A  team of agricultural experts, part of industrial solutions provider BMG, will offer local farmers sustainability solutions focused on effective food production through its ‘Boer Slim’, or Smart Farming, initiative.

BMG agricultural manager Carlo Beukes says the initiative assists farmers with cost-efficient solutions to improve crop output, enhance operational efficiency through reduced power consumption and minimise downtime through practical maintenance programmes.

He explains that the team works with farmers across Southern Africa on the selection, installation and operation of electromechanical systems.

Beukes notes that farming operations face challenges related to power supply limitations, rising electricity and water costs, as well as labour, capital equipment investment and maintenance expenses. He adds that the smart farming initiative is aimed at addressing these pressures through sustainability-focused interventions.

“In one project, BMG assisted a local farmer seeking to accelerate a tobacco drying process and expand production, but who was constrained by power supply limitations. Following the installation of BMG electronic variable-speed drives (VSDs), the farmer is now able to operate 22 tobacco drying containers simultaneously, compared with alternating between nine previously. This has resulted in more than a doubling of crop production output,” he explains.

Additional outcomes from the installation include the elimination of noticeable voltage dips during startup, reduced wear on mechanical components and lower labour requirements, which have reduced shift costs, he adds.

Beukes also recalls how in another project in the Barkly West area, BMG assisted a farmer with a power supply limited to roughly 200 kVA to reduce irrigation costs per hectare. “After installing VSDs on all pumpsets, power usage was optimised, supporting improved crop production and enabling the expansion [from mere] maize production to include pecan nuts,” he says.

The installation incorporated Danfoss VLT AQUA Drive FC 202 VSDs, which is designed for water and wastewater applications, including irrigation. “These drives are controlled by pressure transducers configured to match varying irrigation demands. No additional pump controllers or valves were required for flow control, with only a pressure transducer used as a peripheral component,” Beukes explains.

The drives include a soft start and stop function, which reduces water hammer during pump operation and lowers the risk of pipe bursts. This also reduces wear on couplings, pumps and pipes, he notes.

“BMG supplies these VSDs in IP55 enclosures, removing the need for dedicated panels and associated cooling and ventilation systems. BMG was responsible for the installation and commissioning of these systems. The company also provides ongoing support as an authorised DrivePro service partner of Danfoss,” he adds.

Power Saving

Now the Barkly West installation has a projected yearly power saving of 155 491 kWh, with expected cost savings of about R108 444 and a payback period of less than 12 months.

Beukes states that reliability is a key consideration in the design of its drive systems for new and upgraded facilities, with a focus on preventing unnecessary breakdowns.

“Components are matched to application requirements to support productivity, smooth operation and extended service life,” he says.

The company’s branch network provides access to original spares and workshop resources to ensure repairs meet original equipment manufacturer standards. Beukes concludes that BMG supplies solutions to agricultural equipment manufacturers, resellers and farmers.