SABI Magazine August September 2016 V 7 | Page 5

President’s Message Growing in greenhouses Tomatoes to citrus, herbs and more O nce again, Carol and the SABI team have produced a top class issue brim full of interesting information and technical facts pertaining to the irrigation industry. Congratulations are in order, as SABI magazine, with this edition, celebrates 8 years of great publishing. One only has to take note, when flying at low level over the South African countryside, how much ground is now under plastic and shade cloth, in the form of tunnels, multi-spans and greenhouses. Indeed, what started some 15 to 20 years ago in the East London area, due to near perfect climate conditions, has spread to the rest of the countryside, as the advantages of growing in a controlled environment have become obvious. The use of heating and cooling systems in greenhouses has opened the door to production anywhere in the country. From initial tomato, pepper and cucumber crops, the industry is evolving to the point where crop variations from herbs to citrus are now being grown under plastic. Exciting times indeed, for the industry. In this issue, Jerry Austin shares the latest technology in the planning and design of hydroponic systems, and don’t miss the Israel aeroponics article. Our roving international encyclopedia on legs, Felix Reinders, shares the story of his recent trip to the land of the Pharaoh’s while attending the 4th African Regional Conference on Irrigation and Drainage – “Agricultural Land and Water Management for Sustainability under Climate Variability” in Aswan City, Egypt. Tony Ewels– President At this Egyptian event, Felix Reinders was a keynote speaker, presenting a paper: “Improving agricultural water management in Africa”. A multitude of other information and facts and figures await your perusal. Sit back, kick off your shoes and absorb another magnificent issue of our favourite magazine. SABI | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2016 3