In the Pandamatenga district in northern Botswana, Panda Potatoes shows how effective irrigation technology can transform a farm. Water management and reliable Agrico pivots form the core of successful potato production where farmers experience challenges regarding climate and soil conditions. Through planning and reliable support, Van Vuuren Holdings created a farm that shows that irrigation plays a key role in even the most remote areas.

A business that grows with water

Fred Janse van Vuuren, owner of Panda Potatoes, says he decided to invest in potatoes after he discovered good underground water six years ago.

“Potatoes need at least 500 mm of water per season. Without irrigation, it’s impossible to farm sustainably here,” he says. Boreholes feed the farm’s systems – and the water is transported by pumps to the lands where Agrico’s pivots irrigate the lands.

Panda Potatoes experimented with several cultivars, but Mondeor and Siffra came out tops. Fred quickly realised that diversification was necessary to show a profit. Now they don’t only produce potatoes, but also dryland sorghum, while the pivots play an essential role in plant feeding and crop protection.

The role of Agrico in Pandamatenga

Farm manager Duard Malan says there are already nine Agrico pivots and two more will soon be installed. “Besides irrigation, we also use the pivots for topdressing and the application of poison. Granular fertiliser is dissolved, injected by dosage pumps, and then applied with the water via pivots. This makes the process highly effective.

The fact that Agrico produces the majority of its components in-house, including galvanised pipes, gives producers like Duard peace of mind. This means that fertilisation and chemical application by pivots can occur without damaging the vector, as long as the pipes are properly flushed after use.

The systems are robust and maintenance costs are very low. If we do need a part, Agrico Nylstroom sends it quickly despite us being almost 1 000 km away,” Duard says.

Agrico is committed to supporting farmers in the most remote areas of Africa, and to strengthening food security in Botswana as well as the entire region.

MC Pretorius of Agrico’s Nylstroom branch emphasises that the challenges in Pandamatenga are unique. “There’s no electricity here. Everything is powered by generators and solar power. Farmers who have good water sources must install irrigation infrastructure to be profitable. We regard it as our duty to deliver reliable systems that deliver water at low energy cost.”

Potato industry in Botswana: unique and challenging

“I’m not only the farmer here, but also the marketer,” says Fred about the potato industry in Botswana. “We build relationships with chain stores ourselves. Each consignment goes to Gaborone, where the biggest market is situated.”

Prices aren’t determined by a formal system. Fred explains that he and his fellow farmers look at South African prices and communicate with each other to determine a reasonable price for a certain class of potatoes. “I can pay my price if I’m in the market on my own, but I keep it fair. I want my product to sell,” he says.

Trust built over a decade

The relationship between Panda Potatoes and Agrico has been going strong for 10 years. Fred says the core of that success relies on three aspects: price, quality and after-sales service. “We’re completely satisfied with Agrico’s service. They understand that we’re far from big centres and they remain committed to support us timeously.”

Besides the pivots, the farm also has High Speed Discs (HSDs) and other implements. Fred explains that he is extremely happy with the HSDs that cut up plant rests and cultivate the soil.

“It promotes the accumulation of organic material and serves as compost for the following season.”

Perseverance in challenging circumstances

The Pandamatenga district has its own set of challenges, such as droughts over the past two years, the cost of transport to markets, and the absence of electricity networks. Yet the success of Panda Potatoes proves that farmers who have the right expertise, work hard and suitable technology can overcome these obstacles.

Fred summarises it as follows: “Farming is in my blood. I grew up on a farm, and it’s always been my dream. With the right partners, like Agrico, we are building a sustainable and profitable industry here, far away from everything.”

See video below for more:

Visit Agrico’s website for more information.