Agri Kultuur February / Februarie 2018 | Page 9

• Capacity There is often limited capacity available to plan, implement and maintain WC/WDM measures • Technical Appropriate WC/WDM tools are lacking and limited guidelines are available • Social WC/WDM is not perceived as a priority as it is normally enforced during drought periods b) Reduce equipment cost by using less expensive, yet efficient equipment and techniques. There are also opportunities to successfully implement WC/WDM by addressing non- beneficial use or wastage due to conveyance losses and inefficient use of water. Improved irrigation methods, irrigation scheduling, soil preparation and crop selection can all have an impact on efficient use of irrigation water. Water Conservation and Water Demand Management is a fundamental step in promoting water use efficiency and to effectively manage our water resources. Being the largest water user in South Africa, a successful WC/WDM drive in the Agriculture sector is likely to make available significant quantities of water that could be used both within and outside the sector. Progress in irrigation technology development to address WC/WDM The economic feasibility of agricultural enterprises has been put under severe strains during the past number of years. Although this seems to be a world-wide phenomenon, it has very specific consequences for South Africa as a region where significant proportion of the population is dependent upon agriculture for a living. Irrigation as an enterprise seems to be fighting for survival, let alone expanding into new areas. The acquisition of new irrigation equipment for new developments or even the replacement of existing equipment has almost become unfeasible under current economic conditions. Many feasibility studies which have been carried out in South Africa in recent times underline the importance of achieving above average yields as the single most critical factor determining success in new irrigation projects. The only way that any given farmer can increase his yields is by farming smarter. The cost of new irrigation equipment and the importance of achieving high crop yields leads to the conclusion that there are only two ways to ensure success with irrigation farming under current conditions. These are: a) Increase nett income per hectare by using better technology and farming more efficiently. AgriKultuur |AgriCulture Developments in irrigation technology can basically be divided into development in the field of equipment and developments in the field of management tools. Developments mainly centres around reduced cost of equipment or reduced energy consumption for irrigation, whilst optimizing water use. KWALITEIT PRODUKTE TEEN BEKOSTIGBARE PRYSE GEREGISTREERDE UITVOERDERS TENK STAANDERS STAALPANEEL DAMME  15kl tot 19000kl kapasiteit  Hoogte 1.3m, 1.9m, 2.5m, 3.1m,  1.5m tot 12m vir  5kl en 10kl tenks  Ingenieursertifikate vir staanders  Geboute konstruksie vir gemaklike vervoer en oprigting 3.7m en 4.9m  Maklike vervoer en oprigting  Staalkoepel en skadudakke  30 jaar lewensverwagting Kantoor: 082 903 3040 Tel: 082 210 0999 E-pos: [email protected] www.staalboer.co.za 9