DEPARTMENT of AGRICULTURE,
FORESTRY and FISHERIES
Water Sector Leadership Group Meeting
18-19 November 2009
Mandate
• The mandate of the department is derived from Section 24
b(iii) and 27 (1b & 2) of the Constitution which states the
following:
• Section 24b (iii): “Everyone has the right to have the
environment protected, for the benefit of present and
future generations, through reasonable legislative and
other measures that secure ecologically sustainable
development and use of natural resources while
promoting justifiable economic and social development.
• Section 27 (1b): Everyone has the right to have access to
sufficient food & water
• Section 27 (2): The state must take reasonable legislative
and other measures, within its available resources, to
achieve the progressive realization of these rights.
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Production and Resources Management
Purpose
• To promote agricultural productivity and
profitability through the identification of
opportunities, sustainable use and protection
of land, water and genetic resources and
infrastructure
development
to
ensure
household food security
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Background
• According to the National Water Resources Strategy
(NWRS)(2002), around 60% of all water in the country
is used for irrigation agriculture.
• The NWRS also states that water resources
developments have continuously evolved to meet the
socio-economic needs of the country, within the
constraints of Nature and whilst attention was mainly
focused on development of new resources, the
efficiency of water use was not developed to the same
level of sophistication.
• In 2007, the Department developed the Irrigation
Strategy which amongst other issues, attempts to
address the efficient use of water for irrigation
purposes.
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Background
• It is estimated that approximately 1.3 million ha is
under irrigation – which amounts to ca 1.5%
agricultural land or 10% of the cultivated land.
• Revitalization: There are about 453 (317 smallholder)
irrigation schemes in the country, where a large
number are suffering reduced efficiency or have
collapsed. Some commercial irrigation schemes are
under-utilised and are in need of upgrading.
• New Developments: Aligned to development initiatives
and programmes of government
• Management irrigated agriculture: Research on high
irrigation water use efficiency and profitability,
education & training of extension officers, farmers and
specialists in the country
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Institutional arrangements
• A number of government departments and institutions
are involved in the delivery of agricultural services. As
a result, coordinating bodies on various levels of
government have been established. These include the
following:
• Water User Associations
• Co-ordination Committees for Agricultural Water
• The Letsema-Ilima Water Resources and Irrigation
Working Group
• ITCA/ Min MEC
• Agriculture Water Committee
• Participation of DAFF in development initiatives
(e.g. CRDP etc) where agrarian input is required.
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Revitalization & development initiatives
planned in provinces
Province
Eastern Cape
Number of
schemes/ extent
6
Issue to be
addressed
Time-Frame
Revitalization of
infrastructure
2009 - 2014
Free State
PIE (3000 ha)
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New developments
Revitalization
At different stages
of implementation
Gauteng
HFS (18.9 ha)
New developments
Not indicated
Kwa-Zulu Natal
ca 10 550ha
Revitalization
2009 – 2012
Limpopo
ca 20 000ha
RESIS
2009 – 2014
Mpumalanga
ca 90 000ha
New developments
and revitalization
2009 – 2014
Northern Cape
ca 32 000ha
New developments
& revitalization
North West
Western Cape
3 500 ha
Revitalization
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Challenges
• Financial implications
• Operational costs
• Capital costs
• Existing funding
• Lack of irrigation specialists
• Climate change
• Resource base
8
Way forward
• Co-ordinate and lead the Water Use and Irrigation Working
Group
• Participation and support in relevant forums relating to
agriculture water use
• Participation and support in initiatives which addresses
revitalization and development of areas under irrigation
• Support research on irrigation related issues
• Support the training of extension, farmers and experts in
irrigation
• Effective liaison and cooperation with DWA
• Develop a national centre of knowledge and information on
irrigated agriculture
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THANK YOU
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