The use of agricultural netting has exploded across South Africa in recent years, offering producers vital benefits like increased yields, sunburn control, and protection against hail and wind. However, as the demand grew, a significant risk emerged: the industry was largely unregulated, lacking the formal standards found in traditional building sectors.

Historically, many installations were handled by “bakkie builders” relying on trial and error rather than science. This led to a costly gamble for farmers: structures were either over-designed and unnecessarily expensive, or under-designed and prone to collapsing during extreme weather.

At Foreng, we decided to change the narrative by bringing professional engineering rigor to the field.

Establishing the Gold Standard

In 2019, industry stakeholders recognized the need to formalize installation practices. Tasked with this challenge, we embarked on a nationwide journey, visiting countless farms to identify the pitfalls and strengths of existing structures.

This research became the backbone of the Fruit Industry Netting Infrastructure Guidelines and Standards (FINIGAS). Completed in 2021 and now hosted by the South African Institute for Agricultural Engineers (SAIAE), these guidelines cover the entire lifecycle of a project:

• Structural Design
• Material Procurement
• Implementation
• Quality Control & Maintenance
• Innovation Through Data and Tools

Guidelines are only as good as the tools used to implement them. Because no formal software existed to analyze net structures, we developed a one-of-a-kind structural design program. This allows us to analyze the exact forces a structure must withstand, ensuring every material selected is fit for purpose without wasting capital on over-design.

We’ve also tackled the “post-build” challenge. Historically, there was no way to verify if a structure was built to specification. To solve this, we developed:

1. A Stay-Wire Tension Meter: A locally manufactured, user-friendly device that costs a fraction of imported alternatives (R17,500 vs R100,000).
2. Net Tension Tool: Currently in trials, this tool measures the tension of the net itself—a critical factor for the longevity of the installation.

Bridging the Gap: Specialized Technology

Efficiency is the next frontier. Traditional nets that need to be opened for pollination are labor-intensive and slow to manage. We have secured the rights to import and install patented Italian zip technology, allowing farmers to pull a zip from the ground to open or close structures quickly. This mechanization is a game-changer for large-scale producers where timing is everything.

Peace of Mind for the Producer

As ECSA-registered professional engineers, we carry Professional Indemnity (PI) insurance—a rare safeguard in this industry. We don’t just design; we “ring-fence” and train specialist contractors to ensure our high-precision requirements are met on-site.

Our clinical, direct approach has saved numerous projects from deadlock and failure. With a 0% failure rate over the last six years, we are proud to be moving the industry away from guesswork and toward a future of engineered stability.

Is your netting infrastructure an asset or a liability? If you’re looking for independent assessments, reinstatement plans, or high-precision design, let’s start a conversation.