From Drought to Drip Optimisation: Regenerative Pome Fruit Farming Slashes Water Use in SA

South African pome fruit producer De Keur has demonstrated a powerful path to water resilience, successfully reducing irrigation water use by a remarkable 25% in its regenerative orchards without compromising yields. This breakthrough, driven by a seven-year drought and a commitment to soil health, offers a compelling blueprint for agribusinesses across Africa grappling with climate change and resource scarcity.

A Paradigm Shift Underfoot

Farm manager Anton de Jager, speaking at the IFPA Sustainability Summit, revealed that the Western Cape farm initiated its regenerative journey on approximately 160 hectares of pome fruit five years ago, prompted by severe water stress.

Over time, the transformation became palpable. Soil beneath the trees darkened, water penetration improved, compacted ground softened, and earthworm populations surged – all clear indicators of a healthier, more vibrant soil biome. De Jager also noted the beneficial role of ground cover vegetation, providing crucial habitats for insects and diverting potential pests from the tree canopy.

The Unexpected Lesson in Hydration

One of the most significant discoveries in De Keur's transition was an unexpected revelation about irrigation. Initially, the regenerative blocks were being over-irrigated. The presence of anaerobic micro-organisms in the soil indicated oxygen-poor conditions, a sign that too much water was saturating the ground. Precise measurements subsequently confirmed a significantly lower water requirement, enabling the farm to recalibrate its irrigation programmes and achieve the impressive 25% reduction. This highlights a critical lesson: healthy soil, rich in organic matter, has a superior water-holding capacity, reducing the need for frequent watering.

Nurturing the System: Compost and Careful Nutrition

De Keur's regenerative journey also involved a radical shift in nutrient management. Synthetic fertilisers were phased out in trial blocks, replaced by a sophisticated feeding programme centred on compost and supplementary foliar feeds. This approach was meticulously guided by plant sap analysis, ensuring trees received precise nutritional support.

De Jager candidly shared the challenges. The abrupt cessation of synthetic fertilisers in established orchards proved difficult, suggesting a more gradual transition or starting with nursery trees would be ideal. Furthermore, while soil organisms play a vital role in nutrient cycling, they cannot create missing minerals. Identifying and addressing these specific nutrient shortfalls remained crucial. The farm also encountered hurdles in sourcing suitable compost, eventually opting to produce their own to ensure the desired microbial diversity – a demanding undertaking in itself.

The South Africa / Africa Angle

De Keur's experience resonates deeply with the strategic imperatives of "AgriBusiness Africa." Water scarcity is a defining challenge across the continent, making efficient water use a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture and food security. Regenerative practices not only conserve this precious resource but also build climate resilience, enabling crops to better withstand droughts and erratic weather patterns.

For African farmers, processors, and exporters, adopting such methods offers a multi-faceted advantage. Reduced input costs from synthetic fertilisers, coupled with improved soil health, can significantly boost profitability. Furthermore, as global markets increasingly demand sustainably produced goods, farms demonstrating ecological stewardship, like De Keur, gain a vital competitive edge for export. Investors, too, are actively seeking agribusinesses with strong environmental, social, and governance (ESG) credentials. De Keur's success provides a tangible case study for modernising Africa's agricultural economy through practices that are both ecologically sound and economically viable.

Source: Farmer’s Weekly