The Vondeling Group, located in the Paarl district of the Western Cape, initiated an almond farming venture in 2020. The almond trees at Vrymansfontein farm are now ready for their inaugural harvest, primarily targeting international markets.
Vondeling Wines, known for wine grape cultivation, has expanded into almonds over 200 hectares. Unit manager Magnus Joubert states, "This year we will harvest our first crop, which will be sold mainly to international markets." The export market aligns with Vrymansfontein's premium product, as the local market is price-sensitive.
Almonds prosper in Paarl's dry summers, with minimal rainfall and suitable soil. However, almonds require precise water management, needing about 10,000m² of water per hectare per season. The farm supplements this with rainwater, mountain water, and the Suid-Agter Paarl irrigation system.
Joubert remarks on the intensive irrigation needs compared to vineyards, collaborating with Agrico to design an efficient system. "We've worked with Agrico for years, and their local expertise has been invaluable in setting up the system," he notes. The system uses double-line drippers with 600mm spacing, delivering 1.6ℓ per hour.
Water efficiency is critical due to limited supply. The drip irrigation system, developed with Agrico, enables precise water placement, minimizing waste. Joubert explains, "We use 9,000m² to 11,000m² of water per hectare to optimize almond production." Nutrients are delivered directly to tree roots, enhancing efficiency.
The farm employs the Irrigator program for automated irrigation and Phytech for monitoring soil moisture and tree water needs. Agrico's expertise in irrigation systems has been pivotal in establishing the farm's infrastructure.
Source: Farmer's Weekly