Sound water use gives food security

Better water and land management will enhance the worldwide supply of food and fibre, according to the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage. The commission’s second conference, held in Muldersdrift recently, focused on the natural, human, social, physical and financial resources needed to improve water and land management and the productivity of irrigated and drained lands. According to Dr Sizwe Mkhize, acting deputy director general of the Department of Agriculture, South Africa is one of many countries that work tirelessly to ensure that agricultural water is used efficiently and effectively. ”SA has, through Asgisa, developed very challenging drivers that will see its natural agricultural resources stretched to their limit,” said Sizwe. “Over the next 15 years, this country wants to increase its irrigated agriculture by 50%. This means 600 000ha being developed under irrigation.” C hairperson of South Africa’s National Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, Dr Gerhard Backenberg, said SA needed an investment in human capital to ensure that agriculture manages its water resources optimally. There is a need to “bring together professionals in government, academia and the private sector to learn, share and improve on agricultural water management.” – Cornelia du Plooy and David Steynberg