Farmers invited to join irrigation body SABI
SABI, South Africa’s premier irrigation water-saving organisation, is extending a special invitation to all farmers to join the institute and enjoy membership benefits.
“Water is a scarce resource and farmers are serious about conserving our precious water and ensuring water quantity plus water quality is good and preserved for future generations. We believe that the best way of conserving water and ensuring optimum irrigation is by becoming a SABI member, as you have direct access to a range of technical knowledge, practical advice and technologies via SABI membership. If you are a SABI member it is clear and sends out a message to all that you are serious about saving water,” says SABI President Michael Esmeraldo. He continues: “Farmers will ensure via SABI membership that their teams on the farm have access to the latest trends and technologies in water saving and also training. We are looking forward to farmers joining us and reaping the benefits of our knowledge and tradition in irrigation water and water conservation in South Africa.”
It is important for farmers to realise that one of the most powerful and practical ways to save water is by using accredited SABI Designers. SABI Approved Designers are highly trained and have passed the irrigation equivalent of a “board exam”.
It is important to note that all members are bound by the SABI Ethical Code, which requires that the design of an irrigation system should conform to the SABI norms for the specific region. Thus, farmers’ use of a SABI Accredited Designer ensures that the irrigator is provided with an irrigation system to ensure optimal use and management of the available water sources. Moreover, farmers experiencing problems with operating such systems can contact SABI for an objective investigation or evaluation.
Furthermore, SABI is active in establishing irrigation design norms for South Africa, and members can play an active role in this process and be aware of changes and advances in irrigation norms.
SABI boosts optimum irrigation and water saving through its designers, training, communication products and events. SABI’s events, such as the Congress and the Forum, held in August at the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West, are popular knowledge-sharing and networking events with exhibitions of the latest irrigation technologies.
Farmers joining SABI will be happy to be involved in an institute that sponsors an irrigation course for grade 11 learners in agricultural schools around South Africa. The SABI schools’ course is very popular nationally.
“Water conservation must begin from the grassroots, and we are proud of our schools’ training programme,” says Michael.
“SABI is proud to be fulfilling a vital role in ensuring the efficient and optimum use of irrigation water and water conservation. We invite all farmers from all provinces of South Africa to join us on this mission and reap the benefits on their farms and in their enterprises,” says Michael.
By becoming SABI members, farmers will receive a range of excellent benefits:
- SABI meetings (social and knowledge-sharing events held around South Africa)
- Events (the highly rated and hugely successful SABI Congress, the Technical Forum, and social events like golf days)
- SABI magazine, a glossy print and digital magazine, including discounts when advertising
- Active participation in the drafting of norms and codes of practice.
- Being up to speed on the latest local and international irrigation technologies
- Special discounts on individual/custom-designed IrrigationWise Academy Training courses
Please contact the General Manager, Riana Lombard, on [email protected] or [email protected] for more info or download a membership form and complete it on www.sabi.co.za.
– Press release by SABI