of irrigation water so that the crop water
requirements are met in a planned and
effective manner. This not only depends
on the correct technical and agricultural
design but ultimately also on the standard
of management and maintenance of the
irrigation system. (See Photo 1)
Water losses in the agricultural sector quoted
is often as between 30 and 40% and actual
figures are often lacking. It is also known that
not all of the water abstracted for use through
conventional irrigation methods reaches the
root systems of the plants (so called non-
beneficial use). An unaccounted proportion of
irrigation water returns to the river systems by
overland flow or return flow and is available to
other users.
Conveyance losses due to the age of schemes
and leaking canals add to the losses. Irrigation
methods, irrigation scheduling, soil type, soil
preparation and crop selection all have a
significant impact on the efficient use of water
in agriculture. Although the Agricultural sector
is committed to increased measures for Water
Conservation and Demand Management there
are some common constraints that prevent or
restrict the implementation of WC/WDM in the
Agricultural sector. It includes the following
constraints:
• Financial
New irrigation technologies are expensive
• Planning
Current schemes have been designed for
supply-side management
• Institutional
There is a lack in co-ordination amongst
various role-players
Photo 1: Management and maintenance of an irrigation system important for WCWDM
AgriKultuur |AgriCulture
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