Technology

The project is set to become an exemplary climate-smart agriculture.

As part of the Transforming African Agricultural Universities to Meaningfully Contribute to Africa's Growth and Development (TagDev 2.0) programme that has been designed to boost high value crop yield and educate farmers on Artificial Intelligence, the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) has introduced an AI-powered fertigation system that digitalises irrigation and fertiliser application by leveraging real-time data

The project is set to become an exemplary climate-smart agriculture, working wonders on boosting crop production.

The installation is already operational at a greenhouse built in MUST's main campus in Thyolo, which will be supporting the growth of tomatoes, bell peppers and cucumbers.

“We are using AI to make farming more efficient, productive and climate-resilient while providing students and communities with practical skills that can transform agriculture,” said Jabulani Nyengere, senior lecturer in geoinformatics and postgraduate coordinator at MUST, who has been spearheading the project. He explained that the system ensures sustainability by cutting down water and nutrient waste. It works from the combined effects of AI, precision irrigation and automated fertiliser management.

The advanced technology is designed to decode crop growth data without any breaks and automatically adjusts water and nutrient levels, ensuring plants receive the right inputs while conserving resources, he said. 

The project aligns with MUST's vision on advancing research and development on innovation and technology to address food security, climate change and sustainable agricultural development. 

The smart system combines irrigation and fertiliser application, automatically adjusting in real time the crop estimates according to their growth stage. As the right quantity of nutrients are secured for the crops at the right time, less waste is generated, ensuring boosted productivity, crop quality and efficient use of resources.

The company officially launched its Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) equipment and services at its Africa headquarters in Kempton Park, Johannesburg.(Image credit: xylem)

Water scarcity and wastewater management have long been pressing concerns across South Africa, and Xylem, a globally recognised water technology company, has just made things a great deal more manageable.

The company officially launched its Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) equipment and services at its Africa headquarters in Kempton Park, Johannesburg, marking a significant step forward in accessible, practical wastewater treatment for the region.

The launch drew attention from a wide range of industries that deal with the daily challenge of treating and recycling water responsibly. Mining operations, municipalities, agricultural businesses, aquaculture farms, food and beverage producers, paper and pulp mills, chemical manufacturers, and pharmaceutical companies are all in the frame as potential beneficiaries of this technology. It is a broad reach, and deliberately so.

At its core, DAF is a pre-treatment and solids-separation system designed to slot into existing wastewater management frameworks. It works as a standalone unit or as part of a larger treatment process, sitting alongside biological treatment, filtration, and water reuse systems to help facilities meet compliance targets and achieve their recycling goals. What makes it particularly attractive is its compact, modular build, which means it can be installed even in tight or congested spaces where traditional systems simply would not fit. Rental options are also on the table, making it viable for smaller operations or those with seasonal demands.

The science behind DAF is clever but straightforward. Xylem's systems use Hellbender pumps to generate microscopic air bubbles that, after the water undergoes coagulation and flocculation, latch onto suspended particles and drag them to the surface where they can be skimmed off. The result is water that is significantly cleaner, with total suspended solids, fats, oils, greases, and biochemical oxygen demand all reduced efficiently.

Three models are available, the RT-50, RT-100, and RT-240, catering for flow rates ranging from 100 to 1,000 GPM. Each unit is built from durable stainless steel, comes with an integrated flocculation tube, and includes a pre-wired control panel that makes setup relatively straightforward.

Chetan Mistry, Strategy and Marketing Manager at Xylem WSS (AMETI), was candid about what this launch means for local customers. "We are very excited to bring cutting-edge DAF solutions to our local customers. Xylem has introduced our DAF solutions to several other markets, where they have become a big hit among companies of various sizes. They appreciate the logistical benefits of DAF's compact designs and convenient deployment, supported by our expert technicians. South African organisations in the private and public sectors can now also leverage DAF to expand their choices for water treatment and recycling."

The support offering goes well beyond simply supplying equipment. "Xylem's expert staff and our experienced partners customise each solution as required. We deliver and manage components such as mixer tanks, weir tanks, pumps, and conveyors, as well as catwalks and accessories. Our skilled technicians can support on-site staff or run the process on behalf of our customers," added Mistry.

For too long, fully industrialised water treatment felt out of reach for many South African organisations, put off by the cost and operational complexity involved. Xylem's DAF range changes that conversation considerably, offering a flexible, scalable entry point into serious water management without demanding enormous upfront commitment. Whether a business is running a pilot programme or upgrading an established treatment system, there is a configuration to suit the need.

The launch plants Xylem firmly on the map as a hands-on, solutions-driven partner for industries and municipalities that are serious about using water wisely.

(Image credit: Power Factor Systems)

When it comes to practical farming technology built for African conditions, PFS Power Factor Systems has quietly been doing something rather impressive.

Since setting up shop in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga back in 1998, the company has grown into a trusted name across the continent, serving farmers in countries ranging from South Africa and Zambia to Kenya, Angola and beyond.

At the heart of what PFS offers is the VSD Starter, a variable speed drive designed and built entirely in-house and purpose-made for irrigation systems. It is not a generic piece of kit adapted for farm use. Every feature on this machine was thought through with the farmer in mind, from the automatic priming function to the gradual pipe filling sequence that protects pipelines from sudden pressure surges.

Dry pump protection and current limiting come as standard, meaning the system constantly keeps an eye on motor performance and shuts things down before any costly damage can occur. A safety switch input adds another layer of control, and can be connected to external devices like a GSM modem for remote operation or a float ball to manage dam levels automatically.

What really sets the VSD Starter apart is its flexibility. Seven programmable pressure settings mean farmers can deliver precisely the right pressure to different fields without relying on mechanical pressure regulating valves. Pair that with seven auto-irrigate programmes and you have the ability to run up to 49 scheduled irrigation cycles every week, all managed through a clean and intuitive touch screen interface.

Electricity costs are a very real concern for farmers across the region, and the VSD Starter addresses this head on. Running at 97% efficiency and drawing only the power needed to maintain the selected pressure, most users see a full payback within 9 to 14 months. The Eskom tariff control feature allows the pump to run exclusively during off-peak periods, cutting costs even further.

A tamper-proof event history log records every action with a time and date stamp, giving farmers complete visibility over their irrigation activity and making any troubleshooting straightforward.

The redesigned New Holland T7 Standard Wheelbase tractor, now available in the new Dynamic Blue colour. (Image credit: New Holland)

New Holland has given its T7 Standard Wheelbase tractor range a thorough rethink, and the result is a machine that feels genuinely fresh from the ground up.

Covering the 180 to 225hp bracket, the updated lineup brings a sharper look, smarter technology and some meaningful mechanical changes that will matter to anyone spending long days behind the wheel.

"We've completely reimagined the key design features of the T7 Standard Wheelbase tractor range," says New Holland Standard Wheelbase Global Product Manager, Manfred Pfleger. "Significant upgrades include a new cab design, a new operator interface and armrest, and a more compact front end, core for a tractor range that competes in an important sector of the market with a broad customer base. The redesigned suspension delivers greater comfort and control, and complements the light weight, high-capacity design of this range to boost productivity and performance."

One of the standout changes is the new front axle, offered in standard or heavy duty form, with dual accumulators delivering a noticeably smoother ride. Combined with a redesigned bonnet and a new axle support, the turning circle has been slashed by 17%, dropping from 14.3 metres down to 11.4 metres. That kind of improvement makes headland manoeuvring far less of a chore.

Under the new sloping bonnet sits a Stage V FPT NEF 6.7 litre engine, now reaching peak power at just 1,500rpm to keep fuel consumption and noise in check. Service intervals stretch to 750 hours, and diesel capacity has grown to 350 litres. The T7.225 with Dynamic Command transmission recently posted best-in-class fuel efficiency at the German DLG test centre, consuming just 243g/kWh.

Inside the cab, the new SideWinder armrest puts everything within easy reach, with the option to specify the IntelliView 12 touchscreen, electronic remote valves and a refined CommandGrip multifunction handle. Cab space has grown, climate control is improved and storage has been expanded throughout.

All models come with connectivity included as standard, supporting remote dealer monitoring and data driven efficiency. The range also debuts New Holland's striking new Dynamic Blue colour scheme, which will roll out across future models.