It’s certainly not child’s play to farm in South Africa due to the many challenges facing farmers. Yet, in certain aspects, South African farmers are blessed with a variety of service providers, specialists and products that are generally available in the closest town.

However, that’s not the case in most other African countries. Shaun Buffee, originally from Zimbabwe, has been farming with his team in die Francistown region in Botswana for the past eight years. He has realised the value of good technical support and equipment for commercial farming.

“We started from scratch, without any farming experience, Shaun says. “Our biggest challenge was finding the right technical support. The reality is that we could only expand because of the excellent support from Agrico. That was essential.”

Equipment for success

The farm utilises a combination of Agrico equipment and solutions that meet the needs of the farm’s unique requirements. From pump stations, pipelines, high-quality dam linings, overhead pivots to drip irrigation – Agrico provided everything. The pivots are primarily used for fodder crops, while drip irrigation supplies vegetables with water. These strategic choices are the result of comprehensive testing and consultation with Agrico’s technicians.

“We tried various options,” Shaun explains. “The pivots function at their best under certain conditions and drip irrigation is ideal for watermelons. Farming wouldn’t have been possible without this equipment. Technical support is of the utmost importance, and when something goes wrong, we can fix it quickly because of the service we receive from Agrico.”

Technical support that really matters

One of the most important challenges of this project and many others in Botswana is energy supply. The farm relies on a combination of solar power and power generators since it’s cut off from the network. Agrico’s project manager, MC Pretorius from the Nylstroom branch, played a vital role in the design and implementation of the system.

“We had to understand the energy needs and crop requirements from the beginning for optimal design of the system, says MC. “We pumped water from sandpits in the middle of the river up to a dam and from there it’s transported to the pivots. The challenge was to do this by utilising the least possible kilowatt, as excessive use is expensive.”

Practical support was crucial to completing the project successfully. Shaun describes an incident where a new pivot experienced problems with wiring: “I contacted MC and his team, and a technician from Agrico arrived here within a matter of hours. The pivot worked again the next morning. Remember that they had to drive from Nylstroom in South Africa to my farm near Francistown. A slow reaction would have put our crops at a disadvantage.”

In Botswana, where farms operate without access to national electricity, farmers rely on solar and diesel power to keep operations running.

Unique challenges in Botswana

Shaun points out that a significant difference between farming in Botswana and South Africa is the limited technical support. “The distance means that you must be self-sufficient, and you can’t just quickly call a supplier when something goes wrong. That’s why good support from Africo is so valuable.”

Shaun has developed a passion for farming, despite all the challenges. “I’m enjoying farming because it is new and challenging. It has enormous potential, and finding and implementing solutions by yourself is extremely satisfying.”

The advantage of tailor-made solutions

The project wouldn’t have been possible without the ability and willingness to adjust the equipment to suit specific needs.

“Agrico designed a system that completely meets our needs,” says Shaun. “We realised that other suppliers couldn’t supply the same level of service. In Botswana, you must be self-sufficient and adapt your solutions to the environment and the available energy supply.”

The crops are already showing good progress, although it is too early to discuss production value. Shaun says laughingly, “After five weeks, you can already see that everything’s on track. Come back after a year and I’ll be able to provide more definitive results.”

Plans and expansion

The farm envisages big plans, including expanding beef meat production and watermelon cultivation. “We realised that the local market is small, and we’ll eventually have to consider exporting when we expand our production,” says Shaun.

The partnership with Agrico not only entailed the availability of equipment but also strategic collaboration to ensure the farm’s success.

MC adds: “From the beginning, we planned the project with Shaun and his team – from the water source to the final establishment of the pivots. We considered every possible challenge and designed solutions to make the farm as effective as possible.”

Shaun Buffee and his team’s experience at Ngangane Ranch shows how important technical support and tailor-made equipment are for commercial farming in remote areas. Not only did Agrico’s Nylstroom branch provide the necessary equipment, but they also provided expertise and personal attention to ensure the project prospered from the get-go.

This partnership emphasises the value of good advice, creative solutions, and fast reaction time in the agricultural industry, especially in challenging environments, such as those in Botswana.

To find out more about how Agrico can assist you with advice and much more, visit www.agrico.co.za or send an email to info@agrico.co.za

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