DFM Technologies is a soil moisture sensor manufacturer, based in the Western Cape and exporting to over 30 fruit-producing countries worldwide. "Our company's continued growth is directly correlated to changing climate conditions, and the need for more effective irrigation management," says an agricultural consultant at DFM Technologies Duwan Jackson.
DFM soil moisture sensors (right) measure the irrigation applied, in order to promote root development and efficient nutrient uptake.
"The DFM soil moisture sensor when correctly used will provide a farmer with invaluable data on a near real-time basis at every 10cm depth," he explains. "Furthermore, it assists farmers to manage their buffers, a practice developed over the years and used by farmers in South Africa and now applied internationally."
The adoption of smart sensors in agriculture has become essential to the daily management of irrigation. Their focus, Jackson says, is to produce the most cost-effective, accurate, and easy-to-use soil moisture sensor which will save on input costs, and make farms more profitable through more efficient and targeted irrigation practices.
"We have grown our branches and now have locations spread over six provinces supporting farmers across South Africa. We also have a strong presence in neighbouring countries such Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Zambia that is supported by our team from South Africa."
On popular demand: Irrigation scheduling to supplement sensors
Jackson notes that apart from the DFM soil moisture sensors which have become an integral part of irrigation management, this year producers reached out to them to ask for their assistance with irrigation scheduling, which they introduced on popular demand. "This once again shows our commitment to listening to our producers and helping them achieve success while living out our passion for agriculture."
He continues: "I like working with difficult blocks that have unique challenges, and see how it can be turned around to continue to produce top quality fruit." He often observes the negative effects of over-irrigated crops in vineyards and orchards: retarded growth, poor nutrient uptake, nutrient leaching, poor colour break, waterlogged soils, root rot and poor root development, increased disease pressure and excessive weed growth are all classic symptoms of over-irrigated blocks.
"A lot of the advice that farmers receive tends towards recommendations for more irrigation and more fertilization. Such high levels of fertilization bring many challenges, in fact, that oftentimes farmers tell me they can't irrigate enough to get the recommendation through the irrigation programme," he remarks.
"Farmers are well aware of the need to safeguard natural resources, but also to farm more profitably. Crop health and soil management is crucial. Our sensors remove the guesswork from the operation and it allows farmers to develop strategies to limit input costs."
"When the roots are not suffocating and farmers can manage the balance between the root zone and deeper buffer, it helps reduce fertilizer losses, reduce electricity and overtime," Jackson says.
Uncharacteristic temperature fluctuations create new challenges
Measuring soil temperature is another aspect that fascinates him. "You can see how our seasons are shifting, and how in the Western Cape, for example, winter seasons are starting later and continuing for longer periods. This then increases the risk of floods, hail, and frost in critical flowering stages. These conditions, with their unpredictable hot and cold conditions, bring many challenges for farmers to get through these critical growth stages. It leaves soils wetter and colder for longer periods that stem growth," Jackson says.
Table grape farmers from Wellington to the Olifants River noticed uneven budbreak in their vineyards this season which has, he states, a direct correlation to the changes in seasonal rainfall that have been witnessed.
"Farmers are very focused on how changing climate conditions effect changes in their daily farming practices and management strategies. If you live in the Western Cape, you'll know that the past two years' climate was unpredictable. It's the unpredictability, the uncharacteristic switches between cold and hot, that negatively affect crops."
The uneven budbreak (and consequently, later retarded colour development and irregular ripening of fruit) is creating unique challenges for farmers, to adapt their management planning on farms.
"The primary area covered by me daily runs from Wellington to Vanrhynsdorp, where I support farms on our DFM soil moisture sensors. There are a few thousand DFM soil moisture sensors spread across these farms in orchards covering more than ten crop categories."
He remarks that his colleagues across the country are equally hands-on and committed to supporting the use of the sensors in the field. He has seen firsthand that the moment a plant's root development improves, its water uptake improves, and with it, of course, its nutrient uptake. "When the roots are not suffocating and farmers can manage the balance between the root zone and deeper buffer, it will help with reducing fertilizer losses, reduce electricity and overtime," he says. "Our goal is to make farmers more profitable, helping farmers to save money, support sustainability practices, and improve water conservation."
A farmer has approximately forty seasons on a farm before it is transferred to the next generation. It is for this reason, he opines, that the adoption of technology on farms, like the DFM soil moisture sensors, ought to be prioritized and incorporated into daily management strategies. "This will enable agriculture to play a key role in driving economic growth, job creation and contribute positively to the GDP of South Africa and food security."
For more information:
Duwan Jackson
DFM Technologies
Tel: +27 82 554-2244
https://dfmtechnologies.co.za/