Irrigation water use efficiency - It's all about balance

Abstract

Irrigation efficiency The water requirements of irrigated agriculture in South Africa are estimated at 56% of the total annual surface-and groundwater requirements in South Africa. Although the contribution of irrigation to total agricultural production varies according to crop type, most of this water is used for commercial food production in response to consumer demand. With increasing water demand from the domestic, mining and industrial sectors due to urbanisation and higher standards of living, more pressure is being placed on agricultural water users to reduce consumption and so increase the amount of water available for other uses. The implication is that more productive water use in future is essential. According to Dr Gerhard Backeberg, Director: Water Utilisation in Agriculture at the WRC, water users must understand the economic value and opportunity cost of water as a scarce resource and respond to incentives to use less water, which could then reduce the demand for sources in a river catchment.

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