Water Wheel Jan/Feb 2022: Water And Agriculture

Abstract

‘First’ study quantifies water needed to grow avocados in SA Consider that incomparable fruit, the avocado. Botanically it’s a berry with a single, large seed. Slice its bumpy, purple-black skin. Split it asunder and behold a thing of beauty, if not a joy forever, to borrow from the poet. High in fat, and with a subtle, buttery flavour that leans to the savoury, the avo is the key ingredient in dozens of dishes. Avocado ritz would be niks, without it. And, holy moly, don’t forget guacamole! Little wonder more people are eating them. South Africa, as of 2020, has 14 700 ha under avocado orchards, with about 800 ha added each year. Trouble is, it takes a lot of water to grow one. Some 150-200 litres are needed to produce a single avocado of perhaps 250 g. The counter-argument is that avos are a high-value, high oil-content crop so comparing it with, say apples or oranges, is like comparing, well, apples and pears. Nonetheless, water is scarce in this country, with less to spare for more agriculture in the future. Avocado trees are evergreen so need water year-round.

Categories