How precision irrigation is changing sugarcane production

In this episode, we explore how precision drip irrigation is transforming sugarcane production across Africa. Gary Francis from Netafim shares insights from his extensive experience in greenhouse farming and large-scale sugar estates, unpacking why land, water and energy efficiency are now critical to profitability. He explains subsurface drip systems, fertigation, yield optimisation, and the growing role of automation through tools like GrowSphere, which allow farm managers to monitor and control irrigation remotely. We also discuss operational efficiencies, ongoing technical support, and what the future holds for sustainable sugarcane production.