Abstract
The promotion of efficiency and sustainability of water use have been enshrined in the National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998) of South Africa. Currently there is no immediate intractable water crisis facing South Africa, although this is undoubtedly based on the assumption that the existing water resources will be managed effectively. In enhancing revitalisation, the design and supervision of water resources must be linked with the country’s development approach for sustained agrarian reform. It cannot, however, be applauded that the broad social and economic objectives, or even the more specific objective of water security, in South Africa are being fully realized at moment. However, to understand the contemporary issues in revitalisation of water resources for sustainable agricultural development, the paper first describes the various phases of irrigation development in South Africa and highlights the past and present measures taken by the government to ensure equity of access to water. Secondly, it also highlights water security; water demand and supply management; water productivity and water governance in South Africa.
Highlights
South Africa is the 29th driest country out of 139 countries with 1 110 m3 of water per capita in 2005 (Muller et al, 2009)
The Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) as an economic development programme of government mandated for community based projects collaborated with Irrigation Management Transfer (IMT) to enhance the living condition of the people and to empower them to take over the control and maintenance of the existing irrigation projects in their areas
The paper suggest that there is no immediate intractable water crisis facing South Africa; this is clearly based on the assumption that the existing water resources will be managed efficiently
Summary
South Africa is the 29th driest country out of 139 countries with 1 110 m3 of water per capita in 2005 (Muller et al, 2009). South Africa is dependent on blue water (run-off or surface water) for its agricultural production and water security improvement. It is imperative to improve and revitalise water resources for sustained agricultural development and water security. According to (Hamdy et al, 2003), the more we conserve water for agricultural production, the less the need for investment in water infrastructural development and the greater the local food security, and more water for agriculture, more for domestic and industrial uses. The review paper dwells on a range of strategies and policy aspects adopted to revitalise the water resources for sustainable agricultural development in the following perspectives: Smallholder irrigation development, water resources in South Africa, water security and management, water demand and supply management, water productivity and water governance
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