Agrimark’s new turnkey professional service

A huge benefit in agri-operations

In an exciting development, Agrimark Operations has unveiled a unique service that provides turnkey solutions for producers when installing netting structures and irrigation systems. This innovative offering, which will provide a complete one-stop service, is set to impact the agricultural sector in South Africa, marking a significant development in agri operations. The service can be extended to other agricultural production areas in the future.

According to Arno Abeln, Managing Director of Agrimark Operations, the need for turnkey solutions was one of the main driving forces behind the creation of this new service.

“Traditionally, we focused our products and services on water-rich production areas where apples, pears, citrus, grapes, and berries are produced. Due to the influences of climate change, producers in these areas are increasingly challenged by changing weather conditions. This happens from season to season – even from month to month. By providing these turnkey solutions, we can assist in reducing the risks associated with adverse weather conditions, help them to continuously produce quality products for the various export markets, and increase their pack-out percentage,” he explained.

More than supply only

“In the past, Agrimark focused on the supply of materials for the netting industry, items such as anchor poles and wires, poles, and the nets. Now we can provide the whole solution, from planning to implementation and maintenance. We are fortunate to have personnel who are engineers with loads of experience in the field of irrigation and who were instrumental in the drafting of guidelines for the netting industry. These principles can now be implemented in the netting construction sector,” Arno said.

He emphasized the fact that many customers have already expressed their interest in these turnkey solutions for netting and three projects in the Citrusdal citrus area are already underway. Expansion to the irrigation sector will also be in line with the Agrimark strategy of focusing on water-rich production areas.

“At present, this professional service is specifically aimed at the supply and installation of netting structures and irrigation systems, with all services coordinated at one contact point,” said Hannes Smit, Project Manager in the Professional Services Department, who will be responsible for coordinating and managing multiparty agri-infrastructure projects for Agrimark customers.

A new professional service

“The concept behind this is to oversee all aspects of a project, including specialist services from engineers, contractors, material suppliers, and construction companies. We bring all of these together and offer a solution to the customer while managing the project to completion. Our customers are no longer interested in materials only. They want comprehensive solutions to their needs,” Hannes explained.

A complex and detailed process is required to successfully build a netting and irrigation system. “It often starts on a piece of undeveloped land, but there’s much more to it. This may involve environmental impact studies, soil analysis and preparation, plant materials, trellis systems, irrigation, fertigation, chemigation, and netting structures, among others. Agrimark’s Professional Services team will act as the project coordinator for such projects, allowing the customer to work with a project coordinator who will oversee all aspects of it, including the initial assessment of the project’s feasibility, planning, drafting of plans, cost estimation, logistics management, netting construction, and maintenance support after the project has been completed.”

This will not only ensure that the correct structure is selected for the producer’s specific needs but also that the best-practice principles of the netting industry will be implemented. Agrimark played a leading role in establishing these best practices during widespread consultation with producers, engineers, and product suppliers in the supply chain. The guidelines were designed to cover all aspects of the netting industry and to protect all role players. Hannes was closely involved in developing these.

A specialist overseer

Through Professional Services, Agrimark ensures that the producer has a single point of contact with a specialist who not only has industry experience but who can also manage the entire process.

According to Johan de Lange, Executive: Services and Relations at Agrimark, the importance of netting structures for crop protection is becoming a necessity for an increasing number of producers. “With volatile weather conditions, including more intense rainfall, flooding, windstorms, and spells of extreme heat, crop protection with netting structures is becoming increasingly important. Our professional services team includes specialists such as a civil engineer with over 30 years experience, which helps us to understand what each customer needs, how to address particular challenges, and which solutions we can offer. We have good relationships with important role players in the industry which means we can draw them in to assist on a project while we manage all aspects of the process on behalf of the customer.”

Johan explains that customers have different and diverse needs, but emphasised that the team will be able to address all of these, even if a producer only wants to use a certain part of the professional services on offer. 

Best solution for all

One of the many benefits of coordinating a project is that solutions and remedies can be implemented according to the best practices guidelines when problems arise, like netting structure failure, a pole crack, or an anchor pulling out of the ground. Such involvement not only improves the industry but also benefits customers.

The customer will be presented with options and will always have the final say when the project management plan is to be executed. Quotes for various product and external service providers, such as engineers and construction specialists, will be recommended as part of the solution.

In another first for the netting industry, Agrimark has contracted a specialist engineering service provider to run the structural designs through a software application to ensure that the structure will deliver the expected results if constructed and maintained according to the established guidelines.

By implementing this professional turn-key service through a team of qualified experts, Agrimark has enhanced its service offerings to add value for the customer in an end-to-end solution.

Contact your Agri Marketer to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards a more efficient and effective agri-operation.