Netafim, a global leader of precision irrigation solutions and agricultural projects, announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Dutch turnkey greenhouse projects provider, Gakon.

Netafim has been active in the greenhouse market for several decades and is now expanding its offering in the production and supply of top-tier greenhouse projects to meet the increasing demand for the most advanced farming methods.

In Southern Africa, Netafim’s activity in the greenhouse industry is driven by Vegtech Netafim. Vegtech Netafim has been providing greenhouse solutions in Southern Africa for more than two decades, with this acquisition it will be even more equipped to serve this market.

“Gakon offers highly specialised technology and expertise in greenhouse systems, and we have already been using many of these systems in some of our advanced greenhouse projects. These technologies and the accompanying expertise will now be even more accessible to Vegtech Netafim and its clients,” says Barney Isralls, managing director of Vegtech Netafim. The company can offer these technologies to its clients with immediate effect and will bring it into the market as required.

The acquisition will combine Netafim’s global presence and expertise in precision agriculture and Gakon’s advanced greenhouse technology. The resulting strengthened greenhouse offer will allow Netafim to better support agricultural industries such as blueberry, medical cannabis, and undercover vegetable production across the globe.

Netafim’s entity for irrigation and fertigation solutions in Southern Africa, Netafim South Africa, will continue to provide irrigation and fertigation solutions for orchards, vineyards, and other open field agriculture in parallel with Vegtech Netafim’s work in the greenhouse sector and especially with turnkey greenhouse projects.

“We are very proud to be part of a global group of companies that band together to progress agriculture worldwide. The acquisition will support an industry that is key to our local economy and we are pleased to be associated with this watershed moment in the history of the global greenhouse industry,” says Etienne Erasmus, managing director of Netafim South Africa. “We are, as always, committed to offer the best irrigation and fertigation equipment selection as well as advanced agronomic and technical support to both our dealers and end-users.”

The expanded offering will leverage Netafim’s capacity as a holistic destination for farmers of year-round crops and farm-to-table local produce. It will further support the company’s continued drive to support efforts towards food security and sustainable agriculture across the globe.