Agri Kultuur February / Februarie 2018 | Page 8

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 8