South African farmer boosts potato yields with solar irrigation

SOUTH AFRICA – In Groblersdal, Mpumalanga, farmer Hannes Schutte has raised his potato yields by 12 percent after switching to solar-powered irrigation supported by smaller pivots and low-pressure sprinklers.

The shift has also cut his energy consumption by 60 percent, showing how new approaches to irrigation are reshaping farming in South Africa.

Schutte said potatoes are a high-risk crop that demand strict attention to variety, land, and water. He explained that his decision to replace large pivot systems with smaller pivots of no more than 22 hectares has allowed him to manage his crops more closely.

“Smaller pivots give me greater control and allow me to respond faster to stress and changing weather,” Schutte said.

“They also reduce downtime when equipment fails and let me irrigate more often during heatwaves.”

The change has helped him maintain a steadier water supply while avoiding long delays in field coverage. The smaller pivots also mean he can run shorter irrigation cycles, which protect the crop during extreme heat.

Alongside the pivot change, Schutte adopted low-pressure sprinkler systems supplied by Loskop Valley Besproeiing, a local dealership.

He said these sprinklers create more even droplet sizes, reduce misting, and provide wider coverage at lower pressures.

“These sprinklers improved performance and cut both energy and water use,” Schutte explained. “We needed fewer pumps, which lowered our costs while still supporting strong plant growth.”

Dealer support, he added, played a central role in making sure the new system worked as intended.

A wider shift in irrigation

Schutte’s case reflects a broader change across South Africa, where unstable electricity supply, climate pressures, and water quality issues are pushing farmers to rethink their irrigation systems.

Many producers now rely on solar power to keep operations running during loadshedding.

Industry experts say irrigation equipment is being designed with these realities in mind. Systems now focus on achieving full coverage at lower pressure levels, helping farmers meet crop demands without excessive power use.

Training programs, they add, are also supporting growers to adopt these tools and protect yields.

A recent development shows how this trend is spreading. Across South Africa, more farmers are introducing solar-driven irrigation not only to manage power shortages but also to cut their long-term costs.

Low-pressure sprinklers are gaining traction because they fit this model well. By requiring less energy to run, they help keep water flowing even when the national grid struggles to deliver consistent supply.

“The focus is on water conservation, energy efficiency, and supporting farmers to adapt,” said one industry representative. “Producers are looking for solutions that work within these constraints while keeping their crops healthy.”

As farmers like Schutte show, careful irrigation choices can raise output, reduce costs, and secure crops against shifting weather and unreliable power.

With more producers turning to solar and efficient sprinklers, South Africa’s agriculture sector is finding practical ways to stay productive in uncertain times.

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