In an age where agriculture increasingly embraces technology to stay ahead, Rentia Boerdery, a progressive farm in South Africa’s Free State province, is reaping the rewards of smart irrigation. Located near Vrede, the Cronjé family has modernised their irrigation system, dramatically improving efficiency and control through advanced remote technologies.
Christo Cronjé oversees crop production on the family farm, growing maize and soya beans, while his brother manages livestock and poultry. Faced with erratic weather conditions and the need for more consistent yields, the brothers took a bold step: investing in a precision irrigation system on their Rondebult farm, situated a few kilometres from their home base.
Embracing Innovation
The soil at Rondebult is notably drier, demanding a more tailored water management approach. The Cronjés turned once again to Agrico, a trusted name in South African irrigation systems, with whom they’ve had a working relationship since 1992 when their father installed the first Agrico pivot.
With guidance from Agrico irrigation designer Francois de Kock, they settled on a system that combined ten new pivots with a smart pump station, irrigating over 340 hectares using water stored in a newly built dam. The key component: Agrico’s Web Control system, which allows for full remote monitoring and control of the irrigation process.
The Power of Precision
Because the Rondebult land lies at a distance from the main farmstead and features variable terrain, energy efficiency and remote accessibility were crucial. Agrico’s Web Control platform solved both issues by allowing the pivot system to automatically adjust pump speeds based on terrain and pressure needs.
“Factors like flow rate, pressure, and pump efficiency all affect energy use,” De Kock explains. “As the pivot moves across uneven ground, the required pressure changes. The system calculates the optimal pump speed on the go, saving energy without compromising performance.”
To ensure reliable communication, a boosted aerial was installed for enhanced signal reception. Now, the entire irrigation system—including dam levels, pump stations, and pivot functions—can be managed from one central, cloud-connected dashboard.
Farming Smarter
For Christo Cronjé, the benefits of the new system are clear. “The Web Control platform saves time and helps me monitor the farm more effectively. Having access to historical data means I can plan irrigation better and respond quickly to changes,” he says.
Impressed by the results, Cronjé is currently upgrading his other systems to the Web Control platform. “I honestly can’t manage without it anymore,” he admits.
Looking Ahead
Rentia Boerdery’s investment in smart irrigation represents a growing trend among South African farmers—leveraging digital tools to address real-world challenges like drought, energy costs, and labour shortages. With systems like Agrico’s Web Control, precision agriculture is no longer a futuristic concept but a practical reality enhancing both productivity and sustainability.
In a world where every drop counts, Rentia Boerdery’s story stands as a shining example of how innovation in agriculture can drive long-term success.