SABI Magazine SABI Magazine June July 2017 | Page 40

Water resources

provided by water can have very high economic values, supporting tourism, fisheries, etc. and increasing the resilience of communities to disasters and other climatic risks.

The South African agricultural sector is made up of commercial farmers and subsistence farmers and about 1.3million ha is irrigated. The New Growth Path( NGP) has set a target of 300 000 households in small

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4 %

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5 %

holder schemes by 2020 and 145 000 jobs to be created in agro-processing by 2020( DED, 2010). Irrigated agriculture is the largest single user of water in South Africa( 60 %) as shown in Figure 4.3 and it has a huge potential socio-economic impact in rural communities. Other water use sectors use relatively small amounts of water. Water is the major limiting factor in the growth of this sector( DWAF, 2013)

Figure 2.3 Water Use in South Africa( DWAF, 2013)

The NWRS1 already indicated that additional water for an increase in irrigation would be very limited and was listed in Section 2.5.3 of the strategy. A detailed survey conducted by the Department in 2006 and updated recently, indicates that about 80 000 ha of additional irrigation could be developed, based on currently available surface water resources( DWAF, 2013).

Opportunities for new“ greenfields” irrigation projects are few and far between, not only due to scarcity of resources, but also the fact that almost all locations with good soils, favourable climate and available markets have already been developed. As the scarcity and value of water increases the trend will be towards efficiency, the production of high value crops, and the migration( through water trading) from the irrigation sector to other, higher value sectors( DWAF, 2009)

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WATER

POLICIES AND LEGISLATION

National policies, strategies and objectives for the water sector are set out in the National Water Resources Strategy, National Agricultural Strategy, Irrigation Strategy, policy on Financial Assistance to Poor Resource Irrigation Farmers, and Environmental Impact Assessment Policy.

Strategy is the link between policy and practical implementation of the policy in a structured way. Policy is a statement of intent, i. e.“ what” the objectives are that it aims to achieve. 2A strategy outlines the approaches and steps required to achieve the policy objectives, i. e.“ how” to meet policy objectives.

The purpose of a strategy is to be directorial, so as to prevent uncoordinated, fragmented development that would lead to inefficient and conflicting resource use.

In order to achieve its goals, a strategy must be realistic. Thus, two main aspects must be considered during the drafting of a strategy, viz.

• The policies underpinning it and their objectives, and

• The properties, characteristics and qualities of the available resources, including natural resources, as well as economic, socio-economic and human resources.

The national policies and strategies have shown a clear link among themselves. What has been and continues to lack is implementation( putting policies and strategies into action).

1.3. National Water Resources Strategy

South Africa is regarded as the 30th most water scarce country in the world. Despite this major challenge, the country has thus far done great in harnessing this resource in support of a strong economy and a vibrant society. This was and still is achieved through effective water resources planning, infrastructure development and effective service delivery.

It must however be stated that the country is facing various challenges with regard to its water resources and the management thereof. Various concerns have been raised recently regarding pollution and resource quality, water security for both social and economic development as well as services quality. These concerns must be addressed as they have major social, economic environmental, legal and political impact on our lives and businesses.

In assessing the situation, dealing with the present as well as moving into the future, it should be clear that South Africa will need to adopt an advanced and smart water management approach. The traditional approach of mainly focussing on new water resource development must be extended to also address and prioritise sustainable management including asset management and effective operations, effective use and demand management, local resource optimization including ground water utilization, water systems management and control, re-use, desalination and utilization of sea water, new technology and very importantly, the protection of our precious water resources. In setting up this new era of smarter and advanced water resources management some critical success factors and principles identified are:

• Water status needs to be elevated as THE critical resource and primary element of decision making.

• Water resources planning and management must be integrated and aligned with all growth and development as well as social and government outcome strategies.

• Water management requires active water sector involvement, accountability, commitment and ownership. It will require effective partnerships and teams.

• Water management is a complex business which requires improved sector management, governance, control, co-ordination and leadership.

• Water is not only a technical business. It also needs to include business principles and approaches such as sustainable management, financial management, service delivery and customer care, institutional arrangements, communication and continuous tactical and strategic planning.

• A priority is to invest in people and associated skills and capacity building – from the public to national government.

• Improved water sector knowledge, research, monitoring and evaluation are key aspects of the extended business.

• The issue of water security has put new emphasis on the concepts“ value chain” and“ life cycle”. In the planning and the provisioning of water, the challenge in many cases is not just a resource issue but rather a

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SABI | JUNE / JULY 2017