Greenhouses and undercover farming
Citrus growing takes off undercover in Stellenbosch
by Carol Posthumus - Photos by Liam Hamer-Nel / alliancephoto . com
According to the BFAP ’ s ( Bureau for the Food and Agricultural Policy ) Outlook 2015-2024 research , exports of citrus from South Africa have grown strongly in recent years to Africa , the European Union ( EU ) and
Asia . To Asia , South African citrus exports grew impressively by 45 % in 2014 .
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And reflecting the growing trends in citrus , farmers are certainly growing more citrus . In the Western Cape , the Carinus family farm Fransmankraal in the beautiful Devon Valley started growing citrus – soft peelers and seedless varieties – undercover in net house structures in 2014 . Citrus undercover is not a crop readily associated with the Western Cape , but times and trends are rapidly evolving . |
Modern expansion |
water is typically required when growing under cover . |
Traditionally the Carinus family is a wine grape producer . Indeed , the family have been farming in Stellenbosch since 1850 , Piet Carinus says they are the sixth generation of the family to farm in the Devon Valley .
At present the family are busy expanding and diversifying into new crops . Recent expansions in plums ( 20ha ) citrus ( 30ha ) and blueberries ( 10ha ) are being developed undercover , with the construction of new pumphouses .
Loxton Irrigation is the farm ’ s irrigation design consultant and supplier , and Loxton Irrigation ’ s André Lombard says the project for the Carinus farm is a particularly enjoyable and innovative project for the firm to be so closely involved in . Lombard has worked on the planning and designs of the new project from greenfields stage . For several years , Loxtons Irrigation have been proud to be the irrigation practitioners ’ for the friendly and personable Piet Carinus .
On a SABI visit to the farm , Carinus says that the benefits of undercover farming are significant . The plastic structures allow the citrus trees to be protected from factors such as wind and hail . In Stellenbosch , wind is a particular concern for farmers . In constant wind , the citrus trees would struggle to grow , when protected against wind , growth of the crop is highly optimised .
The shade cloth also protects the crop against sunburn and other external factors . Carinus says there is a fascinating science to the colours of shade cloth used for different crops . Citrus flourishes in the white shade cloth utilised here . While apples and pears , for instance , would require different colours of shade cloth . Development of the new undercover fields comes at a cost of R200 000 / ha . The benefits experienced from undercover farming for Carinus are great – a protected crop with higher yields ( 50-60 ton / ha ) and with yields also being more predictable when grown under cover .
Saving water & sustainability
A significant benefit of growing under cover , say Carinus and Lombard , are that the crops utilise less water . Around 20 % less
Lombard says that right now the drip irrigation installed for the young citrus trees is suited for the young plants , and is designed in such a way that the gaps between the trees are blocked . This plug is removed in year 3 and 4 . This method makes the design superefficient and water conservation friendly . The citrus trees are well mulched , and grow in the soil . A second dripper line is to be installed probably in year 4 or 5 .
An interesting aspect of the new development is that the energy utilised for irrigation and pumps is all sourced from solar technology . Carinus says : “ We are intent on ensuring sustainability in this new development , therefore we utilise technologies such as solar , scheduling and drip irrigation .”
www . loxtons . co . za
Piet Carinus in the citrus orchard .
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SABI | AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2016