Precision irrigation is fast becoming a powerful solution.

 With rising input costs, limited water availability, and increasing demands on productivity, farmers today are under more pressure than ever

Precision irrigation is fast becoming a powerful solution, enabling growers to use water and nutrients far more efficiently by delivering them directly to the plant's root zone—exactly when and where they’re needed.

According to David Nganga, Technical Advisor for Netafim Southern & East Africa in Zambia, precision irrigation is about “delivering water and nutrients directly to the plant's root zone, in the exact amount and at the right time.” This approach reduces waste and maximises plant growth and yield. Among the available methods, drip irrigation is especially efficient, significantly reducing water loss through evaporation, runoff, and deep percolation. This means more of the water actually benefits the plants, boosting productivity.

A common myth is that drip systems are too complex or only suited for high-value crops. In reality, many farmers who’ve switched to drip find it quite straightforward. The key lies in proper setup and regular maintenance, such as cleaning filters and checking driplines for blockages. When maintained well, these systems run reliably and consistently.

One major benefit of drip irrigation is energy efficiency. Less water is needed, and it can be delivered at lower pressure, cutting down on electricity usage. As Henco Grobler of Senekal Boerdery in South Africa puts it, “Drip irrigation enables economically viable large-scale sugarcane production because of the energy savings involved.” These cost savings are often enough to make large-scale operations profitable where traditional irrigation would be too expensive.

Scalability is another strong advantage of precision irrigation. Whether you're managing a home garden or a large commercial farm, the technology can be adapted to your needs. Marco Appel, Agricultural Economist for Netafim Southern & East Africa, stresses the importance of weighing the full picture: “Farmers and project designers must evaluate factors like installation costs, ongoing maintenance, water and electricity expenses, and labour to determine if precision irrigation is a wise investment.”

Understanding your soil plays a vital role in getting the most from precision systems. Different soil types hold water differently, and even basic hands-on checks—like feeling moisture near the root zone—can help optimise watering schedules.

Choosing the right equipment is essential. Factors such as the type of crop, soil condition, field layout, water source, and even how long the system needs to last should influence your decisions. Options like pressure-compensated drippers or anti-root intrusion features can enhance performance and longevity.

The results are hard to ignore: up to 50% water savings, 30% less fertiliser used, and yield increases of between 30–50%. With better crop uniformity, lower labour demands, and reduced power costs, precision irrigation is paving the way for smarter, more sustainable agriculture.

Over time, it fosters a more observant and efficient farming culture—where growers are more aware of their soil, use inputs more wisely, and reduce waste across the board.

RoboOptimizer enhances poultry processing efficiency. (Image credit: Marel)

Marel has introduced the RoboOptimizer, a cutting-edge automation tool designed to remove the labour-intensive task of loading portion cutters in poultry processing

This intelligent positioning system works seamlessly with the I-Cut 122 portion cutter, forming a fully automated process from the moment singulated fillets are placed on the belt.

By taking full control of positioning and communication with the portion cutter, RoboOptimizer ensures accuracy and consistency throughout the operation. It doesn’t just handle the cutting—it manages the flow of products downstream as well, making it a comprehensive solution for modern processors.

Traditionally, workers have been responsible for placing chicken fillets on belts, a process that directly impacts the quality of the final product. Inconsistent or incorrect placement would often result in lower yields and poor cuts. RoboOptimizer solves this problem by organising the fillets accurately before they reach the portion cutter. Using a rapid gripper system, it can manage up to 120 fillets per minute across dual belts—an efficiency no human operator can match.

“With RoboOptimizer, we really step away from labour. If the products are singulated, portion cutting can now be done without staff. The system will do the job with much more consistency and accuracy than people could ever do. The operator who loads breast caps into the deboning system could potentially be the last person to touch the meat. RoboOptimizer comes as close to a labour-free solution as possible,” says Morten Dalqvist, Marel Product Specialist.

The system features a laser vision scanner that covers an 800 mm-wide conveyor. It measures each fillet’s size and orientation, even distinguishing between left and right fillets—a Marel-patented feature. This distinction is vital to preserve meat fibres and avoid damage during the cutting and tumbling stages.

“Optimising the angle of each individual fillet can give a significantly better yield for strips,” adds Dalqvist. “There are fewer off-cuts because we can optimise the right strip length all the time. Before, we used to cut a fixed trim of a certain size to ensure that the first strip met the requirements. By using the RoboOptimizer, we can reduce this trim to a minimum and still ensure the correct strip length. This eventually increases the overall yield.”

Faulty or misaligned fillets are also filtered out before reaching the cutter, preventing downstream issues. The system then uses strip-optimising software to determine how each fillet should be used—whether for cubes, burgers, or precise strips—maximising both yield and product quality.

Factories relying on manual loading for portion cutting, especially in QSR, food service, or retail production, stand to gain significantly from adopting RoboOptimizer. With full integration for sorting, trimming, and routing, and virtually no labour required, it redefines automation in poultry processing.

Enhancing Liberia’s rubber sector with innovation.

As dawn breaks in Liberia’s countryside, Moses Dolo begins his daily routine, carefully cutting rubber trees to collect the latex that drips into cups

It’s painstaking work, but one he knows well. By May, Dolo had collected nearly three tons-enough to earn about US$1,500. “Rubber farming is labor-intensive,” he says. “If you want to earn a profit as a smallholder, you need to be involved in tapping, not just rely on workers.”

But just as he was ready to sell, he was hit with crushing news: Firestone, Liberia’s largest rubber buyer, had halted all purchases. The company called the government’s new pricing policy “unsustainable.”

“I had grown used to the uncertainties of the business, fluctuating prices and irregular buyers,” Dolo remembers. “But nothing prepared me for what happened in June.” He was left with unsold latex-three tons of wasted effort and dashed hope.

This experience has been common for smallholders, who for decades relied on Firestone’s unpredictable buying habits. That changed in August when Dolo heard about the Jeety Rubber Factory in Weala, Margibi County. Built at a cost of US$35mn, the facility now buys rubber directly from smallholders at the government’s set price of us$574.06 per ton.

“The factory is a blessing,” Dolo says. “We no longer worry about whether Firestone will buy or not… they pay cash immediately. It is direct.”

For many farmers, Jeety has brought a lifeline. The government’s pricing formula includes deductions for taxes and contributions to industry bodies, leaving smallholders with a net of $545.93 per ton. The rate is based on monthly averages from the Singapore Commodity Exchange and includes a modest profit margin for processors.

Experts see this as a long-overdue correction in a market that’s long disadvantaged smallholders. Unlike Firestone, Jeety depends almost entirely on these local producers and needs far more latex than its own 4,400-hectare plantation can provide. Daily demand is expected to rise to 400 tons.

Merey Napal explains, “If you or your workers are strong enough, and your trees aren’t too old, you can sell three tons weekly, that’s US$1,722 or more monthly.”

The Jeety model has sparked a revival in smallholder confidence and planning. “Recently, many farmers have begun replanting, which is excellent for long-term sustainability,” says Jerry Sumoward, weighing nearly 11 tons at the factory yard.

With Jeety spending around US$803,000 weekly on latex, and projecting annual purchases of US$40–50mn, optimism is growing. Backed by replanting loans repaid gradually from sales, smallholders like Hawa Singbeh now see a future in rubber.

“Now, with the company’s support, I am replanting and expanding my farm… My children can see that rubber farming has a future now.”

Global drone industry is growing at an impressive pace.

The global drone industry is growing at an impressive pace, with both commercial and military sectors seeing strong demand

Supportive government policies and regulations have helped the sector gain momentum, and experts project that the overall drone market could exceed US$85bn by 2033. Key areas driving this growth include agriculture, commercial applications, and defence.

Among all segments, agriculture drones are experiencing the fastest expansion. A report by MarketsAndMarkets predicts that the agricultural drone market will grow from US$2.01bn in 2024 to US$8.03bn by 2029, representing an exceptional CAGR of 32%. This rapid growth reflects the increasing adoption of drones to make farming more efficient, precise, and productive.

The surge in agriculture drone use is largely due to pressing challenges in farming. Many traditional farms are closing, and there is a growing labour shortage in agriculture. The USDA’s 2022 Census of Agriculture showed that the U.S. lost 141,733 farms between 2017 and 2022, highlighting the urgent need for automation and modern technology. Drones help farmers monitor crops, reduce labour requirements, and improve efficiency.

Several factors are supporting this growth. Governments are providing regulatory support, subsidies, and funding, while public-private investments in agritech solutions continue to rise. Training programmes, awareness campaigns, and educational initiatives are also encouraging farmers to adopt drone technology.

Leading companies are advancing drone innovation in agriculture. These include ZenaTech, Draganfly, Ondas Holdings, AgEagle Aerial Systems, and Red Cat Holdings. Their innovations focus on improving precision farming, crop monitoring, and farm management.

In conclusion, the agricultural drone market is on a strong upward trajectory. The combination of labour shortages, technological innovation, and supportive policies is driving adoption. By 2029, agriculture drones are expected to become an essential tool for modern, sustainable farming, helping farmers optimise productivity, reduce costs, and maintain higher quality standards.