My role is to support and teach them to become even more comfortable with drip and micro-irrigation, in order to help them help their clients,” he says.
“In the future I will also shift my focus to direct consultation with clients, but the first order of the day is to equip the Agrico team to deliver the best possible service.”
According to Walter Andrag, managing director of Agrico, Johan will assist the projects team, both in South Africa and further north.
“Johan is experienced and well respected, therefore ideal to head our training efforts. He will ensure our designers stay up to date and informed of all the latest products and options available to growers”, says Andrag.
Visser believes that Agrico has the potential to be a top player in the low volume irrigation industry, with strong designers, experienced technicians and a vast support network throughout southern Africa to provide effective service.
“The great advantage that Agrico has is an extensive infrastructure to support the client with precision irrigation on his or her farm.”
This network, along with a process of continuous improvement and a client-focused approach, will move Agrico forward and facilitate growth.
“I want to be a part of the team that builds Agrico into the best irrigation company in the southern hemisphere. It is not something I can do on my own, but the team can, and I want to be a part of that.”
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.
Groot Phesantekraal Boerdery, naby Durbanville, is een van Suid-Afrika se oudste plase en die eerste koringplaas. In 2024 is dit ‘n diverse familieboerdery, bestuur deur die vierde en vyfde geslag van die Brink-familie. Hul vennootskap met Agrico staan deur die jare. Beide Agrico en die boerdery is in Durbanville geleë, wat hul verbintenis aan die gemeenskap versterk.
Gerrie Scholtz met springmielies, koring en lusern in die Vrystaat. Gerrie het drie jaar gelede sy eenste masjien met Agrico Web Contol toegerus as ‘n toets. Vandag is daar nie een van sy stelsels wat nie van Web Contol gebruik maak nie.
Op Donderdag, 5 September 2024, is 140 inheemse bome geplant op die plaas De Rust in Elgin, die tuiste van Paul Cluver Wynlande. Wat begin het as ‘n kampvuur-gesprek tussen vriende, het ontaard in ‘n inisiatief wat nie net die natuur bevoordeel nie, maar ook die plaaslike leerders betrek.
Spilpunte bied ‘n uitstekende oplossing om groot areas effektief te besproei, maar verg ordentlike beplanning, installasie en onderhoud. In die verband kan die advies van ‘n gekwalifiseerde besproeiingsontwerper ‘n deurslaggewende rol speel, meen Johan Myburgh, hoof meganiese ingenieur by Agrico.
