• 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.
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