More fruit with less water possible study shows

Abstract

Agricultural water use Over 300 years South African fruit production has become a major contributor to the South African economy, not only in terms of job creation but also with regards to foreign exchange export earnings. With the costs of resources rising along with international competition, this irrigation-dependent sector is constantly requiring ways of raising efficiency. A recently completed Water Research Commission (WRC) study has applied various water use monitoring techniques in the field towards improving the water use efficiency of South Africa’s fruit production. Article by Lani van Vuuren. Covering an area of around 78 000 ha, deciduous fruit production is one of the largest agricultural sectors in South Africa. It is also a sector aimed at the export market, with more than 50% of fruit produced sold to overseas markets, mainly Europe. Fruit is principally grown in the Western and Eastern Cape provinces where warm, dry summers and cold winters prevail.

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